Those Places Thursday......... FGS in San Antonio, Texas

Looking down the road......  what is being offered? what do I want to attend? Who is offering what?

 

I just made my hotel reservations for Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) Conference - August 27- September 1, 2014 in San Antonio, Texas. I will register for the conference soon. FGS always supports the society's and has special sessions just to help society's and their members. I always attend, I always learn, grow and do lots of networking. I try to bring back information back to my own society to help and support them. "Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society"  I find it is a very worthwhile conference to attend. I see there are two large genealogical librarys in the area too. San Antonio Public Library / Texana Genealogical Department. (oh it sound similar to Allen County Library in Fort Wayne Indiana) AND I see there is the San Antonio Genealogical and Historical Society Library. Have not checked out either yet. The catalog will be what will tell which one I will go too,  but that is on my list of 'To Do's'. Unfortunately I don't have any Texas ancestors so the society library might not help me but I won't rule it out yet,  I heard that there is a genealogical library in Texas that is the third largest genealogical library in the United States if not the world, so I am wondering if the San Antonio Public Library isn't it.  Anyone out there know?

The schedule is not up yet so won't send in registration till that comes up. It says sometime in January it will be available - oppps only 1 day left.

I have heard alot of good things about the Riverwalk area in San Antonio from my hubby and other friends. So I am looking forward to seeing some of it while I am there. There will be some pre- conference activities so I want to check those out and maybe see the Alamo again. It has been way too many years ago when my family visited this area. I don't really remember alot about it now. I see that the hotel (Sn Antonio Marriott Riverwalk Hotel) does not provide free shuttle service from the airport but they do have a service listed ($), plus taxi service ($$). Need to make those reservations after I make airline reservations.

It just popped into my brain,  I brought home all kinds of maps and information about conference (sames as online) and about San Antonio and the area from the FGS Conference 2013. Now where did I end up putting it??  I better start looking but not till after I get back from Salt Lake City.

My other top ones would be RootsTech & So California Jamboree. AND I am already registered for both of them. RootsTech is this coming week in Salt Lake City Utah. The Jamboree is in Burbank California in June. I am also checking for Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, or Connecticut State Conferences- these would be much more concentrated conferences for those states. The Ohio State conference this year is in Sandusky Ohio in April. Just cannot make up my mind about that one yet.

So much to do.

Wordless Wednesday - Brag Books

 

A member of Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society was browsing the book sale at the Auburn Placer County Library when she came across the book below and one other from a county in Indiana. She mentioned this book at Root Cellar extraction meeting a couple of weeks ago. I jumped at the the chance to look through it. She brought it to the next Society meeting and gave it to me. It cost her $2......  can you believe that! What was really amazing is that the library was selling it. These are amazing books with all types of informaiton about the County but the people too. Yes most of the people mentioned probably paid to have their name included but I don't know that for sure.

 

These books are a snap shot in time.... this one below is 1874. Alot of my ancestors and extended families were living in this county at this time, some just arriving less than 10 years prior and some have been there quite a long time. I do remember traveling through this county from 1999 - 2003. I remember some of the homes and farms and the names listed in the book - unrelated to my ancestors.

 

                              This book is 16 1/2" long by 13 1/2" wide and about an inch deep.  

 

 

 

This book is concerned with Trumbull County, OHIO only. Trumbul County is located in the northeast part of Ohio. It border on Pennsylvania, & Ashtabula Co., Geauga Co., Portage Co. and Mahoning Co all in OHIO.  The book is divided into townships - there is a map for every township with information and pictures concerning that township. I am interested in Hubbard and Kinsman Townships. None of my ancestors seem to be listed, but there is alot of great information about that  time frame and the area. As you can see from the pictures of the maps there is alot of information included, including the names of people that were living there at this time. So other that the two maps I have just included a couple of the pages of each of my townships. Walk down memory lane. 

 

 

Anyone need a look-up let me know.

 

 

Travel Tuesday - Getting Ready for RootsTech Conference

Almost Time for RootsTech 2014 - February 6-8, 2014


Boy I really need to buckle down and get ready for my research time and conference time at Family History Library and RootsTech Conference in Salt Lake City. Only 10 days till I leave.   

