NGS Conference - In Review - Day 2

The Exhibit Hall - Oh the things you'll see!

Day 2 began with a pretty big challenge.  There was a 2 session long class on BCG Certification and while I really wanted to go there were other classes that I wanted to go to as well.  Since I was going to many of the other BCG Skill-Building classes I didn't choose this one.

8am - "A Professional Researcher's Tips and Tricks to the Family History Library Catalog" presented by Daniel S. Poffenberger, AG - The new search is about 1/3 to 1/2 complete, but the hope is that full implementation will happen in 3-4 months.  FamilySearch assures everyone that the old search will not be taken away until the new search is as good or better.  Bottom line with many of the tips and tricks:  don't just search under one of the search topics.  Try using as little information as possible and then add more to narrow the search down if you get too many hits.  Also the developers want your feedback!  They really are looking to get this right, so make sure you provide feedback if you see something you like or if there is something that doesn't seem to work right.  How often do you hear that!?!

9:30am - "Researching Eighteenth-Century Germans" presented by John T. Humphrey, CG - I was disappointed in this class.  It's not that John Humphrey wasn't a good speaker.  He was fine.  The title of his lecture was not.  The assumption I made was that I would be hearing about researching in Germany.  It wasn't.  I could have found something salvageable if maybe he spoke about 18th century Germans in the United States...not so much.  So what was the class about.  Pretty much researching your 18th German ancestors that either were in Pennsylvania or started out there.  There were the occasional references to Germans moving elsewhere, but that was it.  Not even an acknowledgement that they may have come to the country to go straight for another state, oh I don't know, maybe...WISCONSIN!  I don't know that the syllabus stated that the subject would be so narrow, but I will be checking once I finally get back home tomorrow and unpack it.  Bottom line...never assume...

11am - "German Territories and Maps:  You Can't Do Research Without Them" presented by F. Warren Bittner, CG - OH MY GOODNESS!!!!  He more than made up for the 9:30 class!  I could not believe the things he found!  A floor plan for an ancestor's house.  Some great dirt on an ancestor too that had to fight for 10 years before he was permitted to marry the woman he loved (and three kids illegitimate in the meantime).  There are more than just vital and church records to researching in Germany.  Remember that there were many and varied agencies/authorities that generated records and you need to check them!  Even more important...you need to know where the city/village is located in Germany and where it was during the time you are researching.  If you remember even a little of your German history, you'll remember that it's borders were more fluid than the faucet in the bathroom. 

2:30pm - What Exactly is a 'Reasonably Exhaustive Search'?" presented by Laura Murphy DeGrazia, CG - a very good lecture that certainly showed me that I may need to dig deeper in some of my ancestors or risk linking wrong people to my tree.  You need to check all potentially relevant sources (and as close to the original source document as possible) and resolve any conflicts that arise in that search.  You need to use a wide variety of sources (not just vital records, census records, etc) and you also need to consider the reliability of each source.  Want to know more?  I did.  I grabbed the BCG's "Standards Manual" as soon as I could get to the exhibit hall!

4pm - "In the Wilderness and On the Battlefields With Your Civil War Ancestor" presented by Sharon Tate Moody, CG - I wasn't going to go to this lecture, but the others scheduled for this slot either seemed to basic or to regionally specific, so I tagged along with Jenn Woods to this class.  If nothing else, I'm a student of history.  Jenn finds it incredible that I don't have any direct line ancestors that served in the Civil War.  I agree with her on that, but I haven't found them yet.  I promised I would perform my "reasonably exhaustive search" on that when I got back home.  The class was excellent.  Sharon Tate Moody did an excellent job illustrating how attitudes and circumstances changed as the war progressed.  She urged that we look into the unit our ancestors were assigned to in order to put some "meat on the bones" and see what battles they fought in and what life was like for them in those units.  It certainly brings those ancestors to life.  Oh where, oh where are my Civil War ancestors! 

That's Day 2 minus any purchases I got in the exhibit hall.  I'll be arriving home Monday afternoon and hopefully the Cub Scout party won't prevent me from blogging tomorrow night, but no promises.  I will get Day 3 out to everyone as soon as possible!

