Saturday, January 31, 2015

My Geneaholic Saturday - 31 January 2015

I did some useful tasks today...

*  Read email and blogs, noted that Surname Saturday -- LAWRENCE (England to colonial Massachusetts) posted.

*  Gathered my papers and off at 9:15 a.m. for the SDGS focus group meeting in Clairemont.   Stopped at the library on the way home.

*  Home by 12:15 p.m., ate lunch, answered email, then worked on the CVGS Member Survey, tabulating responses.  Noted that Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - BSGO (Bright Shiny Genealogy Objects) posted.

*  Worked on the Nathan Gates land records - got them all extracted and sourced, now need to get them in the database.  Only 14 of them!  I need to figure out where he lived in Gardner.  There are clues!

*  Went in for dinner at 5:30 p.m., read the paper, watched TV news and Aztecs basketball, and washed dishes.

*  Online after 7 p.m. to read, work on Martha Whitney's profile, and then looked for wayward Seaver folks in the database.  Attached one to a family, and added another loose family from Canada whose son died in San Diego.  

*  Checked Facebook, added to the Best Of post, and wrote this post.  Genealogy today was 9.5 hours.

Here are the numbers from my RootsMagic database as of 31 December (with increases in the numbers from 8 December 2014 in parentheses):

* 44,389 persons (+ 403)
* 17,735 families  (+ 163)
* 137,606  events  (+ 1,180)
* 8,169  places  (+ 332)

* 1,145 sources (+ 10)
* 59,136  citations (+ 1,353)
*  1,107 Multi-media Items (+ 36)

*  2,965 Multimedia links (+ 77)

 I'm up to 42.97%  (+0.62%) for citations/events and 133.22% (+1.85%) for citations/persons.

Genea-Musings statistics for January (compared to stats for December 2014):


*  Genea-Musings traffic rank:  Worldwide: 291,324; US: 84,000 (Alexa)


*  109,528 page views (3,533 per day, Blogger Stats, -155)
* 25,942 19.910 web page visits (837 per day, Site-meter) (+195)
* 39,917 page views (1288 per day, Site-meter) (+294) 
*  >1,100 readers on Feedly (+??)
*  1,600 readers via email (Feedburner) (+ 14)

Friday, January 30, 2015

My Geneaholic Friday - 30 January 2015

I actually finished some tasks today, unlike yesterday.  And went out of the house for awhile too.  It rained a bit today.

*  Read email and blogs, noted that 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - Week 57: #64, Benjamin Seaver (1757-1816) posted. 

*  Compiled the CVGS program survey responses.  Added blog posts to the CVGS blog.

*  Left at 11 a.m. to get a haircut, then money at the bank, and to the store to shop and pick up my prescription.  Home at 12:15 to eat lunch.

*  Wrote NEW or Updated Databases on Ancestry.com - Week of 24-30 January 2015.

*  Answered email, added to the Best Of post, checked Facebook, and researched the Billion Graves Frank G. Seaver family.  Added persons, events and sources.

*  Went in at 5:30 p.m. to watch TV news, eat dinner and read the paper.

*  Online at 7 p.m. to write the two Saturday posts, then worked in the FS Family Tree for awhile resolving some Seaver families.  Lots more to do!

*  Wrote this post.  Genealogy today was 9.5 hours.


Thursday, January 29, 2015

My Geneaholic Thursday - 29 January 2015

This seems like a wasted day - I messed around too much and didn't get much done.  Eyes are really tired too.

*  Read emails and blogs, then wrote Treasure Chest Thursday - Post 248: 1900 U.S. Census Record for Auble Family in Terre Haute, Indiana.

*  Answered email, and tested the Ancestry beta more.  Joined the telecon at 10:45 a.m.

*  After lunch, worked a bit in FindMyPast and FamilySearch Family Tree, but time got away somehow.  Checked Facebook too.  After trying to find something to write about, wrote Dear Randy: Why Do You Write About Your Personal Research?  Printed off and signed three contracts for speaking, need to send them.

*  Went in at 5 p.m. to watch TV news, read the paper and eat dinner.  Online at 6:30 p.m. to read, add to the Best Of post, and worked on my 52 Ancestors target, and wrote the post for Friday morning.

*  Worked on World War I Draft Registrations, adding content and sources to the database.  Got 20 more done, 141 to go.  Sources at 59,062.

*  Wrote this post.  Genealogy today was 10.5 hours.


Wednesday, January 28, 2015

My Geneaholic Wednesday - 28 January 2015

It was a pretty full genealogy day, interrupted only by a nap and dinner.

*  Read email and blogs, then wrote Ping Pong Stars of 1956 -- Post 344 of (Not So) Wordless Wednesday and My "Beginning Computer Genealogy" OASIS Class is Mondays, March 9-30, 2015 and set it for later.

