Family Photographs - Post 11: Hats and Bicycles

I'm posting old family photographs from my collection on Wednesdays, but they won't be wordless posts like others do - I simply am incapable of having a wordless post.

Here is one of the most precious (to me) images from my Carringer family collection:

I believe that this photograph is from about 1895 in San Diego at an unknown location (it looks like a hat store, but it may be a family home). The people in the picture are (left to right):

* Henry Austin Carringer (1853-1946), my great-grandfather - standing behind the bicycle on the left.

* Abigail (Vaux) Smith (1844-1931), my great-great-grandmother, mother of Della (Smith) Carringer - seated on the stool.

* Harvey Edgar Carringer (1857-1946), brother of Henry Austin Carringer - seated in doorway.

* Lyle Lawrence Carringer (1891-1976), my grandfather - seated on a wagon with wheels (the front wheels are difficult to discern - are they there?).

* Abbie Ardell/Della (Smith) Carringer (1864-1944), my great-grandmother, mother of Lyle Carringer - seated on the right.

This was a loose photograph on very thin paper found in the Carringer/Smith family photograph collection handed down from my mother to me in 1988.

CGSSD Meeting on Saturday 6/28 - "The Next Big Thing in Computer Genealogy"

Linda Hervig from CGSSD sent this notice:

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

The Computer Genealogy Society of San Diego meets on Saturday, June 28, 2008 from 9:00 am to noon.

9:00 - Brief Announcements and user groups for Family Tree Maker and Legacy

10:15 - A break and refreshments

10:30 - Announcements followed by Program: "The Next Big Thing in Computer Genealogy" by Gary Hoffman

Doing genealogy today is a lot different than twenty years ago when we visited archives and libraries, read records in microfilm readers and dusty books, and scribed notes on paper to rush home and enter data into our new home computer. Today we can sit at home and access many records online. The Internet has changed how we record and share genealogy, too. What is the future of computer genealogy as we know it? Based on recent trends and statements from industry heavy-hitters, Gary will reveal his version of the future of computer genealogy. Gary is a computer manager at UCSD and the current webmaster for CGSSD.

NOTE: This meeting is on the 4th Saturday instead of the usual 3rd Saturday of the month due to UCSD graduations on campus on June 21.

We meet at the Robinson Auditorium complex on the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) campus in La Jolla. From North Torrey Pine Road turn at Pangea Drive into UCSD. Free parking is available in the parking garage on the left; use any A, B, or S space. Signs will mark directions to our meeting room.

Please refer to our website www.cgssd.org; or the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies website http://irps.ucsd.edu/about/how-to-find-us.htm for driving directions and a map.

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

I am bummed that I cannot make this meeting because I will be the SCGS Genealogy Jamboree - actually on the Genealogy Blogger Summit at the time of the CGSSD meeting. I can't wait to hear what Gary thinks is the "next big thing in computer genealogy." What do you think it is? I have a pretty good idea!

Are there any people who will attend this meeting and would write a summary of this meeting for me and be a guest blogger early next week? Please contact me at rjseaver@cox.net if you will do this for me.

Sheri Goes to Samford - Post 6

WHAT I LEARNED AT SAMFORD
by Sheri Fenley

(c) Sheri Fenley, June 2008

FRIDAY, JUNE 13TH

For blondes in California, Friday the 13th is a legal holiday. This is what I thought might get me off the hook for speaking to the class. I was not having a good start to my day. I had not made the correct calculations and had run out of cigarettes the night before. I got more than a few funny looks as I was walking down the hill looking up into the sky and saying, "Just take me now and get it over with!" I was working on a legal holiday, they had run out of spiced apple oatmeal in the cafeteria, and I was drinking coffee without a cigarette.

Walking through the parking lot to my classroom to meet my fate, an angel pulled up in her car. Why, it was Ms. Martha from my class, Ms. Martha who sat in the Front row of my class. I must have looked really bad. She asked what was wrong and when I told her she took a quick look around and said, "Hurry quick and get in the car." Bless her little heart, Ms. Martha took some back road, got me to the mini mart and back to school in time for me to have a smoke and for us to get to class on time. PLEASE NOTE: Ms. Martha does not smoke, she did it for me out of the kindness of her heart which I blessed earlier. I am forever in your debt, Martha.

