Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Genealogy Journal - 30 June 2009

June is over? Where did the time go? It was a busy month, but I like to be busy. Taught two classes, gave one long lecture, hosted the CVGS research group, wrote my FORUM column, wrote a Graveyard Rabbit column, blogged like crazy, went to SCGS Jamboree on the train, met 35 or more geneabloggers, and loved my time with Audrey and Lolo (and Tami and James too!).

Up at 7, was on computer by 7:45, read everything before getting cleaned up. Posted In the Genea-bloggers Lounge at SCGS Jamboree and California Assembly Bill AB130 - IAJGS Letter.

* Worked on my column a bit, finished it up and found I had way too many words. Argghhh. Editing is needed. Had lunch while pondering what to do.

* Wrote Geneabloggers Dinner Photos - Post 3 and then tackled email. Did some research on the Ben Kaber mystery and wrote the Holland guy and Sharon too after finding some information. Don't know if it's right, though. We'll see!

* At 5, went in to watch TV and read the paper, then we had dinner. At 6 p.m., came back, read everything, posted CVGS Members at SCGS Jamboree and More on California AB130 - California Vital Records Access. Time for the Padres game!

* Read the ProGen homework chapters in the Professional Genealogy book during the game. Need to do the homework soon! Padres won 4-3 over Astros in the end.

* At 10 p.m., back to read everything, then post this summary.

Genealogy today was 10.0 hours - 1.5 hours reading email and blogs, 1.0 hour on Twitter and Facebook, 3.0 hours writing 6 blog posts, 1.5 hours working on column, 2.5 hours working on Ben Kaber research and emails, and 0.5 hour on ProGen assignment.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Genealogy Journal - 29 June 2009

We got back from the SCGS Jamboree on Sunday night and I was too tired to post about the weekend - but I wrote reports on Genea-Musings for each day.

Today was blogging catch-up day... and then a night out with my Angel Linda.

* Up early, ready to post! Read email, blogs and Twitter, uploaded all of my photos from the camera to the computer, and posted in rapid succession Geneabloggers Dinner Photos - Post 1, Ancestry.com Name Change and YouTube Videos, and Tweeting the Bloggers Summit.

* Sometime in the morning, uploaded photos to a Facebook album and added captions and name tags.

* Had lunch, and wrote Best of the Genea-Blogs - June 21-27, 2009 and pre-dated it to Sunday.

* Took a short nap, back at it reading everything and wrote Geneabloggers Dinner Photos - Post 2 to publish later in the afternoon.

* We left after 4:40 p.m. for dinner at the Tin Fish downtown in the Gaslamp and went to the Padres game - lost 3-1 to Astros. Home by 10:15 p.m., which was great. Read everything and wrote this post.

Genealogy today was 8.0 hours - 1.5 hours reading everything, 1.0 hour putting photos on Facebook, and 5.5 hours writing blog posts! Almost a record, I think.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Genealogy Journal - 25 June 2009

Road Trip! More accurately - train trip. We leave tomorrow for Burbank and will be there until Sunday night. I spent most of today writing blog posts and getting ready for the trip.

* On computer before 8 a.m. reading everything (email, blogs, Twitter) and wrote CVGS Program Summary - Joan Lowrey on Passenger Lists and Who Were Ben Kaber's Parents? Got cleaned up, had lunch, went to pharmacy.

* Wrote David Auble (1817-1894) - Gravestone and Obituary for the Graveyard Rabbit Carnival and Ancestry.com Quirk - 1930 Census Index. Also wrote two more posts for the weekend.

* Got my laptop case squared away with camera, batteries, camera USB cord, cellphone cord, notepad, notes, etc. Worked on some email too. At 3:30, went in to read paper and take nap just as Michael Jackson died. Yawn. Had dinner, did chores, etc.

* At 7 p.m., participated in the TG Study Group chat on the NGSQ article. Good time - 7 of us, most in awhile.

* Wrote one more post, did some Ancestry research, and then wrote this post. 8 posts total today.

Genealogy today was 8.5 hours - 1.5 hours reading, 1.0 hour on Ancestry, 5.0 hours researching and writing blog posts, 1.0 hour getting ready for Jamboree.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Genealogy Journal - 24 June 2009

Blogging, reading and a CVGS program - a good genealogy day! Gotta get ready for Jamboree, though!

* Read everything by 8:15, wrote Family Photographs - Post 61: Why is Betty crying? then edited What I Want in a Family Tree Program a bit, downloaded RM4 update, and wrote RootsMagic 4 is Updated before getting cleaned up. Came back and wrote Want to Start a Genealogy Blog? before heading off to lunch.

* Went to McDonalds for lunch - almost got hemmed in by an ambulance in the parking lot. Got to library in time for CVGS program. Joan Lowrey did a good job on her talk about Passenger Lists. Was home by 2:30, and took a nap since Linda was on computer.

* Online at 3:30 p.m., read everything and wrote CVGS Program - Joan Lowrey on Passenger Lists and 3,000 post milestone at Genea-Musings. Went in to watch TV, swat flies and eat dinner.