*  Left at 11 a.m. for McDonalds for lunch, then the library to sit in on John's group then to the auditorium to attend the CVGS program.  Got a book, and headed home.

*  Read, added to the Best Of post, and wrote Are You Reading the Geneapalooza Blog?  Looked at Facebook, fell asleep at the desk and napped for awhile until the phone woke me up.

*  Worked some on email and reading blogs, then went in at 5 p.m. to watch TV news, eat dinner, read the paper, take out the trash and wash dishes.

*  Online at 6:30 p.m. to work in FamilySearch Family Tree, then went through 30 Hints in WWI draft registrations, adding events and sources.

*  Answered some email. then wrote this post.  Genealogy today was 9.5 hours.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

My Geneaholic Tuesday - 27 January 2015

Got some tasks done today, most importantly, downloading the RootsTech 2015 handouts.

*  Read email and blogs, then wrote Tuesday's Tip - Search Ancestry.com Hints by Record Collection.  

*  Worked a bit in FindMyPast with the beta Search fields - not much change actually, but what changed is an improvement.

*  Added to the Best of post, then worked in WikiTree and wrote WikiTree Provides More DNA Information About Relatives.

*  Downloaded over 150 syllabus articles for RootsTech, and put them in an Education file folder.  Need to review the content sometime soon!  Wrote Syllabus Materials Available at RootsTech 2015 Website.

*  Worked a bit in FamilySearch Family Tree with sources and notes in the Spangler families.  Not done there.

*  We left at 5 p.m. for Marie Callender's for dinner, and brought home a lemon meringue pie.  Watched TV news and a bit of the Aztecs game, then came in and worked more in the Family Tree.

*  Went in at 8 p.m. to watch Genealogy Roadshow episode from Philadelphia.  Online at 9 p.m. to work in the database adding the English royals back from Elizabeth II so I can contribute something to the grandkids school projects.

*  Added to the Best Of post, checked Facebook, and wrote this post.  Genealogy today was 10.0 hours.


Monday, January 26, 2015

My Geneaholic Monday - 26 January 2015

Two more weeks and we're off to RootsTech.  I reorganized all of my blogger beads and nametags and ribbons today.

*  Read email and blogs, and noted that Amanuensis Monday - Post 253: Decree of Partition in Simon Gates (1739-1803) Estate posted.

*  Joined Mondays With Myrt and discussed the Historic Map works overlay with Google Maps, and the need for transcriptions of records.  

*  Noted that New or Updated FamilySearch Record Collections - January 19-25, 2015 posted and wrote January 28th CVGS Program Features Steve Andres on USS Midway Museum.  

*  Answered email, added to the Best Of post.  Researched and wrote RootsTech 2015 Conference - News and Sessions.  Checked Facebook.

*  Worked in Ancestry Hints adding content and sources to the database.

*  Went in at 5:45 p.m. to watch TV, read the paper, and eat dinner.  

*  Online at 7 p.m. to read, added about 15 media items to the database with sources.  Worked in the I and J surnames in the database.  didn't add much, got down into the Johnson names.  

*  Wrote this post.  Genealogy today was 11.0 hours.


Sunday, January 25, 2015

My Semi-Geneaholic Sunday - 25 January 2015

This was not a big genealogy day - my eyes were tired so I didn't sit all day in front of the computer.

*  Read email and blogs, finished up the Best of the Genea-Blogs - 18 to 24 January 2015 post and we left for church after 9:30.

*  Home by 11:30 to watch TV news, read the paper, and eat lunch.  Online to read, then worked two hours on the bank accounts and taxes.  Done for now, need more documents coming soon, I hope!

*  Went in at 3:30 p.m. to watch TV, took a nap, and then watched the Pro Bowl while eating dinner.

*  Online at 6:30 p.m. to read, then transcribed more of the Simon Gates probate record, and wrote two posts for Monday,  Worked through the Hints on Ancestry adding content and sources to the database.  Downloaded about 10 documents to attach to ancestors in the database.

*  Checked Facebook, and wrote this post.  Genealogy today was 5.0 hours.




Saturday, January 24, 2015

My Semi-Geneaholic Saturday - 24 January 2015

What's a guy to do when there is not a Saturday genea-meeting to go to?  Well, work on his taxes, take his wife out to dinner, and do some genealogy in the meantime.

*  Read email and blogs, and noted that Surname Saturday - GRANT (England to colonial Massachusetts) posted.  Wrote Saturday Night Genealogy Fun -- Your 2015 Genealogy Education Plans and set it for later.

*  Decided I'd better gather the tax stuff together, so found all the bank and credit card statements and got almost all of it into MSMoney.  Put the bank stuff in a folder, and the tax stuff in a folder.  Need to finish up the bank stuff, but after 4.5 hours I was tired of it.  Probably an hour left to do.

*  Checked Facebook, added to the Best Of post and answered email.

