Genealogy Do-Over

I would say it has been awhile, but that would be an understatement. I guess there is no time like the present to start all over. sigh. So what happened? That would be a great question wouldn't it? To be honest there is a list:

• I got lazy.
• I got bogged down. When I started sourcing wasn't a priority, now that I have relized HOW STUPID that was, I felt like it was a lost cause.
• I got stuck and felt like nothing else could be found. I know thats not true, but I think this had to do with me feeling bogged down.

So what a better time to DELETE EVERYTHING (enter screams).

 Okay not really...

Enter the Genealogy Do-Over, I have tried before but didn't give it the time it deserves. So since I am restarting my research, I am going to do it right.

Week 1

Task 1: Setting previous research aside

This will probably be the easiest thing to do for me. my laptop pooped I haven't gotten it fixed yet, so I have no way to get to those files (no way to open my backup drive with a PC since it was a mac that it was created with). I have a GEDCOM file in my dropbox, but I just won't look at it. My paper files are in a closet, with stuff on top so those are fairly safe.

Task 2: Preparing to research

I usually do research at a table or ...sadly...on the couch. I know, I know....

So what do I need to change in my research pregame?

turn the tv OFF!

actually leave the house

get what I need before I start

Notebook, pen, snack, drink, computer, computer cord, any books

Task 3: Establishing base practices and guidelines

I WILL...

• CITE my sources
• TAKE my TIME
• Be honest
• not Cherry pick
• File my paperwork correctly
• Track what I am doing
• Ask questions
• Not give up so easily
• Bring a drink and maybe snacks
• Have a pad and pencil or pen just in case

We all grow up with the weight of history on us. Our ancestors dwell in the attics of our brains as they do in the spiraling chains of knowledge hidden in every cell of our bodies. ~Shirley Abbott

A death: Nathan E. Orschell 1938-2012

My Grandpa Nathan died the 15 of November. I was able to keep my head though out the visitation and part of the funeral mass, but when it was my turn to stand up and say the petitions. I cried so hard that the Father Danda and a cousin, Greg Orschell, came to my side. Greg ended up saying the petitions for me after asking me if I wanted him to do it. I said yes, then he whispered fine, but you have to stay here with me. At the only thing good about a catholic funeral, the food (Nun food to be exact), another cousin told me I did a perfect job, that even the people that hadn't cried could no longer hold it in when I feel to pieces. Maybe I did do a good job, letting my sorrow out and giving permission for the others to cry with me. My Grandfather may not have been perfect or the most loving at times, but he was still my grandpa.

In actual family history news. I got my grubby hands on a 3 1/2 floppy disk that my Great Aunt gave to all of her kids...the best part non of them actually know what is on it! Now I just have to find some way to open it, I think a trip to the library would be good. Also, I managed to get the family history book that my Great Grandmother started in 1967 or so with great stories like:

He had seven girls then the fist boy was named Philip-he died. The next two boys  (both named Philip) died also. He asked his brother George what could be wrong. He said name him something else. The next boy was named George and lived.

At the moment I am transcribing the tree and all of the notes that go along with it.

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

We all grow up with the weight of history on us. Our ancestors dwell in the attics of our brains as they do in the spiraling chains of knowledge hidden in every cell of our bodies. ~Shirley Abbott

Update and Flip-Pal

Well it has been awhile hasn't it?

• Mississinewa 1812 has came and went. We had a great time although it did rain for a bit on Sunday but our visitor numbers weren't as bad as what was predicted. We had loads of new vendors and had to expand even more this year then ever before. Some aches and pains with new regulations but it went pretty smooth. Plus I got to wear the new dress I made!
• My Grandpa Orschell isn't doing very good. He is in the ICU with a hospice nurse and my grandmother at his side. Prayers are needed.
• I just finished painting the inside of our camper. It looks so much better then when we got it. I wanted to get it painted before we took it to the Muster on the Wabash. It is amazing how much easier it is to clean (thats the big deal, besides not being so primer WHITE) semi-gloss painted walls then primer...duh!

On to the main topic the Flip-Pal scanner.

Right now (literally) I am listening to the Genealogy Gems podcast. The newest podcast (#143) has an interview with Gordon Nuttall, CEO of Couragent Inc the maker of the Flip-Pal. If you are on the fence about getting one take a few moments to listen to what he has to say. Lisa does a great job asking the right questions.

