Monday, May 31, 2010

Randy's Family History Days - 30-31 May 2010

It's been a busy weekend what with Saturday's trip to Tami's graduation, the Padres game on Sunday afternoon and the Memorial Day swim party today. We're all tired out, but it's been fun. Lori and the boys go home on Tuesday afternoon.

On Sunday, I noted that Memorial Day Musings posted, as did Best of the Genea-Blogs (both written on Saturday night).

* Linda and I went to church, and were home by 11:20 a.m. ready to pack up and go off to the Padres game. Eileen and Alexa came over, and we all took the trolley to Petco Park. We got there by 12:30 p.m., and the boys and Alexa got a floppy hat. Lori, the boys and I left after the 8th inning, and the Padres won in 11, 3-2 over Washington. We got home in time to see the game winning hit. Then it was no rest for the weary - I went out with the boys to play 30 minutes of baseball on the street.

* Linda came home with Eileen and Alexa, and we went down to Mr. V's for pasta for dinner. We were home by 7:45, and Lori got the boys down for bed. I read email, blogs, Twitter and Facebook. Lori and Eileen talked into the night, and I tottered off to bed at 11 p.m.

On Monday, I wrote Amanuensis Monday - the Probate of Benjamin Seaver's (1757-1816) Estate in some spare moments this morning before the baseball game with the boys. Also read email and blogs, then continued our Monopoly game until noontime, when it was time for lunch, and then we went off to Ron and Kathy's house for a swim party.

* We had a great time. The boys jumped right in and swam with me until it was time to eat around 3 p.m. There was a big spread - typical summer swim-party food. After eating, the boys went back in with Linda and Lori. We left at 5 p.m. and I managed a nap while Lori and Lucas were playing chess. We even took some pictures and video in the pool.

* We had a late dinner - more hamburgers - and watched the hockey game (Lucas and Logan are big fans) and the Padres game, and Lori got the boys down. Lori, Lucas and I continued our Monopoly game for about 30 minutes before his bedtime. The Padres won 18-6 (now 31-20), and I did the dishes and the laundry, then came in to check email, blogs and Facebook.

My genealogy time for both days was probably a total of 5 or 6 hours at most.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Randy's Family History Day - 29 May 2010

This was a day unlike most days - my daughter received her doctoral diploma in a hooding ceremony at the University of LaVerne. Not much genealogy done today!

* Up early, managed to read email and blogs but we left at 8:30 a.m. to go to LaVerne. Noted that Surname Saturday - PUTMAN (Holland > NY > NJ > NY > ONT) (written Friday night) posted.

* Dropped the boys off at our friends house - they were going fishing on the lake today - and headed for LaVerne - got there straight through at 11 a.m (120 miles). Enjoyed a chicken lunch, sat with the musicians and discussed education, and then in the ceremony each of the 50 new doctors were introduced, received their hood, had one minute to say something appropriate, and posed for a picture. It was over at 2:30 p.m. and we stayed awhile for family pictures. Tami gave the funniest talk of the bunch. There are many outstanding students in this class of 50 from the School of Education for Organizational Leadership. We made it home by 5:30 p.m. in time for the Padres game on TV. Noted that Saturday Night Genealogy Fun- your Relationship Calculator posted after noon.

* Lori prepared dinner, we watched the Padres, and the boys came home at 6:30 p.m. We had dinner, then switched between hockey and baseball until both games ended simultaneously. My Padres won 4-2, now 29-20, and two games in front in the NL West. Did the dishes after the game, then played Monopoly with Lucas and Lori.

* Finally on computer at 9 p.m., read everything, checked Facebook, and wrote two posts for Sunday.

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

Friday, May 28, 2010

Randy's Family History Days - 27-28 May 2010

Not much genealogy work accomplished on Thursday and Friday, but Lori, Lucas, Logan and I made some family history!

On Thursday, managed to write Treasure Chest Thursday - Austin's Mason Certificate in a quiet moment. Read email, blogs, Twitter, and Facebook during the day and evening. Wrote the Friday post on Thursday night. We played baseball in the morning, went miniature golfing, had lunxch at Rubio's, checked out library books, and had dinner at home. The boys went swimming with Linda in the late afternoon.

On Friday, read email, blogs and Twitter in free moments, and Dear Randy: Where do I find "the good stuff?" posted on schedule. Wrote the SNGF post tonight. Wrote Surname Saturday - PUTMAN (Holland > NY > NJ > NY > ONT) tonight after the Padres game. We played baseball again in the morning, then went to the Children's Museum in downtown San Diego. The boys love that place - lots of creative things to do and play on. Played baseball with Logan and soccer with Lucas tonight, and got them down fairly early.

We're off tomorrow to LaVerne to see Tami receive her doctorate, so SNGF will post after noontime.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Randy's Genealogy Day - 26 May 2010

A decent genealogy day up until naptime, then not so much. Two fun little boys will do that.

* Read email, blogs and Twitter, then wrote (Not So) Wordless Wednesday - Post 104: Lyle Dressed Up and Military Records on WorldVitalRecords.com FREE from 27 May to 1 June and set it for later. Got cleaned up.