*  We left at 4:45 p.m. for dinner at El Pollo Loco, then to the store for veggies and fruit, and to Coldstone Creamery for dessert.

*  Home by 6:30 p.m. to watch TV news, read the paper and game shows.

*  Online at 7:30 p.m. to read, look for Seaver folks in the database without birth info online at Ancestry, and found precious little.  Ended up matching many Seaver folks in FamilySearch Family Tree, but still thousands more to add or match.  Adding isn't working well right now in RootsMagic for some reason.

*  Added to the Best Of post, and wrote this post.  Genealogy today was 7.0 hours.


Friday, January 23, 2015

My Geneaholic Friday - 23 January 2015

The genealogy was interrupted by real life today - we went to the neurologist today for Linda.

*  Read email and blogs, noted that 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - Week 56: #63, Elizabeth (Putman) Sovereen (1818-1895) posted, and wrote 2015 FGS Conference Early Registration Extended to Monday, 26 January.

*  We left at 10 a.m. with the walker to go to Linda's neuro appointment (for memory loss) today, had a good visit with the doc.  Then to Costco for a Polish dog and stopped and got her hair cut too.

*  Home at 12:45 p.m. to read, write NEW or Updated Databases on Ancestry.com - Week of 17-23 January 2015, and add to the Best Of post.

*  Wrote the Surname Saturday post, answered some email and an Ancestry message.

*  Went in at 5 p.m. to watch TV, eat dinner read the paper and wash dishes. 

*  Online at 6:45 p.m. to add some probate sources to the database (source info was in the notes), then worked for awhile in RootsMagic adding sources and notes to FamilySearch Family Tree.  I think I have most of the 3rd great-grandparents forward fairly well complete, thanks to the 52 Ancestors biographies and data search.

*  Checked Facebook, added to the Best Of, and I'm done.  Genealogy today was 9.0 hours.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

My Geneaholic Thursday - 22 January 2015

This was an interesting day, and I finished a task.

*  Read email and blogs, wrote Treasure Chest Thursday - Post 247: 1726 Marriage Record of Robert Sever and Eunice Rayment.

*  Read Geoff's book again, then got on the Ancestry call.  Had lunch, then read more of the book.

*  Wrote My Genealogy Digital File Folder Organization and then read more of the book and made some notes.  Wrote 2nd Annual Heritage Books Cruise Announced for October 2015.

*  Checked Facebook, and answered email, then added to the Best Of post.  Worked on the 52 Ancestors post.

*  Went in at 5:30 p.m. to watch TV news, eat dinner and wash the dishes.

*  Online after 7 p.m. to write the 52 Ancestors post for Friday, then worked in the database adding the final material from the Ken Sever book.  Checked most of the families out in FamilySearch Family Tree too.

*  Added to the Best Of post and wrote this post.  Genealogy today was 11.0 hours.

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

My Geneaholic Wednesday - 21 January 2015

We'll be in Salt Lake city in three weeks...better start updating my to-do lists!  Felt better today, low headache in the morning, and tired eyes.

*  Read email and blogs, wrote San Diego Cowboys Randy and Stan -- Post 343 of (Not So) Wordless Wednesday and then Top Ten 2014 Record Collections on FamilySearch.

*  Left at 11 a.m. for McDonalds for lunch, then to the library, and sat in on John's group.  Joanna had a major computer problem - she couldn't get into her computer because the password was changed (she thought).

*  We went to the Computer Group where there was wifi, and figured out that her Google password was changed by the Geek Squad last week, but her computer password was not changed.  The old password worked, and she was able to access her 1000 emails.  That took until 1:30!

*  Home by 2 p.m. to read, answer email, check Facebook, add to the Best Of post, and then researched and wrote Finding the Simon Gates 1803 Home Farm Using Historic Map Works Overlays.  That is cool!

*  Went in at 5:15 p.m. to watch TV news, eat dinner, read the paper, put the trash out and wash dishes.

*  Online at 6:30 p.m. to read, then worked in the database adding Sever folks from the book, and then adding sources and notes to FamilySearch Family Tree for some of my ancestral families.  

*  Added to the Best Of post, and wrote this post.  Genealogy today was 11.0 hours.


Tuesday, January 20, 2015

My Semi-Geneaholic Tuesday - 20 January 2015

It was a pretty bad day from a health standpoint.  I woke up with a headache, and was sensitive to light.  Rested on the recliner, then back to bed at 8 a.m., and up at 9:30 a.m.  Back to bed at 10:30 and up at noon, feeling better but not great.  Struggled through the day with a low-grade headache.

*  Finally read email and blogs, and noted that Tuesday's Tip - Visit the StoneLetters Website for Cemetery Monument Carving Information (written several days ago, thank goodness!).

*  After lunch, came in at 12:45 p.m. to read, noted that Best of Genea-Musings for 2014 posted (another planned ahead post).  Researched and wrote GenealogyInTime Top 100 Genealogy Websites for 2015.

