Jamboree 2010: Advanced blogger session

What a great panel for the session focused on more advanced bloggers!

The panel was moderated by Thomas MacEntee of Geneabloggers.com and included Tracing the Tribe as well as my esteemed colleagues and friends:

Craig Manson
Lisa Louise Cooke
Kathryn Doyle

Here's Kathryn's photo (right) of the audience:

Jewish genealogists may recognize Jan Meisels Allen (lower left), an IAJGS board member and JGS of Conejo Valley president.

The conversation ranged widely as Thomas flashed the blogs on the large screen.

Hints and tips abounded as we spoke about such issues as:

-- Series, themed daily posts (see Geneabloggers for already-established themes), editorial calendars and recycling old holiday or event posts.

-- Guest posts, which Craig called "collaborations."

-- Niche blogs was an important component, and Thomas kindly pointed out Tracing the Tribe's special niche in Jewish genealogy. Specialty blogs become the go-to source by readers looking for up-to-date information in that area, and they also raise interest among new readers.

--Craig, a law professor in real life, and Thomas provided much relevant information on copyright issues involving photos, content, statements, watermarked photos and user content.

-- SEO issues were as interesting to the panel as the audience, and included information on meta-tags, algorithms, how Google (and other) sites handle rankings, how having a quick-loading site is advantageous, links in and out, tagging images, title key words, what and who is written about, making money from bogs, advertising, sponsorship, Facebook and bloglinks.

-- New FCC rules concerning gifts and blog posts and disclaimer statements aimed at making the issues transparent.

The variety was interesting as Kathryn writes the California Genealogical Society blog, Lisa focuses on podcasts, Craig covers general topics, Thomas has severa blogs with diverse purposes, and Tracing the Tribe, of course, is a specialty niche blog.

We're already looking forward to see what's in store at Jamboree 2011.

Jamboree: Almost there!

Many geneabloggers are already on their way to Jamboree, in Burbank, California.

Although my trip to the US was likely the longest (15+ hours) of any of our geneabloggers, I'm likely the closest right now.

I've been staying with fellow genealogist and Mogilev, Belarus researcher Hilary Henkin, who lives only about 15 minutes from the Jamboree hotel. We'll be heading over there in a few hours. I'm rooming again with footnoteMaven - we had a great time last year.

Last night, Hilary and I had dinner with Daniel Horowitz of MyHeritage.com, who had landed the day before yesterday and gave a talk in Antelope Valley only a few hours after he arrived.

Tracing the Tribe will be blogging from Jamboree, so stay tuned for the news from this excellent regional conference.

Jamboree: Lots o' Bloggers!

If someone had said, a few years ago, that nearly 50 genealogy bloggers would gather at the 2010 Jamboree this coming weekend, we would probably not believed that prediction.

But here it is only a few days before the conference and here's the list of colleagues who will be there. Much of the credit belongs to our creative mentor Thomas MacEntee of Geneabloggers.com for creating this active community.

So, if you're coming to Jamboree - and I hope you are! - here's who'll be waiting to talk to you, according to Thomas' post:

Arnspiger, Jo
Those Who Went Before

Buzbee, Bruce
RootsMagic Blog

Coffin, Amy
We Tree

Cooke, Lisa Louise
Genealogy Gems Podcast

Danko, Stephen J.
Steve’s Genealogy Blog

Dardashti, Schelly Talalay
Tracing The Tribe: The Jewish Genealogy Blog
MyHeritage Genealogy Blog

