When I first became a speaker in genealogy, most conferences and seminars were held in the Spring and in the Fall. The summer months were “dark.” No meetings were held. Too much other stuff was going on–kids out of school, summer sports and crafts programs, family vacations, lawn care, activities all week long.
Now I have genealogy conferences and the Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree from June through September. At least one every month. And two in the month of June.
Summer months are no longer “dark.” Go figure.
My topics at the Jamboree include:
- Is Your Genealogy Already Compiled? Do you have any idea what “over 1 million genealogists…” means in output of genealogy information? I have just been reading an authoritative biography of Abraham Lincoln, in honor of the 200th year celebrations about his life and accomplishments. The author states that their is little information regarding his genealogy available. She even thought the best ancestry for Nancy Hanks was that she was the illegitimate daughter of Lucy Hanks. Not so! Watch my NEW Kentucky blog for the real details of his parentage.
- Finding “Lost” Genealogy Records. This statement will bring great comfort to those of you who have tried and tried to find your ancestors and discovered nothing but missing records: There are more genealogy records now available than you will ever live long enough to search. Remember that the Family History Library alone has more than 2 million microfilm reels in its vaults, not to mention the more than 250,000 family histories in book form and on fiche and film.
- How to Trace Ancestors Who Lived/Live in Cities. There are government towns, Black towns, Indian towns, prison towns, river towns, county-towns, independent towns, and all sorts of other urban settings in America. When these towns are not subject to the power and jurisdiction of the county where they are located, it is easy to overlook the fact that they have their own records.
I am preparing extra handouts and checklists of records that will help you find your ancestors who lived in cities. If you have not registered for the Southern California Jamboree yet, I recommend that you do so at once.
http://www.scgsgenealogy.com June 26, 27, 28, 2009: Friday, Saturday, Sunday. This is the 40th year. And I was reminiscing a bit about the first time I spoke there on Virginia Research–the room was designed to hold 150 people and over 700 crammed the room, the hall, the stairs (it was upstairs–with no air-conditioning–in Glendale CA–in April). I was the only speaker in that time slot. I laughed all the way home to Utah.
Now multiple classes are held at the same time in large, air-conditioned hotel ballrooms at the Airport Marriott, in Burbank. And I expect to laugh all the way home to Utah about the discoveries I will make.
You really should come. At conferences you get the newest research strategies. The latest genealogy techniques and examples of records you may never have heard of, let alone searched.
Everyone that will listen is held captive by eager genealogists anxious to share their newest find.
I never go away without new stuff and new insight and new ideas of how to solve tough problems. So I invite you to attend and learn something you didn’t know on Friday. Your favorite genealogist, Arlene Eakle http://www.arleneeakle.com
PS Check out my new Home Page that Kathryn has posted on my website. And remember that it is under construction–all the pages will be re-done in the next weeks with easier navigation and new stuff to discover.
PPS Count down to 19 June–the launch of my NEW Kentucky blog.