* Back at 6:30 for awhile - checked out Ancestry ExpertConnect and new databases. Printed out some cards, then started copy process of all genealogy files to flash drive.

* Watched Padres game, watered front plants, read my TGSG article for chat on Thursday, and printed more cards and copy to flash drive finally ended. Pads lost 4-3 to Mariners.

* Back on at 10 p.m., read everything, wrote My Daily Three and this post. 7 blog posts today.

Genealogy today was 8.5 hours - 1.5 hours reading stuff, 3.5 hours writing blog posts, 0.5 hour in software, 1.0 hour on Ancestry, and 2.0 hours at CVGS program.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Genealogy Journal - 23 June 2009

Where did the day go? I must have had fun...it went by quickly! I remember blogging this morning and this afternoon...

* Read email, blogs and Twitter before posting "Genealogy in the Cloud" Program Summary - Part 2 about the CGSSD meeting on Saturday. Funny that no one is commenting on these two posts! Don't care? Unintelligible? Old news?

* Got cleaned up, and went off to the bank for $$ for Jamboree, then to the library to do obituary lookups for two people. Found 3 out of 4 requested in CV Star-News paper! Home by 12:30 p.m.

* Read everything, plus Facebook, then wrote What I Want in a Family Tree Program making it up as I went along. Figured I could always edit it!

* Checked new Ancestry databases - not much I'm interested in or can access. Tweeted and wrote comments on Facebook for awhile. Made the mistake of writing about politics again.

* Linda called at 4:30 to say her car was towed and I needed to pick up the neighbors and meet her for dinner at SouPlantation. Did it, was pretty good, we were home by 7, although she had to bail her car out of the towing yard. $$$. Drat - parked in a private area without knowing it while on a deacon visit.

* Home at 7, read everything quickly during Padre game breaks, watered the back lawn/dirt, and refilled the bird feeder. Padres won 9-7 over M's but it was a nail-biter.

* Online at 10, read everything, wrote My Daily Three and then this post.

Genealogy today was 8.5 hours - 1.5 hours reading stuff, 3.0 hours writing blog posts, 1.0 hour on Facebook, 1.0 hour in software, 1.5 hours at the library on CVGS mission, and 0.5 hour checking online databases.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Genealogy Journal - 22 June 2009

Ah, a good genealogy day! Blogged all morning, became a Genealogy Evangelist in the afternoon, and blogged all evening.

* Up early and on the computer before 8 a.m. - read email, blogs and Twitter. Wrote "Did They Really Come on That Ship?" CVGS Program on 24 June (on both Genea-Musings and Chula Vista Genealogy Cafe) and the post about AB130 which I took down later. Posted Footnote.com Subscription Rate Increased, but there is a deal.

* Thought of things to add to presentation at last minute, so updated Powerpoint and handout, and printed handout again for copying. Left home at 11 a.m. to go to copy shop for 100 copies of handout, then to In'N'Out for lunch and to Point Loma library for presentation - got there too early - opens at 12:30!

* Got set up for presentation ahead of time - AV guy hooked me up to microphone, projector and clicker/pointer. At 12:45, folks filed in and filled up about 80 chairs. We got started on time and 90 minutes later I was tired and hopefully they were entertained and informed by "Genealogy - Be An Ancestry Detective!" Good engagement from audience, lots of questions, thank yous afterward.

* Home by 3:30 p.m., and read everything, then posted Access to California Vital Records Indexes about AB 130. The genealogy community needs a good reading on this and recommendations. I went in at 4:45 to read the paper, watch the news, take a nap, and eat dinner.

* After dinner, posted "Genealogy in the Cloud" Program Summary - Part 1 about the CGSSD meeting program on Saturday. Checked in on Twitter and Facebook, checked for new Ancestry databases, did some browsing on web pages and wrote My Daily Three. Then this post and I'm done for the night, unless something important happens. 7 blog posts for the day.

Genealogy today was 9.0 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 3.0 hours on presentation and handout, 1.0 hour web browsing and 3.5 hours writing blog posts.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Genealogy Journal - 21 June 2009

Happy Father's Day to all dads - I really enjoyed mine with my granddaughters and my daughter and her husband treated us all to dinner. My daughter and two grandsons called in the evening and sang to me.

* Up before 7 with the girls (who slept well through the night), got them fed and got a start on my reading and the the Best of post while Linda watched over them. Cleaned up, got them dressed and off to church at 9:30. We were home by 11:30. Got the girls fed and down for a nap and I finished the Best of the Genea-Blogs post, then got a nap myself watching the Padres game. We won!

* Tami and James came at 3 p.m. and the girls were happy to see them. We talked for awhile, then left at 4:30 to go to the Cheesecake Factory in Mission Valley for dinner. It was mobbed, but we were done by 6:15 and home by 6:45. Tami and family went home.

* Read everything, got the laptop out to charge battery and do scans and updates. Proofed the presentation and handout again, saved them to hard drive and two flash drives, then saved as PDFs also. I'm ready for Monday!

* Wrote "New Genealogy Websites" SIG meeting at CGSSD and then this post. Too tired to write summary of CGSSD program meeting now.