DeVita, Marie
Great Greats

Doerflinger, Elyse
Elyse’s Genealogy Blog

Doyle, Kathryn
California Ancestors

Eakle, Arlene H. PhD
Arlene H. Eakle’s Blog

Eastman, Dick
Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter

Fenley, Sheri
The Educated Genealogist

Fenning, Rebecca
A Sense of Face

footnoteMaven
Footnote Maven
Shades of the Departed

Glatz, Tami
Relatively Curious About Genealogy

Hansen, Holly
Family History Expos

Hibben, Jean Wilcox
Circle Mending

Himan, Ruth
Genealogy Is Ruthless Without Me

Hinkel, Paula
SGCS Blog
SCGS Jamboree Blog

Hovorka, Janet
The Chart Chick

Ivory, A.C.
Find My Ancestor

Kemp, Thomas J.
GenealogyBank Blog

Kitchens, Susan
Family Oral History Using Digital Tools

Laird, Madeleine J.
kInfoLit

Levenick, Denise
The Family Curator

MacEntee, Thomas
GeneaBloggers

Manson, Craig
Geneablogie

Meitzler, Leland
Genealogy Blog

Midkiff, Miriam Robbins
AnceStories: The Stories of My Ancestors

Miller, Joan
Luxegen

Mitchell, Anne
Genealogy By Anne

Morgan, George
Genealogy Guys Blog

Morgan, Liz Hall
My Big Fat Family Blog

Neill, Michael John
Casefile Clues Blog
RootDig

Ol’ Myrt
Dear Myrtle

Ortega, Gena Philibert
Gena’s Genealogy

Palmer, Cheryl
Heritage Happens

Pennington, Gene
Pennington Research Assoc
Marin County Genealogical Society

Pentico, Susi
Ancestor Seekers by the Root Bound
Susi’s Chatty Performances

Peterson, Donna
Hanging With The Family Tree

Reid, John D.
Anglo-Celtic Connections

Richardson, Dean
Genlighten Blog

Seaver, Randy
Genea-Musings

Shaw, Jennifer
Shaw Genealogy

Smith, Drew
Genealogy Guys Blog

Taylor, Maureen
The Photo Detective

Wainer, Steve
Stephen Wainer’s Genealogy Blog

Webb, Gini
Ginisology

Wiseman, Becky
Kinexxions

I understand that we will all be wearing buttons, beads, badges and ribbons galore.

Geneabloggers love to meet their readers, so make sure to say hello!

Jamboree: A world of genealogy

The 41st Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree spotlights the world of genealogy.

Taking place from June 11-13 at the Burbank Marriot, the event has attracted international attendees from Canada and Israel, as well as Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah and Washington.

Jamboree is also a magnet for increasing numbers of geneabloggers. As many as 50 of us may be attending, so make sure to say hello.

The opening-day JamboFREE activities (Friday, June 11) will focus in part on the multi-topic Genealogy World round table discussions.

Some 20 different tables are scheduled in two time slots from 9am-12 noon on Friday, June 11. Tracing the Tribe will host the Jewish round table early session, and Daniel Horowitz will host the later session. Remember to bring family information, documents and questions, of course. If you need something translated, bring that along and Daniel or I will try to help.

The discussions are are intended as an information exchange and a great way to meet people interested in the same topics.

Geographic/ethnic tables are African-American, English, German, Jewish, Mexican, New England, Portuguese, Scottish, English-Canadian, French-Canadian, Hungarian, Irish, Norwegian, Swedish and Danish.

Topic tables are Adoption Research and Reunion, DNA, Energize your Society Membership and VolunteerismGenealogists in Second Life, Planning Great Programs and Events, Show and Tell, Society Newsletters, Archiving your Family Movies and Sound Recordings, and Publishing Your Family History.

Here's the complete list and descriptions of topics for both sessions.

Preregistration is requested but not required.

The free Genealogy World sessions will be in the big white tent -the Pavilion - east of the Convention Center, from 9am-noon.

We're looking forward to greeting old friends and new at Jamboree .

Jamboree: SCGS sets social media policy

The Southern California Genealogical Society, which runs the annual Jamboree - this year is the 41st - has just posted the event's social media policy.

This is important as the number of attending bloggers has grown exponentially over the past few years.

Tracing the Tribe first attended Jamboree in 2007, and spoke ("Creating Hope") at the writers' breakfast, focusing on how mainstream media family history articles - using my own articles in the Jerusalem Post and other media as examples - not only assist established researchers, but also attract new people to our passion. Those who have never considered investigating their families may read an article in a local paper that ignites the spark of curiosity.