 If you don't listen to her you should! Lisa has some great ideas and thoughts while still being entertaining, and its FREE! She does have a premium podcast for a fee with all kinds of things, but the the free podcast has so much information that you won't feel like you are missing out on all the good stuff like other free things (Check out her site and blog also).

I also recently started poking around the My Heritage website. Their phone app is 10x better then Ancestry's in my opinion. It has record matches (tree matches), I like the look of the family trees better then Ancestry, and while you do have to pay for some features you don't have to pay to see most of the records (They really really want you to though). Check it out and see what you think (Its free, mostly).  Oh one more thing you can only have up to 250 people on the family tree in the free version. Check mine out at brynn-montag.myheritage.com.

We all grow up with the weight of history on us. Our ancestors dwell in the attics of our brains as they do in the spiraling chains of knowledge hidden in every cell of our bodies. ~Shirley Abbott

Why we should connect

When I first started this adventure I was really excited, somewhere between a puppy seeing a dog biscuit and a 6 year old going to Disney Land excited. I have this blog, a website, and 3 public trees all floating around out there in cyber space. It is kinda like fishing, I fling my bait out as far as I can and wait and hope for a bite.

Finally after all this time I got some nibbles, in fact 3!

2 folks emailed me, I returned the emails but haven't heard anything back.

The third, and the most exciting, I received an email from a lady whose 3x great grandfather is my 4x great uncle. WOOOHOOO! The best part is that she is from my home county, is good friends with my great uncle, and played cards with my grandparents before their divorce! When I told my grandmother I thought she was going to fall over, all this time and they had no idea.

I was asked why I would put so much effort to get the information out there, now you know. Not only am I getting the information out there but I am connecting with people; and really thats what this is about.

We all grow up with the weight of history on us. Our ancestors dwell in the attics of our brains as they do in the spiraling chains of knowledge hidden in every cell of our bodies. ~Shirley Abbott

July 2nd: Mass records day

On July the 2nd familysearch.org organized an event. Not just any kind of event, one that was record breaking! familysearch.org was hoping for 5 million records to be indexed in one day, but could we the indexers do it?

Well, over 46,000 people came together to index records and in just 16 hours the 5 million mark was hit and bypassed for a grand total of .....

....drum roll please....

10,340,879


Thats right over 10 million records were indexed in just 24 hours. GO TEAM!

We all grow up with the weight of history on us. Our ancestors dwell in the attics of our brains as they do in the spiraling chains of knowledge hidden in every cell of our bodies. ~Shirley Abbott

Andy Griffith

I wanted to take a break from work, dishes and research to remember Andy. Growing up it wasn't uncommon to watch The Andy Griffith Show. Sitting cross legged on the floor was standard kid sitting with the grown ups on the couch and dad (or grandpa, depending on were we where) in "his" chair, this of course as long as there wasn't baseball or football on.

It always seemed like the black and white episodes were always better then the later ones in color. Either way, the wholesome life of Mayberry with its neighborhood characters, made you wish for a "simpler" time. The script was so well done, (thanks to Andy Griffith many a times) that you felt like you actually knew them, like they were real, and lived next door.

Did you know that this iconic theme song is actually part of a song called " The Fishin' Hole" sung by Andy?

Unlike some of the "superstars" today, Andy could actually act and sing. He is most well known for singing  hymns with one of his albums reaching certified platinum standing.

I bet it was so fun to be on the set of the music video for "Waiting On a Women" by Brad Paisley. Andy added his vocal talents to song.

 I want to pass on my sincere condolences to Andy's family and friends.

Andy Griffith

June 1, 1926 – July 3, 2012

P.S Who can forget Matlock!?

We all grow up with the weight of history on us. Our ancestors dwell in the attics of our brains as they do in the spiraling chains of knowledge hidden in every cell of our bodies. ~Shirley Abbott

WWII Widow

I wanted to pass on this video incase anyone hasn't seen it, whether you have or haven't you will want tissue. It is a story about love, let down, and joy.

 Peggy Harris lost her husband Billy Harris just a few weeks after D Day. 60 years later she was still waiting for a report, a letter anything that let her know what happened to him. Thanks to CBS's  show Sunday Morning, she finds out.

P.S Her Senator, Mr. Mac Thornberry, should be ashamed of himself!

We all grow up with the weight of history on us. Our ancestors dwell in the attics of our brains as they do in the spiraling chains of knowledge hidden in every cell of our bodies. ~Shirley Abbott