Genealogy today was 5.0 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 2.0 hours writing blog posts, and 1.5 hours working on presentation and handout.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Genealogy Journal - 19 and 20 June 2009

Not much genealogy on Friday, but had an interesting Saturday. The girls are still here and take a lot of time away from the genealogy quest, but we're enjoying making family history.

1) Friday - 19 June 2009:

* Linda left early, so I had the girls all morning until she got back at 10. Finally got to read email, blogs and Twitter, and quickly researched and posted My First Look at FamilySearch Alpha and then Postcard: A Tijuana Barbecue for the Postcard Carnival. After lunch, we all had a nap and then went swimming at Barbara's. Out to dinner at Chick-Fil-A where Lolo ate well and shared my milk shake, then hit her head in the play area. Needed ice, but she's OK. Audrey ate French Fries and bread and scrubbed around the play area. When we got home, she scarfed some veggies and applesauce.

* Gave the girls a bath, and Audrey to bed at 7. Lolo watched the Padres game with me until bedtime at 9 p.m. Game went until after 10:30, so I wrote My Daily Three and went to bed.

* Genealogy today was 2.5 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, and 1.5 hour researching and writing blog posts.

2) Saturday, 20 June 2009:

* Up before 6 a.m. with both girls - at least they slept the night. Got them breakfast, watched TV, got cleaned up, checked my email and read blogs before leaving at 8:30 for CGSSD meeting. Beginning Genealogy Helps - Post 4: NewEnglandAncestors.org and Saturday Night Genealogy Fun (?) - the Death Clock posted on schedule!

* CGSSD meeting was great - John K led the New Website discussion group and then Gary Hoffman discussed Genealogy in a Cloud about the future of genealogy research and documentation. Was home by 1 p.m. to find Audrey had taken a 3 hour nap and Lolo a one hour nap and they were ready to go. Linda took Lolo to swim again and I stayed home with Audrey to doze and play with her. It worked.

* We went to dinner at El Pollo Loco at 4 p.m. and were home by 5:15. Got Audrey more food, then her bath and dressed for 6:30 bedtime. Lolo and I played with puzzles during the Padres game until she went down at 8:30 without a fuss. Padres lost again.

* At 9:45 p.m., came in and read everything then posted My Daily Three and this post. I'm done!

* Genealogy today was 5.5 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 1.0 hour writing blog posts, and 3.0 hours at CGSSD meeting.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Genealogy Journal - 18 June 2009

Kind of a wasted gfenealogy day - did al ot of reading and browsing but notm uch useful work before the girlies came at 2:15. Then it was fulltime grandpa duties until after 7 p.m. when Audrey went to bed.

* On computer at 8 a.m., read email, blogs and Twitter, then posted Ancestry.com Member Connect Service before getting cleaned up.

* Worked for awhile on the presentation (added several more charts) and edited the handout again to reflect changes. Need to finalize this, but waiting for another genea-dream telling me what I've left out.

* Ate lunch at home, browsed through the American Memory site looking for San Diego panorama photos. Saw several that I already have large prints of!

* At 1:30, went in to take a nap before Tami and the girlies arrived. They came at 2:15, and I had grandpa duty until 7 p.m. Lolo played games on the computer for an hour, and Audrey entertained grandpa. Linda came home from Padres game at 4:30, and we went to Rubio's for dinner, the girlies were good eaters. Home at 6, Linda took Lolo to the neighbors, and I fed Audrey more and gave her a bath and put her to bed at 7.

* Linda and Lolo came home, I gave Lolo a bath and she went to bed at 8. I checked email, blogs, Twitter and Facebook, checked Footnote a bit, and then posted My Daily Three, then this post and I'm ready to stop for the night.

Genealogy today was 6.5 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 1.5 hours writing blog posts, 1.0 hour on American Memory, 1.0 hour on Footnote, 0.5 hour on Ancestry, and 1.0 hour on presentation and handout.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Genealogy Journal - 17 June 2009

Sort of a blogging fool today - thinking I need some in the can for the weekend since the girlies are coming on Thursday afternoon and we have them to ourselves for three nights.

* Read email, Twitter and blogs at 8 a.m., then wrote 101 Best Genealogy Web Sites for 2009, Family Photographs - Post 60: Christmas 1920, and CGSSD Meeting on Saturday 20 June - Gary Hoffman on "Genealogy in the Cloud " before getting cleaned up.

* Wrote one more for Saturday morning, then went to McDonald's for lunch and to the CV library for the CVGS Computer Group. While there, wrote about the activities in Live-blogging the Computer Group meeting . Borrowed two Deaver books, was home by 2 p.m.

* Proofed my column and the FORUM issue for awhile until I MEGOed. Worked on my new column for awhile until I MEGOed. Went on Ancestry and wrote NARA Databases at Ancestry.com.

* At dinner time we took the neighbors out to Chili's - decent food although Linda had problems finding food that avoids her allergies. We were home by 7:30, and watched the Padres game. We lost 4-3 to the M's...5 straight losses now. Frustrating.

* Back on computer at 9:45, wrote My Daily Three, then this post and I'll check Facebook and Twitter before wandering off to bed. I am really tired!