* Received email about the 3 months free at Archives.com for NGS members, so wrote NGS Members receive 3-month FREE subscription to Archives.com. Tried it out, it works. Clicked around for awhile checking out features.

* Left at 11:10 a.m. for McDonalds for lunch, then to the library for the CVGS meeting. Took notes of the talk, got home at 2:30 p.m.

* Wrote Bobbie Lane's "Where in the World is Acadia?" Presentation Summary on the Chula Vista Genealogy Cafe blog, and one more post for later about the Genealogy 101 class.

* Read everything, checked Twitter and Facebook, went in at 5 p.m. to read the paper, take a nap and eat dinner. Failed at naptime. Left at 6:15 for airport to pick up Lori and the grandboys. Got back at 7:45 p.m. Went out and played soccer with the boys for a bit, came in hot and sweaty and cooled off with strawberries and watermelon. Watched Padres game to the end at 11:20 p.m. - 13 innings, Pads beat Cards 2-1 (now 28-18, will wonders never cease?).

* Quickly wrote this and off to bed.

Genealogy today was 7.0 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 2.5 hours at CVGS meeting and 3.0 hours writing blog posts.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Randy's Genealogy Day - 25 May 2010

Finished several projects today, and now the grandboys come to visit. Oh boy - my genealogy time will be greatly reduced, but my family history time will be maximized.

* Read email, blogs and Twitter, and posted Tombstone Tuesday -- Heck. Wrote NEHGS Building Collection of Digitized and Searchable Periodicals and set it for later in the morning.

* Realized I had not read the last two issues of NEHGR which I get via PDF download now, so read them and found several articles of interest - my ancestors or potential ancestors. Printed off those pages.

* Checked the Class 4 presentation and syllabus one last time, and had lunch - two slices of pizza. Linda came home and told me we had a lunch date at 12:30 - but I just had lunch! Printed off the syllabus and hightailed it to the Black Angus. Had salad and fries, brought the steak home.

* On the way home, went by the UPS Store to get copies made, was home by 2:30 p.m. Read everything, copied files to the flash drive, and went in at 3:30 to watch TV, read the paper and take a nap. Had a bite to eat at 4:30, packed up and was on the road by 5.

* Got to library at 5:10, set up for the Gen101 class, and talked until 7:40 p.m. when we stopped. Lots of compliments - think it went pretty well. Ruth and Gary had new badges with a golden G on it for taking the class. Also handed out certificates of completion.

* Home by 8:10, watched Padres to the end (beat the Cards 1-0, now 27-18). Then on computer at 9:40, read everything, wrote this post.

Genealogy today was 7.0 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 1.0 hour reading NEHGR, 1.5 hours writing blog posts, 1.0 hour on presentation and syllabus, and 2.5 hours at CVGS Gen101 class.

Not sure how much blogging and research I'll do in the next week - may not even do SNGF or BOGB this week if workload is too much.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Randy's Genealogy Day - 24 May 2010

A little blogging, a little reading, a little syllabusing, and two hours of 24 - almost a good day!

* Read email, blogs and Twitter, and wrote Amanuensis Monday - the Will of Martha Seaver (1764-1832).

* Worked on one last edit of class 4, got cleaned up, and out the door at 11:20 a.m. for the library.

* Checked out one obituary for a query at the library, and participated in Table Talk for a bit. Transferred the easel to John too. Home by 1:30 p.m.

* Read everything, noted that "A Marrying Parson" posted, and worked on the Class 4 syllabus. 14 pages! I'm afraid I have too much info for class 4! Checked Facebook and Twitter. Couldn't think of anything I wanted to blog about - have blog-lethargy.

* Went in at 5 p.m. to watch TV, take a nap, eat dinner, and read the paper.

* Back online at 6:30 - read some saved presentations and checked out some new FamilySearch articles. Kathryn sent Oakland obituary for Rev. Masden and I sent it along to Linda. Went in to watch the last two hours of 24 at 8 p.m.

* Back online at 10 p.m., all wrung out over Jack Bauer's escapades. Talk about plot twists and turns. 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, 1.0 hour writing blog posts, 1.5 hours at CVGS and library, 3.0 hours working on Gen101 presentation and syllabus, 2.0 hours doing online reading.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Randy's Genealogy Day - 23 May 2010

A little blogging, a little chatting, a little presentation fixing, and the Padres won!

* Read email and blogs and wrote Best of the Genea-Blogs - May 16-22, 2010 before going off to church.

* Home at 11:30, got into the Scanfest chat and spent some time searching for things to scan. Found interesting stuff in my box collection, but didn't scan anything! Was engrossed in my childhood artwork, my high school and college report cards, my high school yearbook and my baptism certificate that chatting was secondary. IE slowed way down, so got out of the scan at 1 p.m.

* Went in and watched the Padres game, took a nap, read the paper, and Padres beat the M's 8-1. Still first place, now 26-18.

* Back to work at 3:45, added content to the Gen101 class 4 presentation.

* Dinner at 6 p.m., watched news for awhile, watered front plants, then back online at 7 p.m. Worked more on presentation, read everything. Wrote CVGS Program on 26 May - "Where in the World is Acadia?" and posted it. Worked on a post for Monday - even some newspaper and census research on Ancestry! I love doing that.