OK, so maybe the day was getting a little better. I was wearing my favorite fluorescent Hawaiian Print Dress and lime green sandals. My mother always told me when you look good, you feel good.

It was nearing the time for me to have my turn. Everyone before me had power point things and laser pointers. I finally tore a piece of paper out of my notebook, wrote on it and waited. I dragged myself up to the podium, held up my piece of paper that said, “The Problem with Pauline,” and proceeded to tell everyone about my research. I did this with a classroom of new friends, some new found confidence, and a smile on my face.

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

Sheri Fenley is a guest blogger here on Genea-Musings - previous blog entries include:

* An introduction, and a description of the IGHR program at Samford University in Birmingham, were posted 19 June 2008 as "Meet Guest Blogger Sheri Fenley."

* "Sheri Goes to Samford - Post 1" was posted 20 June 2008.

* "Sheri Goes to Samford - Post 2" was posted 21 June 2008.

* "Sheri Goes to Samford - Post 3" was posted 22 June 2008.

* "Sheri Goes to Samford - Post 4" was posted 23 June 2008.

* "Sheri Goes to Samford - Post 5" was posted 24 June 2008.

My thanks to Sheri Fenley for allowing me to post her experiences at Samford. I thought that they were worthy of posting in hopes that some readers will be inspired to attend IGHR at Samford in the future. They were funny, too - something I really appreciate in a genealogy writer!

Who has married the most times?

I've been curious about the answer to this question for several months, and in my "lazy time" today I Googled it.

Here is one candidate from here:

"The New Straits Times on 4th January 2007 reported that former police officer Kamarudin Mohamad made headlines in 2004 for being Malaysia’s most married man: 53 times."

It also notes that:

* He was a self-confessed “lover of beautiful women” but “never a playboy”.

* His wives included an English woman and two Thais.

* All his previous marriages ended in divorce, with the exception of a Thai who died of breast cancer.

* He leaves behind eight children and 16 grandchildren.

And that:

* His previous marriages lasted an average 193 days each.

* He was married to his 51st wife for 20 years. She died before he considered remarrying Khadijah.

* His briefest marriage lasted only 2 days.

Kamarudin died in early 2007 at age 74, having remarried his first wife as his 53rd wife.

Just think how much it would cost to get a copy of all of his marriage certificates!

I checked Joseph Smith at Wikipedia and the article says he had 33 well-documented wives. Brigham Young was "sealed" to 55 wives (several of them formerly married to Joseph Smith) and he had children by 16 of them.

Are there any other candidates for this "honor?"

Sheri Goes to Samford - Post 5

WHAT I LEARNED AT SAMFORD

by Sheri Fenley
(c) Sheri Fenley, June 2008

I am not a writer nor do I play one on TV. I had intended this to be a chronological accounting of my experience... but each time, as soon as I posted one part I realized that I had left something out. So to continue with that theme…. Dr. Debbie Abbott was on my scary list too. She was also a part time student in the Land Records class and sat next to me in the back of the room (this is were that “sitting in the back of the class was a good thing” comes in). Being the new kid in school I had no idea who she was at the time, but I had a check mark in the scary column by her name. When Birdie introduced her she stood and walked to the front of the class and gave me a little nod. I dug in my bag for the bottle of white out and took her off the list. My basic formula for the Scary List: Librarian = Scary, PhD = Very Scary, Elizabeth Shown Mills = Very, Very Scary. You’ll be pleased to know that I no longer have a scary list.

THURSDAY, JUNE 12th

Today we had Birdie all to ourselves for almost the entire day. When it comes to land, the records they produce, maps and how to plot them - Ms. Holsclaw reigns as the Queen in my book. She took us through (what she likes to call) mini-case studies to teach us how to plot maps from the calls in survey descriptions and how to use that information to find our ancestors. We got into our groups again and Birdie gave us a hands-on case to solve using multi-partitioned deeds. The manner in which Birdie Holsclaw teaches her classes lets you know that she started out in the genealogical field just like everyone else - a novice who through hard work and a genuine love of her profession put her at the top of the field today.