Genealogy today was 8 blog posts, 7 published, er... 9.0 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 4.0 hours writing blog posts, 1.5 hours on CVGS, 1.5 hours on column, and 0.5 hour on Ancestry.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Genealogy Journal - 16 June 2009

Another stay-at-home genealogy day - all work and all play for this happy genea-boy. Just me, Mark, Rush, Michael and Hugh before I have to do real world things.

* On the computer before 8 a.m., read email, blogs and Twitter before writing Using FamilyHistory101.com Maps. Went exploring in Ancestry Member Trees for the mapping function - works pretty well, could be better.

* Polished and added to the presentation PowerPoint and the handout - dreamed about adding software to handout overnight -- squeezed it in (everything is 10-point Times New Roman now...).

* Emailed Paula H this AM asking about wi-fi at the Jamboree - she posted about it and so did I after lunch - see Free Wi-Fi at SCGS Jamboree. Very cool. I had some observations and questions too.

* Started on the FORUM column and got it almost finished. Need to edit it and add more content, but I'm happy with the progress. I'm getting the hang of this writing stuff. Kinda surprised that no one has mentioned my first column anywhere. Maybe they don't know about it. I'll have to tout them as they are published.

* At 4:30 p.m., went in and took a nap, watched TV, read the paper, did some chores, and ate dinner. Afterwards, came in and answered some email then went in to watch Padres game. Watered back yard and front plants too, and filled bird feeder.

* Padres lost 5-0 to Mariners - fast well-pitched game - 3 hits into the 9th inning for both teams. Pads fading fast in NL West. Read my TGF article and some of Croom's sleuth book during the game.

* Came in, read everything and posted My Daily Three and wrote this post. Will check Facebook and look for blog fodder for Wednesday. Already have two things lined up.

Genealogy today was 10.0 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 1.0 hour reading blogs (Bloglines was messed up today), 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 2.5 hours writing blog posts, 2.0 hours on presentation, 2.5 hours on column, and 1.0 hour putzing on Ancestry.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Genealogy Journal - 15 June 2009

Already half way through June! Seems like just yesterday was Memorial Day, but it was three weeks ago. Crossed two more tasks off the list today...getting there! One major task remaining before going to the Jamboree in a week and a half.

* On the computer by 8 a.m., read email, Twitter and blogs, then launched into Finding 1851 Canada Census Images - Post 3 because there is more than one page on the 1851 Canadian census. Went looking for more blog fodder - read the FH101 site for awhile - good stuff there. Got cleaned up, came back and read everything before Linda grabbed the computer at 11:30. Ate lunch.

* At 12 noon, I called into A.com for a discussion about Member Connect. Interesting sneak peek - will blog about it when it is announced. Putzed around in A.com before going back to FH101.com and writing FamilyHistory101.com is a Great Resource.

* Decided to tackle the long overdue email answers - especially about the Seaver genealogy material. Added data to my Seaver database and wrote six emails to Seaver correspondents, some two months old. Embarrassing. Got the email list down to 13 to answer!

* Reviewed and polished the Genealogy - Be an Ancestry Detective! presentation again. Started the two-page handout - hope I can squeeze everything in.

* At 5 p.m., went in to watch TV, read the paper and eat dinner. Back online at 6:30 p.m. to finish off the handout and polish the presentation a bit more. Up to 94 slides now - yikes! An hour, easy!

* Looked for song lyrics so I could enter Bill West's contest. Decided to send in what I did two years go - Searchin' and Ge-ne-al-o-gy. Then looked for my post of my father in a swimsuit and submitted that for the Carnival of Genealogy. Seems like I have posts for almost everything already written!

* Wrote up My Daily Three and posted it, then tweeted it and checked in on Facebook before writing this post.

Genealogy today was 10.5 hours - 1.0 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 2.5 hours writing blog posts, 1.5 hours working in my Seaver database, 3.0 hours on the presentation, 1.0 hour on ancestry.com, and 0.5 hour on FH101.com.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Genealogy Journal - 14 June 2009

A pretty typical Sunday her at the Genea-Cave. Email, blogging, church, Padres, nap, TV, eat, computer, work, etc.

* On the computer by 8 a.m., did Linda's prayer list, read my email, blogs and Twitter, and tweeted about the Connie Moretti Rocks SDGS Meeting with Two Great Presentations post. Got cleaned up and went off to church.

* Back by 11:30 a.m., read everything then wrote Best of the Genea-Blogs for the week. Went in at 1 p.m. to watch Padres game and take my nap.

* Padres lost 6-0 to Angels, but I got a nice nap! Back to computer, read everything, worked on library Presentation. Need to have it right before I try to squeeze info onto a two-page handout. Went in at 5 p.m. to wait for dinner to come home.

* Watched TV, Linda finally came at 6:30 with Lolita's tacos. Scarfed 'em! Forgot to cut front lawn earlier, so went out and did that and missed the Lakers game. Yawn.

* Back on computer at 8 p.m., looked over some Beginning genealogy web sites, then researched a bit on my Rich family line looking for more descendants of John and Rebecca (Hill) Rich of Hilperton in Wiltshire. There are some in Ancestry trees, but no one has more info than my database. Did some census work to find families of sons Samuel and William - had some luck with CT cemeteries too. Added several folks to my database.

