The plants are watered, the laundry is all done, the suitcases are packed. The alarm is set, garage door is down... and we are off. Actually we've been on the road now for 10 whole research filled, fun days. Days full of meeting people, researching and just enjoying being out & about.
The primary time spent so far has been on the ancestors & their families in Montgomery County, Ohio. With so many ancestors there we've been spending lots of time there. This time however, had to be the best!
I've been searching for a repository for the Germantown Press, the newspaper for Germantown, Ohio for quite a few years. This past Thursday, the librarian at the Montgomery County Genealogy Center, found the paper at Wright State University.
On Friday morning we set out for Wright State. After breakfast and a wrong turn into Wright Patterson AF base we finally arrived. We went in search of a visitors parking pass, got it and managed to locate the library. The staff was helpful and courteous.
At long last I was able to get to the Germantown papers. I really like it when I find a "one stop shopping" location for the newspapers in the area's I'm researching. On Friday, I finally found that for the Montgomery, Preble & Darke county area's of Ohio. Wright State University library fits the bill perfectly! We will be back!
Happy Researching!
Karen
Showing posts with label Phillips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Phillips. Show all posts
03 July 2016
11 November 2015
Not Your Average Bump On A LOG (Reunion)
It seems every one has an opinion, some people love them, some people have no use for them. In my case I can't imagine not having them. Reunion calls them "LOGS", some programs call them "To Do" lists. Whatever they are called, I love them!
Switching from Legacy to Reunion, which was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make with my genealogy, took a bit of a learning curve. No lie, pure honesty, and it took some work to get my genealogy to be workable. BUT, I do believe it was a very good decision. Now that I've got things under control (read that as still under construction lol) I'm having a good time making Reunion work for me.
One of the best features about Reunion is the Logs feature. Below are some images of how I have made the logs work for me -
The first shows a screen shot. You can see here that the Logs are found on the sidebar with your other basic choices. Very easy to find and get to.
In the second screen shot below you can see the list I've made of the places I am currently, or I hope to be researching. I've got Allen County library, along with all these other places that I have found I need work done. I've even got one for things that I really need to do right here at home. Each place that I have listed has its own "page", where you can keep track of the items that you need to locate at that location.
In this third shot you can see how I am using this Log feature by keeping lists of what I need to locate in each log, including call numbers and notes. Being able to color code things like call numbers is really helpful as it helps the call numbers stand out from the other notes. In this example you can see that I have call numbers showing in Blue. I've also been adding notes, in red, into my logs when I've researched something and perhaps didn't find what I wanted or maybe found other information.
I find the flexibility that is available in the "LOGS" very useful. Lots of room to make your to do lists as extensive and detailed as you would like them to be! If you note the upper right hand corner of the LOG you can change fonts, font sizes, colors, bold, underline etc., all of which contribute to the flexibility of the LOG.
If you are Reunion software user and haven't given these a try, hopefully this post encourages you to try the LOGS feature. Are you using the Logs feature? If so, do you use it in ways that I have not shown here? I'd love to hear from you. Please leave a comment and tell me how you use the LOGS feature!
Happy Researching!
Karen
Switching from Legacy to Reunion, which was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make with my genealogy, took a bit of a learning curve. No lie, pure honesty, and it took some work to get my genealogy to be workable. BUT, I do believe it was a very good decision. Now that I've got things under control (read that as still under construction lol) I'm having a good time making Reunion work for me.
One of the best features about Reunion is the Logs feature. Below are some images of how I have made the logs work for me -
The first shows a screen shot. You can see here that the Logs are found on the sidebar with your other basic choices. Very easy to find and get to.
In the second screen shot below you can see the list I've made of the places I am currently, or I hope to be researching. I've got Allen County library, along with all these other places that I have found I need work done. I've even got one for things that I really need to do right here at home. Each place that I have listed has its own "page", where you can keep track of the items that you need to locate at that location.
In this third shot you can see how I am using this Log feature by keeping lists of what I need to locate in each log, including call numbers and notes. Being able to color code things like call numbers is really helpful as it helps the call numbers stand out from the other notes. In this example you can see that I have call numbers showing in Blue. I've also been adding notes, in red, into my logs when I've researched something and perhaps didn't find what I wanted or maybe found other information.
If you are Reunion software user and haven't given these a try, hopefully this post encourages you to try the LOGS feature. Are you using the Logs feature? If so, do you use it in ways that I have not shown here? I'd love to hear from you. Please leave a comment and tell me how you use the LOGS feature!
Happy Researching!