I need to go through the  Family History Library Catalog and get all the information I need? I don't want to waste my time in the library going through the catalog. So I need to do it now. But what line am I going to do this year? I am thinking I will concentrate on the Bristol and Trowbridge lines.... aiming to go back to England. But there is still a lot to do in New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts first. 

 I need to update my Legacy Software as much as possible and then download the latest to my 'Families' app on my iPhone and iPad. Having it on these devices makes it so much easier to look up names, dates, locations etc. Would not be without it now. 

I have been going over the schedule and picked some sessions, and some alternates.  Yes alternates, classes fill up real quick. Unfortunately and fortunately this is a very popular conference and well attended, each year there are hundreds more. So yes, an alternate for each session is a must. When you find a class full, there is no time to go and look through the schedule to find an alternate. By that time, sessions have already started and that alternate may be full too.

Lots of extra events going on. I have signed up for quite a number of extra things and one lab (Evernote). I have signed up for luncheons on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Library is open later on Friday evening and they have served pizza in the past. So that may be dinner on Friday.  

What electronics will I be taking with me to help me in my classes or at the library? After all it is RootsTech...... time to update myself. There is a Mobile APP (rootstech14)

for the conference.  YES! and usually I love to have them and after all it is RootsTech and the APP should have all the bells and whistles. NO it doesn't and it is disappointing. They do not allow you to add any other activities to the calendar- only what is on their schedule which does not include the luncheons, banquets or library time. You can not add two items at the same time frame on the calendar (eliminating having an alternate session listed just in case)  .....  Of course the up side is that you can acess it whenever and wherever you are but without the important information it isn't much good. I am going to take my Flip Pal and I have a magic wand but I think I will try out the Flip Pal this time. I should have a couple of  dedicated thumb drives too. I do have a lock for my computer so I can chain it to the table if needed. I can take notes on my ipad. Need to include my chargers.  

I have been looking through the  vendors at the Expo Hall at the conference.  I am making a list of which ones I want to see first and why. It might help me keep focussed. 

Did you know that there are over 13 free videos still available to watch on your computer from home that are from the 2013 RootsTech Conference. I have listed them in case someone else reads this post - 2013 RootsTech Videos I want to take advantage of every free learning opportunity. It can only help. I have gone through and highlighted the ones I would like to watch before leaving for Salt Lake City.

1. 2013 Opening Thursday Keynote - Dennis Brimhall, Syd Lieberman & Josh Taylor

2. First Steps in Famly History - Jeannette Bennett

3. The Future of Genealogy - a panel discussion with Thomas MacEntee, Lisa Louise Cooke, Dick

Eastman, Alan Philips, Dear MYRTLE, Josh Taylor, Daniel Horowitz

4. Tell It Again- Kim Weitkamp

5. 10 Fun Family History Activities - Benjamin Bennett, Holly Linford

6. The Genealogist’s Gadget Bag: International Panel - Jill Ball, Marie Dougan, A.C. Ivory, Heather Rojo

7. Finding the Obscure and the Ellusive: Geographic Information on the Web - James L. Tanner

8. 2013 Friday Keynote - Jyl Pattee and Tim Sullivan

9. Researching Ancestors Online for Beginners - Laura G. Prescott

10. FamilySearch Family Tree - Ron Tanner

11. Google Search… And Beyond - David Barney

12. From Paper Piles to Digital Files: Technology for the Organized Genealogist - Valerie S. Elkins

13. Using Technology Effectively to Solve Research Problems - Karen Clifford

14. Finding Spanish records from your couch-Encuentra registros Españoles desde tu sofá -Sonia Meza

15. Ditigal Storytelling: More Than Bullet Points Lab - Denise Barrett Olson

 

In my email I found an announcement from Jim Radar.  He will be doing a livestream video from 2014 RootsTech. It will be on  6 Feb 2014 (Thursday) 2:30 PM (1:30 PT) Introduction to DNA for Genealogists - Mark your calendar. This is the first one I have found so far. I am sure that there will be lots and will be announced probably this coming week.  