* At 10 p.m., decided to post my Daily Three. Struggled to find Tami G's web site - found it the other day! Then wrote this post and I'm done.

Genealogy today was 6.5 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 2.0 hours writing blog posts, 1.0 hour in online research and 2.0 hours on Presentation.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Genealogy Journal - 13 June 2009

Wasted very little time today (unless you consider blogging a time-waster, I don't!) and was busy having genealogy fun.

* On the computer before 8 a.m., read email, blogs and Twitter then posted Finding 1851 Canada Census Images - Post 2. Wrote the Saturday Night Genealogy Fun piece and set it to post in the early afternoon.

* got cleaned up, and left at 9:45 for the Family History Center. Ordered two films for Lanfear/etc. estate papers in Jefferson County NY looking for Devier's family. Used the computer systems for awhile to look in Godfrey Library (wouldn't login) and KindredKonnections (what a terrible search and user interface - very 1990s it seemed). Looked for Sephrona Fletcher in Canada in the Ancestry collection with no luck whatsoever beyond the 1851 census when she is a Kemp.

* Left the FHC at 11:20 a.m. for the SDGS meeting. Signed in, spent 30 minutes talking to friends and colleagues and met Connie Moretti before her talk. Really enjoyed Connie's two talks but had to leave early to get home to go to the wedding.

* Got home at 2:30 p.m. as orde...er, requested, and we went off to downtown Chula Vista to see Jolene (a young lady from church our daughter's age) get married. We were home by 3:30 p.m.

* Read everything, tweeted about SNGF, and went in to take a nap! Back on the computer at 5, I sent a copy of my handout from the March NSDCGS talk to someone who wants to use it at a family reunion. Fine with me - spread my genealogy seed far and wide.

* Dinner time! Costco Pizza and veggies, then the Padres game started at 6:10 and we watched that to the dreary end of a 9-1 loss to the Angels.

* Back to the computer at 8:30, read everything and wrote a post about Connie's talk to publish in the morning, then wrote this post.

Genealogy today was 7.0 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 2.0 hours writing blog posts, 1.5 hours at the FHC, and 2.0 hours at the SDGS meeting.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Genealogy Journal - 12 June 2009

I feel so guilty for wasting another day that I could have done more personal research, client research, planning, reading or writing. Lazy day today.

* Read email, Twitter and blogs, wondered what to blog about. Captured screens for the 1851 Canada census and posted Finding 1851 Canada Census Images - Post 1. Putzed around in Ancestry trees for awhile - did nothing useful to show for it. Internet crawled, so computer had to be rebooted, took the opportunity to fire up Firefox (I don't like it much) and read Tamura's articles. Got cleaned up, went to Costco to drool over toys and have lunch, then to bank, and home by 12:30.

* Messed around in Ancestry trees again (why, I ask myself now, not much good there) and put some info into my Seaver database. Checked some databases I hadn't looked at before too. Made new GEDCOMs of Master and Seaver databases. Posted CVGS Research Group Summary - 10 June 2009 and then worked in RootsMagic 4 for awhile to check out the Media function. Wrote Working in RootsMagic 4 - Post 25: Adding Media before going in at 5 p.m. to watch TV and eat dinner.

* Back online at 6:30, read everything and emailed Nita her census and passenger list files. Checked on Christina's problem too - found 1920 and 1930 census but not 1900 or 1910 for lady born in 1896 in CA. At 7:05, went in to watch Padres game, read the paper, finish my Deaver novel and read some online lists. Padres lost 11-6 to Angels.

* At 10:15, read everything then wrote this post. Done for the night!

Genealogy today was 8.0 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 0.5 hour reading Twitter/Facebook, 2.5 hours researching and writing blog posts, 1.5 hour in databases, 2.0 hour wasted in Ancestry trees, and 0.5 hour doing online research.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Genealogy Journal - 11 June 2009

Almost an all-day genealogy day - stayed home, blogged, tweeted, researched, worked on the presentation, bought an Ancestry subscription and not much else.

* On computer by 8 a.m., read email, blogs and Twitter, then posted Canada Census Indexes at FamilySearch Record Search. The indexes kind of suck compared to other sites. Checked the commercial sites, answered some email, tweeted and Facebooked, read some genealogists web sites, got cleaned up, shopped for an Ancestry.com deal, found none attractive so subscribed to Ancestry.com for a year, made my Ancestry trees public, posted CVGS Research Group Summary - 10 June 2009 and Homemade Memorial at La Vista Memorial Park and before I knew it it was lunch time. Drat - time wasted.

* After lunch, posted Interesting WorldVitalRecords Online Poll and then got down to work on my library presentation for 22 June. Got down to the end, now need to move stuff around and add some humor if possible.

* At 5 p.m., went in to watch TV, read the paper, take a nap, eat dinner, wash dishes, water the plants in front.

* Back to the computer at 7 p.m., read everything, then worked on a friend's research downloading records for some of her families. She can't find anything in the census, but I can. Even found two passenger list records for three of her four immigrant families. Then decided to post Ancestry.com US Subscription Deals before writing this post.