*  Went out for a short walk, and came back to rest in the recliner again.  Too much close computer work, I fear!

*  Online again at 4 p.m. to read, then worked in FamilyTreeNow looking for living Seavers for the database.  Should do it in Ancestry - they have the same information.  Found a bunch of Find A Grave entries for Seaver in Winchester NH so entered the events and sourced them.

*  Went in at 5:15 p.m. to watch TV news, eat dinner, watch the SOTU, and back online at 6:45 p.m. to do more living Seaver sleuthing.

*  Went in at 8 p.m. to watch Genealogy Roadshow - another good episode.  Interesting problems.  

*  Online at 9 p.m. to read, added to the Best Of post, and worked in FamilySearch Family Tree adding and editing some Seaver families.  This will never end, I fear!

*  Checked Facebook, wrote this post.  Genealogy today was 7.5 hours.

Monday, January 19, 2015

My Sunday and Monday Geneaholic Days - 18 and 19 January 2015

Well, Sunday wasn't much of a genealogy day with all of the football going on.

*  1)  Sunday, 18 January:

*  Read email and blogs, and finished up the Best of the Genea-Blogs - 11 to 17 January 2015 post.

*  We went off to church at 9:30, and home by 11:30 a.m.  Watched TV, ate lunch, read the paper, and watched Seahawks/Packers game.  Seahawks won 28-22 in overtime, but it was a comeback win.  
*  Checked email and Facebook, and then the Patriots/Colts game came on, and we watched that too, and ate dinner.  Boring!  

*  Came in to read in the 4th quarter, transcribed more of the Simon Gates probate file and wrote the Amanuensis Monday post too.  Then worked in the database adding Sever folks from the Kenneth Sever book.  He did a pretty good job.

*  Added to the Best Of post, and checked Facebook.  Genealogy on Sunday was about 4.0 hours.

2)  Monday, 19 January 2015:

*  Read email and blogs, noted that Amanuensis Monday - Post 252: Setting Off the Portions of Five Children to Simon Gates (1739-1803) Estate posted.

*  Joined the Mondays with Myrt panel and shared my Simon Gates farm location study, talked about Ancestry changes coming, and the ESM 10 Commandments.  

*  Researched and wrote New or Updated FamilySearch Record Collections - January 12-18, 2015 and 51 Developers Vying for Prizes at RootsTech 2015 Innovator Challenge and set it for later.  Wrote another post for Tuesday.

*  Worked a bit making source citations and deed extracts for Nathan Gates.  Added the Simon Gates source citations and deed extracts to the database.  

*  Went in at 5 p.m. to eat dinner, wash dishes, watch news and read the paper.  

*  Online at 6:15 p.m. to read, then added to the Best Of post, answered some email, and went looking in Middlesex County MA deeds for Simon Gates deeds and found several.  Also downloaded the Amos Gates probate file and put it in his file folder.

*  Worked some more on the Sever lines in Kenneth Sever's book - people up to 44,184 and sources up to 58,445.

*  Checked Facebook, and wrote this post.  Genealogy today was 12.0 hours.

Saturday, January 17, 2015

My Geneaholic Saturday - 17 January 2015

This was pretty much an all-genealogy day, and I made some progress.

*  Read email and blogs in a hurry, and off to the CGSSD meeting at 8:15 a.m.

*  Got there, and Paul already had Myrt and Russ in the green room.  Talked to them a bit, then the 9 a.m. meeting started, and they listened in.  Hangout On Air started at 10:15 and went to 11:30 a.m.  I worked on the laptop with email, blogs, Facebook, etc.  Took a picture of Myrt on the screen, and put it on Facebook.  Noted that Surname Saturday - LNU (colonial Massachusetts)  posted.

*  Home by 12:30 p.m. to eat lunch, then online to note that Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Do Some Semi-Random Online Research posted and to write CGSSD Meeting Today Featured DearMYRTLE Presenting in a Hangout On Air.  Checked Facebook, answered email.

*  Reviewed and downloaded more Simon Gates deeds, renamed them and put them in the family folder.  

*  Went in at 4:30 p.m. to watch the Aztecs game, read the paper, and we ate dinner.  Aztecs won 53-47 over UNLV, so now 14-4.  

*  Online at 6:30 p.m. to read, answer email, add to the Best Of post, and then worked on the new Sever family email.  Worked him back, adding to the database when needed, to the Peter Sever in late 1700s New Jersey.  

*  Checked Facebook, and wrote this post.  Genealogy today was 9.5 hours.


Friday, January 16, 2015

My Geneaholic Friday - 16 January 2015

CGSSD tomorrow - a Hangout on Air with DearMYRTLE.

*  Read email and blogs, then wrote 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - Week 55: #62, Alexander Sovereen (1814- 1907).  Answered email, watched some recent Legacy webinars and YouTube videos.  then wrote the SDGS seminar report.  