After break was when IT happened. We heard a deep rumbling sound. Ann Staley said it was thunder and the rain would start soon. I told her that I had just come in from outside and the sun was out, sounded like a motorcycle to me.

She went to the window and peeked out the blind and said “Oh, it is a motorcycle” and started to turn away from the window looked again and said “OH MY GOD, IT IS A MOTORCYCLE AND CLAIRE IS ON IT!” We just about fell all over ourselves rushing to the window. I’ll be damned, there she was, Claire Bettag, wearing a skirt mind you, riding shotgun on a Harley, waving to us with the biggest grin on her face. I didn’t know Claire liked to ride. She did not have a single visible tattoo as most “Motorcycle Mama's” are known to exhibit. Maybe things were different in the East than out West. For more information on this historic event or to get on the waiting list to be Claire’s roommate next year, please contact her directly. P.S. - For those who want visual confirmation, photos are available.

Our 6th and final guest speaker was Carolyn Earle Billingsley, PhD. Ms. Billingsley was on the list, but I had bought her book and after the first few chapters I had erased her name. Her topic was “Kinship Theory and Migration.” Her explanations of how and why people migrated as groups made such perfect sense to me. I highly recommend her book. She was very entertaining and skilled at getting her points across. I may be wrong but I got the feeling that she and I both march to the beat of a different drummer. But ultimately we are all in the same marching band (See - I did understand the book!).

Before I could leave for the day Birdie asked me how long my presentation would take. Presentation? Yes, how long was it going to take and would I be using a PowerPoint presentation or would I need an overhead projector? I just about passed out. I thought she had wanted maybe a written paragraph or two about my work. OMG, I don’t have a laptop, much less any of those other things she mentioned. I had to sit down. I told her that the answer was none of the above. She smiled sweetly and said OK, an oral report 10-15 minutes would be just fine.

Samford has a tradition of holding a lovely banquet the last night of our stay. I am sure that anything you wear would be OK, but most wore something a little dressier than daytime wear. I went to the dorm to get dressed and made it inside just as the sky opened up and let us have it. It rained cats, dogs, sheep, elephants, you name it. I have since heard that the rain is traditional on banquet night. The food was wonderful as usual and the speaker, Paul Miller, was entertaining. I was having a hard time concentrating. I was still trying to make myself understand that I am going to talk to people, while standing in front of the class. Talk to them like I knew what I was doing.

I got back to the dorm and went to bed dazed and confused but with a smile on my face.

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

Sheri Fenley is a guest blogger here on Genea-Musings - previous blog entries include:

* An introduction, and a description of the IGHR program at Samford University in Birmingham, were posted 19 June 2008 as "Meet Guest Blogger Sheri Fenley."

* "Sheri Goes to Samford - Post 1" was posted 20 June 2008.

* "Sheri Goes to Samford - Post 2" was posted 21 June 2008.

* "Sheri Goes to Samford - Post 3" was posted 22 June 2008.

* "Sheri Goes to Samford - Post 4" was posted 23 June 2008.

I'm Ready for the SCGS Genealogy Jamboree!

Are you going to the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree in Burbank next weekend (Friday 6/27 to Sunday 6/29)? The Jamboree will be in the Marriott Hotel and conference center at 2500 North Hollywood Way in Burbank. There is more information about the Jamboree at the Southern California Genealogical Society web site at http://www.scgsgenealogy.org/ and their blog at http://genealogyjamboree.blogspot.com/.

I'm getting my stuff together, got my laptop and flash drives all tuned up, and am trying to put together material for the Genealogy Blogger Summit that I'm participating in at the Jamboree. I'm even taking all of my funny (?) genealogy T-shirts!

There are some useful blog posts about access to the hotel and the Jamboree activities at:

* Marriott Construction Update -- they are working on the lobby and pool areas - so it may be a rocky entrance. The north entrance on Thornton is open, but the walk across Hollywood Way to the food court may be a challenge.

* Parking at the Marriott -- the parking may be limited by the construction. There are options which don't include in-and-out privileges.

* Jamboree Exhibit Floor is FREE on Sunday from 12 noon until 3 p.m. -- but you have to provide some genealogy data - see the post!

The Jamboree Program is here (if the link works - the SCGS web site is down for awhile, apparently).