Karen
04 November 2015
Wowsers Wednesday!
Earlier this year I switched from the Windows world to the Mac world. I must admit quite a change. Yes, there was a bit of a learning curve, which I think I've managed to handle pretty well. For those times when I hit bumps I had an awesome son to help me over them.
When I decided to go from Windows to Mac the biggest change was the genealogy software. My good friend, Diane has been using Reunion for Mac for quite a while, and her help was just awesome. Its great knowing I can ask and she's there for me. I've also joined two great groups on FB for help. One is Mac Genealogy and the other, which is actually my favorite, is the Reunion Software Users group. Fabulous Reunion support there.
I figure I am about 80% complete with the cleanup and straighten up of my data after the transfer in off all my information. I find Reunion to be a bit of a learning curve, but then again, nothing I can't handle.
I know I've been away for a while from my blogging, but the switch over combined with an office makeover, redoing all my files (remember review review review?) and normal day to day activities, I just figured a break was the thing to do.
For those who have stuck around thanks! For the those who just signed on thanks!
Hoping to get back in the "saddle" and get busy with the blogging again!
Happy researching!
Karen
When I decided to go from Windows to Mac the biggest change was the genealogy software. My good friend, Diane has been using Reunion for Mac for quite a while, and her help was just awesome. Its great knowing I can ask and she's there for me. I've also joined two great groups on FB for help. One is Mac Genealogy and the other, which is actually my favorite, is the Reunion Software Users group. Fabulous Reunion support there.
I figure I am about 80% complete with the cleanup and straighten up of my data after the transfer in off all my information. I find Reunion to be a bit of a learning curve, but then again, nothing I can't handle.
I know I've been away for a while from my blogging, but the switch over combined with an office makeover, redoing all my files (remember review review review?) and normal day to day activities, I just figured a break was the thing to do.
For those who have stuck around thanks! For the those who just signed on thanks!
Hoping to get back in the "saddle" and get busy with the blogging again!
Happy researching!
Karen
09 June 2015
Review Review Review
In yesterday's Monday Musings post I mentioned that I had started to review my older files. I also noted that I had placed the date of the last review on my folders, and that the date was 1998.
Quite a time lapse eh?
EVERY SINGLE FILE is being gone thru. Here's what I have (and am modifying).
In my desk drawer I have the main lines that are being worked on. There are about 45 or so of these files. They are stored in a deep file drawer on my right side about knee height. Very accessible for when I want to check on current stuff. In the lateral file cabinets are files for every surname on my pedigree chart, plus some smaller ones that are of interest. Mainly names that had many of that line intermarry with my lines.
The ones in the lateral files are the ones that I am now going thru file by file. Most of which have not been reviewed since 1998. So far I've found some interesting stuff. Stuff that didn't fit then but, as I found out, fits now.
What's hiding in YOUR files?
Happy Researching!
Karen
Quite a time lapse eh?
EVERY SINGLE FILE is being gone thru. Here's what I have (and am modifying).
In my desk drawer I have the main lines that are being worked on. There are about 45 or so of these files. They are stored in a deep file drawer on my right side about knee height. Very accessible for when I want to check on current stuff. In the lateral file cabinets are files for every surname on my pedigree chart, plus some smaller ones that are of interest. Mainly names that had many of that line intermarry with my lines.
The ones in the lateral files are the ones that I am now going thru file by file. Most of which have not been reviewed since 1998. So far I've found some interesting stuff. Stuff that didn't fit then but, as I found out, fits now.
- Death record for Frederick Appla who died in 1893. He is Mark's GGgrandfather. Funny I had just noted on my master to do list that I needed that item. Not any more!
- Passenger list for Henry Reusch & family. I have it recorded in my file, but no scanned image. Score! Image found with out going back and searching again. And as a bonus it has the FULL source citation on the back.
- Land deed between Frederick Appla & Gotlieb Appla, his brother, selling land he inherited from his parents! Score! This is the one item I have connecting them to the parents, Jacob & Dorthea. Again, I had noted that the deed had been found but did not have all the details. At the time it didn't fit.... IT DOES NOW!
What's hiding in YOUR files?
Happy Researching!
Karen
06 October 2014
Monday Musings
WOWSERS! Last week just flew by! I've got two more days on my series on how to not feel overwhelmed - both in genealogy and in your daily life. We still have "Make Lists" & "Say NO" to cover.
Last week was a good one, I got tons of stuff typed and edited and ready to be added to my data base. I'm working on a number of projects, which is really nothing new. Its just good to finally see it linked and added to the data base.
