NGS Wrap-up

Back from NGS and I couldn't end my posting on the conference without including my take on the vendors.
Vendors add so much to our conferences and really provide a great service to us attendees. So here are some of my favorites that you might want to check out for yourself.

FamilyTreeDNA.com

Family Tree DNA was there and I purchased the Family Finder option, which is the autosomal DNA test. I was able to swab my check right there and now I wait for the results - which I will be very interested in learning about!

My brother took the Y-DNA 12 marker test through them and discovered we have 55 countries with matches.

Yes, you can say I'm VERY curious to see what this test will reveal to say the least.

Jill Crandell has developed a very intriguing new program that really has been sorely needed in genealogy - a better way to use research logs.

Think of it like the Evernote of research logs. You can access it anywhere, from any device. You can organize it and apply the same document for several will people with a simple click, no more repetitious typing.
Research Ties is offering a 14 day free trial. I will be signing up and after witnessing the program - I really think you should check it out too!

JustaJoy.com

Just a Joy are antique dealers who connect with other dealers and search the country to reunite families with their forgotten heirlooms.

Their lists has items that are associated with almost 50,000 families. I'm giving away a one year membership to JustaJoy.com to one of my readers. Leave a comment and/or "like" my Facebook page for FamilyCherished and I will draw the winner next Monday. Do both an increase your chances!

Treelines.com

Treelines was introduced at Rootstech where it won the 2013 Programmer Challenge. Treelines  is still in beta version, but you can sign up to be invited to join now.

Can I just say that I just adore the developer Tammy Hepps. Not only is she darling, but she is smart! She is a programmer AND a genealogist and she gets the importance of story! Seriously, check out Treelines.com - you will fall in love too!

I'm also grateful for these vendors who not only are good vendors - but good people too!

Family Roots Publishing

FamilySearch.org

GenealogyGems.com and FamilyChartMasters.com

I Won in Vegas!

I'm not a gambler - I like sure things. Coming to NGS 2013 Family History Conference was a definitely a winner. I am coming away with new ideas to research, to speak and write about and lots of new friends that I look forward to meeting at the next conference. How great is that?

UGA Board Member Patsy Hendrickson

I was very inspired from FamilySearch's David Rencher's presentation on the records of the US Congress. I will definitely be checking out those soon. I will also be looking at inventory lists in a whole new way thanks to Elizabeth Shown Mills. If you are thinking about purchasing a CD from the conference I can recommend that one.

Some other good bets in Vegas:

• Thomas Jones new book - Mastering Genealogical Proof
• DNA testing from FamilyTreeDNA
• FamilySearch's new website to engage the non-gens in your family
• Planning on attending NGS 2014 in Richmond, VA

My next post I am writing about the vendors worth checking out.

While having my dad's health crisis happen right after I got here was very distressing, I was surrounded my so many kind and supportive people that it lightened my burden and calmed my troubled heart. Before I left I had talked to my dad about my coming to NGS and he was so proud of my being asked to speak that I knew he wanted me to stay. Knowing my brother and sister were there with him and my mom also made me staying possible. I'm happy to report that he has been removed from the hospital and is in a care facility that will help him recover from his stroke and hopefully be able to speak again. Thank you everyone for your kind words thoughts and prayers. I'm truly humbled and grateful.

 

 

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NGS 2013 Day 2

Dr. Thomas W. Jones

Started my day off right with brisk jumpstart to the brain with Tom Jones class: Maximizing Your Use of Evidence. Stayed up too late for all of it to sink in, luckily I have heard the lecture before, but with Tom I need to hear him several times for it to begin to sink into the old grey matter. I couldn't help thinking since we are in Vegas, that Tom Jones needed to start belting out "Why, why, why Deliah" or "It's not unusual to [not find proof for anyone]" at the beginning of class to wake everyone up. That mental image stayed with me all day and provided me much amusement. Sorry, getting a little punchy, its been a long week already.

Elizabeth Shown Mills

If you are ever at a conference and have the opportunity to attend a class with Elizabeth Shown Mills, it should always be at the top of your list. Yes she is smart, yes she is articulate, yes she is knowledgeable - but more than that, I love her logical, analytical approach to research. When I hear her present her ideas, I'm always like, "Yes, I should have thought of that" or smacking my hand to my head exclaiming "Now why didn't I think of that!" She does it such a warm and witty style, that you can't hate her for being so brilliant, you just love her more. Seriously, I can't recommend her enough, or Tom either for that matter.

If I only came for those 2 lectures, I would have felt that the whole conference was worth it. I need to just stop and mention Stefani Evans and all the NGS Conference committee for the outstanding job that they have done. I so appreciate the work that they have done and the manner in which they have done it.

Now I realize that it may sound like I gush a lot and think that everything is wonderful. If you know me personally, you know that isn't true. I am kinda picky about handing out praise, BUT if I do find something praiseworthy, I am one to share it, shout it and promote it. So, if I say something is outstanding, I hope that you realize that I set that bar high. I'm not one to express the negative, I tend to not mention it - unless it really got my attention and then hopefully I waited a good amount of time before writing about it.

Evening was spent with good friends discussing genealogy. Yep! Another great day.

 

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