Saturday, November 22, 2014

Society Saturday - Church Records

Editor's note: Today's post was written by Sandra Gardner-Benward

Rev. Dr. Judson O. Gears on "Interpreting Church Records"

I would like to recommend this presentation from our November 2014 Meeting. This was an excellent presentation. It was not the standard presentation on church records. It was the why of the records....... why was that record developed & who developed it? We learned about the many religions, the splits and why......... what religion required/requires what documents? It was very eye opening.

Church records are an invaluable resource. They generally predate civil records. Locating and interpreting church records is complex. Gears gave an example of his own church -

The United Methodist Church - formed in 1968 with the merger of The Methodist Church and The Evangelical United Brethren Church (EUB). The EUB was a merger in 1946 of the United Brethren in Christ Church (organized in 1800) and the Evangelical Church (organized in 1861). The Methodist Church was a merger in 1938 of the The Methodist Episcopal Church (organized in 1784). The Methodist Episcopal Church, South (broke away from the M.E. Church in 1844), and the Methodist Protestant Church (broke away from the M. E. Church in 1828) ......... and so it continues. It becomes complex. I am lost in the example given above. - where are those records kept? Who created the document? Ethnic groups maintained congregational records in their native/traditional languages. Each religious group may maintain records, individually, with local organizations, and/or with regional organizations.

Rev. Dr. Judson O. Gears on "Interpreting Church Records"

Introducing Carolee Jones, Program Chair - Judson Gears - Rick Hanson, Vice President

Getting Started for the evening

Judson Gears is currently the President of the Board for the Nevada County Genealogical Society. He lives in Penn Valley, California jogears@gmail.com

The Rev. Dr. Judson O. Gears lived in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Texas for over thirty-five years before being appointed to churches in California. He has earned a Bachelor of Arts, Masters of Theology, and Doctor of Ministry Degrees. While now retired, he is an ordained United Methodist Pastor who served a variety of churches in Maryland, Texas, Pennsylvania, and California over a fifty year period

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Friday, November 21, 2014

Follow Friday - Inspiration from the Sacramento Family History Center

Editor's note: Today's post was written by Sandra Gardner-Benward

Sacramento FamilySearch Library Seminar 2014

Motivation, Inspiration and learning comes from many different places .............. this time from a day spent at the Family History Center in Sacramento - their annual genealogy seminar.

November 8 Saturday turned out to be a wonderful day in mid fall........ warm, comfortable, no rain or wind.

The keynote speaker Ron Tanner, Production Manager of FamilySearch.org, gave an excellent talk........... He was outrageous, funny, loud he made sense, and he made us all laugh. He showed a video that was specially put together about genealogy and done to the music of [darned if I can remember the name of the song] It was very clever and so funny and hit home. [I would love to get a copy for a Root Cellar SGS meeting night]. He gave a great history of THE LIBRARY and showed a video about the vault in the mountain, the building of the vault, and upkeep. There are 6 archival chambers, always kept at 55 degrees year round, 33% of the vault is digitized, 3.5 million images/rolls converting to digital. 3% images are done, 3 billion search able names, Help Center Very interesting. Also discussed the Family Tree online and memories and where that is all going.......... Ron thinks that there should only be one tree on Family Tree and then each person comes in and adds their information plus ancestors. Changes can be made by anyone but with sources listed & contact information.Interesting concept and one I like to a point.

WHY ATTEND?

26 classes offered and about 20 different speakers

Pre-order a box lunch.

FREE (except lunch)........

Download the entire syllabus, read through the classes, pick the ones you wanted to take, print out only the classes you were going to attend - being very prepared

Attending all the classes you could not take : the same classes are being offered at a later date in November, December and part of January. You need to check the website for the classes being offered

Excellent conference for beginners..... get their feet wet, learn and not drown in all the classes offered

Family History Library open for the day

Good map of church buildings and where classes were held

Good signage in the church hallways

Excellent map of area with restaurants/ fast food places marked clearly

What a great idea!! . . Thank You from the community.

I attended the following classes:
Facebook for Genealogists- Advanced with Marna Ambroselli
Solving the Most Common Family History Mysteries Online with Jim Baker
Finding Cousins to Add to Your Crew with Tim Fewkes
Find My Past with Maurine Nuttall

I have checked the list of classes being given again and find that there are 12 that I would like to attend over the next couple of months. The benefits from this seminar keep growing and giving.

Shop and Support Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society.
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Thursday, November 20, 2014

Those Places Thursday - FGS Conference Announces KeyNote Speaker

Editor's note: posted today by Sandra Gardner-Benward-- press release through FGS Conference

FGS 2015: A. J. Jacobs Friday Keynote Speaker

The host of the world’s largest family reunion is coming to FGS and RootsTech 2015. A. J. Jacobs is out to show how we are all related to each other as part of one large family.

Jacobs is an author, lecturer, and the force behind the GLobal Family Reunion, an event scheduled for June 6, 2015 to show how we are all part of one big family and raise funds for Alzheimier's research.

FGS has joined the Global Family Reunion to facilitate the organization of branch parties at genealogical societies across the United States and around the world to bring the live-streamed event to the branch parties.