* Helped Linda with chores, checked Facebook and Twitter 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, 1.5 hours writing blog posts, 1.5 hours on class presentation, 1.5 hours on Scanfest chat and 1.5 hours doing online research.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Randy's Genealogy Day - 22 May 2010

Had a terrible night's sleep - it was the Chicken Pot Pie at Marie Callender's, I think. Too hot, to much cream, too much heartburn. Or it was the Padres game. Or both. Finally got to sleep at 1 a.m. and up at 6:30. Ruined plans for the day too.

* We went off to 7 a.m. breakfast at Carrows for Linda's swim club - home by 8:30 a.m., but she worked on computer until 9:30 a.m.

* Read email, blogs and Twitter, then wrote APG Professional Management Conference Announcement, Surname Saturday -- FLETCHER (Ontario? Quebec?) and Saturday Night Genealogy Fun -- The Time Capsule (set it for early afternoon).

* Worked on adding content to the Gen101 class 4 presentation - land records and probate records. Just need the final words and a neat graduation speech now. Had to go off to the store at 2:15 for canned milk. Wrote two blog posts for Chula Vista Genealogy Cafe and checked both Gmail accounts, answered some email.

* Really tired at 3:45 p.m., so went in and took a nap, then we had dinner and I cut the front lawn.

* Online for a bit at 6:30 p.m., read everything, checked on Facebook. Then to Padres game, and checked Internet on laptop during the game. Pads won 2-1 to hand on to first place for another day (now 25-18).

* Back on desktop at 9:45 p.m., read everything, wrote this post.

Genealogy today was 6.0 hours - 1.0 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 2.0 hours writing blog posts, 2.0 hours working on class presentation, and 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Randy's Genealogy Day - 21 May 2010

Worked all day on genealogy, but frustrated by Blogger (wouldn't load images for me) in the morning and Ancestry (wouldn't search for me) in the afternoon. Got a lot done, though. Even rewarded myself with some database work (I know, only a geneaholic would think of correcting errors in his database as fun...).

* Read email, blogs and Twitter, then tried to write Follow Friday post but Blogger wouldn't load images for some reason. Wrote Nebraska Marriages (1855-1995) on FamilySearch Record Search instead. Found out there are none after 1915, though.

* Started in on the Class 4 presentation again - added more content for Land Records and Probate Records - just the basics - and almost missed lunch I was having so much fun. Even got dressed before the house cleaner came!

* Got frustrated by Ancestry.com not working in the afternoon, so posted (finally) Follow Friday - The Educated Genealogist. Answered some emails too, and added some content to my database. Got started correcting duplicate people, and date errors, and adding sources - got through the H, I and J names today. Just think, If I did this for two hours every day my database would be really improved after a month or two! That was fun...

* Took Linda out for dinner to Marie Callenders. We were home by 6:45 p.m., in time for the Padres game. Pads lost 15-8 to Mariners, and are tied for NL West lead now at 24-18. Drat.

* Read everything, checked Facebook in later innings, and wrote this post.

Genealogy today was 10.0 hours - 1.0 hours doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 1.5 hours writing blog posts, 4.5 hours working on class presentation, and 2.0 hours working in database.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Randy's Genealogy Days - 19-20 May 2010

It was a late night last night, so decided to do a two-in-one post tonight.

On Wednesday, Lolo up early, got her breakfast and juice, and set up with TV, and was able to read email, blogs and Twitter. Was in and out with Lolo, but able to post Top 50 Genealogy Sites for 2010 and write (Not So) Wordless Wednesday - Post 103: Little Lord Lyle and set it for later.

* Left at 11:15 a.m. for the library, and hosted the CVGS Computer Group meeting. We explored the new FamilySearch Record Search databases - each of the ten persons working on their own. Was home by 1:30 p.m.

* Wrote Massachusetts Vital Record collections on FamilySearch Pilot quickly, then Lolo got up from her nap, we packed her stuff up, and took off for Ontario Mills, leaving at 3:15 p.m.

* Got to Ontario Mills before 5:30, met Tami, had dinner at Rainforest Cafe, shopped a bit, had Krispy Kreme doughnuts for dessert, and Tami took Lolo home and we drove home listening to the Padres game.

* Home at 9:45 p.m., watched rest of 4-hour game until 11:10, Padres won 10-5. Checked email and blogs but nothing else.

Genealogy on Wednesday was 5.0 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 2.0 hours at CVGS meeting, and 2.0 hours writing blog posts.

Started Thursday off with high hopes to get the Class 4 presentation 50% done...not sure I did it.

* Read email, blogs and Twitter, then wrote Treasure Chest Thursday - Auble/Kemp Marriage Record and 50 Best Blogs for Genealogy - from OnlineUniversities.com.

* Got cleaned up, wrote Genea-Musings makes the Newspaper and 2010 FamilySearch Software Awards - what they mean and set them for later in the afternoon. Printed of the NGSQ article for tonight's chat. Answered some email.

* Had lunch, and started in on Class 4 presentation. Got first topic on Genealogical Proof Standard done, and the second section on Online Family Trees almost done. Still have Newspapers, Directories, Land, Probate and Court Records to go.