Follow Friday - Southern California Jamboree

Got an email today from Paula Hinkel (and probably everyone else did too) and registration for Southern California Jamboree 2014 is OPEN. I am excited because I love this conference. There are about 3 conferences that I really love attending and the Southern California Jamboree

is on that list, along with RootsTech, & FGS Conference and then there are a couple of smaller local one day seminars plus Family History Day in Sacramento.

This year is even more exciting to me, because I won a free registration for the 2014 Southern California Jamboree. Don't you just love it.............  so I am off to find my certificate, download the registration form, fill it out and mail it in. YIPPPPEY!!

Will I see you there? I will be looking for familiar faces .....................

Thankful Thursday - Who Do You Think You Are?

Yes, going back to the last season of 'Who Do You Think You Are?' and the Cindy Crawford episode

I got so excited when Cindy visited the New England Historic Genealogical Society and she was given a huge chunk of one line.........  going from the CRAWFORD to HEMINGWAY [yes Ernest] to GATES to TROWBRIDGE. [ah! my line] to PROWSE up through Earls, Dukes, Counts, King of Italy and ending with CHARLEMAGNE 748 ad Germany. I burst into flames when I heard TROWBRIDGE and in the same breath with CHARLEMAGNE! Good Grief my heart was racing!! I quickly got to my iphone and opened up my Families APP.......  Yes, Yes, Yes! There were my Trowbridges, and some of my names even matched with hers. EXCITED doesn't begin to say how I felt. [if I ever get to NEHGS I will be talking with Christopher Child about Trowbridge's]

Ok! now that I have climbed down off the ceiling, come back to reality and gone through my files and records more carefully [more, so much more research is needed] Exhausted and disappointed, I can now say that I am not really related to the Hemingway, any of the Earls, Dukes, Counts, the King of Italy or Charlemagne - I am probably 150th cousin 200th removed cousins cousin to Cindy. Oh well!  BUT I did get a little more information and a boost back in time ......... 

Cindy's last Trowbridge shown on her tree is where she and I cross. I remember her saying that was her 10th great grandfather and as it turns out it is my 9th great grandfather. OUTSTANDING! [so what relationship does that make us? just curious!!]

Thomas TROWBRIDGE 1600-1672 Taunton, Somerset, England
 m: 20 Dec 1624
Elizabeth MARSHALL  1602 Exeter, England -? New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut

Thomas and Elizabeth had 10 children ........ Cindy's ancestor was their fourth child James and mine was their first child William and so we part company. Bye Cindy, it was nice while it lasted.

I first ran into my TROWBRIDGE line in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut in the early 1700's. This is where my Trowbridge's and Bristol's cross over and connect.

Benjamin BRISTOL married Thankful TROWBRIDGE in 1744 in New Haven, New Haven, CT. Both are also born in New Haven, NH, CT.

I have done some work in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut on my BRISTOL line. ........  As you may or may not recall from a previous post my own mother's mother is a BRISTOL in Cortland, Cortland, NY . I have traced the BRISTOL line back to two brothers Daniel and Henry BRISTOL who came over separately from England sometime in the early 1600's. Unknown when or how yet. 

So I may add both these lines to my to-do list for my Salt Lake City trip at the beginning of February.

Wishful Wednesday - Getting Ready for RootsTech 2014

As usual, I am registered and waiting waiting waiting waiting to go to Salt Lake City, Utah for the RootsTech Conference February 6-8, 2014. I am actually going from Sunday to Sunday. Not sure how many times I have gone but I have been to all of them and I love LOVE going. I have always traveled (driven) with my friend Marilyn Ulbricht and her husband Ron. This year Charlene Eberwine will be traveling with us. I hesitate to drive every year because of the mountain roads and the snow but so far we have been very lucky. I do remember the first time we went Denise Richmond another Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society member came with us. We only drove part way, stayed overnight and continued the next day. A very relaxing ride, easier on the backside. But ever since that first trip, it has just been the three of us and we have driven the entire way the same day and sometimes Ron even lets one or both of us help in drive. Not really a bad drive and yes we did stop to eat and other stuff. We travel on both Sundays when the Family History Library is closed, personal research on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and attend the conference Thursday through Saturday.  It sure gives us time to really do personal family research and then attend and enjoy the conference too. It is a full week but a really good one.