Regarding his appearance at the conference, Jacobs said, "I look forward to talking about how the Global Family Reunion and the Federation of Genealogical Societies can entice more of our 7 billion cousins to jump into the wonderful world of genealogy." Jacobs added, “I’m a relative newcomer to genealogy, but I am thoroughly addicted to it. It’s my favorite way to learn about history – and it’s the ultimate social network.”

Shop and Support Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society.

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Monday, November 17, 2014

Motivation Monday - FGS Conference Armchair Planning

Editor's note: Today's post was written by Sandra Gardner-Benward

...........and FGS Conference is right around the corner. Time to start armchair planning. I love this part of the planned process because anything is possible. Reality sets in later down the line where you have to make those final decisions.

I need to sit down with the schedule of classes and see what is being offered. I am also attending the 'twin' conference, RootsTech, so I need to read about what is being offered there also. AND then somehow come out with a great schedule with back ups just in case classes I choice are full. This is going to be frustrating, because there are enough good classes to take from either conference and now I have two conference classes to choose from to whittle down into one schedule. To me it seems it is unfair to the conference goer and to the instructors too. It should not be a competitive affair. OK OK I am off my soap box now.

When I go through classes I look for anything NEW, anything to do with Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut and now Massachusetts, and anything that catches my interest (that I cannot explain - it is a personal choice) . I have my magic markers (probably several markers in different colors) handy and start marking the ones that I first think I may be interested in attending. AND, yes I do look to see who is instructing each class also...... it does make a difference to me. I look for presenters I have not heard of, presenters I have not taken a class from yet. I like to hear about the same subject from many different people...... sometimes you connect and sometimes you don't. I look for instructors that are dedicated to certain subjects or locations. I feel I am beyond the basic classes but I am not above taking one if an instructor interests me, or the write up of the class is of interest, basic or not.

I don't think I have ever picked a class by the instructor......... ooops, yes I have. TWICE!! In the beginning I had heard so much about Elizabeth Shown Mills and her FAN concept along with sourcing. I was not disappointed but had to 'fight' for a seat. I also attended a class several years back because Judy Russell, The Legal Genealogist was speaking. I had been told that her blog was the one to follow and so I did. Now I had an opportunity to hear her and meet her. AND I did. Again, not disappointed. But normally I do not look at the instructors till after I have chosen classes and are starting to cut ones or are looking for the those back ups, then I start looking at who is speaking. You know as well as I do, that we don't connect with everyone and/or you need to hear the same information from a different view point.

Next I will need to read about all the other activities going on, luncheons available, exhibit hall, and the LIBRARY........ along with some down time (when will that happen 2-3am?)

Shop and Support Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society.
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Saturday, November 15, 2014

Society Saturday - Extracting and A Free Lunch

Editor's note: Today's post was written by Sandra Gardner-Benward

...........and they said it couldn't happen. But it has and it was great.

Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society has a very strong Extraction Committee led by Marilyn Ulbricht. We have partnered with the Center of Sacramento History . This has turned out to be a great relationship for both of us and the community. Lots of the extractions we have done and turned into publications have been used multiple times by the Sacramento community. We are delighted.

So once a year Pat Johnson puts together a really nice lunch for her staff and all the Root Cellar extraction committee volunteers. Usually a great "build your own salad", rolls and dessert. Excellent. I think what we like is that we actually get to sit down with Pat and staff and get to know them a little better. As I said we have a great relationship with the Pat and staff. Thank You Very Much for all you do for this community.

Meet Patricia Johnson, Senior Archivist and Volunteer Coordinator .......... she is a true Root Cellar SGS supporter.

Lunch is set up. Members & staff are trickling in, lunch is now being self served. Oh so good!!

Thank you so much for a wonderful break, lunch and getting to know others.

Shop and Support Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society.
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Thursday, November 13, 2014

Those Places Thursday: Press Release Special Performance

Editor's note: posted today by Sandra Gardner-Benward - press release through FGS

Press Release:

FGS 2015 announces Alex Boye and One Voice Children's Choir to Perform at FGS and RootsTech 2015

Thursday, February 12 at 6:00 p.m.

Popular musician and YouTube sensation Alex Boye is teaming up with the stars of his popular "Let it Go!" YouTube cover One Voice Childrens Choir to perform on the opening day of FGS and RootsTech 2015. The two musical talents have collaborated before and will unite for this speical performance.

Boye has developed an impressive following through live concerts, numerous albums, and YouTube videos. The One Voice Children’s Choir received national exposure over the summer as quarter-finalists on the NBC hit show, America’s Got Talent. Their cover of “Let It Go” from Disney’s Frozen has been watched more than 50 million times.

Alex Boye and the One Voice Children's Choir will take the Salt Palace Convention Center stage at 6:00 pm, Thursday, February 12.

To register for FGS 2015 and reserve your free ticket to this event, visit FGS Conference.

Shop and Support Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society.
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Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Wordless Wednesday - Archives Crawl in Pictures

Editor's note: Today's post was written by Sandra Gardner Benward - pictures submitted by Marilyn Ulbricht -thanks!

Archives Crawl write up.......... see Society Saturday November 8, 2014

Enjoy the day in pictures...........................

Thanks to Marilyn who tried to take pictures of all that she was seeing all day long. We all appreciate it. So now we follow Marilyn, Chris and Charlene around for the day...........