* Went in at 5 p.m. to watch TV, read the paper, eat dinner, then back to computer for the NGSQ article chat at 6 p.m. That lasted until 7 p.m., and went in to watch Padres-Dodgers game.

* Read American Ancestors magazine, the ballot measures, and the CGSSD Compu-Gen while watching the game, which the Dodgers won 4-1. Padres now 24-17, still in first place at 25% mark.

* Back on computer at 10 p.m. to write this post, check on Facebook and I'm done.

Genealogy today was 8.5 hours - 1.0 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 2.5 hours writing 5 blog posts, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, and 4.0 hours on Gen101 class presentation.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Randy's Genealogy Day - 18 May 2010

Feeling increasingly lousy - sore throat, sniffles, cough...where's my Tylenol 4-in-1?

* Read email, blogs and Twitter before Lolo got up, got her, and me, fed and watching TV. Back to write Tombstone Tuesday -- Stiff. Helped her make the family room fort with four chairs and three blankets.

* Wrote Graveyard Rabbit column article, then worked on the syllabus for Class 3, and proofed presentation too. Off and on due to Lolo attention getting. She is so much fun!

* Printed off syllabus and saved everything to flash drive. Had lunch, then wrote CVGS Highlights - mid-May.

* Worked in RootsMagic for awhile, downloaded updated program, tried to create a Place-Person-Event-Source report and failed. Wrote Can Your Software Make A Place-Name-Event-Source List?

* Packed up at 3 p.m. to go to UPS Store to copy syllabus, then to library to check on genealogy books, then to El Pollo Loco for dinner with Linda and Lolo and back to library by 5:10 p.m.

* Got the room open, got set up, started on time - had 18 for Class 3, and Gary came later. Lecture part over at 7 p.m., so went to computer lab to do some demonstrations and ended at 7:45 p.m.

* Home to watch the Padres game, got Lolo bathed and in jammies, roughhoused on bed with her, and she went down at 9 p.m. Watched Padres game - it's 12th inning as I write this.

* Came in to read email and write this post. Had responses to my software question - don't know how useful they are yet. We'll see.

Genealogy today was 9.0 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 1.0 hour in software, 1.5 hours writing blog posts, 1.0 hour writing GYR article, and 4.0 hours on Gen101 class syllabus and presentation.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Randy's Genealogy Day - 17 May 2010

A little blogging, a little class preparation, and a lot of Lolo-tending.

* Up at 7 a.m., came into family room to find Lolo sleeping in my recliner. She'd been up at 6:30, had some cereal and Gatorade, and fell asleep. Slept for two more hours after a good night's sleep. She was cool and had no tummy problems.

* Read email, blogs, Twitter, and checked in on Facebook, then wrote Amanuensis Monday - the Will of David Kirby (1740-1832) before Lolo woke up. Got both of us breakfast, then set her up to play on computer for awhile.

* Finally back on computer at 11 a.m., answered some email, worked on Class 3 syllabus, and added content to the presentation too. Had lunch, and Lolo went down for her nap.

* Wrote Do you have any good sources for ...? and then added that content to the Class 3 presentation and syllabus. Worked on syllabus until 5 p.m.

* We went to dinner at Rubio's and then to Ralph's for groceries and medicine, hoe at 6:30 p.m. Made final editing to syllabus. Wrote Casting Call for Professional Genealogists and then went in to watch the Padres game.

* Watched Padres game, got Lolo bathed and in bed quietly at 8 p.m., she had a good day - she's feeling much better! Watched 24 at 9 and Padres beat the Giants 3-1 (still first place, 23-15 on season).

* Back online at 10:10, 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, and 4.5 hours working on Gen101 Class 3 presentation and syllabus.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Randy's Genealogy Weekend - 15-16 May 2010

Whew! The weekend is over and I survived - as far as I can tell. There may be sickness on the horizon though - I have a sore throat and Lolo may have the flu. Two presentations down, 2 more classes to go, this month.

* Awakened on Saturday morning by Tami saying Audrey was in hospital ER with pneumonia. Linda almost drove up and back to get Lolo, but Michelle went instead.

* Read email, blogs and Twitter, got cleaned up, and noted that Surname Saturday - CUTTER (England > MA > NJ) posted. Gathered my laptop and stuff and off to the CGSSD meeting at UCSD in La Jolla.

* Got there at 8:50 a.m., sat in John Kracha's class on New Genealogy Websites, then went to main room and set up the laptop for my Wikis for Genealogy presentation. That went well - lots of compliments, hope they learned something!

* Went to lunch with Pam and her hubby, Jackie, Ken, Sharon at TGIFridays in La Jolla. Home by 2 p.m.

* quickly read everything, noted that Saturday Night Genealogy Fun -- the Wayback Machine posted, and went in to take a nap.

* We left at 3 p.m. for the Padres game, stopped at Subway for sandwiches, Pads lost 4-1 to Dodgers, we were home by 9:30.

* Read everything, copied the handout for the Ancestry.com presentation, checked Facebook, and forgot to write this journal.

Genealogy Saturday was 5.0 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 3.0 hours at CGSSD meeting, and 0.5 hour working on SDJGS handout.