Genealogy today was 11.0 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 0.5 hour on Facebook/Twitter, 3.0 hours writing blog posts, 0.5 hour shopping, 2.0 hours on Ancestry.com doing research, and 4.0 hours working on the presentation.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Genealogy Journal - 10 June 2009

Already the second week of June - just 12 days till my talk at the library - gotta get hopping on the presentation. Today's the day! He said, hopefully...

* Didn't sleep well, up early, on computer at 7:40 a.m., read email, Twitter and blogs before posting Family Photographs - Post 59: Betty and her Grandparents and then wrote SDGS Meeting on Saturday features Connie Moretti to post later in the morning. Started in again on the library presentation for Genealogy - Be An Ancestor Detective, and got through the What and Why sections before cleaning up, eating lunch and grabbing the laptop to go off to the library for CVGS Research Group.

* Library opened at noon, and we had 9 at Research Group. Over at 1:45, and I was home by 2 p.m. Will report on RG meeting on Thursday.

* Back on the computer, read everything and noticed the two announcements about Canada census records, so put together the Canadian Census Records post and published it. Worked some more on the library presentation - almost done with the how-to section. Need to add examples of record types and some humor.

* At 5:15, went in to watch TV, read the paper, and eat dinner. Linda needed the computer afterwards, so I did chores (see, I have a semi-normal life, too) and then watched the Padres game. We won, 3-1 over the dratted Dodgers.

* At 10:30, back to the computer, read everything, wrote this post and off to bed.

Genealogy today was 8.5 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 2.0 hours researching and writing blog posts, 2.0 hours on CVGS, and 3.0 hours on the library presentation.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Genealogy Journal - 9 June 2009

Not a wonderful genealogy day - too many real life obligations to meet, plus I'm sorta burned out from the last six weeks. Gotta gear up for the rest of the month!

* On computer by 7:45 a.m., read email, Twitter and blogs, decided to post A June Wedding for the Smile carnival. Got cleaned up, left at 9:20 for the derma doctor, back at 10:30. Decided to balance the check books (only four months piled up...) and had lunch.

* At 12:30, started on my presentation for 6/22 titled Genealogy - Be An Ancestor Detective for the OASIS library program. Supposed to be a why? how-to? type of talk with Powerpoint slides. I'm using the talk I did last year as a model, but can use visuals in this one. Will have some humor too.

* Decided to blog about Some Average Database Sizes because I thought Tamura was done with the topic...wrong! Sorry TJ! Took awhile to gather material. My initial guess was going to be 7 inches... the height of the stack of paper for about 900 individual reports!

* Went in at 4:30 for a short nap, we left at 5 p.m. to take the neighbors out to dinner, back at 7:10 just in time to watch the Padres game with the Dodgers.

* Game over at 10:15 (Pads lost 6-4, drat) and read everything then wrote this post.

Genealogy today was 6.0 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 0.5 hour reading Twitter/Facebook, 2.0 hours researching and writing blog posts, and 2.5 hours on presentation.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Genealogy Journal - 8 June 2009

Finished two more tasks today - now I can work on the Beginning Genealogy talk at the library on 6/22 and my FORUM column on genealogy 2.0 for awhile.

* Up early again, on the computer by 7:30 reading email, Twitter and blogs. Posted Beginning Genealogy Helps - Post 3: LearnWebSkills Tutorial and got cleaned up to go out. Emailed the CVGS newsletter PDF to the members. Gathered my OASIS class handouts, made sure I had my flash drive, grabbed the extra newsletters for the library and left at 9:20 for Mission Valley.

* Got into the classroom at 9:45 and got set up for the class. 8 of the 10 showed up for the 4th and final session. They've been very positive about the class, but somewhat confused by all of the information thrown at them over the last month. I had a 45 minute presentation, then we worked on their research problems for the last hour. Solved 4 out of 5! I've found that by demonstrating how to use search techniques that they learn better especially if I talk my way through them. Stopped by the OASIS office afterwards to sign my contract for the October classes. Left for home at 12:30.

* Stopped at McDonalds for lunch, then to the library to drop off the extra newsletters and talk to Gary and Ann, and was home before 2 p.m.

* Read everything, then wrote California Vital Records Redaction and captured screens before writing Working in RootsMagic 4 - Post 24: Mapping. Read more. At 5, went in to watch TV news, take a nap, read the paper, and eat dinner. Was back on the computer by 6:30 and wrote June Newsletter is online before watching the Padres game.

* Watched the Padres game while watering back yard and front plants, finished the paper and started my new Jeffrey Deaver detective novel. He is great! Padres won 6-3, and came back to the computer at 9:45.

* Read everything, answered some emails, and wrote this post.

Genealogy today was 7.5 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 2.5 hours on OASIS class, 1.0 hour on CVGS things, and 2.5 hours writing blog posts.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Genealogy Journal - 6-7 June 2009

Completely forgot to write my journal last night after the Padres game. My Geneaholic stats surely suffered! Here's what I've done the last two days:

* Up early on Saturday for the men's group breakfast at 8, was home by 9:30. Read email, Twitter and blogs, and posted It's Official -- NARA Laguna Niguel to Close and wrote Saturday Night Genealogy Fun -- Where were they in 1909? to post in the early afternoon. Had a great response to this one - seems like many bloggers like a family history challenge.