The youngest grandson decided to just stand up in the middle of his parents kitchen floor this past Saturday and start walking! I had just crossed over the border back into the states when the video popped up on my phone. So excited to watch that! Soon he'll be up and running with the other grandsons! They grow up so fast!
On the way home from our temp location in Burlington, Canada we stopped in a small place to eat. Nothing big, nothing fancy, but the place just stayed busy all the time we were there. Looking around I stumbled on a chalkboard drawing with some holly on it. In the middle of all the holly and stuff were the following words - 12 FRIDAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!
Happy Researching!
Karen
Last week was a good one, I got tons of stuff typed and edited and ready to be added to my data base. I'm working on a number of projects, which is really nothing new. Its just good to finally see it linked and added to the data base.
The youngest grandson decided to just stand up in the middle of his parents kitchen floor this past Saturday and start walking! I had just crossed over the border back into the states when the video popped up on my phone. So excited to watch that! Soon he'll be up and running with the other grandsons! They grow up so fast!
On the way home from our temp location in Burlington, Canada we stopped in a small place to eat. Nothing big, nothing fancy, but the place just stayed busy all the time we were there. Looking around I stumbled on a chalkboard drawing with some holly on it. In the middle of all the holly and stuff were the following words - 12 FRIDAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!
WHAT!?!?!?!?
Needless to say I was about blown off my chair. It can't be. Not that soon! Alas I'm afraid tis true.
Oh well, where has the year gone! I'm back to my typing blogs! Don't forget to watch for the last two blogs in the Overwhelmed series!Happy Researching!
Karen
02 October 2014
Overwhelmed? Let's Talk Organization!
Organization is a major issue for a lot of people. I'm not exception. I'm working very hard at organizing some things in my life, but I can tell you right now, it's not easy.
Organization covers alot of ground. It applies to lots of different aspects of our lives. Things that we need to organize in order not to feel overwhelmed can include all sorts of things - for example -
Last year I went thru all my closets (except Mr. Brown Eye's). One closet a week. All items taken out, gone thru. Some stuff donated, some stuff moved to another location, some stuff just tossed in trash. Deciding what I needed, what I didn't was a major chore. But I did it. It's not just about our household organization but our genealogy space organization. So I also did my office closet and desk.
Whether you have a room you call an office or whether you have a corner desk in the living room for your genealogy, organization is a major issue. There is nothing worse, at least to me, to go to a major repository to research, make a MAJOR find, go to type it in your computer data base only to discover its ALREADY THERE!!!!!!!!! And I know that you've done that. We all have. Because we haven't taken the time to stop digging long enough to dig ourselves out of the mess & clutter we call our "office" or "genealogy desk". If we stopped researching, just for a week or two, and took the time to get rid of the piles of papers, the clutter, the mass of disorganization, what a difference it would make in your productivity. Yes, I know its hard!
Just think if your desk wasn't covered in piles of paper you could have a list of exactly what you want to search for. Then when you have 15 minutes to sit down and research, you'll know exactly what you want to look and where! It would make such a difference in how you see things. With a decluttered desk you won't feel so overwhelmed.
There is a Facebook page for genealogy organization, "The Organized Genealogist". It is a closed group, meaning you will have to ask to be included. Keep in mind that reading all the posts can be very overwhelming. But there is alot there, with the focus being on organizing your genealogy. No genealogy surnames or such allowed. Great group.
So what will you take time to organize this week? Have you recently reorganized your genealogy space? Do you wish you had done it sooner?
Organization covers alot of ground. It applies to lots of different aspects of our lives. Things that we need to organize in order not to feel overwhelmed can include all sorts of things - for example -
- Kitchen
- Closets
- Daily Chores
- Computer Files
- Garage
- Collections (in my case my cookbook collection)
- Offices
Last year I went thru all my closets (except Mr. Brown Eye's). One closet a week. All items taken out, gone thru. Some stuff donated, some stuff moved to another location, some stuff just tossed in trash. Deciding what I needed, what I didn't was a major chore. But I did it. It's not just about our household organization but our genealogy space organization. So I also did my office closet and desk.
Whether you have a room you call an office or whether you have a corner desk in the living room for your genealogy, organization is a major issue. There is nothing worse, at least to me, to go to a major repository to research, make a MAJOR find, go to type it in your computer data base only to discover its ALREADY THERE!!!!!!!!! And I know that you've done that. We all have. Because we haven't taken the time to stop digging long enough to dig ourselves out of the mess & clutter we call our "office" or "genealogy desk". If we stopped researching, just for a week or two, and took the time to get rid of the piles of papers, the clutter, the mass of disorganization, what a difference it would make in your productivity. Yes, I know its hard!
