Three conferences in 10 days!

Tracing the Tribe has just arrived home after speaking at three conferences in two countries in 10 days!

Each was very different in format and topics addressed, and Internet access - on a personal level - varied, significantly curtailing communications. Jet lag, surprisingly, wasn't an issue on this trip. Along with the events themselves, Tracing the Tribe also connected with family, old and new friends.

The Society of Genealogists' Centenary Conference (London, UK; Saturday, May 7), was followed by the Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain's Northern Regional Conference (Manchester, UK; Sunday, May 8). Just two days later, I flew to the exciting National Genealogical Society's event in Charleston, South Carolina.

At the SOG and NGS, my topic was the IberianAshkenaz DNA Study as a case study - administered by Judy Simon of New York and myself - at FamilyTreeDNA.com. Each time this topic is presented, there is more to update on results and participants. It aways changes.

In Manchester, I spoke on social media for 21st-century genealogists, also an evolving topic.

At SOG and NGS, DNA was an interesting topic as the number of Jewish attendees is traditionally rather small, although there were more who had Jewish ancestry, some recently discovered. It was a different audience, with different questions, and we believe that these two opportunities helped to raise awareness of genetic genealogy - and FamilyTreeDNA.com.

From questions asked in session Q&As to those fielded during the rest of the events (and later emails), it was obvious that people are fascinated by this rather amazing tool available to us. The presentation includes the nuts and bolts of creating a DNA project applicable to any ethnicity, religion or geographic region.

At the JGSGB event - with some really excellent topics presented - it was a privilege to help explain how genealogists (as well as genealogy societies and other institutions) can benefit from today's social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, blogs and more.

Watch for separate posts on each conference.

Now back home in New Mexico, I still have a few weeks before the Southern California Genealogical Society's Jamboree 2011 (speaking on creating online ancestral communities) and the Association of Jewish Libraries' event in Montreal (speaking on Sephardic research) soon after.

What do I do when at home, other than reading accumulated email, getting some needed sleep and generally not travel farther than the supermarket? Well, there are articles to write, a stack of books to review, and local genealogy goings-on, including genealogy presentations at local senior centers.

The schedule includes even more as I am genealogy co-chair of the New Mexico Jewish Historical Society, and involved in the creation and organization of the new general Sandoval County Genealogical Society.

Tracing the Tribe firmly believes that all Jewish historical societies should join the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS), as the NMJHS has recently done. It always seems that genealogists understand the connection between what we do and history, but that historical societies don't always see that essential connection. More cooperation between local genealogical and historical societies provides more learning opportunities for members of both.

What's on the menu for these two societies? We'll soon begin working on the new program year for both groups and contacting prospective speakers.

The Sandoval County society will be meeting the first Saturday of each month, from 10am-12.30pm, and we are working on the timing for the NMJHS events, which will be on Sundays (to be scheduled) at the Albuquerque JCC.

Back to email!

Back home again!

It is great to be back home again in New Mexico!

WDYTYA Live 2011 was a great experience - despite feeling a bit under the weather - and I managed to see some of my Bombay Dardashti cousins and Persian and British friends.

Genner personalities also included Lisa Louise Cooke (blogging for Family Tree magazine), photo detective Maureen Taylor, and Dick Eastman. Dick will be back in the UK in about six weeks for the one-name guild event.

Tracing the Tribe, of course, will be back in the UK in May for the Society of Genealogists' Centenary Conference and the JGS of Great Britain's Manchester one-day conference, followed by the National Genealogical Society's event in Charleston.

I'm trying to get things organized during March, while at home.

I'm already looking forward to next year's event. Wondering when the NBC version of the show will spawn a US-version of WDYTYA Live here at home. The event is so different from what we experience here at gen conferences and it might really take off as it would attract those who are really just beginning and want a "gen lite" experience.

Even better, our daughter arrived yesterday for a visit. Unfortunately, she seems to have the "bug" that is going around New York (and many other places!).