* Finalized my OASIS "Beginning Computer Genealogy" class handout and presentation. Made PDFs, transferred to flash drive. Answered some email from students about their problems.

* Added more content to the CVGS newsletter, but the meeting minutes are late because Secretary is in LA. Tonight? Hope so. All done now except for one page. Decided to make it 10 pages and put the computer stuff in the middle pages as a pullout.

* Wrote two blog posts for Sunday because I'm gonna be busier than a genealogist with a 20 generation pedigree chart. There's a good SNGF!!! Cool.

* Watched the Belmont Stakes, and at 5 p.m. we left for the Padres game. Are dinner at Rubios, Took trolley to Petco Park, watched my Padres win 6-4. Home at 11 p.m. Read everything, but no posts. The minutes came by email.

Genealogy Saturday was 6.5 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 1.0 hour on OASIS class stuff, 1.0 hour on CVGS newsletter and 3.0 hours on writing blog posts.

I knew Sunday was going to be a busy day under deadline pressure, so was on the computer by 7:30.

* Squeezed the CVGS meeting minutes onto one page, edited and reviewed one last time before finalizing it as a PDF. Made the black and white copy for the printer. Printed out the black and white copy. Ancestry Quirks - Census Source Citations posted this morning.

* Got cleaned up and left for church at 9:30, was home by 11:30. Had lunch, made the labels, found the stamps, got the bag of stuff together and left at 12:15 for the copy shop. The damn copy machines would not make two-sided 11 x 17 black and white copies. One crumpled paper, the second came out blank, the third jammed up. Susi came to help me and did most of the work folding, stamping, labelling and taping. We had to use two-sided black and white 8.5 x 11 pages and staple them. We made 40 copies, 24 of which get mailed. We were done by 1 p.m. Best of the Genea-Blogs - May 31 - June 6, 2009 posted while I was at the copy shop.

* Watched the Padres game for awhile, took a short nap, read the paper, until the Pads were hopelessly behind 5-0. Came in to read everything, then print out the OASIS class handouts. Collated and stapled them. Went in at 3:45 to watch end of Padres game - they tied it with 5 in the 9th (and lost it 9-6 in the 18th later).

* Left for dinner in Coronado with the Roeters at 4:10, ate at Miguel's Cocina. Walked over to Lamb's Players Theater to see The Fantasticks. I thought it was terrible - fell asleep too several times. I don't mind musicals but this one didn't have many memorable songs. Either the script was poor or the actors were hopeless. Home by 9 p.m. to help Linda get set up for her luncheon tomorrow for her Bible study group.

* Read everything, then wrote this post. Will go to bed early tonight.

Genealogy Sunday was 4.5 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 0.5 hour writing blog posts, 2.0 hours on CVGS newsletter, and 0.5 hour on OASIS class.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Genealogy Journal - 5 June 2009

Another full genealogy day capped off by the Padres' 4th loss in a row. Where have you gone, Scott Hairston? Oh, the DL!

* Up early, on the computer by 8 a.m., read email, Twitter and blogs, then posted Beginning Genealogy Helps - Post 2: Genealogy.com. Watched some of the Legacy videos and posted Legacy Family Tree 7 Online Seminars - even beating Geoff's blog post and email about it (just lucky to find it). These are really well done!

* Went to Costco to check out toys and books, had lunch (Polish dog and churro) then to the bank for money and the library for another Jeffrey Deaver book. Great author. Was back by 1 p.m. and hung the hummer feeder and filled the bird feeder in back yard.

* Read everything, started CVGS June newsletter to be published on Sunday if I get my act together. At 5 p.m., went in to watch TV and have dinner, then back to computer to research and post Working in RootsMagic 4 - Post 23: Creating a Source citation (Part 3).

* At 7 p.m., went in to watch Padres game, read the paper, water the garden and read my Deaver book. Pads lost 8-0 - terrible game, we go on Saturday night.

* At 10 p.m., read everything, did some research for friend - actually found census and immigration records for two of her families. She will be pleased. Then wrote this post.

Genealogy today was 9.0 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 3.0 hours researching and writing blog posts, 3.5 hours on CVGS newsletter, and 1.0 hour doing research.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Genealogy Journal - 4 June 2009

A very full genealogy day, with time off for dinner and Linda's turn on the computer. Got two more things finished today, my to-do list is down to 5 or 6 now!

* On the computer at 8 a.m., read email, Twitter and blogs, then posted SCGS Jamboree News and New "Digging for Answers" article in the Graveyard Rabbit Online Journal. Went in and got cleaned up, but not going out today!

* Started on the OASIS class handout and presentation for next Monday. It's the last class. I've thrown a lot at them, I'm hoping something sticks. They'll have a decent pack of stuff to refer to, that's for sure. Ate lunch at the desk, and worked on it until after 3 p.m. Almost done, needs some more detail.