The Genealogy Blogger Summit will be on Saturday morning, 10 a.m. to 12 noon. The panel will consist of Stephen Danko, Shelly Talalay Dardashti, Dick Eastman, George G. Morgan, Randy Seaver and Megan Smolenyak and be moderated by Leland Meitzler. What an august group - I'm honored to be in such fine company!

The summary for this Summit says:

"The genealogy blogging and podcast community has been keeping savvy readers up to date on all the news affecting genealogists and family historians. How do they get the information? How is it disseminated?

"How have bloggers changed the flow of information between vendors and their customers? How can family history blogs help exchange information and locate cousins? Come hear this exceptional group of information leaders. Sponsored by Ancestry.com."

I look forward to meeting my readers who are attending the Jamboree! Please come up and introduce yourself. I have met only one genealogy blogger in person (Gena from Gena's Genealogy) so far - and I'm excited to be able to talk with other genealogy bloggers.

I hope to be able to "live blog" a number of presentations at the Jamboree, including the Blogger Summit. It may be that I'll have to save up posts and put them on the blog afterwards - we'll see!

Several of my CVGS and SDGS colleagues are coming to the Jamboree by train from San Diego. Linda and I are driving up because we have to go to Victorville on Sunday for "grandparent duties."

Sheri Goes to Samford - Post 4

WHAT I LEARNED AT SAMFORD
by Sheri Fenley

(c) Sheri Fenley, June 2008

I promised to let you know what lesson I had learned from the unfortunate incident in the previous post - The lesson is to get a better hair cut so there is no possibility of ever having a rat’s nest. Moving on….

WEDNESDAY JUNE 11TH

Here is where I had planned to skillfully weave yesterday’s ending and today’s beginning. It was my intention to bedazzle you with my brilliance so that I would not have to tell you that I overslept and was 2 hours late to class. But I don’t know how to do that, so I won’t.

Birdie was again asking for volunteers from our class to consider giving a little presentation about their research on Friday. I felt so bad about being late (and was still groggy) I walked right up to her and volunteered. Don’t forget this part; you will need it later.Guest Speaker #4 was Mark Lowe. Mr. Lowe was not on the scary list. Last year I had downloaded a recording of a lecture he gave at a FGS conference. His voice in person sounded just like the recording; therefore, he was not scary.

Mark’s presentation was great. Although this was not a hands-on exercise, it was a case study. “In the Parlor or Dining Room: Marriage on the State Line” was about one man, one house, three counties and two states. For those who haven’t heard this lecture, I don’t want to give away too much. Mr. Lowe is a very experienced researcher. When a student asked him how long it took to go through all the deeds for the case, he revealed that he had some connections that allowed him special privileges. (Being sworn to secrecy I cannot explain any further, but if you have the chance you could casually ask Mr. Lowe about his keys. You did not hear this from me.)

Lloyd Bockstruck was Guest Speaker #5 and he was on the scary list. First, he is a librarian and second, he is a librarian. I don't know about anyone else, but our local librarian was someone you did not want to mess with while you were in her territory. One little giggle or whisper was all it took for her to give you that look (you know the look - peering over the rim of her glasses, her mouth looking like she sucked a big old lemon). This of course was in the olden days when libraries could afford to have librarians. Mr. Bockstruck is not scary, he is extremely intelligent and a gentleman in every sense of the word. His lecture covered different methods of discovering a married woman's maiden name using guess what? Land records!

I had a very busy evening after dinner. I went to the library on campus to do a little research in their Special Collections. Samford has a great library. The Special Collections house an extensive Irish Collection. On the same floor is the computer lab which is in an enclosed room and then an area with about 25-30 computers with an internet connection. I used these computers to type up a few reports.

Katherine Hopkins (who took me shopping Sunday evening) saw me at the computers and nonchalantly whispered to me that she received an email which gave her some privileged information - Macy's was having a midnight madness sale! Did I perhaps want to join her, she asked? I arranged to meet her back at the dorm.