Chicken soup seems to be on the menu over the next few days, and also hoping it helps take care of this still coughing blogger and the bug from Salt Lake City!

Sorting through what seems like a thousand emails, notices from Jamboree, submissions to other conferences.

The National Genealogical Society blog - UpFront - had two interesting posts with pointers to an article on family reunions, and another on a researcher's book recounting her journey as she gathered family information.

UpFront listed Jim Matthews' account in the San Bernardo Sun on the value of family vacations as he attended his wife's family reunion.

The new book launch - today in Truckee, California - included an ice cream party, book reading and signing, to celebrate Buzzy Jackson's new book, "Shaking the Family Tree…Blue Bloods, Black Sheep and Other Obsessions of an Accidental Genealogist."

Ellen Shindelman, JGS of Colorado president, informed Tracing the Tribe that Jackson is a member of the JGSCo, and that Jackson included a discussion of Ukrainian Jewish resources with Kahlile Mehr, a member of the IAJGS Board of Directors, in the book.

The story encompasses 250 years of family history, according to the blog post:

In her new book, Jackson investigates her roots and dives headfirst into her family gene pool: flying cross-country to locate an ancient family graveyard, embarking on a week-long genealogy Caribbean cruise, trekking to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City and even submitting her DNA for testing to try and find her Jacksons. Through her research, she connects with distant relatives, traces her roots back more than 250 years and in the process comes to discover -genetically, historically and emotionally - the true meaning of "family” for herself.

Inspiration is found in many places. Here's hoping these two items will persuade more people to write about their journeys on discovery road.

Click the NGS link above to read these two posts and more.

Youth awards: The way to go!

All genealogists know that new blood is the life of our passion and our commitment to learning about our ancestors.

Bringing new researchers into our world is the way to go. Even better is a determined effort to get young people involved.

In addition to learning about their individual family histories and ancestors, this pursuit increases and hones writing skills, personal interest in world history, language study and other additional skills.

Tracing the Tribe has talked for a number of years about a tiered award system for students (elementary, middle/junior, and high school). From local awards, winners could move to state or regional awards, and then a national award.

Such a competition - especially for Jewish genealogy, but equally applicable to all genealogy societies - would bring much-needed publicity and interest at all levels from students, parents and schools.

High school junior or senior winners could indicate the award on university applications, setting themseves apart from the sea of similar applicants, and this would also help elevate the study of family history in the eyes of academics at many universities.

Here's the announcement of the NGS Rubicam Award, given to 2009 winner Thomas Adams.

Dear Fellow Genealogist:

Young people with an interest in the history of their family, in search of a summer project, seeking to satisfy a school assignment or club project will want to see the videos of Thomas Adams, the 2009 winner of the National Genealogical Society Rubincam Youth Award.

Created by award winning filmmakers Kate Geis and Allen Moore, the videos go live today at the society’s website, http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/ and will soon appear on YouTube. The three short segments are:

· The Award: Genealogy puts history into personal perspective for high school student Thomas Adams, recipient of the Rubincam Youth Award.

· My Research: Young family history sleuth Thomas Adams talks about his "Eureka!" moment.

· Inspiring Others: Thomas' discoveries encourage his friends to follow their own
roots.

For more information, contact NGS President Jan Alpert.

What groups are willing to run with this idea to create more interest among young people in family history?

NGS Awards: The complete list of honorees

The National Genealogical Society presented several awards to individuals in recognition of their contributions to the NGS or to the field of genealogy.

For more on each award and the honorees, click here for the NGS UpFront Blog post.

Three individuals received the President's Citation:

-- Peter Broadbent, in appreciation of his two terms on the NGS Board of Directors, assisting with the sale of Glebe House, for his work on Amending and Restating the Articles of Incorporation and ByLaws, and for his wise counsel on numerous issues which came before the board.

-- Connie Lenzen, CG, who has served two terms on the NGS Board, for her leadership as Chair of the Education Committee.

-- Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, for her ongoing promotion of genealogical events and broad support of the genealogical community as a whole.