*  Wrote NEW or Updated Databases on Ancestry.com - Week of 10-16 January 2015.  Researched and wrote My Relationships to U.S. Presidents - Post 3: Presidents 28-33.

*  Extracted info and wrote sources for 8 of the Simon Gates deeds.  Need to download the rest and finish that task, then do Nathan Gates deeds also.  Checked Facebook.

*  Went in at 5 p.m. to watch TV news, eat dinner, read the paper.  Online at 6:45 p.m. to read, add to the Best Of post, answer email, and work on the two Saturday posts.

*  Worked a bit in FamilySearch Family Tree resolving my data with tree data, and adding content when it warranted it.  Checked Facebook, and wrote thisp ost.  Genealogy today was 10.5 hours.


Thursday, January 15, 2015

My Geneaholic Thursday - 15 January 2015

The firstm onth of 2015 is almsot half over.  I'll be coming home from RootsTech onem onth from now.  Yikes!

*  Read email and blogs, and wrote Treasure Chest Thursday - Post 246: Samuel and Abigail (Fletcher) Whitney Family Records in Westminster, Mass. and then Observations and Conjectures on the Ancestry.com CEO Letter to the Ancestry Community and set it for late morning.

*  Left at 10:40 a.m. for lunch at the Sunset with the Rohr guys.  Home by 12:45 p.m.

*  Read, added to the Best Of post, and wrote the CVGS Research Group Review for the CVGS blog, plus one more post.  Wrote FGS 2015 Conference - News and Session Selections.

*  Checked Facebook, answered some email.  Looked at the next two 52 Ancestor people and noted that I didn't have some records or sources.  Cobbled something together for some of it.

*  Went in at 5:30 p.m. to watch TV news, eat dinner, read the paper.  

*  Back online at 7:15 p.m., and wrote the 52 Ancestors post.  Then worked in Ancestry adding events and sources semi-randomly to the database.  Sources are up to 58,004.

*  Added to the Best Of post, and wrote this post.  Genealogy today was 8.5 hours.


Wednesday, January 14, 2015

My Geneaholic Wednesday - 14 January 2015

I didn't stay home today because of the CVGS Research Group meeting.

*  Read email and blogs, wrote A Proud Papa -- Post 342 of (Not So) Wordless Wednesday and then CGSSD Meeting on Saturday, 17 January - DearMYRTLE Via Hangout On Air! and set it for later.

*  Planned out the Research Group meeting, checked Facebook, and left at 11 a.m. for lunch at McDonalds then the library.  Sat in on John's group for a bit, then got set up in the conference room.  The library wifi worked well again.  We had 21 attendees, almost a record.  I shared about my family stories, and the new books, DearMYRTLE's HOAs, Genealogy roadshow, and the Simon Gates land search.  Others shared their successes and challenges.

*  Home by 3 p.m. to read, then wrote Mining the Worcester County Land Records for Simon Gates Deeds.  Checked Facebook, added to the Best Of post.  Listened to Myrt's Beginning Genealogy show.

*  Went in at 5:15 p.m. to watch TV, read the paper and eat dinner.  Put the trash out.  Came in at 6:30 p.m. to watch the last half of the Wacky Wednesday show.  

*  Worked in Ancestry on the recent Record Hints - added some events and source citations, and downloaded some records, from the Hints.  

*  Went in at 9 p.m. to watch the second half of the SDSU basketball game.  They beat Wyoming 60-52.

*  Online at 10:15 p.m. to write this post.  Genealogy today was 9.0 hours.


Tuesday, January 13, 2015

My Geneaholic Tuesday - 13 January 2015

This was a stay-at-home genealogy day, and I got quite a bit done today.

*  Read email and blogs, and wrote Tuesday's Tip - Use the Source Citation Guide from St. Louis Genealogical Society and then FamilySearch App Gallery Has Launched and set it for late morning.

*  Worked on the Simon Gates and Nathan Gates deeds - did the Grantee index, and made MSWord tables for the deeds.  Then worked on the email to Sharin, and did more work on Simon Gates' farm location.

*  WrotMore Farm-Spotting the Simon Gates Home Farm in Gardner, Massachusetts.  Did the Grantor index for Simon and Nathan, and added to the deed index tables.  Went hunting for the deeds, and downloaded about 20 pages.  Still have more to do.  

*  Listened to Myrt's discussion with Marian, checked Facebook, and added to the Best Of post.  Answered more email too.

*  Went in at 5:30 p.m. to watch TV news, read the paper, eat dinner and wash the dishes.  

*  Online at 7 p.m. to read, added a few images to the database, and updated the deed tables.  

*  Went in at 8 p.m. to watch Genealogy roadshow.  Very good episode, like the new format which is not as busy.  