Sunday's Obituary - Patrick Wallace Cayemberg Jr

 

Patrick Wallace Cayemberg Jr.

Born July 23, 1933, Red River, Wisconsin

Died May 15, 2010, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Today I begin my drive home to Killeen, Texas from the NGS conference in Charleston, South Carolina. One year ago today, my husband, sons and I began a drive from Killeen to Green Bay, Wisconsin to celebrate my mother and father-in-law's 50th wedding anniversary.  We hadn't made it past Dallas when we got the call that dad had died.  It was completely unexpected and devastating to the whole family.  What was supposed to be a joyous celebration turned into what would be a series of indescribably sad days.

I have a wonderful mother, step-father, and sisters and I added to that wonderful family an extraordinary set of in-laws that I love terribly.  Losing my father-in-law was like losing a father and his absence is felt every single day.  I know he watches over all of us and is able to see his family's accomplishments and his grandchildren's milestones.  I can find some small solace in the fact that dad died the day after their 50th anniversary (the party we were traveling up for was to be the following weekend) and that dad passed while doing something he loved...volunteering.

So today, this post is in your memory, dad.  You went on ahead of us to prepare the way.  Until that day when you welcome each of us home...we love you.

"Patrick W. Cayemberg, 76, Green Bay resident, passed away unexpectedly, Saturday, May 15, 2010 while volunteering at the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon. He was born July 23, 1933 in Red River, Wisconsin to the late Patrick and Laura (Laurent) Cayemberg. Patrick was a graduate of Green Bay East High School, class of 1951. He served his country as a member of the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956, earning a Commendation as Specialist 3.

On May 14, 1960 he married Dolores (Lorie) Kuehl, with whom they had just celebrated 50 years of marriage. Pat “Big Daddy” worked for Schneider Transport as a truck driver for over 30 years. He enjoyed baking cookies, camping, country music festivals, making chicken booyah, gardening and wintering in Arizona. He loved Monday night dinners with the family, spending time with his grandchildren, volunteer work and going to the Friday night fish fry. Pat was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, SS. Peter and Paul Parish, the Teamsters Local 75 and the American Legion.

Survivors include his wife Dolores; four daughters: Cindy (Michael) Kolb, and Kent; Bonnie Cayemberg and Max Herrscher; Lori Ann (Joseph) Frisbie, Sam and Jackson; Karen (Bruce) Butterfield, Erik (Kristina), Vincent, and Delaney, all of Green Bay; one son, Richard (Cheryl) Cayemberg, Benjamin and Daniel, Killeen, TX. He is also survived by three brothers: Roland, Green Bay; Darold, Vulcan, MI; Glen (Sarah), Union Grove, WI; four sisters-in-law, Lorraine Ryan, Eden, WI; Alice Wood, Eden, WI; Helen Beisbier, Kewaskum, WI; Marge (Joe) Konkel, Wind Lake, WI; and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, Patrick and Laura Cayemberg, he was preceded in death by his father and mother-in-law, Romand and Leona Kuehl; brother, Wayne Cayemberg; sisters-in-law, Shirley Cayemberg, and Patsy Cayemberg; brothers-in-law, Vincent Ryan, Richard List, Donald Wood, and Alois Beisbier, great niece, Brittany Cayemberg and great nephew Jake Stanke.

Friends may call at the Proko-Wall Funeral Home, 1630 E. Mason St., on Tuesday (TODAY) from 4 to 7 p. m. Knights of Columbus Rosary Service 6:30 p.m. Parish wake service 7 p.m. Visitation will continue on Wednesday at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, corner of University Ave and Baird St., after 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 a.m. at the church with Msgr. Roy Klister officiating. Entombment will take place at Nicolet Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be sent to Patrick’s family at www.prokowall.com. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a memorial fund is being established. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the volunteers, medical personnel, first responders and the ER staff at St. Vincent Hospital for their care and consideration.