When I came out of the library I noticed immediately that something was different. There was a breeze and it was almost chilly. There were also some of the largest and blackest clouds in the sky that I had ever seen in my life. I got as far as the cafeteria before I started with the "Hail Mary's". A bolt of lightning that Zeus himself must have thrown filled the sky. I hurried a little faster to my room. The deafening crrraaccckk of thunder that shortly followed made me scream for my mommy. I made it up that hill to the dorms from the cafeteria in less than 5 minutes. I have seen and heard storms before, but nothing that would have prepared me for this. Going to Macy's did not sound like such a great idea.


The evening was not lost, however. Fortunately I remembered about a little ‘soiree' that I had been invited to. It was held on the prestigious 2nd floor of Chi Omega. Those rooms have new flooring, a towel rack in the bathroom, and no cobwebs in the corners. I am really glad I went.

Margo and Ann and Stacey I already knew from class, and Katherine joined us as well. I met some new faces: Amy, Beth and Mary. .I didn't get their last names. I had come very close to a complete meltdown earlier what with the storm, and I was doing good to remember my own name. The refreshments they served were quite varied: Cheetoes, Pork Rinds and something called a soy chip that reminded me of the movie "Soylent Green."

Later in my room, exhausted from the day, I didn't even look at the clock to see the time, but when I closed my eyes, I had a smile on my face.

========================

Sheri Fenley is a guest blogger here on Genea-Musings - previous blog entries include:

* An introduction, and a description of the IGHR program at Samford University in Birmingham, were posted 19 June 2008 as "Meet Guest Blogger Sheri Fenley."

* "Sheri Goes to Samford - Post 1" was posted 20 June 2008.

* "Sheri Goes to Samford - Post 2" was posted 21 June 2008.

* "Sheri Goes to Samford - Post 3" was posted 22 June 2008.

CVGS Program on Wednesday 6/25 is "DNA 101 - Genetics for Beginners"

The next Program Meeting of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society is Wednesday, 25 June, at 12 noon in the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) Auditorium. Dr. Stephen Baird's topic will be "DNA 101 - Genetics for Beginners."

Dr. Baird will attempt to fill the gaps in your understanding of how DNA sequences relate to inheritance, using FamilyTreeDNA results as examples. Terms used in genealogical genetic reports will be explained in a language that can be understand by general audiences as well as "rocket scientists!"

He will discuss the Y, X and autosomal chromosomes and how they can be used for family history identification as well as for following diseases and the timing of mutations. He might even illustrate the salient points of his lecture with a song or two from his upcoming CD recording of scientific songs

Dr. Stephen Baird graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Biology and Stanford University School of Medicine. He is Professor of Clinical Pathology at UCSD School of Medicine and Chief of Pathology at the Veteran's Administration Medical Center in La Jolla , CA. He received the highly respected Distinguished Teaching Award from the University of California 's San Diego Division of the Academic Senate, the UCSD Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching, as well as three UCSD Medical School 's Kaiser Teaching Awards.

Dr. Baird's research interests are in lymphomas and leukemias but he has also spent a good deal of time studying creation stories, Biblical and modern, as well as the genetics of human diseases and the genetic variations found in all modern human beings.

His interests in genealogy relate to how family trees could be used to study inheritance of various traits, both normal and disease processes.

Based on his love of music and science, he has written many scientific folk songs, now performed on CDs called "Hallelujah! Evolution! - Scientific Gospel" (including several songs he uses in his medical school courses), “Ain’t Gonna Be No Judgment Day,” “Water On Mars,” and his newest “Breakin’ The Rules,” a CD of mostly folk ballads.

There will be short business meeting before the Program speaker. When the library opens at noon, please enter through the Conference Room door to sign in, pick up the handouts, get a drawing ticket, have a snack and greet your colleagues. At 12:20 p.m., we will meet in the auditorium to start the meeting.

Guests and visitors are always welcome at CVGS meetings! We hope to see you there.

Best of the Genea-Blogs - June 15-21, 2008

Several hundred genealogy and family history bloggers write thousands of posts every week about their research, their families, and their interests. I appreciate each one of them and their efforts.

My criteria for "Best of ..." are pretty simple - I pick posts that advance knowledge about genealogy and family history, address current genealogy issues, provide personal family history, are funny or are poignant. I don't list posts destined for the Carnival of Genealogy, or other meme submissions (but I do include summaries of them), or my own posts.