*  Online at 9 p.m. to read, check Facebook, and did some research on a Seaver line.  Found some info and added it to the database.

*  Wrote this post.  Genealogy today was 11.0 hours.


Monday, January 12, 2015

My Semi-Geneaholic Sunday and Monday - 11-12 January 2015

The weekend was a blur, and I did nothing significant as far as research or education besides reading blog posts and email.

1)  Sunday, 11 January:

*  Read email and blogs in a hurry, and we left at 9:30 a.m. for Palm Springs.  Stopped at Morongo for lunch, and went to the Mt San Jacinto tram to go up the mountain.  It was raining a bit on the desert floor, and almost snowing lightly at the mountain station.  We took some pictures on the porches, but didn't go down into the valley.  Then we drove to the hotel, and watched the second half of the NFL playoff game.

*  Fired up the laptop and checked Facebook, email and blogs.  We went to dinner at the hotel, and were back in the room by 7:30.  I practiced the presentation one more time and made sure I was ready to go.  Noted that Best of the Genea-Blogs - 4 to 10 January 2015 posted.

2)  Monday, 12 January:

*  Up early, and checked out by 8:15 a.m., and drove to Sun City Palm Desert, got there by 8:45 before the doors for the club opened!  Got set up, talked to folks, and the meeting started at 9:30 a.m.  There were about 35 folks there, and I presented "Crafting Great Source Citations."  It was over by 10:45, lots of questions, and we talked to folks for awhile.

*  Left at 11:20 a.m. to head home, stopped in Temecula for lunch at 1 p.m., and were home by 2:30 p.m.

*  Online after unpacking, and read email and blogs, added to the new Best Of post.  Noted that Amanuensis Monday - Post 251: Setting Off the Widow's Dower in Simon Gates (1739-1803) Estate and New or Updated FamilySearch Record Collections - January 5-11, 2015 posted, and wrote A Different Family Tree Video - Rob Cardwell's Research.  Checked Facebook too.

*  Went in for dinner at 5 p.m., watched the Oregon/Ohio State game, read the paper, washed dishes, and started my Patterson novel.  

*  Online at 9:15 p.m. to read, and write this post.  Genealogy today was 5.0 hours.


Saturday, January 10, 2015

My Semi-Geneaholic Saturday - 10 January 2015

This was the SDGS seminar day, and also an NFL playoff day, so I got very little done of genealogy research value.

*  Read emails and blogs, then left at 8:10 a.m. for the SDGS Seminar on Mission Bay.  got there at 8:40 a.m., talked to folks and Josh Taylor, the speaker.  Josh gave four talks, all excellent but I got sleepy after lunch!  Ate at his table with Diane and Paul.  Good turnout for CVGS - about 10-12 out of 200.

*  Was home by 3:50 p.m. to watch the NFL games, read the paper, eat dinner, wash dishes, and read email and blogs and Facebook on the laptop.  Got the presentation on the laptop also.  Noted that Surname Saturday -- RICE (England to colonial Massachusetts) and Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Your Ancestor Score for 2015 posted.

*  Online on the desktop at 8 p.m. to read, answer email, add to the Best Of blog post,  Wrote two posts for Monday.

*  Early to bed tonight because of our drive to Palm Springs on Sunday for my Monday talk at Palm Desert.  Genealogy today was 8.5 hours.

Friday, January 9, 2015

My Semi-Geneaholic Friday - 9 January 2015

The morning was consumed by Linda's doctor visit.  In the afternoon I blogged and published the CVGS newsletter, and in the evening I wrote some posts for the weekend.

*  Read email and blogs, noted that 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - Week 54: #61, Sarah Sephrona (Fletcher) Kemp (1802- before 1861) posted.

*  We left at 8:45 a.m. for Linda's 9:10 appointment, waited 30 minutes to be called, waited 30 more minutes for the doctor, and saw him for about 40 minutes.  Then to get appointments, and have lab tests done.  We went to Lolita's for lunch and Ralphs for the pharmacy, and were home after 12:30 p.m.

*  I wrote Farm-Spotting: The Simon Gates Home Farm in Gardner, Massachusetts (I did the maps last night, but couldn't find them, so did them again...drat!) and posted it.

*  did the final edit on the CVGS Newsletter, printed it off, made the mailing labels, and off to the UPS Store at 2:30 p.m. to publish it.  Home just after 3 p.m.

*  Read, added to the Best Of post, and wrote New or Updated Ancestry.com Databases - 20 December 2014 to 9 January 2015.  Checked Facebook, answered email.  Downloaded the RootsTech app to the phone.

*  Went in at 5:15 p.m. to read the paper, watch TV, eat dinner and do the dishes.  Watered the front yard too.

*  Online at 6:45 p.m. to read, then wrote two posts for Saturday and transcribed more of the Simon Gates probate file for Monday.  Need to write a post for Monday before we leave on Saturday morning.