Roll on Big Daddy, Roll on…"

NGS Conference - In Review - Day 1

So the conference is now over and it's time to prepare for the drive back to Killeen, TX.  A bit bummed that I couldn't post every evening, but with Blogger crashing and then acting a bit wonky yesterday I didn't want to risk it.  It doesn't appear that everything is back to 100% (I'm still noticing little things here and there), but I'll try to get this blog out and hope it doesn't fly off into the ether....

Opening Day (11MAY2011) - Already posted about the awesome opening session so I'll touch on the classes I took...and I will be honest about them!

    11am - "Chasing the Poor and Landless in Ireland" presented by David E. Rencher, AG, CG, FIGRS, FUGA - There is absolutely nothing I can say to do this class justice.  It was one of my favorites.  Bottom line, there ARE most likely records on many of your Irish ancestors, you just need to look in the right place!  Workhouses, poor houses, outrage (crime) papers, etc...all those things generated records!  Don't just look for Vital Records.  David E. Rencher is an excellent presenter and if you can hear him speak, take advantage of it!

     2:30pm - "Search for Ancestors in Passenger Arrival Records" presented by Julie Miller, CG - A good class for beginners, but that doesn't mean that I didn't walk away with a nice refresher.  I think we sometimes need to be reminded of the various ways to search different record groups, i.e. - search for just the first name (in case the surname is spelled differently).  Other tips?  Don't stop with the index...find the original or as close to the original as possible.  This was actually a pretty big theme in most classes.  Also, make sure you copy the entire passenger list.  There could be other relatives that aren't listed right next to them or even on the same page!

     4pm - "Solving Genealogical Problems by Isolating Errors in Records" presented by Henry B. Hoff, CG, FASG - a very good class.  Touched on issues that I was familiar with or had guessed were reasons behind differences in records, but he explained the "whys" and that really helps.  Some points - remember how the words were used at the time, i.e. - just because they called someone brother doesn't mean they weren't a half-brother, step-brother.  Also, calling people by relationships that simply did not apply.  We still do this today (I know I'm guilty of it).  Both of my grandparents passed away before I was born.  There was a sweet widow, Hazel Blum, that lived next door and we called her Nana.  When my first son was born we referred to some close Army friends as "Aunt Jaime" and "Uncle Rusty", but there was no relation.  My mom went through the same thing and while she knew that her "Aunt" wasn't a relation, it made things very confusing when I first started the family research!

That was Day 1.  I'd love to talk more about each class, but we really aren't supposed to share too much.  When I start putting some of the things I learned to use, I will be posting about them to be sure.  At least I can share that way!

I've seen people tweeting about being frustrated by the lack of tweets.  So on the off-chance any of them pop on over, I'll explain...Some fellow Geneabloggers and I attempted to tweet and were actually successful in the Performance Center, but as soon as you got near a classroom (or even in many hallways) it was like we hit a dead zone. The result was that with our fully charged phones on, continually attempting to search for Internet and phone signal, the batteries were dead or almost dead by 5pm.  A few of us did try hopping outside to tweet in between classes, but there were simply some classes that if you didn't get to, you were likely to not get a seat!

What made things worse was the Social Media Policy that went out.  We were under the impression that social media was being encouraged, but before each class we were told to turn off (not silence) our phones.  Not that it mattered too much since we had no signal to tweet, but if we had this could have been a bigger issue.  People really need to embrace this whole crazy social media "fad".  It's not going away people.  Get with the program or get left behind.

OK, enough griping :)  It was a wonderful day and there were no classes that made me want to nap!

More tomorrow...there is still so much more to tell!

Technical Difficulties...Please Stand By...

After dinner this evening with some of our fellow Geneabloggers, I was debating whether to post or not.  I was super tired (still am really), but didn't post last night because Blogger was on the fritz.  I reviewed my most recent blog post and it had some odd characters in it and comments missing, so I'm going to give the people at Blogger a little while longer before posting NGS Conference news.  I don't want to get into a nice, long post to have it wiped out if the site goes down again. 

Lots to talk about from classes to the exhibit hall, but it will keep a while longer.  I hope to be back tomorrow! (And as I just went to tag my post I saw some more odd characters...anyone else still having issues?)