On Sunday, Linda went and got Lolo from Michelle after lunch, and we have her now. She's been sick all day - cannot hold any food or drinks down. Very miserable girl, with fever and upset stomach.

* Read everything, wrote Best of the Genea-Blogs - May 9-15, 2010 and worked on Ancestry.com presentation for SDJGS. Transferred latest work to flash drive. Didn't go to church. Gathered up the handouts, the laptop, the projector and off to find Linda at Costco to tell her to pick up Lolo from Michelle.

* Got to SDJGS meeting place at 12:30, walked in by Jean, got set up, talked to folks, passed out handouts, meeting started at 1 p.m., introduced at 1:20, and I talked until 3 p.m. Too long, but they asked many questions. Seemed to be accepted well. Back home by 4 p.m.

* Checked email and blogs, really tired so napped in my chair. Lolo napped on family room floor for three hours in afternoon, then got sick when she ate a bit and drank water. Woke up at 5 p.m., held Lolo for awhile, Linda fixed dinner, and she wouldn't eat applesauce or toast.

* Went to store to get bread, kids Tylenol and Gatorade for Lolo - home by 7:30. She took the meds, scarfed some bread and Gatorade, and was normal for about 30 minutes, then it all came up. Too bad. Poor kid. She went to bed on an empty tummy.

* Online at 8:30 p.m., worked on Class 3 presentation for Tuesday night. Added significant content, found some good articles to share, answered some email, checked Facebook, wrote this post.

Genealogy on Sunday was 9.0 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 1.5 hours writing blog posts, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 1.5 hours working on Ancestry.com presentation, 2.5 hours at SDJGS meeting, and 2.0 hours working on Gen101 class 3 presentation.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Randy's Genealogy Day - 14 May 2010

I guess I'm ready for the Saturday presentation, and the Sunday presentation too. How did that happen? Where did the time go? I'm so looking forward to the end of May.

* Read email, blogs, and Twitter, and answered email before writing Follow Friday - What's Past is Prologue and Using the 1871 Canadian Census on FamilySearch.

* Got cleaned up, had lunch, and practiced the Wiki presentation. Added a few notes and charts. Hope I have enough time!

* Read everything, checked the database providers, and wrote two posts for Saturday (since I have CGSSD in the morning and Padres in the late afternoon.

* We went to Rubio's for dinner at 5 p.m., and were home by 6 p.m. Messed around on WorldConnect for awhile looking for elusive ancestors and didn't find anything new. Drat.

* Watched the Padres game, copied presentation files to laptop, checked Facebook and websites, then read my RBParker book. Padres lost 4-3 to Dodgers.

* Read everything, wrote this post, time for bed.

Genealogy today was 8.5 hours - 1.0 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 3.0 hours writing blog posts, 2.5 hours working on presentation, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 1.0 hour in online databases..

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Randy's Genealogy Day - 13 May 2010

The countdown continues - one more day to prepare for CGSSD program and two days for SDJGS program. I'm getting there! I really look forward to June when I may be able to get back into my database work rather than prepare presentations (6 for May).

* Read my email, blogs and Twitter, then responded to ESM email about my source citation (I was so proud of it too - shredded (?)). Wrote Treasure Chest Thursday - Mary Jane Kemp's Death Record and then wrote More about Finding and Inputting Record Sources and Citations. Wrote SDJGS Program on Sunday - Using Ancestry.com Effectively and the morning was shot!

* Ate lunch, got cleaned up, started work on the Ancestry presentation, but left at 1:45 p.m. for church.

* We had a 2 p.m. appointment for the church photo directory and bought some for Christmas too. We were home by 3:30 p.m. and I was tired so watched TV and had a nap.

* Back on the computer at 4:30 p.m. and read everything, and wrote two articles for SDGS, then back to Ancestry presentation. Dinner was at 5:30 p.m.

* Back on computer at 6 p.m. - worked on presentation and then handout and have it in decent order. I need one more run through both presentations.

* Wrote CVGS Research Group Summary - 12 May 2010 and another post for late on the Chula Vista Genealogy Cafe, then answered some emails, read everything, checked on Facebook and wrote this post.

Genealogy today was 10.5 hours - 2.0 hours doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 3.0 hours writing blog posts, 1.0 hour on SDGS articles, and 4.0 hours on SDJGS presentation and handout.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Randy's Busy Day - 12 May 2010

Two more days to prepare for the two weekend talks - almost done! Didn't get a lot done today, though. Oh well, I'm still retired!

* Read email, blogs and Twitter, posted (Not So) Wordless Wednesday - Post 102: Lyle in Uniform and wrote CGSSD Meeting on Saturday, 15 May - Wikis for Genealogy for later in the morning. POed that MH didn't name my blog as one of the top ones...but what do they know?

* Got cleaned up, made final changes to CGSSD handout and sent it to Del R. Printed out some posts for show-and-tell, plus the Thomas Page will, packed up my case and went to McDonald's for lunch, then to library by 11:45 a.m.

* CVGS Research Group went until 2 p.m., but they cancelled the 2 p.m. meeting on the October seminar. Home by 2:30 p.m.

* Read everything, wrote Vital Records on VitalSearch-ca.com and worked on the Ancestry presentation for SDJGS until 5 p.m.