*  Sent the CVGS Newsletter to the members.  Wrote this post.  Genealogy today was 8.5 hours.


Thursday, January 8, 2015

My Geneaholic Thursday - 8 January 2015

Another day at home...but not tomorrow!

*  Read email and blogs, wrote Treasure Chest Thursday - Post 245: a WRONG Death Record for Simon Gates (1739-1803) of Gardner, Mass. and then researched and wrote Do Attached FindMyPast Record Hints Create Source Citations?

*  Re-did the Simon Gates home farm deed map, and still didn't connect perfectly.  Oh well!  Edited the blog post.

*  Downloaded Janet's new e-book, and answered email.  Added to the Best Of post.  Got the hotel room in Palm Desert and made maps for Sunday/Monday.  Checked Facebook.

*  Researched and wrote Dear Randy: Why Are You Using the FamilySearch Family Tree?  Wrote the 52 Ancestors post for Friday.

*  Went in at 5:30 p.m. to watch TV, read the paper, eat dinner, and wash dishes.

*  Online at 7 p.m. to read, then finished up the CVGS Newsletter, sent it for proofreading, and edited the Source citation talk for Monday.  Saved it all to Dropbox.  Need to get it on the laptop and flash drive.

*  Answered email, found where the Simon Gates farm was located using Google Book plus Google Maps and 1870 Gardner map, and worked on Eric's Sever problem.  Went down a rabbit hole...need to do it again.

*  Checked Facebook, wrote this post.  Genealogy today was 11.5 hours.


Wednesday, January 7, 2015

My Geneaholic Wednesday - 7 January 2015

Here we are already one week into 2015...and my plate is so full I don't know where to start eating!  Or stop doing non-priority tasks.

*  Read email and blogs, wrote The Ping-Pong Players -- Post 341 of (Not So) Wordless Wednesday, and then watched the video and wrote The Lively Family Massacre Video.

*  Gathered my papers up and went to lunch at McDonalds and then to the library for the CVGS Board meeting.  Boaring!  Long too. 2.5 hours.  Got home at 3 p.m.  

*  Read, added to the Best Of post, and then made the deed corner list and posted Plotting the Metes and Bounds of Simon Gates Home Farm in Gardner, Mass.

*  Checked Facebook, answered email, corrected the deed corner list.

*  Went in at 5:30 p.m. to watch TV, eat dinner, and wash dishes.

*  Online at 6:30 p.m. to watch Wacky Wednesday, then DearMYRTLE's Beginner's Class.  Worked throughout on the CVGS Newsletter.  Got it 90% done.  Hope to publish/send it on Friday night.

*  Added to the Best Of post, checked Facebook, and wrote this post.  Genealogy today was 11.5 hours.


Tuesday, January 6, 2015

My Geneaholic Tuesday - 6 January 2015

Stayed home again today, and got some useful work done.

*  Read email and blogs, then wrote Tombstone Tuesday - Jonathan Keyes (1721-1781) and Elizabeth Fletcher Keyes (1720-1761) of Westford, Mass.  Traced Elizabeth's parents back, and researched and wrote Rabbit Trail: Is Hannah (1689-1759), the Wife of Samuel Fletcher (1684-1749), Hannah Foster?

*  Answered email, worked in the database - attached some media and sources to persons in the tree.  Worked in FamilySearch Family Tree for some of the Fletcher/Foster/Wilson lines.  

*  Wrote Why Aren't Researchers Using the FamilySearch Family Tree?  Looked for Deed Mapping software - found a free one and worked through one of the Simon Gates land descriptions.  Lines didn't connect...must have made a mistake.

*  Went in at 5:30 p.m. to watch TV news, eat dinner, read the paper, and wash dishes.

*  Online at 7 p.m. to read, then started the CVGS newsletter for January - about 20% done.  

*  Worked in the database adding content from the most recent Ancestry Hints.  Sources at 58,887.

*  Checked Facebook, added to the Best Of post, and wrote this post.  Genealogy today was 11.5 hours.


Monday, January 5, 2015

My Geneaholic Monday - 5 January 2015

I finally had an all genealogy day today.  And missed the 80F weather outside sitting in my chair in the genea-cave.  How dumb was that?

*  Read email and blogs, noted that Amanuensis Monday - Post 250: Appraisal of Real Estate of Simon Gates (1739-1803) Estate posted (almost five years of this meme!).

*  Joined the Mondays With Myrt Hangout on Air - shared my genealogy events with the grandkids.  

*  Added to the Best Of post, answered email and researched and wrote First Look at FindMyPast Hints in My Tree.

*  Added the Dunham to Obama line to my tree so I could make a relationship chart for Logan.  Made a pedigree chart also and sent it via email.  Also snipped head shots of family from photos and added them to the database.  

*  Wrote New or Updated FamilySearch Record Collections - December 28, 2014 to January 4, 2015.  
*  Worked a bit in GEDMatch to answer an Ancestry message query.  Added some photos to the database.  