Just think if your desk wasn't covered in piles of paper you could have a list of exactly what you want to search for. Then when you have 15 minutes to sit down and research, you'll know exactly what you want to look and where! It would make such a difference in how you see things. With a decluttered desk you won't feel so overwhelmed.
There is a Facebook page for genealogy organization, "The Organized Genealogist". It is a closed group, meaning you will have to ask to be included. Keep in mind that reading all the posts can be very overwhelming. But there is alot there, with the focus being on organizing your genealogy. No genealogy surnames or such allowed. Great group.
So what will you take time to organize this week? Have you recently reorganized your genealogy space? Do you wish you had done it sooner?
30 September 2014
Overwhelmed? Let's Talk Priorities!
In Monday's post on feeling overwhelmed, my number #1 to help decrease that way of feeling overwhelmed was to prioritize. Often when you are overwhelmed just figuring out where to start is difficult. So I'm going to offer some suggestions - elaborate on just how to do the things I suggested.
The first thing I suggested was to PRIORITIZE your life. For me it wasn't that hard, I already knew what my priorities were. I just needed to see them again. Remind MYSELF of what they were. We get so caught up in just being alive that we sometimes let things get out of hand.
So I sat down and made a list of just what matters to me. Your list may change as things change in your life. The list of a retiree will probably be different than that of a new mom or a mom with small children.
I won't put my whole list up here but an example of my list would be:
Second on the list was OUR home. No, OUR home is not all my responsibility, but I take great pride in taking care of our home. I am a homebody, I love being here at home, surrounded by the photo's and things that make this house our home. And I like it kept a certain way. That's important to me. So I make a window of time each day available for its upkeep. I'm primarily an early bird so I'm up getting Mr Brown Eyes off to work. While I'm up and he's headed out, I plan dinner, toss in laundry, straighten up, make the bed and I'm done with housework and usually in my office by 8:30. In the summer it might be later because I enjoy weeding and doing gardening when its cooler outside.
Third, fourth and fifth - the genealogy, gardening and reading really are flexible to me. Alot depends on other factors. If its going to be a beautiful day outside I might take my laptop and work on the patio, with breaks from typing to pull some weeds. The only two items on that list that are locked in stone are #1 & #2.
It ALL boils down to PRIORITIES. It really is that simple. So what are your priorities? Have you made your list? What makes your list?
The first thing I suggested was to PRIORITIZE your life. For me it wasn't that hard, I already knew what my priorities were. I just needed to see them again. Remind MYSELF of what they were. We get so caught up in just being alive that we sometimes let things get out of hand.
So I sat down and made a list of just what matters to me. Your list may change as things change in your life. The list of a retiree will probably be different than that of a new mom or a mom with small children.
I won't put my whole list up here but an example of my list would be:
- My family - includes husband, children & grandchildren
- Our home
- Genealogy
- Gardening
- Reading
Second on the list was OUR home. No, OUR home is not all my responsibility, but I take great pride in taking care of our home. I am a homebody, I love being here at home, surrounded by the photo's and things that make this house our home. And I like it kept a certain way. That's important to me. So I make a window of time each day available for its upkeep. I'm primarily an early bird so I'm up getting Mr Brown Eyes off to work. While I'm up and he's headed out, I plan dinner, toss in laundry, straighten up, make the bed and I'm done with housework and usually in my office by 8:30. In the summer it might be later because I enjoy weeding and doing gardening when its cooler outside.
Third, fourth and fifth - the genealogy, gardening and reading really are flexible to me. Alot depends on other factors. If its going to be a beautiful day outside I might take my laptop and work on the patio, with breaks from typing to pull some weeds. The only two items on that list that are locked in stone are #1 & #2.
It ALL boils down to PRIORITIES. It really is that simple. So what are your priorities? Have you made your list? What makes your list?
21 July 2014
Monday Musings
Been a busy few weeks here and an awesome weekend to top it all off. We've been staying busy with yard work. This past winter was so cold here in Michigan and the snow amounts were so bad... I know I've not seen this much snow here since I moved here 21 years ago. That said, our roses took a major hit. After much research and discussion we opted to cut them back drastically and see if maybe over the next few months they will come back. I'm pretty sure that at least two are done. We have many flower beds here at Karma Gardens and keeping up with them at times can be a daunting task. That's okay, the beauty they provide more than outweighs the work we do to keep them up.