As part of the first-ever innovative Blogger Summit (2008) and Blogger Summit II (2009), Tracing the Tribe will be back for this year's event from July 11-13, for Blogger Summit III (Part 2 for more advanced bloggers) and to also speak on the nuts and bolts of creating a DNA project.

As many as 50 of our blogging colleagues may attend this year, which is sure to be a record. Has anyone called the Guiness World Book of Records? Geneabloggers may want to do that.

With that many bloggers busily blogging, Facebooking and tweeting, it makes sense to have a policy that is fair to everyone. Similar policies have been instituted for other conferences.

Here is Paula's post:

------------------------------

To ensure that we have an environment that is mutually supportive for the social media users, our lecturers, and our lecture audience members, the SCGS Board of Directors adopted the following Social Media Policy:

The Southern California Genealogical Society is an active supporter of the use of social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, and blogging) at its events, including the society’s annual Genealogy Jamboree. Event attendees are allowed and encouraged to promote, critique, and review the conference, its exhibitors, speakers, and activities using these forms of media.

Use of smartphones, netbooks, laptops, etc., shall not disrupt other attendees. Mobile device ringers must be set to silent during lecture sessions.

Attendees are prohibited from recording the proceedings of any lecture or workshop session by any means, including but not limited to photography, audio recording, video recording, or verbatim transcription, without expressed written permission from both SCGS and the lecture speaker. Some sessions will be professionally audio recorded and available after the event.

Social media may be used to summarize or extract lecture content provided:

(1) the author is referenced and cited appropriately; and
(2) material is not shared in full.

We fully respect the intellectual property rights of the authors of syllabus materials and lecture content. Copyright laws apply.

-----------------------------------

See you in Burbank!

California: Jamboree mini-course registration begins May 1

In the Los Angeles area? Here are 14 more reasons to attend the Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree (June 11-13), in Burbank).

Registration opens May 1 for these 14 mini-course workshops (one or two hours each) - a really good line up of classes and instructors. If you are interested, sign up fast (only online as of May 1). These will likely fill quickly with only 17 seats per class.

You may sign up for the workshops only if you've already registered for Jamboree, but you can do both at the same time. Each registrant may sign up for only one workshop. All workshops (except one) require attendees to bring laptops or netbooks.

Download the complete Jamboree program grid here, so you'll be better prepared to organize your time.

Read instructor bios, class descriptions and whether there's an advance assignment to complete. Some courses require attendees to download something, register for an account, bring family details, have a specific program on your computer.

Seating is limited, so choose a second if your favorite has already filled. 

Course times, titles and instructors:

• Friday: Using Google Earth to Map Your Ancestor’s Home, Google Docs for Beginners, Using Excel in Genealogy.
• Saturday: Platting Your Ancestor’s Land, FindAGrave, Skype - The Cool New Way to Talk to the Grandkids, Blogger for Beginners, WordPress for Beginners, Writing Your Family History Using Microsoft Word.
• Sunday:  Using Your Computer, Video Camera and YouTube, Second Life: A New World of Online Genealogy, Using Excel in Genealogy, Scanning Tips and Tricks, Google Reader for Beginners.

For complete mini-course descriptions, instructors and requirements, click here.

Los Angeles: Jamboree discounts end April 30

The Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree is just around the corner, June 11-13, at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel and Convention Center.

Some 1,600 attendees will benefit from 120 sessions, workshops and events; 50 internationally known speakers, and 70 exhibitors displaying products and services.

The geneabloggers will again be there in force with two special Blogger Summit sessions. Go from zero to blogging in only 60 minutes in the first, while the second will take you higher as you learn how to market your blog, make it more appealing and even more important issues.

Tracing the Tribe is on the panel for the second blogger session (11.30am-12.30pm, Saturday, June 12, "Now that You’re a Genealogy Blogger") My genea-colleagues for that session are Lisa Louise Cooke, Kathryn Doyle, Thomas MacEntee and Craig Manson.

Later that day (2-3pm), I will present "The Iberian Ashkenaz DNA Project: The Administrator's Viewpoint." it will cover developing and building a DNA project from initial concept, project goal, criteria, participation and results.  

Early-bird discounts end April 30. Register by then and receive a $10 registration discount, $5 discount on all special events, and a free copy of the printed syllabus ($20 value).

