Midwestern Roots 2014~Day Two

I will say here that this is the first time I’ve attended a speech about technology and left in tears. Lisa Louise Cooke was day #2’s keynote speaker. She discussed things to look for in the future of the technology of genealogy. At the end of her speech, however, #5 was “listen to your ancestors” accompanied by a lovely slideshow. Future-wise, Ms. Cooke talked about “getting outside the genealogy box” using newspaper research and programs like Evernote. Use Google Earth, create a blog, plan a family reunion, publish your family story! Use YouTube and online video to search for ancestors. Your desktop is moving to the cloud; however, keep a hard copy of your data just in case a cloud program you utilize goes away. She also touched on Google’s Project Tango, 3D technology that looks completely awesome!

For the next session, I chose to sit in on “New Frontiers in Family History at the Indiana State Archives,” presented by Vicki Casteel and Alan January. I had visited the State Archives for the first time a couple days before but decided I wanted to reinforce what I had learned previously. This was extremely helpful in that I found a court case listing one of my 3rd-great-grandfathers as subpoenaed for the case. The case was in 1843, that’s all I know for now. I’ve requested the court records…can’t wait to receive them! I will mention here that it was announced at the banquet the night before that IHS is seeking funds to move the archives to a vacated downtown Indy building by 2016, which is fabulous news!

I made it to lunch on time this day and met two of the nicest ladies. One was trying to find out more about her grandfather, a glass blower who had lived in Madison County, IN. I asked if he was in Elwood, a town in that county known for their glass, and she had not heard of Elwood. Thanks to the power of the internet, she quickly looked it up and was astounded. I was so happy to have been able to assist her.

Off to the afternoon sessions!

Next, Joan Hostetler talked about “Dating Clues Within Historic Photographs.” I very much enjoy looking at historic photos, and many were shown during this presentation, along with tips on what to look to date the picture. Very fascinating and so different from today! I just updated my cell phone to one that boasts a 41-megapixel camera! For better photos of headstones, of course. 🙂

The next session I attended was “Evernote for Genealogists,” given by Thomas MacEntee. I must say, this man knows his stuff about technology! I always walk away from his talks having learned something new (Evernote scanner? Yes, please!).

I ended my conference time with F. Warren Bittner and his lecture entitled, “‘Beat the Children with a Fresh Birch Stick so the Animals Don’t Get a Worms’-Reading for Historical Context.” This man is a genius! He always provides a bibliography chockfull of excellent reads to pursue.

Needless to say, at the end of the conference I was a bit tired but felt I had come away with valuable tips and education. I hope to really start integrating some of these new ideas soon!

Midwestern Roots 2014~Day One

Great start to the conference! Opening keynote speaker was Mr. James H. Madison, author of Hoosiers: A New History of Indiana and Hoosiers and the American Story. His books for sale in the exhibition hall were sold out before lunch! How much I’d have given to be a student in one of his classes at IU!

The next session I sat in on was: “The Tired, The Poor, the Huddled Masses, and the Wretched Refuse: US Immigration, 1820-1954,” presented by Daniel Pfoffenberger, AG. A lot of helpful information in this lecture, the push/pull factors of immigration from one’s home country to the US, immigration laws in the US, ports of entry, ports of departure, where to find records, etc. He did touch on checking name variations, using his own surname as an example.

Then, it was lunch break and I made a huge near-mistake. Lunch was provided, so I decided to hit the exhibit hall for awhile and wait for the lunch line to die down. Well, going into a genealogy conference exhibit hall is much like I’m Alice falling down the rabbit hole. I had 1.5 hours for lunch but for some reason I was thinking I had 2 hours. So, after milling around the exhibit hall for an hour, I headed on over to lunch, thinking I had an hour. No wonder the seating area was nearly empty! As I was enjoying a lovely salad and checking my email and Twitter, a couple ladies behind me exclaimed, “Oh! We’re going to be late!” and jumped up and ran off. I checked the time; I had 4 minutes to get to the after-lunch session. Yikes! I headed that way and actually went to the wrong room first…oh my goodness!

I made it to the correct room, right next door, and was actually seated before it began. Thomas MacEntee presented “Building a Research Toolbox.” He gave many examples of how to do this so one could choose an approach that is comfortable for them, such as creating a free webpage on Weebly, of which, yes, I’m currently in the process. It is a landing spot, basically, for all the links I come across that I find useful. As an example, I needed to find an index of court records for Logan County, KY, a few days ago, a site I know I had been to in the past. Guess what? It took me upwards of an hour to relocate it! I definitely need an online toolbox.

Next up was “Finding Females,” given by Amy Johnson Crow, CG. Check records under your female ancestor’s name, her husband’s name, her children’s names, her neighbors and associates’ names to find mention of her. In other words, one might have to do some searching on an array of persons to learn more about the lady in your life.

The last session of the first day was one I consider most valuable. The speaker was F. Warren Bittner, CG, and his presentation was “Using the 1880 Census to Solve 1770 Research Problems.” And, I’m so glad I didn’t miss any of it! We looked at censuses and discussed inferences about ages at time of marriage, time of birth, even time of death. Inferences need to be proven with additional research. We also touched on citing an inference. If Mr. Bittner is presenting at a conference I’m attending, you can count on me being there!