Took a break from the upkeep of the property and went to Lansing on Friday and Saturday for the Summer Seminar put on by the Abrams Foundation & the Michigan Genealogical Council. What a great job they did. A wide variety of speakers covering a wide spectrum of topics. I think all the attendees really enjoyed themselves. Friday night was the lock in, 38 lucky persons were "locked" in the Michigan Archives for an evening of research. What a great evening.
There will be another seminar at the library on Saturday November 1st. All the details are in process but from what I saw at this past weekends seminar, the focus will be German & Pennsylvania research. Mark your calendars! I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
Happy Monday everyone!
Karen
Took a break from the upkeep of the property and went to Lansing on Friday and Saturday for the Summer Seminar put on by the Abrams Foundation & the Michigan Genealogical Council. What a great job they did. A wide variety of speakers covering a wide spectrum of topics. I think all the attendees really enjoyed themselves. Friday night was the lock in, 38 lucky persons were "locked" in the Michigan Archives for an evening of research. What a great evening.
There will be another seminar at the library on Saturday November 1st. All the details are in process but from what I saw at this past weekends seminar, the focus will be German & Pennsylvania research. Mark your calendars! I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
Happy Monday everyone!
Karen
05 May 2014
Monday Musings - Are There No Limitations Anywhere?
So here we are! Day three researching in Ft Wayne. I've already found quite a bit of stuff. Good stuff.
But I've got to ask - Are there no limitations anywhere? I remember growing up and when we were in school and went to the library, we were always told that people were reading or studying and that we were to be quiet. Fast forward XX years. Doesn't seem that way anymore.
It would seem that anything goes anymore. I will admit that I do my best "studying" when its at least semi-quiet. Granted you can't always get that. I do understand its not always possible. But in a library? Really?
It seems that some of the "offenders" are people who work here. One reason I sit where I sit is because I want to avoid alot of chatter. I want to be able to focus on what I am reading. On Saturday a lady managed to make her way into the area where I have set up camp. She was older and a little slow moving. She was SO LOUD, she sent her "son/nephew/grandson" to get a desk worker to help her. HUH? She walked right past the desk to get here... anyway the desk worker was even more loud. It was impossible to even hear yourself think. When I went to the desk to inquire about the racket, I was told "this isn't a hush hush library"... So let me get this straight, Its okay to be loud and noisy, doesn't matter at all? Seriously? I had headphones on and I could hear those two.
Now today, chatty Cathy and her co-worker who are typing in city directories have been chatting quite vocally now for over 45 minutes. Desk works go by and no one seems to care. Its almost like the library has taken on a coffee shop type atmosphere. I must say I'm disappointed. Cell phones going off, people holding conversations, desk workers who talk so loud you can hear them in adjoining rooms? REALLY? Maybe that's why alot of people stay home and research on line... they don't want to deal with these sort of things. I dunno... what do you think??
FYI - the desk worker did come and apologize for being overly loud. Apology accepted.
Happy (and noise diminished) Researching!
But I've got to ask - Are there no limitations anywhere? I remember growing up and when we were in school and went to the library, we were always told that people were reading or studying and that we were to be quiet. Fast forward XX years. Doesn't seem that way anymore.
It would seem that anything goes anymore. I will admit that I do my best "studying" when its at least semi-quiet. Granted you can't always get that. I do understand its not always possible. But in a library? Really?
It seems that some of the "offenders" are people who work here. One reason I sit where I sit is because I want to avoid alot of chatter. I want to be able to focus on what I am reading. On Saturday a lady managed to make her way into the area where I have set up camp. She was older and a little slow moving. She was SO LOUD, she sent her "son/nephew/grandson" to get a desk worker to help her. HUH? She walked right past the desk to get here... anyway the desk worker was even more loud. It was impossible to even hear yourself think. When I went to the desk to inquire about the racket, I was told "this isn't a hush hush library"... So let me get this straight, Its okay to be loud and noisy, doesn't matter at all? Seriously? I had headphones on and I could hear those two.
Now today, chatty Cathy and her co-worker who are typing in city directories have been chatting quite vocally now for over 45 minutes. Desk works go by and no one seems to care. Its almost like the library has taken on a coffee shop type atmosphere. I must say I'm disappointed. Cell phones going off, people holding conversations, desk workers who talk so loud you can hear them in adjoining rooms? REALLY? Maybe that's why alot of people stay home and research on line... they don't want to deal with these sort of things. I dunno... what do you think??