* Went in at 5 to watch TV, read the paper, and we had dinner. Did chores while Linda was on computer, then had 30 minutes to putter around on FamilySearch looking at records. Lots of Seaver data! Will have to get to it sometime! Not this week.

* Went in at 7:15 p.m. to watch Padres game, finished by TJParker book, read more pages of Martin's book looking for New England resources for my families. Padres won 5-2 (now 21-12).

* Back online at 9:45, read everything, checked Facebook, wrote this post.

Genealogy today was 9.0 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 1.5 hours writing blog posts, 2.5 hours on CVGS Research Group, 1.0 hour on CGSSD presentation, 2.0 hours on SDJGS presentation, and 1.0 hour puttering in online resources.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Randy's Genealogy Day - 11 May 2010

Making progress - three more days until the weekend.

* Read email, blogs and twitter, and wrote Tombstone Tuesday -- Waldo and then Ancestry.com Source citations leave a lot to be desired and set it for later in the morning.

* Got cleaned up, gathered the class syllabus masters, and off to the UPS Store to make copies for the Gen101 class tonight. Home by 11:45 a.m. Ate lunch. Made additions to final page and printed them off.

* Started on the Ancestry.com presentation - got the family tree part done and a start on the Search part. Transferred class presentation to the USB drive and the laptop, and packed up the laptop.

* Went in to eat dinner at 4:30 p.m., and left at 5 p.m. for the library and the Gen101 class.

* Got set up and started right at 5:30 p.m. Handed out syllabus and launched into two hour presentation on education, vital records and census records. Left just before 8 p.m. and was home by 8:15.

* Watched Padres game, read the paper, and my TJParker book. Read email and blogs during inning breaks. Pads won 3-2 over Giants (now 20-12, first in NL West by 1.5 games, are they for real?). Checked Facebook, then wrote this post.

Genealogy today was 10.0 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 3.0 hours on CVGS class, 1.5 hours writing blog posts, and 4.0 hours working on Ancestry presentation.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Randy's Genealogy Day - 10 May 2010

Wasted some of the day waiting for Linda's plane...now just 5 days to prepare for talk to SDJGS. Tick, tick, tick...

* Read email, blogs and twitter before putting Amanuensis Monday - Revolutionary War Pension Affidavit of Mary Row together, then wrote Adding to the Encyclopedia of Genealogy and set it for late morning.

* Got cleaned up, made handout for CGSSD meeting and modified presentation a bit. About 99% done now, just need to practice a bit. Had some lunch, then left for library at 11:45 a.m.

* Talked to John, Gary and Ken at library about FTM, CVGS and more, then off to Costco for flowers for Linda, home for awhile since her plane was late, then off to airport at 2 p.m. Waited from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in cell phone lot until she was outside. Read some of the Morgan book and rested my eyes a bit. Home by 4:30 p.m.

* Read everything, printed Gen101 syllabus for Tuesday night, then we went to Lolita's for dinner and to the store for food. Home by 6:15 p.m., but Linda was on computer until 7:15.

* Read everything, answered some emails, reviewed Ancestry.com presentation from last October - need to change quite a bit of it. Looks like a Tuesday job! Wrote The Online Family Trees Conundrum in a fit of inspiration.

* Went in to watch 24 and read my TJParker book. Linda's got the snuffles and sore throat - argghh. Back at 10 p.m. to write this post and check Facebook.

Genealogy today was 7.0 hours - 1.0 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 2.0 hours writing blog posts, 1.0 hour at library, 0.5 hour on CVGS class, 1.0 hour on CGSSD presentation, and 0.5 hour on SDJGS presentation.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Randy's Genealogy Day -- 9 May 2010

Happy Mother's Day to Linda, Lori and Tami, and Happy Birthday to Lori. Got two tasks completed today, still more to do - 5 days on the countdown to CGSSD.

* Read email, blogs and Twitter, posted Sentimental Sunday -- Mother Memories and wrote Best of the Genea-Blogs - May 2-8, 2010 and set it for noon time. Didn't go to church...got cleaned up.

* Had lunch, watched Padres game, packed up newsletter stuff and went to UPS Store at 12:15 p.m., published newsletter, back home by 12:45 p.m.

* Watched Padres, read the paper, Pads lost 4-3 to Astros on two late errors.

* Back to work at 2 p.m. - worked on Class 2 presentation and handout until 5 p.m.

* Watched TV, had dinner, washed dishes, watered back lawn and front plants.

* Back to work at 6:15 p.m., wrote some blog posts on Chula Vista Genealogy Cafe, and wrote CVGS Highlights - early May. Read everything, and answered some email. That led to the database and to SSDI entries - added quite a few Seaver entries in SSDI to database. 10 p.m., holy cow, what happened to my ambition to start the SDJGS presentation? Drat.

* Checked Facebook, wrote this post, and I'm done.

Genealogy today was 10.5 hours - 1.0 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 2.5 hours writing blog posts, 3.0 hours on class presentation and syllabus, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 1.0 hour on CVGS newsletter, and 2.0 hours on database entries.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Randy's Genealogy Day - 8 May 2010

Got the Wiki presentation essentially done...now for the Ancestry presentation! 6 more days...

