Playing Genealogical Catch Up (not Catsup)!

We’re friends, right? And friends forgive friends for little transgressions, right? So, I’m hoping you will understand and forgive me when I tell you I have fallen sadly behind in letting you know about some IMPORTANT things, like carnival postings. While I’m about to rectify this, I have to be honest and tell you, unless my life slows down a little bit, this probably won’t be the last time I am tardy on giving you the scoop on things.

Back a couple of weeks ago, the Carnival of Genealogy posted its 49th edition and the subject was swimsuits. You’ll have to check out some of the interesting posts on this. Jasia, as usual, was a wonderful host. Currently, she’s busy reading, Janet Evanovich’s latest book, so maybe she won’t notice what a tardy friend I’ve been. 

Jessica of "Jessica’s Genejournal" posted the 8th Edition of the Carnival of Central and Eastern European Genealogy. This is one of the Carnival’s that I would like to post to, but my knowledge of this part of my heritage is a bit sketchy. Next month’s carnival is going to be about research and techniques, which is a great topic and something that I have enough experience (and frustration) with to have something to write. In addition, I owe a debt to Jessica, because she was the first person in the genealogy blog world to “find” my blog and post about it, which makes her special in my book. Jessica is the queen at finding new genealogy and historical themed blogs, and she keeps links for every one of them on her blog-site. 

Randy Seaver had an interesting post (well, of course they all are) that talked about one stop searching of Rootsweb’s Archived Mailing List. If you are heavy into Internet Genealogy but have not yet found this cool way to search, you definitely will want to check it out. Okay, this one is OLD, but interesting for a number of reasons. 

Dick Eastman wrote a post called “I have a Complaint Concerning Many Genealogists” back in May about individuals responding negativelyh to fee based websites. Apparently, he’d had a long day and just one too many complaints and wrote a personal essay on the subject. Wow, did he get a response. He then wrote a follow-up which was just as interesting. You have to read not only his essays but also the comments they elicited. 

Terry Thornton of “Hill Country of Monroe County” put together a post entitled “Roundup of blog titles: Poem lines worth reading,” which featured a variety of interesting titles of various blogs during that week. Terry never fails to delight with his unique way of looking at things, which is why you can’t afford to forgo reading his blog. 

Becky Wiseman of “Kinexxions” wrote a post about another Genea-blogger, Miriam Robbins Midkiff being featured on a post at Inside Google Book Search – Go Miriam and thanks Becky for pointing this out! 

And last, but definitely not least, FM has posted the latest edition of “Smile for the Camera” posted at her Shades of the Departed blog. The subject was Belles and Beaus and featured posts about special pictures of weddings, courting or just plain love. It didn’t take me long to go through all of the posts – and the subject is one that is sure to please. 

There is one post where the link is not working. Craig Manson of "GeneaBlogie" has moved his blog-site and so you will need to click on this link, to see his post of a nineteen-year-old beauty, entitled A St. Louis Belle. 

Next month’s topic for the Smile for the Camera Carnival instructs us to “Choose a photograph of an ancestor, relative, yourself, or an orphan photograph that shows a celebration of home. “

All of you reading this that have your own News-Messenger account can create your own blog, and submit a post for the next carnival. If you have always wanted to something like this, submitting to the Smile for the Camera Carnival might be a great way to start. Footnote Maven is a gracious hostess who will treat your offerings with gentle respect. While you are at the Shades of the Departed blog-site, check out all the interesting posts. Shades is more like a cross between a blog and an e-zine, with a variety of guest contributors (you have to read Jasia’s “Digital Scrapbooking for Genealogists”) and FM’s post “I Think She’s Dead!” along with the follow up post “I Still Think She’s Dead – And Here’s Why.” 

Okay, now that I've give you a great reading list, I have just one question.. Am I forgiven? 

UPDATE! Bill West of "West of New England" is hosting the 50th Edition (Whoo Hoo!) of the Carnival of Genealogy. The subject is family pets. I haven't had a chance to read it myself, but you know it will be an interesting read. Thanks Bill for being such a good host!

© 18 June 2008, Desktop Genealogist Unplugged, Teresa L. Snyder 

Happy Father's Day

A few years ago, I found a poem entitled, “Fathers and Daughters” by an unknown poet. It seems a fitting tribute to the bond shared between a father and his daughter. In part the poem reads, “In his eyes, she will always be his little princess, the light of his life. In her eyes he will always be the brave knight who slayed the monsters in her closet, her hero, her protector.” No little boy grows up praying to become the father of daughters. It’s not really the kind of life ambition that has a high priority. Yet somehow, once that bundle of pink is placed into his arms, the boy turned man, grows into the role. The pinnacle moment for that role is when he walks his daughter down that long bridal aisle, handing his precious baby over to another. My father has made that walk three times – in 1972, 1974 and 1999. I don’t know what Dad said to my sisters as he guided them to the strains of The Wedding March, but with me, his eldest daughter, he was making little jokes and comments. People mistook this for radiance on my part, but it was just a case of my dad totally cracking me up – as usual.