FYI - the desk worker did come and apologize for being overly loud. Apology accepted.
Happy (and noise diminished) Researching!
04 April 2014
Really? A Month? Yeah A Month! BUT....
It was worth it, at least for me. I have gotten so much done in my office. I've now gotten EVERYTHING that was laying around all scanned. Much of it is named, cropped and linked. But there is SO MUCH MORE to do yet.
I do have some "non genealogy" stuff around that needs to get put elsewhere. I did get my closet all re-organized which I've been needing to do since I moved in 7 years ago. I love my plants so there's probably way too many of them in here as well. Everything in this office is "me"... plants, photo's ... you know, STUFF.
How much stuff do you keep in your office that isn't genealogy? We won't even go into the book shelves, full of all my genie books. I need to go thru those next...
NEXT? Yes, there's always another project in the works? Mine include cleaning up my sourcing and going thru all my books to see if I missed any gold mines since my last flip thru.
I "attended" the Legacy Family Tree Webinar on sourcing in Legacy. I never knew it was so easy. My sources were done on my own, and now after seeing how easy Legacy has made it, I want to convert all of mine over. Sadly, that project will be one slated for another time, as it will be a major undertaking.
Maybe all this is the forerunner to my spring cleaning - with all the snow we had its made for a long winter here in Michigan. I'm looking forward to spring SOON!
Thanks for waiting for me to return! What have you been up to while I was working on my project??
I do have some "non genealogy" stuff around that needs to get put elsewhere. I did get my closet all re-organized which I've been needing to do since I moved in 7 years ago. I love my plants so there's probably way too many of them in here as well. Everything in this office is "me"... plants, photo's ... you know, STUFF.
How much stuff do you keep in your office that isn't genealogy? We won't even go into the book shelves, full of all my genie books. I need to go thru those next...
NEXT? Yes, there's always another project in the works? Mine include cleaning up my sourcing and going thru all my books to see if I missed any gold mines since my last flip thru.
I "attended" the Legacy Family Tree Webinar on sourcing in Legacy. I never knew it was so easy. My sources were done on my own, and now after seeing how easy Legacy has made it, I want to convert all of mine over. Sadly, that project will be one slated for another time, as it will be a major undertaking.
Maybe all this is the forerunner to my spring cleaning - with all the snow we had its made for a long winter here in Michigan. I'm looking forward to spring SOON!
Thanks for waiting for me to return! What have you been up to while I was working on my project??
27 February 2014
The Joys Of Conflicting Information
As genealogists we try as best we can to confirm the things we find. We use all sorts of "sources" from books & newspapers, vital records, baby books, cemetery records and more. At times try as we may we find there are things that just can't be proven.
A few days ago I had lunch with a good genealogy friend. As usual the topic turns to genealogy. Today's discussion was the frustration you get when you have family "lore" that can't be proven or disproven.
In my case I've got grandparents who left Ohio (some stories have it in the middle of the night), and no one can quite agree on the story. No one can say exactly why or when. My mom has four siblings and if you talk to all them, no two agree on anything. One says that they left because grandpa testified against some corruption, another says grandpa got into legal trouble, two have no idea and the other just isn't sure what happened. None of the five agree on when they left Ohio. One says in the middle of the night, one says after school and the others just don't remember.
A couple do say they came with a trailer in tow. They show me a picture of a trailer, a very large trailer and I look and wonder about how something that LARGE was pulled by a station wagon on those wandering hilly roads of Tennessee. Really?
Family stories are great but sometimes documenting them can be a challenge. City directories and land records are no help, they didn't own any land and somehow they don't appear in any city directories until many years later. And yes, this all happened after the census that we have access to.
I'm exploring other options. But tell me, how do you handle things that you, despite your best efforts, can't document?? I'd love to hear.
A few days ago I had lunch with a good genealogy friend. As usual the topic turns to genealogy. Today's discussion was the frustration you get when you have family "lore" that can't be proven or disproven.
In my case I've got grandparents who left Ohio (some stories have it in the middle of the night), and no one can quite agree on the story. No one can say exactly why or when. My mom has four siblings and if you talk to all them, no two agree on anything. One says that they left because grandpa testified against some corruption, another says grandpa got into legal trouble, two have no idea and the other just isn't sure what happened. None of the five agree on when they left Ohio. One says in the middle of the night, one says after school and the others just don't remember.
A couple do say they came with a trailer in tow. They show me a picture of a trailer, a very large trailer and I look and wonder about how something that LARGE was pulled by a station wagon on those wandering hilly roads of Tennessee. Really?