The Award of Excellence: Genealogical Methods & Sources: Schelly Talalay Dardashti for her article in Family Tree Magazine (September 2009), "Ties That Bind: Jewish Research Strategies." The award is given to an individual or nonprofit organization for a specific, significant single contribution in the form of a book, an article, or a series of articles published during the past three years that discusses genealogical methods and sources and serves to foster scholarship and/or otherwise advances or promotes excellence in genealogy.

The NGSQ Award for Excellence:  Rachal Mills Lennon, CG, for her article “Jonathan Turner- More Than a Name: A Carolina Case Study in Dissecting Records,” which appeared in NGSQ (March 2009). It is given each year for a specific, significant, single contribution in the form of an article or series of articles that serves to foster scholarship and/or advances or promotes excellence in genealogy.

The Family History Writing Contest Award: Patrick Quigley from Ponco Pines, Pennsylvania, and his entry was titled, "The Quigley Family Searches for the American Dream." Contestants must compile a three- or four-generation family history. The  winner receives an expense-paid trip to the next NGS Family History Conference and possible publication in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly.

The Home Study Scholarship: Terri Hildreth of Madison, Alabama. It is given to encourage those pursuing a career in genealogy.

I am especially indebted to NGS for contributing to awareness of Jewish genealogy research through the Award of Excellence this year.

NGS: An honor in Salt Lake City

The National Genealogical Society has recognized an article I wrote for Family Tree Magazine.

"Ties That Bind," on Jewish research strategies, received the "NGS Award for Excellence: Genealogical Methods and Sources," at the Friday night NGS conference dinner in Salt Lake City.

The Family Tree Magazine article (see cover page right) appeared on pages 52-57 of the September 2009 issue.

Although I could not be there in person, my heart was certainly there. My good friend Daniel Horowitz accepted the award (see image left) in my absence.

I sincerely thank the NGS, headed by president Jan Alpert, and Family Tree Magazine's Allison Stacey, Grace Dobush and Diane Haddad for their foresight in encouraging this topic, and for creating its important visual context.

NGS: Two contests set

The National Genealogical Society has announced two competitions, one for writing and the other for newsletters.

The submission deadline for both the NGS Family History Writing Contest and Newsletter Competition is December 31. Only NGS members (individual or organizational) may participate.

For the Family History Writing Contest, the winner receives a certificate and prizes (estimated value $1,500), including travel to and from the NGS Conference and Family History Fair in Salt Lake City set for April 2010. up to five nights' hotel, free conference registration and free banquet ticket. Travel has some restrictions, so see the website for details.

What is NGS looking for?

- An original work not previously published or submitted elsewhere, covering three to four generations with proper documentation using the NGSQ Numbering System.

- Time period: Early American or later-immigrant. For early American, the progenitor may have been born elsewhere, but he and his descendants must have lived in Colonial America and/or the US. For a later-immigrant family genealogy, first and second generations may have been born elsewhere, but must have immigrated and lived in the US. The writer may be included as a third generation member, but not earlier.

- Criteria: Based on how well the writer demonstrates his or her research skills by using and analyzing a wide variety of original documents and telling the story by placing the family in the relevant historical context.

For all the details: Click the Awards & Competitions section of the NGS web site.

The NGS Newsletter Competition has the same December 31 deadline. and is for genealogical or historical societies which produce outstanding newsletters. Societies must be organizational NGS members.

There are three levels: (1) Major genealogical society newsletter, (2) local or county genealogical or historical society newsletter, or (3) family association newsletter. Three copies of two consecutive issues from the current year (2009) must be submitted along with the completed entry form.

Winner will receive a certificate, one-year NGS membership, and will be featured in an NGS Magazine article. Runner-up will receive a certificate and be featured in the NGS Magazine. Winners will be announced at the Opening Session of the NGS Conference and Family History Fair in Salt Lake City, on April 28, 2010.

For all the details, click the Awards & Competitions section of the NGS web site