More reasons - there are many - include:

-- Free Friday kids' session for ages 8-16, as well as librarians and beginner researchers.

-- Free "Genealogy World" roundtable small group discussion sessions Friday morning - dozens of topics lead by experts (Tracing the Tribe and Daniel Horowitz will each lead one on Jewish research). Topics include regional and ethnic research, searching birth families, genealogy society management sessions. The Jamboree blog will detail these roundtables scheduled over three hours.

-- Free document and photo scanning provided by Ancestry.com.

-- Free webinar to help get the most out of any genealogy conference, including Jamboree. Click on the webinar image here.

-- Friday morning tour of Evergreen Cemetery (Los Angeles), followed by lunch at Philippe's Who says genealogy isn't delicious? Philippe's is where, according to legend, the French Dip sandwich was created!

-- Excel, Word, Skype, blogging and Google applications in hand's-on minicourses.

-- Door prizes - worth thousands of dollars - include a week at the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel, a weekend at Strawberry Creek Inn or Bunkhouse B&B (Idyllwild, California).

-- Beginner, intermediate and advanced classes.

-- Live podcast Saturday - with Lisa Louise Cooke of Genealogy Gems Podcast.

-- Friday night banquet with Chris Haley, nephew of Alex Haley ("Roots").

-- Free webinar Saturday morning with DearMYRTLE. Societies from across the US and Canada can participate from home via GoToWebinar. Join us onsite for breakfast (fee) or over the web.

Dates to remember:

April 30: Early bird registration ends at midnight.
May 1: Mini-sessions registration opens.
May 10: Marriott hotel discount ends.
June 1: Pre-registration closes.

Get all the details on Jamboree; click on the Jamboree logo.
Follow all Jamboree blog updates.

See you in Burbank!

Jamboree 2010: How did 'Roots' affect you?

Back in 1976, Alex Haley's "Roots" was published and the television mini-series aired the next year to the largest-ever audience recorded at that time.

Today, more and more genealogy shows are appearing in several countries. Many of us in the field hope that these programs will also generate another mass of people wanting to know more about their families.

The Southern California Genealogical Society is asking genealogists to comment on the aftermath of Haley's book and the television show that followed it.

Tell us about your reaction in 100 words or less. The best responses will be published in the Summer 2010 issue of the SCGS journal, The Searcher, which will be distributed to all Jamboree 2010 attendees.

The author's nephew, Chris Haley, is the Jamboree banquet keynote speaker on June 11.

Send your thoughts by April 21 to be considered for publication.

Jamboree 2010: Program now online

Talk about jet-setting.

Tracing the Tribe is in Hong Kong - and loving every minute - on the way to Australia for the 2nd Australian Jewish Genealogy Conference. In just a few months, I'll be in California for the Southern California Genealogical Society's Jamboree 2010 (June 11-13) and JGSLA 2010 (July 11-16).

Jamboree 2010's program is now online, ready to download.

Read the list of sponsors and exhibitors, as well as:

-- Class schedules and descriptions.
-- Speaker bios.
-- Details on Friday morning JamboFREE events.
-- Hotel and restaurant information.-- Special Jamboree meals (breakfasts, banquets) and tours.

-- Registration form and other details

-- Info on the hands-on computer labs and mini-courses

-- AND George C. Morgan's free webinar (Saturday, March 27) on "How to Get theMost Out of Jamboree."

Watch the Jamboree blog for webinar announcements.

Tracing the Tribe will participate in a blogger panel and present a DNA talk.

-- Saturday, June 12, 11:30am-12:30pm:
Blogger Summit Part 2: Now that You’re a Genealogy Blogger. (Cooke, Dardashti, Doyle, MacEntee, Manson).
So you have a blog? Now what? Learn how to make blogging fun with tips from our panel of expert genealogy bloggers. You’ll learn about keeping posts fresh, making blogging beneficial to your genealogy research and possibly profitable as well, with tips on marketing your blog.