Those Places Thursday - The NGS Conference

The Exhibit Hall

It was such an exciting day!  I know other genealogists and I attempted to send out tweets early in the morning during the Opening Session and were relatively successful, but after the Opening Session concluded and we went around to the Exhibit Hall and other classes, social media seemed to take a permanent dive.  The sad result was that the battery to my phone was almost completely drained by the end of the day since it was trying to catch a signal.  So if the tweets are few and far between it's certainly not from a lack of information to relay! 

The first big news of the day was the upcoming NGS conference dates/locations.  It was common knowledge that next year's conference was going to be in Cincinnati, OH (OK...I just found out the other day, but I tend to live in a box sometimes!) on May 9-12, 2012.  Then this morning NGS released that the 2013 NGS conference will be in LAS VEGAS, NV!  Get ready for Sin City!
 

Charleston Police Pipes and Drums

We were treated by some bagpipe music from the Charleston Police Pipes and Drums (very cool...I love a good kilt!) and then the Knights of Columbus conducted the flag ceremony.  The attendees were polled and asked that those who never had been to an NGS conference to please stand.  I would guess that at least half of us stood up.  We were then asked to stand if we were members of NGS.  It was so great to see that the majority of people stood up.  It was hard to see anyone sitting from where I was!

Knights of Columbus

Tributes, awards/honors and prizes were handed out and then our sponsor, Archives.com, came out and talked to us briefly about who they are and why we should check them out.  Archives.com wants to be able to make family history more affordable and seeks to add records to their collection that are not being offered on genealogy sites.  I haven't really dealt with Archives.com before and the thought of being asked to pay for another membership so I can view records made me cringe a bit.  After all, I auction off my first born annually for an Ancestry.com membership...OK, a little melodramatic, but it's not cheap to go around to all these various sites and shell out cash here and there!  Well, Archives.com sweetened the deal for us.  The NGS attendees that visit their booth are given a card with 6 months access to the site free of charge!  You can be sure I'll be diving into that and giving a review at a later date!  Thanks Archives.com!

Next we were treated to a talk by no less that the Archivist of the United States, David Ferriero.  He talked to us about changes that are going to be occurring at NARA which should streamline operations for the staff as well as for researchers.  NARA is being brought into current times with blogs, a YouTube site, Flickr photos, Twitter (@archivesnews), Facebook, etc.  With all the changes that are being planned, make sure you're checking out one of the social media sites mentioned so you will be on top of all the great stuff that will be on its way!  A final word by archivist Ferriero...spread the word about how important these documents are.  Make sure funding isn't cut, that they get preserved properly and that the public continues to have access to them!  Make sure the people making these decisions know that these documents and records are important to you, your work and to our country's history!

Buzzy Jackson

Jenn Woods, Buzzy Jackson, Ellie Woods and me

Finally, we were treated to another presentation, this time by Buzzy Jackson about her book Shaking the Family Tree: Blue Bloods, Black Sheep, and Other Obsessions of an Accidental Genealogist.  She was absolutley the most animated and entertaining speaker I have heard in quite so time!  I think the majority of the attendees left saying, "I've got to read that book!"  What's the book about?  Well, having just gotten my signed copy this evening, I can only give you a little taste of what Buzzy gave us!  She was not always interested in genealogy.  A PhD from Berkley in History, she seemed to know all about history...except her own.  She did have a brief encounter with genealogy before her son was born, but it wasn't until after that she really began to wonder who her people were.  I've got to say that if her book is anything like her presentation, it will be a hit!  I will be sure to post a review as soon as I get it read!

I was intending on telling a little about the classes I took today, but I've already posted way too much and if you've made it this far you deserve a drink on me!  So go and crack open a cold one (beer, iced tea, etc) and enjoy!

I will share some of today's classes tomorrow and leave you with this...I got to meet DearMYRTLE!  Pat Richley is an absolute sweetheart and I would have loved to talk to her for hours!

DearMYRTLE (Pat Richley) and me

Not So Wordless Wednesday - Blogger's Dinner by FamilySearch

Geneablogger dinner by FamilySearch.org

I've been having such a wonderful time since arriving in Charleston Sunday night, but tonight was a real highlight.  FamilySearch.org sponsored a dinner for us Geneabloggers at Jim 'n Nick's BBQ on Centre Point Drive.  The food was excellent (a BIG recommend for anyone visiting Charleston!) and the company was even better!

