New Mexico: Learning the ropes

Our family has made several major moves over our history.

I'm not only talking about the move from 14th-century Spain which brought the TALALAY to Mogilev, Belarus. Or the move that took my direct branch from Belarus to the US. Major moves have also included Teheran, Miami, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Tel Aviv - and this most recent one to New Mexico.

In each new place, I felt it was important to immediately get involved, to begin to find a place in the life of the community, to find an outlet for personal interests. Of course, for more than 20 years, genealogy has been a major interest.

Today, I met with New Mexico Jewish Federation executive director Sam Sokolove, New Mexico Jewish Historical Society president Dorothy Amsden, Rabbi Min Kantrowitz. The meetings were good, providing excellent possibilities for future involvement.

And it was a reunion of sorts with Dorothy, whom I first met years ago at the last international Jewish genealogy conference hosted by the JGS of Greater Washington, in DC.

On another note, I was happy to converse - in Farsi - with the head of an Iranian Bahai family who settled here about a decade ago.

Some readers have asked privately about the recent lack of graphics in Tracing the Tribe posts. While my graphics files survived the smashing of my poor PC - and most were on flashdrives in any case - it takes take time to add those, and I'm trying to get back to speed providing information first and foremost.

The graphics will soon begin to appear once again for readers' visual enjoyment.

I truly appreciate the kind wishes - public and private - of readers and friends concerning our move to the Land of Enchantment, and wish everyone an illuminating Festival of Lights.

Enjoy your latkes (with applesauce, sour cream or "naked," straight from the frying pan), sugfaniot (have a chocoate-filled one for me!), or whatever your culinary traditions prescribe for this holiday.

Tell your family stories once again as your family lights the hanukiah, and remember the generations of your families as they did the same thing for centuries in all parts of the world.

With best wishes and appreciation for your continued support,
Schelly

San Francisco: Geneablogging workshop, Oct. 10

The California Genealogical Society and Library is celebrating October Family History month with numerous events.

My good friends and geneablogging buddies, Thomas MacEntee and Craig Manson, will present "Blog Your Genealogy: Why, How, Do's and Don'ts," from 1-4.30pm Saturday, October 10 at the California Genealogical Society and Library in Oakland.

Are you curious about genealogy blogs? Or have you dismissed them as fluff and not worth your valuable time? Two experts will show why blogs are more than just "the latest fad" and how they are a valuable way to enhance your genealogy research.

The three-session afternoon presentation is suitable for teens and up, so bring along your younger family members - who already know everything about blogs, but perhaps not that much about genealogy!

Both Thomas (always smiling, creative and ebullient) and Craig (calm, reasoned and a true gentleman) are renowned geneabloggers who will share their expertise and have some fun. The Thomas and Craig duo should go on the road more often! They will show why blogs are more than just “the latest fad” and how they are a valuable way to enhance your genealogy research.

Thomas is a genealogist specializing in the use of technology and social media to improve genealogical research and as a means of interacting with others in the family history community. With more than 25 years of experience in the information technology field, Thomas writes and lectures on the many ways blogs, Facebook and Twitter can be leveraged to add new dimensions to the genealogy experience. As the creator of GeneaBloggers.com, he has helped organize and engage a community of more than 600 bloggers who daily document their own journeys in the search for ancestors.

Craig is Distinguished Professor and Lecturer in Law at the Capital Center for Public Law and Policy (University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law, Sacramento). He teaches administrative law and has been a lawyer for 28 years. In 2004, he began the study and practice of genealogy. He writes the popular blog, GeneaBlogie and a weekend column called Appealing Subjects on the highly-regarded magazine Shades of the Departed. Although GeneaBlogie focuses on genealogy, Craig often writes about legal topics of interest to genealogists.

The program:

1-2pm: How to Use a Blog. Start with the ABCs of blog use in a basic introductory demo. Leave with a list of great genealogy blogs to read, tips on how to best use the information found in blogs and wonder why you didn’t start following blogs sooner!

2:15-3:15pm: Building a Genealogy Blog. With the help of an audience member, Thomas will create an individual family history blog right before your eyes.

3:30-4:30pm: Blogging and the Law. Learn about copyright laws and how to protect your information on your blog.

Only 30 can attend what will be a very popular session (quick registration advised!). It is free for CGS members, while others pay $10, which can be applied toward membership on the day of the workshop. Registration (email) required, no walk-ins permitted.

For other October events at CGS, click here. For a map, click here.

Here they come! Geneabloggers 'invade' TGN

Living on the other side of the world from the majority of my geneablogging colleagues sometimes presents problems. One great event that I missed was the recent invasion of The Generations Network by a group of geneabloggers visiting the Salt Lake City area.

Thanks to Leland Meitzler of the GenealogyBlog - it's great to see him back online after a few months' hiatus - view a round-up of relevant posts on the event by this prolific group of bloggers. He writes that this is "to be continued," so check out his blog for updates.

Randy Seaver of Genea-Musings offered multiple posts:
Day 2 in Salt Lake City - Visit to TGN - Part 1
Day 2 in Salt Lake City - A Visit to TGN - Part 2
Saturday Night Fun - Who Went to A.com?
Day 2 in SLC - A Visit to TGN - Part 3
Day 3 in SLC - the TGN Dinner and FTM 2009
Leland is keeping score about the TGN visit

Diane Haddad of the Genealogy Insider posted:
New and Next at Ancestry.com
From Paper (or Film) to the Web
Secret Genealogy Blogger Revealed! (Partially)
Online Searching: It’s Complicated
Inside Ancestry.com’s Top Secret Data Center
Wrapping Up Our Look Inside Ancestry.com (this wasn't on Leland's list, so I added it)

DearMyrtle provided:
Touring TGN/Ancestry
Day 2 in Salt Lake City - A Visit to TGN - Part 2
TNG & TGN - Was that a Trekie reference
More Reports of the TGN/Ancestry Tour

The Ancestry Insider posted I'm in heaven and Content is King.

Information provided covered new and improved content, technology, customer input, marketing efforts, consumer education and FTM software features. It was an excellent idea to gather a group who are able to disseminate the details.

A few years ago, when the IAJGS conference was held in Salt Lake City, I was treated to my very own private tour of the Ancestry facility in Provo (and a very good Chinese dinner in a nearby restaurant!). It was a great day, thanks to Susanne Russo Adams and others.