I had a couple hours before the dinner banquet, which I used to relax in my room and do the usual catch-up on social media. At dinner, I sat with two lovely couples (one couple was upgraded to the penthouse suite due to the hotel having to move people around!) and three other very nice ladies. We shared our genealogical stories, research pitfalls and mysteries, and a delicious dinner. Entertainment was provided by Daniel Poffenberger (see above) and his program was entitled: “The Much, Extremely, Incredibly Lighter Side of Family History: Funny Names and Other Fascinating Finds from Years of Research.” Very enlightening! Although, if you’ve spent any time at all researching 19th century records, you know you’ll come across some doozies. One name he showed us was “Manure Ford,” to which the woman to my right asked if they were an ancestor of mine. It’s all possible! The funniest story he told, though, I will post as a separate post all by itself because it deserves it. Suffice to say, I’d bring up the image of this story later and still laugh out loud.

After dinner, it was off to my room for some solitude and preparation for day #2.

As an aside, I’ve decided to finally plan a family reunion since no one else in my family deems it necessary. It will possibly be 11 October 2014. I’m also planning a trip to south-central Kentucky in a couple weeks for a 1-day symposium and related research in Logan County, KY, and a day in September near Indy for lectures by John Philip Colletta, PhD. Much like Mr. Bittner, when I see Colletta’s name, I know I must attend!

 

Pre-Conference Activities

The day before the conference, Midwestern Roots 2014, I kept myself very busy. I took the day off work and got to the Indiana State Archives at 10 a.m. for a small tour and introduction. I was there until 3 p.m. researching! I needed to do some IN Civil War research on my ancestors, Paul Mayer, John Ford and his son Lyman. I also found my 2nd-great-GF, Amos Ballard, on the 1862 draft list stating he had “disease of the heart” and therefore could not enlist. He was the one who later became a doctor. Also, while looking through the 1862 draft list, I found the name of the man who Paul Mayer is listed as living with on the 1860 census (the first census where Paul is enumerated and I wondered if this man was married to Paul’s sister as they all came from Württemberg). On the census, it was transcribed as “Gasper Seff”; on the 1862 draft list, it’s listed as “Casper Zepf.” Aha! More on that later!

After the Archives, I needed to go to the Indiana Historical Society as I wanted to see the Ballard letters up close and personal. Of course, they are only open until 5 and I’m basically on the opposite side of Indy. Plus, I had had no lunch. I ordered some chilled peach and goat cheese soup and pasta salad online from a place in Indy called Soupremacy (located on the Circle, if you’re ever in town, just go!). I drove down there, called them, and they ran it out to me! Super service! Off to the Historical Society.

I drove around the block a couple times trying to figure out parking; however, I realized what to do, pulled in, and got a great spot. I made it to the Historical Society Library at 4 p.m. (after a few bites of soup and salad!).

There was just so much to see and do at the Historical Society, and, of course, I had only mere minutes. I made my way to the Library, already had the call number on hand, and my materials were brought to the reading room for me. How awesome it was to see and practically touch the same letters my ancestors had written and read, the earliest from 1833 and written by my 4th-great-grandparents. They can be viewed online here:

http://images.indianahistory.org/cdm/search/collection/dc033

It was an entirely different feeling to see them in person. I had copies made, as many as I could afford and with the time I had. One letter was written by the sister of my 3rd-great-GM about their mother’s passing. One of the most touching things I’ve read to date.

From the Historical Society, I dashed off to my hotel to check in and get ready for the final event of the day, The Google Earth Genealogy Game Show, held at the Indianapolis Public Library in downtown Indy. It was the first time I had visited their library, and it is gorgeous! The speaker was Lisa Louise Cooke of Genealogy Gems Podcast, and she took us on a tour of Google Earth using historical questions in game show-style fashion. Lots of fun!

I have used Google Maps a lot in the past but never Google Earth and, boy howdy, what have I been missing! I’ve got a lot of learning to do with Google Earth but what a neat and fun app, especially when used with genealogy!

Afterward, yummy refreshments were served at a reception and then I was on my way back to the hotel for the evening for some much-needed rest and to prepare for the first day of the conference.

I will leave you with this quote I saw at the Indianapolis Public Library:

“Light captured in words won’t hide in shadow; it emerges to illuminate life.”

Quick Update

So very busy the past couple days! Can’t wait to share with you what I’ve learned and give it a whirl myself.

Upcoming Conference

I’ll be attending the Midwestern Roots 2014 Family History and Genealogy Conference in Indianapolis, IN, sponsored by the Indiana Historical Society later this month. I am excited about this because I actually have a hotel room in the hotel where the conference is being held!!

I am also excited about the offered sessions. I’ll be attending 5 sessions on Friday and 5 on Saturday, plus spending time at the IN State Archives the Thursday before and attending the Friday night dinner.

At the Archives, I plan to do research on 3 of my ancestors who served in the Civil War and check into more naturalization records. Some of the sessions I plan on attending are:

Building a Research Toolbox
Finding Females
Managing Your Genealogy Data
Future Technology and Genealogy

The theme of the conference is: “Exploring Frontiers: What Would Your Pioneers Have Tweeted?” Actually, I like this idea and I did think about what my ancestors would’ve tweeted:

Maternal grandfather: He was a loud blowhard, so he would’ve used Twitter for all its worth. He was also a photographer, so I’m sure he’d tweet a lot of pictures. He also was interested in our family history so maybe he would’ve used Twitter to find cousins? His tweet: “I love my Caddy although I work for the UAW. Now look at this picture of it!”
Maternal grandmother: She could not have cared less about what Twitter was, just so long as she had a cup of coffee and a cigarette. Tweet: “…”
Paternal grandfather: See above, minus the cigarette. Tweet: “…”
Paternal grandmother: I think she would’ve used Twitter for recipes and fashion. Tweet: “Just made the best blackberry pie! Found a new apron pattern in BH&G!”

Watch for upcoming posts on my time at this conference!