* Read email, blogs and Twitter, then posted Surname Saturday - ROW (?? > NJ) and wrote Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Matrilineal Line and set it for early afternoon.

* Got cleaned up but maids didn't come to clean the house. Drat! Worked on CVGS things for awhile.

* Had lunch, left at 11:15 a.m. for SDGS meeting. Didn't win the free year of Ancestry.com - double drat! Two talks by Wendy Elliott were OK, not wonderful, I thought. Stopped by several SDGS members who said they enjoy my blog - cool! Was home by 3 p.m., wrote up the Elliott talks for SDGS newsletter. Read everything but sleepy.

* Went in at 4:15 p.m. to watch Padres game, read the paper, take a nap (that happened quickly), have dinner, water the back lawn, feed the birds, wash the dishes, and, oh, the Padres won 2-1 (now 19-11 on year).

* Back online at 8 p.m., worked on Wiki presentation and then printed off CVGS mailing list and newsletter copy for printing on Sunday. Wrote Free Downloadable eBook for Mother's Day and this post. Checked in on Facebook - more pix from NGS!

Genealogy today was 9.0 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 1.5 hours writing blog posts, 1.0 on CVGS program things, 2.5 hours at SDGS meeting, 0.5 hour writing newsletter articles, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, and 2.0 hours working on Wiki presentation.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Randy's Genealogy Day - 7 May 2010

It is so quiet and peaceful around the house with Linda away in Santa Cruz. I would be talking to myself if I wasn't so darned busy with genealogy! 7 more days until the CGSSD presentation!

* Read email, blogs and Twitter and posted Follow Friday - Boston 1775 and wrote Images of the Will of Thomas Page (died Hawstead, Suffolk, 1637) to post in the late morning.

* got cleaned up, read everything, answered some email, had lunch at home, and left at 11:45 for my walk on the bayfront with George.

* Home by 1:15 p.m., plunged into research and writing for Finding Ancestry.com Databases without Name Indexes. Answered several Ancestry.com messages. Then started in on the Wikis for Genealogy presentation, which took me until 5 p.m. Got it almost done - just recalled the Ancestry.com Wiki, and need to add it!

* Went in to watch Padres game, read paper, have dinner, and used laptop to check in on Facebook and to go through the Family Matches in WeRelate for the database I uploaded on Wednesday. It uploaded fine after I finished. Padres won 7-0 over Astros, so now 18-11 (in first place in NL West).

* Back on the desktop at 8 p.m., read everything, edited the Thomas Page Will post, and worked on the CVGS Newsletter until 10:30 p.m. 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 and researching blog posts, 1.0 hour on Ancestry.com, 1.0 hour on WeRelate, 3.0 hours working on presentation, and 2.0 hours working on CVGS Newsletter.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Randy's Genealogy Day - 6 May 2010

New countdown - 9 more days until CGSSD meeting and 10 until SDJGS meeting -- need to get talks ready!

* Up early, got cleaned up, left home at 7:45 to take Linda to airport by 8:15 a.m. - traffic was bad on 805 and 94...was home by 8:45 a.m.

* Read email, blogs and Twitter, posted Treasure Chest Thursday - A Graduation Announcement and wrote Randy's NGS 2010 Conference Photos - Post 3 and set it for late morning.

* Downloaded Branches software and tried to upload a GEDCOM file to it - FAIL! Drat. Wrote First Look at Branches - Genealogy Software about experience and set it for mid-afternoon.

* Had lunch, then started on Genealogy Wiki presentation until 5 p.m. Read everything, but didn't blog any.

* Went in at 5:15 p.m. to watch TV, read the paper and have dinner (veggies, mac and cheese, Dove bar) by myself. Back online by 6 p.m.

* Worked more on CGSSD Wiki presentation...maybe 60% complete now - need WeRelate stuff and finish. Answered some emails too.

* Started on CVGS Newsletter at 7:30 p.m., worked until 9 p.m., then checked Facebook, read everything, and wrote this post.

Genealogy today was 11.5 hours - 1.0 hour on email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 1.0 hour on software, 1.5 hour writing blog posts, 5.5 hours on presentation, and 1.5 hours on CVGS newsletter.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Randy's Genealogy Day - 5 May 2010

It was really not much of a genealogy day with the grandgirls here and the Padres on TV. I guess I need to use the laptop in front of the TV more rather than read mystery novels.

* Up early, and read email and blogs before the girls got up at 7:30 and 8 a.m., then concentrated on them until Linda came home at 9:30.

* Wrote and posted (Not So) Wordless Wednesday - Post 101: Mrs. Marsden Law and Randy's NGS Conference Photos - Post 2. Then it was back to the girls, we had lunch and tried to get them down for naps, until 11:45 a.m.

* I left at 11:45 a.m. for the library for the CVGS Board meeting. We had an extra meeting afterward on programming, so I got home at 3:15 p.m. Linda and Tami and the girls were gone to Sea World.

* Read everything, wrote and posted SDGS Meeting on Saturday 8 May - Wendy Elliott and then worked on WeRelate.org for awhile. Made a GEDCOM file with just one of my lines, and uploaded it to WeRelate, and worked on the Warnings and Matches. Still have more to do!