*  Went in at 5:15 p.m. to watch TV news, eat dinner, read the paper, and wash dishes.  

*  Online at 7 p.m. to read, then worked in 1930 census data -reduced the pending matches from 350 to 308.  Also did 4 more PA death certificates.  Still lots to do - 30,000 of them, 1552 are Find A Grave.  

*  Checked Facebook, added to the Best Of post, and wrote this post.  Genealogy today was 11.0 hours.


Sunday, January 4, 2015

My Genealogy Weekend - 3 and 4 January 2015

My fingers are getting trained to type 2015 rather than 2014.

1)  Saturday, 3 January:

*  I read email and blogs quickly, got the girls fed, dressed and packed, and off we all went to Huntington Beach leaving at 8 a.m.  Got there (no traffic stops at all!) by 9:40 a.m., and held Charlie for a few minutes, then off to the HB library for the OCCGS meeting.

*  The business meeting ended at 10:45 a.m., and I got set up in time for my 11 a.m. presentation on FamilySearch.  Ended right on time at noon, and had the turkey sandwich and chips and cookie for lunch.  Then back for the 12:30 p.m. presentation on Probate Records.  Had a glitch here - I hit the End key on the laptop by mistake, then tried to go back to where I was and the Open Office Impress program crashed.  After a minute or two I used the Adobe Reader file to finish the talk.  I may use that anyway - it's not as sensitive to the mousepad!

*  Left at 1:50 p.m. and went back to Tami's house.  Took a nap on the couch, played with Audrey and Charlie, and we all went to the park.  The girls played on the equipment, and Tami and James petted a dog belonging to another lady.  The girls and I climbed the embankment to see the river channel.  We walked back, and Tami fixed a pasta and sauce dinner.  We left at 6 p.m. for the trip home, got here by 7:40 p.m. (again, no traffic!).

*  Noted that Surname Saturday - BARR (England to colonial Massachusetts) and Saturday Night Genealogy Fun (SNGF) -- Best Find of 2014, and Research Challenge for 2015 posted.

*  Too tired to do much else - watched football, checked blogs and email, and Facebook.  Genealogy this day was 4 hours.   Looking forward to resting on Sunday.  We've been on the go for two weeks.

2)  Sunday, 4 January:

*  Read email and blogs, and finished up the Best of the Genea-Blogs - 28 December 2014 to 3 January 2015 post.  

*  We went to church at 9:30 a.m. and home at 11:45.  Watched football games, took a nap, read the paper, and not much else.

*  After dinner, worked on the Amanuensis Monday post, talked to Logan on the phone about ancestry, checked Facebook, and wrote this post.  Genealogy this day was about 4.0 hours.


Friday, January 2, 2015

My Genealogy Days - 1 and 2 January 2015

The grandgirls are here, so there was no real genealogy research these days, but I did blog a bit in between the fun and games and tears and disputes.

1)  Thursday - 1 January 2015:

*  Read email and blogs, noted that Happy New Year - 2015 is Here! posted, and wrote My Genealogy Database Statistics Update - 1 January 2015.

*  Lauren and I had lunch in while Linda took Audrey out.  Watched the Rose Bowl game.

*  Practiced my FamilySearch talk and edited it one last time.  Put the two presentations on the flash drive, and Dropbox, and got them on the laptop too.  Charged the laptop, and got it ready for Saturday.

*  Worked on Genealogy Industry Benchmark Numbers for 1 January 2015 before we went to dinner  - Lauren and I had Subway, Audrey had McDonalds, and Linda stayed home and had soup.  Came back and watched the second half of the Sugar Bowl.

*  Checked Facebook, added to the Best Of post.  Didn't journal because I was lazy.  Genealgoy this day was maybe 5 hours.

2)  Friday, 2 January 2015:

*  Read email and blogs, wrote GenSoftReviews Announces its Users Choice Awards for 2014 and then researched and wrote 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - Week 53: #60, Abraham Kemp (1795-after 1881).

*  Wrote two posts for the Chula Vista Genealogy Cafe.  Answered some email.  Added to the Best Of post.  Checked Facebook.

*  Played outside with Audrey - she scootered around the block and I chased her.  We had a party in her room.  Researched and wrote Top 10 Genealogy News Items From 2014 - My Take.  Wrote the Surname Saturday post.

*  Went to dinner at Chik-fil-A - the girls ate well and had fun playing on the equipment.  Came home for Dove bars for dessert, got the girls in baths, and down (I hope!) for the night.  Wrote the SNGF post for Saturday.

*  Checked Facebook, and done!  Need a good night's sleep for our 8 a.m. trip to Huntington Beach on Saturday.  I have two talks there starting at 11 a.m.  We will come home on Saturday night.   Genealogy this day was about 7.0 hours.