Family stories are great but sometimes documenting them can be a challenge. City directories and land records are no help, they didn't own any land and somehow they don't appear in any city directories until many years later. And yes, this all happened after the census that we have access to.
I'm exploring other options. But tell me, how do you handle things that you, despite your best efforts, can't document?? I'd love to hear.
16 December 2013
Monday Musings
The past few weeks have just flown by. I haven't done much genealogy, mostly I've been focused on removing all the papers from my office/desk area. Going paperless is quite a chore. I've made great headway and I'm happy to report that I've removed all the papers that are genealogy related. I've got a few that aren't but those too will disappear in time.
I've scanned all those copies to my flash/thumb drives and I've began the task of transcribing, editing and linking them all to the persons/families in my data base. Boy what a chore that is going to be! But I know when its done I'll be thrilled.
I've written here before about my move from PC to Mac. I still had my PC, mainly as a crutch and partly because I still had a file or two I wanted to get off. It had been giving me "error" messages about a hard drive failure, which of course I didn't pay a lot of attention to. Well it did crash. To the point, AFTER it crashed I figured out that I had two files on there that I had not yet moved. Luckily my techy son took care of that this weekend while he was here.
NOW, I have both of those files and I'm a happy camper. I've been tracing the family of auto pioneer Henry Ford for many years, and that data base was one that was on the crashed PC, happily it now resides on my Mac! Whew!
The shopping is done, the holiday parties are winding down (one more to go!) and now I can focus a bit on just chilling and getting some genealogy stuff done.
How about you?
I've scanned all those copies to my flash/thumb drives and I've began the task of transcribing, editing and linking them all to the persons/families in my data base. Boy what a chore that is going to be! But I know when its done I'll be thrilled.
I've written here before about my move from PC to Mac. I still had my PC, mainly as a crutch and partly because I still had a file or two I wanted to get off. It had been giving me "error" messages about a hard drive failure, which of course I didn't pay a lot of attention to. Well it did crash. To the point, AFTER it crashed I figured out that I had two files on there that I had not yet moved. Luckily my techy son took care of that this weekend while he was here.
NOW, I have both of those files and I'm a happy camper. I've been tracing the family of auto pioneer Henry Ford for many years, and that data base was one that was on the crashed PC, happily it now resides on my Mac! Whew!
The shopping is done, the holiday parties are winding down (one more to go!) and now I can focus a bit on just chilling and getting some genealogy stuff done.
How about you?
21 October 2013
Monday Musings
As many know I've moved most of my computer "stuff" over to the Mac world. I'm actually quite comfortable there. A small learning curve was required but with the help of my techy son, Eric, I've managed to get it together and be comfortable there. EXCEPT in the genealogy realm. That I'm afraid is not going so well.
I have two Mac genealogy software and to be honest neither is making me happy. Maybe I'm just too spoiled with Legacy? I even joined the beta test for Heredis thinking maybe that would be helpful. NOT.
Here's the scoop - I have Reunion and I have Heredis. Both great pieces of software. EXCEPT that neither works for me. To use either one I would have to spend an eternity repairing and replacing things to make the software work for me.
Custom facts would have to be redone, ALL sources would have to be totally reworked, note fields replaced/moved.... and that's just in Reunion. In Heredis any location that doesn't have a city name would show up in my reports as ?, Oakland County, (Michigan). I still don't understand why that is the way it needs to be. All states end up in ( ), no choice, its just the way it has to be. Every note and every source is the at the bottom of every page, no choices there either. That doesn't work for me. Reunion does see my photo's, not all, just the ones linked to the individual. Forget anything linked to a fact. Heredis sees no photo's at all. With many thousands of photo's not showing, just relinking all my photo's would take forever...
What it boils down to basically is I'm going to be using Legacy for a very long time unless someone can show me a way to make a Mac genealogy software work for me without having to totally rework my file. I really like both pieces of software, don't get me wrong. But I'm a researcher, that's what I do. Why spend the rest of my life making all those changes when I can stay in Legacy? I'd love to move to the Mac side with the genealogy but... you get the picture...
Anyone else out there have any suggestions? If so I'd love to hear them!
I have two Mac genealogy software and to be honest neither is making me happy. Maybe I'm just too spoiled with Legacy? I even joined the beta test for Heredis thinking maybe that would be helpful. NOT.
Here's the scoop - I have Reunion and I have Heredis. Both great pieces of software. EXCEPT that neither works for me. To use either one I would have to spend an eternity repairing and replacing things to make the software work for me.