-- Saturday, June 12, 2-3pm:
The Iberian Ashkenaz DNA Project: The Administrator's Viewpoint.
Learn how to develop and build a DNA project. This session covers the nuts and bolts from initial concept, project goal, criteria, encouraging participation, results and what they mean.

See you in Burbank!

Jamboree 2010: Chris Haley is keynote speaker

In the 1970s, television revolutionized genealogy as a pursuit we can all follow.

With the publishing of Alex Haley's book - "Roots" - and the television production that followed, people around the world were inspired to begin wondering about their own roots.

The Southern California Genealogical Society's Jamboree 2010 (June 11-13) will feature a special guest, when the Friday night banquet keynote speaker will be Chris Haley, nephew of author Alex Haley.

An actor, musician and genealogist, Christ will speak about how genealogy has both changed and remained the same over the years.

"My Genealogy: Now and Then” will include family photos, documents, music and thoughts on his dual African and Scottish heritage. The story of his genetic discovery and reunion with relatives from the British Isles was covered in the media and is featured on Ancestry.com’s introductory DNA page.

Do you need even more incentive to attend the dinner?

How about this? One lucky banquet attendee will win an autographed, first edition copy of "Roots."

This presentation is sure to entertain, educate and engage.

Register for Jamboree, including the banquet and other special events, at the SCGS website.

Jamboree 2010: Librarians' genealogy boot camp

When people first become interested in family history, they often ask the staff at their neighborhood public library.

To help librarians help their visitors, the Southern California Genealogical Society (SCGS) will offer a free three-hour Librarians' Genealogy Boot Camp at the group's Jamboree 2010 (June 11-16, Burbank), at the Marriott Burbank Hotel.

The free two-session boot camp is scheduled for opening day, Friday, June 11, from 9am-noon.

Who better to help librarians at this event than two of our famous colleagues, George G. Morgan and Drew Smith.

George is an internationally recognized genealogist and author of eight books, several online columns, and hundreds of articles for genealogical publications. As president of Aha! Seminars, Inc., he conducts seminars for libraries and genealogists. He's a director of two genealogical societies and co-host of “The Genealogy Guys Podcast.”

Drew holds an MLS and is a University of South Florida librarian. He's also co-host of the Genealogy Guys Podcast, author of "Social Networking for Genealogists," and a columnist for Digital Genealogist magazine. Among his other hats: Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) director and Florida Genealogical Society (Tampa) president.

George will present the first session - Using the HeritageQuest Databases.

The HeritageQuest Online databases by ProQuest undoubtedly contain some of the richest American genealogical materials. Many libraries provide remote access to library cardholders to this collection. Learn how to unlock the power and content of this great resource.

Drew will present the second session - How to Help Your Patrons Find the Book with Their Family in It.

Show your patrons how to do an exhaustive search for books and other published materials about their families that will help them begin their research.

Attendance is limited to 100 participants with advance registration.

Learn more at the SCGS site for registration details and more information. Under SCGS Events and Programs, look for “Librarians’ Boot Camp.”

Check out all the Jamboree 2010 sessions. We all hope the librarians will stay around for the entire weekend and learn even more for themselves and for their patrons.

Have a question about Jamboree? Send an email.

Jamboree 2010: Speakers' List

Jamboree 2010 will feature more than 50 speakers and 130 sessions.

Here's the list of speakers. To learn more about each, click here.

Suzanne Russo Adams, AG - Elaine Alexander - David Armstrong - Ron Arons

Katherine Borges - Bruce Buzbee - Hailey Campbell - Starr Hailey Campbell - Christopher Child - Cafi Cohen - Lisa Louise Cooke

Schelly Talalay Dardashti - DearMYRTLE - Elyse Doerflinger - William Dollarhide

Arlene Eakle, Ph.D., FUGA - Anna Fechter - Joy Fisher - Kenny Freestone - Bennett Greenspan

Jean Wilcox Hibben, Ph.D., CG - Daniel Horowitz - Janet Hovorka - John T. Humphrey, CG - Susan Kitchens - Lisa B. Lee - Dan Lynch

Thomas MacEntee - Rhonda McClure - Leland Meitzler - Cheri Mello - Anne Miller, Ph.D. - Anne Mitchell - George G. Morgan - Joanna Mountain, Ph.D.