* Had dinner at 5:15, came back and updated two posts, then back at WeRelate until 7 p.m., when Padres game came on. Read the paper, did the dishes, took out the trash, and Linda came home around 7 p.m. The game is in 11th inning tied 5-5 as I write this at 10:40 p.m. Wrote this post!

Genealogy today was 7.5 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blog posts, 2.0 hours writing blog posts, 3.0 hours at CVGS meetings, and 1.5 hours on WeRelate.org.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Randy's Genealogy Day - 4 May 2010

The first CVGS Genealogy 101 day is here and I was ready for it. Didn't get much else done, besides blogging, today!

* Read email, blogs and Twitter, then posted Tombstone Tuesday - Unmarked Graves in Searchlight, Nevada and Randy's NGS 2010 Photos - Post 1. Got cleaned up.

* Proofed the class syllabus material one more time, checked against presentation, made minor edits, and printed off the 11 page syllabus. Also printed up 8 forms and charts. Went to UPS store to get 20 copies of both sets of stuff. Back by 12 noon to have lunch at home.

* Wrote Family Tree Magazine sizes up the Genealogy Market and researched FamilySearch Beta Library Search - FAIL and set it for later. Transferred Genealogy 101 material to flash drive and to laptop - tested it, and I'm ready to go!

* Packed everything up ready to go, and went in at 4 p.m. to read the paper, rest my eyes, and eat dinner.

* Left after 5 p.m. for the library, got there at 5:15, students eagerly waiting at the door! Got set up and 18 of 19 were there at 5:30 p.m. start. The 19th came later. Went until almost 8 p.m. - had too many slides or not enough time! Always the case, I fear! The group seemed to get much out of it. Ruth and Gary helped with paperwork and snacks/drinks.

* Was home by 8:15 p.m. to find two little girls eager to talk to me and play with me. I obliged while watching Padres game. Audrey went to bed OK, but Lolo is still up at 10:30, I fear. Read everything, checked Facebook and wrote this post around Padres at-bats. Pads won 3-2 in bottom of 9th inning over Rockies (now 17-10, still first place in NL West).

Genealogy today was 9.0 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 0.5 hour reading blogs, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 2.5 hours writing five blog posts, and 5.0 hours on CVGS Genealogy 101 class.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Randy's Genealogy Day - 3 May 2010

I was going along fine, and then the Padres game came on and all genealogy activity stopped - except for reading Family Tree Magazine.

* Up early, read email, blogs and Twitter and posted Amanuensis Monday - the Will of Jonathan White (1730-1804), then New FamilySearch Record Search Databases - 300 million names! and wrote Blogger Meetups at NGS 2010 for posting later in the afternoon.

* Got cleaned up, read everything again, found several NGS writeups, organized the NGS swag into useful piles, and had lunch before going to the library.

* Got to the library at 11:40 a.m,. and John, Ruth and Gary were there. We discussed NGS and some CVGS issues including the Genealogy 101 class, and Gary gave me the projector for Tuesday night. Ken came and we talked about FTM for awhile.

* Was home by 1:45 p.m., read everything quickly, and started on the Class 3 presentation. Got it mostly done by 6:30 when Linda called for dinner.

* Had dinner, then did chores, and watched the Padres game while reading paper, reading book and finally FTMagazine (even found some of my quotes in Maureen's article). Pads lost 5-2 to Rockies, drat... still in first place at 16-10.

* Came in at 10:20 p.m. to read everything, write this post and I'm on to Facebook then off to bed. Big day on Tuesday with first Genealogy 101 class at 5:30 p.m. at the library. I need to print off master copy, transfer files to flash drive and laptop, and make handouts on Tuesday.

Genealogy today was 10.0 hours - 0.5 hour doing email, 1.0 hour reading blogs, 0.5 hour on Twitter/Facebook, 2.0 hours writing blog posts, 2.0 hours on CVGS Table Talk, and 4.0 hours on CVGS Gen101 class preparations.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Randy's Genealogy Day -- 2 May 2010

I'll bet you thought that I forgot to write this today, eh? We're back from Salt Lake City - had a wonderful time at FHL, NGS Conference, and meeting with genea-bloggers.

* Read email and blogs, then wrote Day 4 at the NGS Conference. Got cleaned up and went to church.

* Home from church at 11:45 a.m., wrote Best of the Genea-Blogs - April 25 to May 1, 2010 and then went in to watch the Padres game, read the paper and take a nap. Padres won 8-0 over Brewers (still in first place, now 16-9 on season. Are they for real?)

* Did home chores - finished the wash, loaded the bird feeder, watered front plants, checked Twitter. Loaded images from USB drive and camera onto desktop computer. Watched TV news. Linda home at 6 p.m. to fix dinner.

* Back online at 6:45 p.m., read everything, then worked on Class 1 presentation and Class 1 syllabus. Got them pretty much done by 10:45. Wrote this post. Need to check in on Facebook.

Genealogy today was 8.0 hours - 1.0 hour doing email, 1.0 hour reading blogs, 1.5 hours writing blog posts, 0.5 hour loading images, and 4.0 hours working on CVGS Genealogy 101 Workshop.