* Read the Ancestry.com blog, went to Ancestry and checked out the Family Tree enhancements, captured screens and wrote New Ancestry.com Family Tree Enhancements. This looks like an improvement but not a real big change IMHO. Downloaded and read the latest Internet Genealogy Magazine - has some useful articles about Canada resources and online databases.

* Dinner time, and I was back by 6:30 to read everything and finish my ProGen homework questions. Sent them off to the group 10 minutes before the chat at 8 p.m., which lasted until 9. Read some more, and Linda needed the computer.

* At 10:15, back on computer, read everything then wrote this post.

Genealogy today was 11.0 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 2.5 hours writing blog posts, 4.0 hours on OASIS class work, 2.0 hours on ProGen homework and chat, 0.5 hour on ancestry.com, and 0.5 hour reading IG.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Genealogy Journal - 3 June 2009

It was a busy day until the evening when I watched the Padres game. Shoulda kept on working, I think.

* On 'puter at 8 a.m., read email, Twitter and blogs, then posted Family Photographs - Post 58: Moms and Babes and Beginning Genealogy Helps - Post 1 before getting cleaned up. Printed off my CVGS things, and left at 11:20 for lunch at McDonalds, then up to the library for the CVGS Board meeting.

* CVGS Board meeting was over by 1:45, and was home by 2 pm. Linda was on computer, so took a nap. Up at 2:45, worked on ProGen homework until 4:30, then wrote Working in RootsMagic 4 - Post 22: Creating a Source Citation (Part 2) before going in for dinner.

* After dinner, made photos for Linda to share, then read everything and worked on a client problem for awhile. Emailed the ProGen homework off to the group for their review and comment. Went in at 7:10 to watch the Padres lose another game.

* Back on the computer at 10 p.m., read everything and wrote this post.

Genealogy today was 8.0 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 2.0 hours writing blog posts, 2.0 hours on CVGS things, 0.5 hour on client work, and 2.0 hours on ProGen homework.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Genealogy Journal - 2 June 2009

June Gloom is upon us - nice and cool and cloudy for four more weeks. Highs in the low 70s and lows in the low 60s. Don't have to worry much about sunburn. Cool. A stay at home genealogy day - I need it to get some things done.

* Up late at 7:15, on the 'puter by 8:15 reading email, Twitter and blogs. Hurried to get Doing a Surname Spread Study posted before my 9:30 a.m. telecon with the Ancestry Search folks. That lasted until 10:30, and I worked on my GYR Journal column for awhile and sent it off to Julie a day late. Drat, I hate to miss a deadline.

* Had lunch at my desk, and read my ProGen chapter on "Research Reports." Decided to use the DJ Smith name/birth issue, and put all of my sources into order with research findings, comments and some indication of source quality. Got the Research Notes part done, now need to work on the front part of the Report.

* Decided to post about the RM4 source citation process, so wrote Working in RootsMagic 4 - Post 21: Creating a Source Citation (Part 1). That worked out pretty well! Remembered the CVGS flyer, so posted Genealogy Days in Chula Vista - June 2009 on the Chula Vista Genealogy Cafe blog. Sent handout to OASIS class members who missed Monday's class.

* We had to go out to dinner with daughter Tami, so met her at Mimi's Cafe in Mission Valley. We were home by 6:15 p.m. Checked email, Twitter and blogs before the Padres game. Read my ProGen chapter again during the game.

* Padres lost 10-5 and it wasn't that close to the Phillies. Aarrgghhhh. Back to the computer to read everything and write this post. Done for the night!

Genealogy today was 8.5 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blog posts, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 1.5 hours writing blog posts, 0.5 hour on OASIS class stuff, 0.5 hour on GYRJ column, 1.5 hours on Ancestry telecon, 3.0 hours on ProGen homework.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Genealogy Journal - 1 June 2009

June starts and I'm already behind...I have a column due today and I'll be a day late. This was not a research day for me, and not much of a blog day either.

* Read email, Twitter and blogs before leaving at 8:20 a.m. laptop and flash drives in hand to take the car in for service and teach my class. Blogger posted Big GEDCOMs and other genealogy software things before I left.

* No traffic so I was early for my 8:45 car appointment. Walked over to the mall (about 0.35 mile) and sat for 30 minutes before going in to set up at 9:45 a.m. The class started at 10:15, only 6 were there. It was over at 12:30 p.m. I stopped in the mall for lunch at Burger King, then walked back to the car dealer, paid my $200, drove to the Chula Vista library, checked in with Dearl and John, and headed home.

* Home by 2:15 p.m., read everything, pondered what to blog about. Decided on source citations, so captured RootsMagic 4 screens for future posts and wrote Which census source citation should I use in RootsMagic 4? in a hurry. It shows, I fear. Not my best effort - I'll have to edit it a bit. Drew some comments, though!

* At 5 p.m., we left for dinner downtown and the Padres game. Pads lost 5-3 to the Phillies. We were home by 10:30, so read everything and finally wrote this post.

Genealogy today was 6.0 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 0.5 hour in RootsMagic 4, 1.0 hour writing blog posts, 2.5 hours on the OASIS class, and 0.5 hour on CVGS things.