Here are my picks for great reads from the genealogy blogs for this past week:

* "Keeping a Journal for History & Genealogy" by Lorine on the Olive Tree Genealogy blog. Lorine has been writing her historical and genealogy memories in a traditional journal for awhile. This is a really good practice for each of us.

* "Making the Case for Digital Over Print in Genealogical Publications" by Jasia on the Creative Gene blog. Jasia has questions about the Everton's decision to go digital, and gets the answers from Leland Meitzler. Then she tells us what she really thinks. Good thoughts!

* " 'She has had a hard time...", "A little revision (already)," and "Another e-Book on the way" all by Ruth Stephens on the Bluebonnet Genealogy blog. Ruth wrote and published one e-Book and is writing another one. She is uploading them as PDF files to Lulu.com, where she set up a storefront to permit free downloads of her books to anyone who might want to read them. This gives me a great idea about my family letters, Della's Journal, my own research, etc.

* "A genealogy blog? What's that?" and "Even More Genealogy Blogs ..." by Tom Kemp on the GenealogyBank, The Official Blog. Tom highlights some of his favorite blogs as he informs his readers about blogging. I'm honored to be included on his list. Are you reading Tom's blog for the GenealogyBank content? You should be ... I'm waiting for any San Diego newspaper.

* "Search tips for online databases" by Diane Haddad on the Genealogy Insider blog. Diane provides some useful research tips on how to search online databases.

* "Fruit Salad in the Census" by Chery Kinnick on the Nordic Blue blog. Chery finds some interesting names through censuswhacking on the names of fruits - you know, like Orange, Banana, Lemon, etc. (but not Cherry?). Thanks, Chery, for the chuckles. Whenever I hear the term "Fruit Salads," I start singing the Wiggles song by that name - my grandkids love it!

* "June 20 - Friday from the Collectors: Eliciting Stories from your Photo Albums" by Susan A. Kitchens on footnoteMaven's Shades of the Departed blog. Susan helps us understand how we can use photo albums, and the memories they create in our minds, to create or add on to oral history interviews with family, friends and associates. Excellent ideas here!

* "Genealogy and Serendipity book review" and "Genealogy and Serendipity Web review" by Janet Hovorka on The Chart Chick blog. Janet reviews two of Hank Jones' books about "Psychic Roots," and one of Megan Smolenyak's books, and then finds a number of online articles about this topic. Nice catches, and I need to go read some of the ones she mentioned!

* "My Greatest Genealogical Mysteries - Was he an Illegal Immigrant or Not?" by Tim Agazio on the Genealogy Reviews Online blog. Tim found blogging inspiration in his "idea booth" and has started a series about his own genealogy mysteries. The specific story is fascinating - trying to piece together the immigrant from Italy to Canada to the US. If his lines are like mine, he will have an endless series of posts!

* "Family History through Photographs" by Gena Philibert Ortega on the Gena's Genealogy blog. Gena's post has a nice list of web sites to investigate when trying to figure out your old family photos - processes, photographers, clothing, books and websites.

I encourage you to go to the blogs listed above and read their articles, and add their blog to your Favorites, Bloglines, reader, feed or email if you like what you read. Please make a comment to them also - we all appreciate feedback on what we write.

Did I miss a great genealogy blog post? Tell me!

Sheri Goes to Samford - Post 3

WHAT I LEARNED AT SAMFORD

by Sheri Fenley
(c) Sheri Fenley, June 2008

As genealogists we are always running into problems and have to use our skills to solve them. Sometimes we collaborate with other genealogists to solve them as I will now demonstrate:I left out a very important event that happened on Sunday.

My roommate had become ill and couldn't make it down to the cafeteria for dinner. I mentioned this to some people on the shuttle bus and a wonderful lady, Katherine Hopkins from Tennessee, offered to drive me into town to get the roommate something to eat. She went above and beyond the call of duty by taking me to Wal-Mart so I could buy a coffee pot. I would not have made it through the week without it. I cannot even get myself dressed without a cup of coffee first thing in the morning. I gave the coffee pot to Katherine when it was time to go home so she could donate it to her church.

I had a problem and Katherine helped me solve it. See how nicely that worked out?

(Note to self and pat on the back: Nice job of working that in. Katherine should forgive me for omitting her part of the story and I do not make myself appear quite the strung out, caffeine addicted junkie that I really am).