RootsTech Conference is a bit different than other Genealogical Conferences because it main purpose is Technology and how it can be used for Genealogical purposes. Yes a whole conference around Technology and Genealogy and it works. There are usually two different tracks to choose from- a general users track (this is one I would pick) and the second is for developers of this technology. In later years there have been other tracks offered such as 'story telling'. This is a mixture of oral and written family stories, publishing, and mixing in technology to write and produce these stories. It is always very worthwhile to attend a couple of sessions.

So now is the time for me to start preparing for this trip.

I just confirmed my reservations at the Salt Plaza Hotel. YIPPPEY!! Haven't stayed here yet, so a new place. It is closer to the library and of course it is still across the street from the Salt Palace. It will be very cold out so need things close by. No free breakfast but free wifi, refri, microwave. So at least I can bring some things that I can keep cold and some things that I can microwave. Plus snacks. So glad I am going by car.

I need to go through the Family History Library Catalog online (probably several times)........ making copies of all books, materials, files and fisch I want to look at. Nothing worse than getting to a destination and then taking the time to check out what they have, when they are open/closed, finding those items are in the vault and need to be ordered. So back to my scouting days of BE PREPARED (as much as possible). I really need to narrow my research down and really concentrate on specific family's.......  just not sure which one (s) yet. That will be a touch decision. I tend to be all over the place instead of concentrating on just a few items. Hard to change but I am going to try it this time.

Get my Legacy Software Program updated and information included in the program. No need to take alot of papers, materials, and binders etc.

Then I need to update my 'Families' APP on my iPhone. Yes if you are not aware there is an app for the Legacy Genealogy Software program called Families. I have it on my iPhone and my iPad.......  very convenient and so helpful to be able to check something out at a glance and not have to get out my computer and fire it up. I am able to make decisions about books on the shelves by checking my information on my Families APP. Priceless!!!

I will need my laptop for general purposes, posting current posts Root Cellar Ramblings Blog (Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society) and for my In Search of...? personal blog. For updating any information I do find and to keep up with the outside world through emails and twitter. I am going to bring my new flip pal scanner. It might come in handy. Also I want to bring a couple of flash drives in case there are books or other documents to download. I do use my iphone for alot of my picture taking now but I will have my ipad which does very good too. What other techie items would be handy to use and not take up too much room or weigh too much?

Of course I need to think about clothing - this time in Salt Lake City will be COLD/Freezing weather and I need to really think about this.......  I am from a warm area and don't have a need for cold weather clothing and shoes. This could be a problem. What did I do last year? It must have been cold.

Another consideration is food and snacks.........  I am registered for 3 lunches so 3 out of 6 lunches are taken care of. Some day soon I will make my list of foods and snacks for my trip to the grocery store. Chocolate is at the top of that list - chocolate chip cookies, hot chocolate, brownies, Hershey bar or two, chocolate covered raisins, etc.......... peanut butter, crackers, cheeses, cashews hummm!

Looks like a good plan. I've got my work cut out for me.....

What have I forgotten?

Time to start ...........

Sentimental Sunday - Hello to the World - I have arrived.

Here I am with my own family blog. whoopey!!! I have been going to start this for over a couple of years but just didn't know how to start. I thought about going backwards in time and then coming forward but NO- too complicated. I want this to be fun and useful to me and others if anyone reads me. I am just going to start NOW and go backwards and forward when needed. This will be my introductory post and then go from here...........  but it will be a family blog with my experiences.

My name is Sandra Lee Gardner Aberle Benward. Wow what a mouth full! In normal circles I usually go my Sandra/Sandi Benward. In genealogy circles I go by Sandra Gardner-Benward. I would love to include the Aberle name too because that is the last name my two sons have but it seems like it is just too much.