We were in a lovely section of the restaurant and each table got a Family Search representative all to themselves to ask questions and get to know.  Jenn from Climbing My Family Tree, her daughter, Ellie and I had the privilege of sitting with Paul Nauta, the Family Search Public Affairs Manager and enjoyed his company tremendously!

Paul Nauta, Cherie Cayemberg, Jenn and Ellie Woods

Lots of great information was put out at the dinner so I'll touch on some highlights to wet your whistle!

-The RootsTech conference for 2012 is being held in Salt Lake City, UT from February 2nd thru the 4th.  If you'd like to receive RootsTech updates to include information on the 2012 conference head on over and submit your email address! (I did!)

-Did you know that since January 2010 Family Search has added 219 million images to their site?  That they have 2.2 billion names indexed and 605 historic collections and 141 free online courses?

-Family Search has set a goal of 200 million images to be added annually.  They're setting the bar high, but I know that they can do it!  Help them out by becoming a Family Search Indexer.  It's not difficult and they've got plenty of tutorials online to walk you through it.  A wonderful scouting project for boys and girls alike (not to mention us genealogists and family historians)!

-If all that wasn't enough Family Search is pushing to get as many Civil War records/collections online as they can in the next 5 years, to include stories and histories of various regiments/units add to the site and wiki.

So if you haven't checked out the Family Search site recently you are definitely missing out on tons of great information!  If you'd like to check out more details on the news from Family Search head on over to their news page and their blog!

Ginger, Jenn, Liz, Linda, Greta, me & Ellie

After getting all this wonderful news from Family Search we were able to continue to get to know our fellow bloggers.  Here are just a few lovely people I spent some time with:

-Ginger Smith from Genealogy By Ginger

-Jenn Woods from Climbing My Family Tree (OK I've known Jenn for years, but she's in the picture!)

-Liz Tapley-Matthews from My Tapley Tree...and its Branches

-Linda McCauley from Documenting the Details, and

-Greta M Koehl from Greta's Genealogy Bog

I was completely thrilled to be able to meet Dick Eastman!  I've been a fan of his blog for quite some time and he is most certainly one of my blog and genealogy heroes!

Me, Dick Eastman, Jenn and Ellie Woods

Me, Jenn & Ellie Woods and Michael J Hall (Deputy C.G.O)

Ginger, Jenn, me and Ellie with David Rencher (C.G.O.)

Amanuensis Monday - After Fort Sumter

I arrived in Charleston, South Carolina Sunday evening..safe, sound, and in my hotel room with two days to see Charleston before the NGS conference starts.  Undoubtedly, Fort Sumter will be one of the sights I see, so I decided to take a look back this Amanuensis Monday to an article in the April 15, 1861 issue of the New York Times to see how the attack on Fort Sumter was received 150 years ago.

"The People and the Issue

The reverberations from Charleston Harbor have brought about what months of logic would have been impotent to effect -- the rapid condensation of public sentiment in the Free States.  The North is now a unit.  Party lines have shriveled, as landmarks disappear before the outpouring of volcanic lava.  The crucial test of this is New York, City [sic] the spot most tainted by the Southern poison.  Not the thick insulation which the commercial spirit puts between the conscience and duty -- not the obliquity engendered by long years of the most perverse political education -- have been able to withstand the electric fire of loyal indignation evoked by the assassin-stroke aimed at the heart of the Republic.  There are now no such ardent supporters of the Government as those who have been life-long Democrats.  It is a fact full of omen, and one which persons imperfectly acquainted with the impulses that lie at the bottom of the popular heart could never have anticipated, that the very roughs of the City are aroused, and bring their passionate devotion to the cause of their country.  One intense, inspiring sentiment of patriotism has fused all other passions in its fiery heat.  Let the Administration now know that twenty millions of loyal freemen approve its act, and imperiously demand the vindication of the integrity and majesty of the Republic.