An aside: I am working hard on my "image" ever since the regent of my DAR chapter popped in at my home to bring me some papers. She found me in the backyard, my hair pulled up in a bun that looked like a rat's nest, in my bathing suit and flip flops, cigarette hanging out of the corner of my mouth, stereo headphones on top of the rat's nest, rocking out to Stevie Ray Vaughan while mowing the lawn. No, please don't even try to picture this in your head. If you do, I cannot be held responsible for any mental health issues that you may develop. I only share this unfortunate event with you because there is a valuable lesson to be learned here and as soon as I figure out what it is, I will get back to you.

TUESDAY JUNE 10th

Before our first guest speaker, Birdie says that she needs to know who will be giving a presentation on Friday morning. She had emailed us before we arrived and asked us to share a case we have worked on that involves land records with the class. Remember this part of the story; it becomes very important a bit later.

Elissa Powell, from Pennsylvania, is our second guest speaker. She shares one of her own actual case studies to illustrate how to correlate records using the Genealogical Proof Standard. Elissa was not on my "Scary" list. This is because I had already met her online. I participate in an online study group (they do NOT know that I am blonde) that is made up of people who are serious about becoming professional genealogists. Elissa has been very generous and sits in on our discussions whenever time permits. Whenever I see Elissa she is always smiling, she has a great sense of humor and you can tell you that not only does this lady know her stuff, she truly enjoys her job. This is a fairly new concept that is extremely difficult for some people to grasp - having a job that you love.

(Note to self: Need to get a job so I can start the loving)She gave us a great hands on exercise in which the class was divided into groups to solve the case. Deb Deal, Ann Staley, Margo Fariss Brewer and Stacy Anderson and I were Group 4. Our group worked so well together, I could have sworn that we had done it a million times. All of these ladies have been coming to Samford for years as well as many other genealogical events throughout the year. These ladies were great and they even liked my outfits. One of them even told me that not many people can wear that shade of magenta and get away with it.

(Note to self: Magenta does go with orange, keep the outfit)

Each group was given pieces of the problem and then had to report our findings and how those findings tied into the other group's findings. I learn new things best visually. When I cannot picture something in my head, good visual aids are a must for me. Maps are key to finding the answers for a lot of land problems. Looking at pedigree charts fixes a person's place in a lineage in my head. Elissa provided great documents like those above to use as clues to help the groups along. I think the purpose of this assignment was not so much finding an answer to a problem as it was to show us how to interpret the records properly, what records are available and where to find them and the importance of developing a research plan.

Dr. Debbie Abbott was our 3rd guest speaker. If you haven't ever had the opportunity to attend one of Dr. Debbie's Lectures - find a way to make it happen. Her topic was completely new to me - Using land, tax and census records to find the owners of a slave family in Kentucky. Using a real case study that she recently completed for her pastor, she showed us step by step the records she used, why she used them and what that record told her. If you pay close attention and interpret a document correctly, it will tell you where to look next in your search.

Dr. Debbie had us divide into groups and like Elissa, gave each group documents that she used. Each group had different documents to analyze and then report their findings. I am so glad I paid close attention to the background information she gave us before she handed out the documents. All of us have seen a page from a deed book before. It is pretty straightforward: It records a date, grantor, grantee and a reference to where you can find the original documents. I have not had an opportunity to research a case that involved slaves before. Did you know that in the deed books if the grantee was only referred to by their given name (no surname) more than likely is was an owner granting that person their freedom, not land? After Dr. Debbie explained this to me it made perfect sense. Slaves were property and when property is transferred from one person to another it is recorded in a deed book.

I am fully aware that one person cannot "know it all", but the value of knowing a little bit of everything is priceless. Since I was becoming familiar with the time of day known as 10:00 PM, I went to bed and had a smile on my face.

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

Sheri Fenley is a guest blogger here on Genea-Musings - previous blog entries include:

* An introduction, and a description of the IGHR program at Samford University in Birmingham, were posted 19 June 2008 as "Meet Guest Blogger Sheri Fenley."

* "Sheri Goes to Samford - Post 1" was posted 20 June 2008.

* "Sheri Goes to Samford - Post 2" was posted 21 June 2008.