My father, John Patterson GARDNER Jr. had been doing the family research, gathering the information, dates, locations, etc. I would ask question and sometimes get answers. But all in all, with working full time, American River Junior College part time, married life with two children I really didn't have time for searching for dead people. I have heard this from alot of other people so I don't feel bad about not paying attention. BUT NOW I wished I had paid attention and asked more questions and remembered the answers. (and I hear that alot too). In 1999, my husband was being transferred back to Pennsylvania with the workload he had been working on, since McClellan Air Force Base was closing soon. Since I would be right in the middle of my ancestal area (OH, PA, NY, CT) I was excited to know all I could before we left California (5 year committment). Gee Whiz, I guess I asked one too many questions that my dad couldn't answer. I found the whole package  (forms, charts etc all done by hand) waiting for me before we left the state. My dad simply said, he had gotten the family this far, and now it is securely in my hands. Now I am the Family Historian/Researcher. I was a little overwhelmed, but I was excited too. A new exciting adventure while looking for our ancestors. I did find that there were lots of names and dates and some locations but NO SOURCES - he said most of it was word of mouth. So yes I did have my work cut out for me

Along the way I did join Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society, Sacramento German Genealogical Society, National Genealogical Society, Ohio Genealogical Society and a few more. Yes I jumped in with both feet. I take lots of classes and attend seminars and conferences when possible. I am a learning junkie - full blown junkie!! AND I LOVE IT.

First I found a program to put all this information in.......  I choose PAF. I soon outgrew it and went over to Family Tree Maker. I really was enjoying FTM, but at some point, the company said they were not going to continue to support their product so I jumped and switched to Legacy Family Tree. Well it looks like Family Tree Maker did continue to support its product after a while but I was not going to switch back. I like Legacy, it is simple but complex too. You can enter basic information without a problem but then there is the question of sourcing again. I still have not gotten the knack of it yet so everything I have info/source all in the individual notes till I can figure out which way to go. By location, event or surname and be consistent but don't know yet.. 

This year a small group of us have decided that we are going to get together and be a help and support to each other, meeting maybe a couple of times a month. And then there is a main Legacy SIGgroup that meets once a month. This is also a good resource for help, but it looks like they will be concentrating on all the upgrades to Legacy #8 not the basics of Legacy. We all need the basics first, but as the upgrades come into play we will go over them at the same time. Sounds like a plan to me.

Now starting with me: Sandra Lee GARDNER ABERLE BENWARD & basic's

I was born in Alliance, Stark County, Ohio and have lived all over the world - Army brat & Air Force wife....... even though I  barely lived in Alliance I somehow have a strong pull back- don't know why but I am definitely a buckeye baby. What is that pull? Why is it so strong?  I do have some memories but they are very early memories. And other memories as I have visited as an adult.

My father,  John Patterson GARDNER Jr. also born in Alliance, Stark County, Ohio as was his father John Patterson GARDNER (m: Margaret Evelyn BRANFIELD/Coalburg, Trumbull County, Ohio). His father Harry B. GARDNER (m: Elizabeth DIETZ/ Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland- beginnings of my German ancestry)was born in Glasglow, Scotland (beginnings of my Scottish ancestry) . Further information tells me that his father George GARDNER was also born in Scotland (perhaps Glasglow)

My mother, Mary Jane LITTLE, was born in  Cuba, Allegany County, New York. Her father Burton Harry LITTLE, born in Dryden, Tompkins County, New York (father: Mounsey LITTLE /Bassenthwaite Cumberland UK m: Mary BROWNRIGG/ Penrith Cumberland UK) and Mary Jane's mother, Emma May BRISTOL born in Cortland, Cortland County, New York (father: John Erwin BRISTOL/ New York m: Anna Sheerar/ New York)

I have actually only been able to document the GARDNER line back through Harry B GARDNER. I have some documentation on George GARDNER but not enough. MORE WORK NEEDED. I am interested in the DIETZ ancestry (German) but can only trace them to Baltimore Maryland where Elizabeth DIETZ was born - according to the census. She was born prior to Maryland keeping records so not sure where to go to find an alternative source. There is a chance Baltimore was where  Elizabeths parents (George A DIETZ/Bavaria & Caroline NOEL/ Hessie-Darmstadt) entered the United States but have not been able to confirm that either.

The LITTLE line goes back to England. It is pretty much documented but does need a little more work. I have done some work on the BROWNRIGG, BRISTOL and SHEERAR lines but need to do so much more. I would like to find out more about the SHEERAR ancestry.

Sorry this was an awful lot for the first posting but ...........

Happy New Year Around the World - 2014

  posted by Sandra Gardner-Benward

WISHING

 

EVERYONE

 

AROUND THE WORLD

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR 

 

IN

 

2014