Michael John Neill - Gena Philibert Ortega - Lynne Parmenter - Larry Proctor

Geoffrey Rasmussen - David E. Rencher, AG, CG, FUGA, FIGR

John Schmal - Drew Smith, MLS - Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak - Louise St Denise - Cheryl Storton

Maureen Taylor - Cath Trindle, CG - Beverly Truesdale - Pat Tyler - Tom Underhill - Sam Ward - Duff Wilson - Curt Witcher

California: Jamboree 2010 registration open!

Jamboree 2010 registration is now open! The 41st annual event of the Southern California Genealogical Society will feature 130 sessions by more than 50 experts in many subjects.

It all takes place June 11-13, at the Marriott Los Angeles Burbank Airport Hotel and Convention Center, in Burbank, California.

Tracing the Tribe will be participating again this year at what is the best and largest regional general genealogy conference in the US.

I will present a DNA project from the administrator's viewpoint, using our IberianAshkenaz DNA Project (at FamilyTreeDNA.com) as an example of how to develop and build a DNA project. It will cover the nuts and bolts from initial concept, project goal, criteria, encouraging participation, results and what they mean. I'm co-administrator with the amazing Judy Simon of New York. The session is set for Saturday, from 2-3pm.

Tracing the Tribe will also participate in this year's two-part Blogger Summit, details are still being worked on as the format will differ this year. In general, genealogy blogging experts share blogging experiences and answer audience questions about trends and issues in the genealogy blogosphere. On Saturday, part one is 10-11am, and part two from 11.30am-12.30pm. Last year, some 40 bloggers attended Jamboree and more are expected this year!

For more information, learn about Jamboree 2010's lecture sessions, speakers, exhibitors, networking and social activities.

This year's geographic focus is North America - Canada, Mexico and the US. DNA and Technology will also receive special emphasis this year.

The creative folks at SCGS always come up with new ideas. This is what we'll see this year:

-- Conference materials on Thursday evening for re-registered attendees. Why stand in a long line Friday morning if you don't have to?

-- Expanded seating capacity in an air-conditioned pavilion seating 300 behind the Convention Center, and with wireless Internet access. Jamboree 2010 is taking over the entire hotel and Convention Center. Sessions will be held in both buildings and the pavilion.

-- Mini-courses are new this year, featuring hands-on computer workshops throughout the weekend. Some 20 participants per course will bring their laptops and learn about Excel, Word, blogging software, Skype, Google Earth, and more. Open only to paid registrants, a special online mini-course registration will open May 1.

-- Wait until you see what Free Friday is offering. SCGS believes that expense shouldn't be a barrier to learning. Concurrent sessions (each three hours) will include a Genealogy Librarian's boot camp, the return of last year's popular Kids' Family History Camp, along with beginner and advanced beginner genealogy sessions. Registration is required to attend the Free Forenoon Friday sessions.

-- The free (registration required) three-hour "Small World" round table discussion is on Friday morning. Network, explore research tactics for specific world geographic regions, and exchange tips and techniques on an informal basis. The list of topics will be announced later.

-- Ancestry.com will bring four high-speed scanners and schedule free, 15-minute scanning sessions. The company has done this at other conferences, and this year Jamboree participants will be able to have their documents and photos scanned.

Registration Discounts: SCGS members and early-bird registrants (before May 1). Register online. The three-day event is only $80, and includes free copies of both print and CD versions of the valuable Jamboree syllabus. Hotel: Single or Double is $149 per night (Internet specials may be available at $20 or more off that rate).

See you at Jamboree 2010!

Gifts for your favorite genealogist?

The holidays are just around the corner. Perplexed about what to get for your favorite genealogist? Here are suggestions to consider. For some of them, the deadline is November 30 - so take advantage of the possibilities

Why not an initial subscription or a renewal to a major data site?

Choose from Footnote.com, NewspaperArchive.com (see the special offer of 60% off the regular price for page reproductions!) GenealogyBank.com, WorldVitalRecords.com or, for those with major UK roots, FindMyPast.com.