 

I count myself lucky to have my father as my dad. A father is the yardstick by which all other men are measured. In my Dad’s case, he has set the bar very high. Happy Father’s Day, Dad. With love, Your Eldest Daughter

© 15 June 2008, Desktop Genealogist Unplugged, Teresa L. Snyder 

News You Can Use - Limited Time Free Viewing of Ancestry's Historical Newspaper Collection

Juliana Smith of Ancestry's "24-7 Family History Circle" Blog is reporting free access to Ancestry's Historical Newspaper Collection from now through June 19. According to Ancestry, a recent update doubled the collection by adding 20 million images. If you've wanted to checkout this collection, now would be a good time. Enjoy!

© 13 June 2008, Desktop Genealogist Unplugged, Teresa L. Snyder 

Wordless Wednesday - A Day in Amish Country

Pictures Taken by Terry Snyder in Holmes County, Ohio June 11, 2008

© 11 June 2008, Desktop Genealogist Unplugged, Teresa L. Snyder 

An Anniversary

On June 9, 1952, my mother and father were married in Woodville, Mississippi. Neither family nor friends were present for the ceremony. Sadly, there were also no pictures to document this important event. My father, whose unit had been activated in August 1951, was stationed at a nearby army base in Louisiana. Because they didn’t know when or if Dad’s unit would ship out for Korea, the young couple decided it was a good time to marry. So my mother, with the knowledge and approval of both of their families, traveled to Louisiana to meet my father. The two slipped over into Mississippi, a state with friendlier age of consent laws, and eloped. The picture below was taken a month later when they were part of another couple’s wedding. It is the closest thing we have to a wedding picture.

 

There is my mother with that winning smile and my father handsome in his army uniform. Both so very young and so unaware how soon they would be parted. Two months later my dad was aboard a ship leaving for Korea, and my mother was on her way back to Fremont to live with her sister. A lucky break for dad occurred when he was one of three men aboard the ship chosen for reassignment to a base in Japan. He remained stationed there as a supply sergeant until the end of the war. 

In August 1953, Dad came home. His ship, which docked in San Francisco, was the first ship to arrive in the United States at the close of the war. He flew back to Ohio where his wife and four-month-old daughter (me) eagerly awaited his return. Four children, seven grandchildren, and two great grandchildren later, they celebrate their fifty-sixth anniversary.

Congratulations, Mom and Dad!

© 10 June 2008, Desktop Genealogist Unplugged, Teresa L. Snyder 

A Sunny Afternoon in June

Usually I am not at a loss for words. But the tragic events of yesterday afternoon have left me without my usual form of comfort. Though I knew none of the victims personally, my heart goes out to them and to their family and friends. 

Yesterday, a sunny, warm day in June, six individuals soared into the sky. One can imagine their smiles, the camaraderie of their shared adventure, and the infectious excitement of the youngest member, age four, who was getting a first plane ride. Of such things, we expect only happy memories, and not the tragedy that found them on a grassy field south of town. 

To those they left behind, I offer my heartfelt condolences. I pray for their strength in the days ahead, and I hope for each, that the day will come when the memory of those they have lost will bring not heartbroken tears, but the soft smile of remembrance to their lips. 

In memory of Gene, Bill, Allison, Matt, Danielle and Emily Rose – June 8, 2008.

© 9 June 2008, Desktop Genealogist Unplugged, Teresa L. Snyder 

Sandusky County Kin Hunters Meeting This Sunday

Hey, guys, I received an email from Dave Golden of the Sandusky County Kin Hunters reminding me that this Sunday, June 8, is their regular monthly meeting. Scott Mitchell will be on hand discussing, “Researching Cherokee Ancestors.” The meeting, which is free and open to anyone with an interest in family history, will be held at 2:00 PM at the Sandusky Township Hall on Rt. 19 North in Fremont. Parking is ample and the building is handicapped accessible. 

If you would like further information, you can contact Dave at (419) 502-7620. 

Until Next Time - Happy Ancestral Digging

© 3 June 2008, Desktop Genealogist Unplugged, Teresa L. Snyder