Viewed in the light of these events, the lull that for so many weeks reigned in the public spirit becomes very intelligible.  A suspense -- a long, dumb, unconscious waiting, very pathetic in its character -- held the people's mind.  Treason so vile paralyzed thought and will.  The way was not clear what to do.  It could not at first be believed that the country really held men so insane, so suicidal, as to attempt to transform such threats as theirs into deeds.  The sheer demonism which marked the programme of social construction put forth by the Slave Power, caused it rather to assume the aspect of a terrific species of irony.  And then, when the designs of the rebels became only too apparent, and it was evident that naught but the exercise of soveign [sic] Might could avail to check those frenzied men, there was honest hesitancy in resorting to the force of arms.  Civil war runs counter to the theory of the Republic.  The framers of our Government made such provisions as would forever render rebellion unnecessary.  All experience has shown how easily this Government can be induced to change its rulers, if any good reason for doing so was presented, and earnestly and persistently forced upon public opinion.  Besides this, there was a doubt in many minds as to the degree to which the theory of Democracy allowed of opposition to the avowed and deliberate will of sovereign States.  On the whole, it presented itself as a painful, perplexing problem.  That problem has at length been solved by the public conscience, and the solution sweeps away forever the sophistries as to State Rights and coercion which entangled the subject.  The lull is over -- and an equinoctial storm of popular indignation has ensued.

In entering upon this struggle, the great community of Free States does so, prepared to bring to bear on the vindication of its national honor inexhaustible material resources.  Her census shows returns which, under other circumstances, would have been the wonder of the world.  It has, indeed, been industriously declared by timid croakers that "war is national ruin."  There is no more absurd chimera.  The Free States are richer and more populous than England was under PITT, when she fought the long fight with NAPLEON, and vastly stronger than France when she battled triumphantly against all the Continental powers.

As to moral force, it panoplies the Republic as with a wall of fire.  She enters, the contest with that triple arming which justice gives to a cause.  The moral conscience of the world is on her side.  It is true that the rebels, lured by the support of that European element whose sympathies are contingent with the rate of duties levied on imported goods by the United States, have hoped for the recognition of the European Powers.  That delusion is doomed to be rudely dispelled.  The rulers of England and France do not dare to recognize that League.  The unmaking of Ministries would hang on the decision, and they know it.

The Administration is not brought face to face with a Revolution.  This is not the attitude.  It has to deal with a plot, a conspiracy.  There will be no "fraternal blood" shed, unless it be the blood of men who are willfully and persistently in the position of traitors.  The right of revolution is not denied; -- changes, prompted by causes material or moral, and effected through legal and constitutional means, are contemplated with calmness.  But that Treason should be claimed as a right -- that anarchy should rule -- it is this which thrills with indignant amazement.  How profound has been the humiliation, how hot the indignation, are shown in the tumultuous surgings of passion that are now baptising with one common sentiment of constitutional unity and patriotic devotion every loyal American heart."

Certainly the author of this article was dramatic with his choice of words, but not more so than others of the time.  You can see the passion he felt about the events at Fort Sumter, although he gave no description or very direct reference to these events as I would have expected and hoped for.  The Northern states that were so divided as to what to do with the South were outraged and united by the attack.  There was no loss of life apart from 2 Union Soldiers that were accidental casualties, but it was clear to the North that the "Rebels" were aggressive and the Union was now divided by more than words.  By more than a declaration of secession.  The South awakened a giant.  One filled with as much passion to restore the Union as the South had to seceed.  Our country and it's people would be changed forever.

It is important to keep in mind that while many Northerners would have fought a war to free the slaves, there were many that were not in favor of that, and perhaps more hypocritically many that wished to free the slaves because they felt it was wrong, but did not want those freed to move North as it would endanger their jobs by providing a large unskilled and lower-paid work force.  Sound familiar?  Sadly, the fears of people change little as time goes by.  Perhaps we don't learn from history so easily.
Regardless of the fact that the North entered the war mainly to keep the Union united, the outcome of the war was that the slaves were freed to begin the uphill battle for equality.  A battle that still has not completely been won.

Some things never seem to change.  It takes a violent action to unite a bunch of bickering people.  Maybe some day we'll get past that as well.