What about magazine or journal subscriptions or renewals?

Family Tree Magazine, Family Chronicle and others. For researchers of Jewish families, Avotaynu: The International Journal of Jewish Genealogy, is a must. Avotaynu is now offering a 50% sale on subscriptions along with 10% and 20% on books (November 30 is the deadline for this!).

For the more scientific-minded, why not gift a Y-DNA, mtDNA or combination test at FamilyTreeDNA?

The company is offering major promotional prices for the holidays. Tests must be ordered and paid for by December 31, 2009. On January 1, 2010, prices go up, so why not do it now? That's the company to go to because it has the largest comparative databases in the industry. For researchers of Jewish families, that's even more important as the largest Jewish DNA comparative database is within the larger one.

What about memberships in national or local genealogy societies?

Major societies, including some Jewish genealogical societies, often have members' sections on their websites that only paid members can access. These may include many indexes and unusual databases. Some societies also include a monthly or quarterly journal hat comes with membership.

There's also the option to make it possible for a friend or relative to attend a major annual conference of great interest.

Who wouldn't want to receive a gift of registration for a conference like the 2010 IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy, (Los Angeles, July 11-16), or the Southern California Genealogy Society Jamboree 2010 (Burbank, June 11-13)?

Some sites are offering holiday sales now, like Avotaynu and also the Family Tree Shop at Family Tree Magazine.

Family Tree Magazine is discounting many items in its Family Tree Shop. Even better, register to win your very own "wish list" of items (up to $150). Learn more and register here. Four lucky winners will be announced on December 3, so put this on your to-do list.

The magazine is offering sale prices on items covering various topics and research areas, including CDs. A good buy is the Family Tree Magazine 2008 CD with all the 2008 issues, containing 480 pages. Articles are searchable, printable and portable. Click directly to all featured websites from the CD. After a 21% discount, the sale price is $18.99. Click here and browse for items of interest.

We all know how expensive genealogy books can be, but here's a chance - from Avotaynu - to stock up on resources genealogical at a discount through November 30.

If you're already a subscriber to Avotaynu - and you should be if Jewish genealogy is important to you - receive discounts on useful reference books. If you're not yet a subscriber, now's the time to get a 50% discount to the journal - and the other discounts.

Current subscribers must click here for the discounts, which include a 20% discount on Avotaynu on CD-Rom, a 15% discount on some excellent genealogical reference works, and a 10% discount on all other books. Shipping charges added. Read the information at the site for all the important details.

Avotaynu on CD-Rom contains all issues for the first 24 years (1985–2008) with 93 issues and 5,700 pages, fully searchable (Windows/Vista only). The sale price is $79.60. If you already have it, the upgrade's sale price is $31.95. Tracing the Tribe thinks this full set would be a great gift for a beginning genealogist of any age.

Have fun checking out gifts for others and adding to your own wish list!

Genealogy Guys Podcast: Tracing the Tribe's interview

The Southern California Genealogical Society 2009 Jamboree was a great event in every way. Tracing the Tribe was interviewed at the conference by the Genealogy Guys, Drew Smith and George Morgan.

The Genealogy Guys Podcast was posted a few days ago; click here to view the video interview which covered Jewish genealogy in general, FamilyTreeDNA.com, MyHeritage.com, Tracing the Tribe and much more!

Here's another head's up: Tracing the Tribe will be interviewed by Susan E. King on her online radio show on Tuesday, November 3. Stay tuned for more information.

Getting back to the extremely successful Jamboree conference for a moment - I hope readers have their calendars marked for Jamboree 2010, June 11-16 at the Burbank Airport Marriott. Tracing the Tribe will be there again, as will many other geneabloggers, with many special events planned.

Just a few short weeks after Jamboree, Jewish genealogists and those searching their Jewish ancestry from around the world will also be converging on Los Angeles, as the 30th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy (JGSLA 2010) is set for July 11-16, at the new JW Marriott at L.A. Live.

Tracing the Tribe will be covering Jamboree and also working closely in several important areas with JGSLA 2010. Stay tuned for lots of exciting news!