Custom facts would have to be redone, ALL sources would have to be totally reworked, note fields replaced/moved.... and that's just in Reunion. In Heredis any location that doesn't have a city name would show up in my reports as ?, Oakland County, (Michigan). I still don't understand why that is the way it needs to be. All states end up in ( ), no choice, its just the way it has to be. Every note and every source is the at the bottom of every page, no choices there either. That doesn't work for me. Reunion does see my photo's, not all, just the ones linked to the individual. Forget anything linked to a fact. Heredis sees no photo's at all. With many thousands of photo's not showing, just relinking all my photo's would take forever...
What it boils down to basically is I'm going to be using Legacy for a very long time unless someone can show me a way to make a Mac genealogy software work for me without having to totally rework my file. I really like both pieces of software, don't get me wrong. But I'm a researcher, that's what I do. Why spend the rest of my life making all those changes when I can stay in Legacy? I'd love to move to the Mac side with the genealogy but... you get the picture...
Anyone else out there have any suggestions? If so I'd love to hear them!
10 October 2013
Memories... Stock Car Races
So last night over dinner, we (Mr. Brown Eyes, my mom, and myself) were discussing my youth. I guess you might say I wasn't a party animal as a teenager. It really wasn't something that really appealed to me. Wasn't really interested in beer or parties or that sort of thing. Didn't care if you did, but it just didn't work for me. Wasn't interested in being popular or any of that stuff. What was I so busy doing that I wasn't interested in the other stuff? Racing!
Our family has a history with cars - more specific I'd say stock cars. On Friday nights and sometimes Saturday nights too we'd all go to the race track in our home town. My uncles - Ron, Richard & Gary got together and got into racing. Eventually my dad joined the crew as well. Richard was head mechanic - he could make anything fast - the two tone Chevy you see won many trophies drag racing. The ones in the photo below are just a tiny fraction of the trophies he accumulated over the years drag racing.
Once we moved into stock racing, my grandfather's construction company became the sponsor of the car. The #35 was one of the first entries into the world of stock car racing. I believe the driver of that first car was a friend of my uncles - Bud Olsen.
The third photo down is a photo of my grandfather, Ray Phillips, with two of my uncles and my dad with the #35.
Fourth photo down was one my personal favorite stock cars, it was the bright yellow (yeah I know its a black and white photo!) #12. Many awesome photo's with checkered flags and that car. This one has my favorite driver, my uncle Ron Radley posing with a checkered flag after one of his many wins.
The fifth photo down is of my cousin Brian Phillips as a very young child posing in the bright red #24. I don't have as many memories of the #24. But I do remember the hours my uncles spent making these race cars fly, and how proud we were of them when they took that checkered flag!
Many happy hours were spent at those race tracks and I'm so glad that we as a family spent that time making those memories. The entire family there in the stands (the ones that weren't in the pits with the cars), the bags of peanuts we shared, the shells everywhere, ice cold pepsi's we shared... most of all the sense of family that it instilled in us and finally the memories we have.
My uncle Ron Radley passed away several years ago - but every time I see a stock car on a trailer headed for the race track I think of him - the checkered flags, the sound of those engines. My kids think I'm crazy when I go to the Woodward Dream Cruise and I actually enjoy the sound of those big engines. Now they know where that comes from. Thanks Ron, Richard, Gary, Dad and the rest of the crew for the memories! After all, families is what Family History is all about!
Our family has a history with cars - more specific I'd say stock cars. On Friday nights and sometimes Saturday nights too we'd all go to the race track in our home town. My uncles - Ron, Richard & Gary got together and got into racing. Eventually my dad joined the crew as well. Richard was head mechanic - he could make anything fast - the two tone Chevy you see won many trophies drag racing. The ones in the photo below are just a tiny fraction of the trophies he accumulated over the years drag racing.
Once we moved into stock racing, my grandfather's construction company became the sponsor of the car. The #35 was one of the first entries into the world of stock car racing. I believe the driver of that first car was a friend of my uncles - Bud Olsen.
The third photo down is a photo of my grandfather, Ray Phillips, with two of my uncles and my dad with the #35.
Fourth photo down was one my personal favorite stock cars, it was the bright yellow (yeah I know its a black and white photo!) #12. Many awesome photo's with checkered flags and that car. This one has my favorite driver, my uncle Ron Radley posing with a checkered flag after one of his many wins.
The fifth photo down is of my cousin Brian Phillips as a very young child posing in the bright red #24. I don't have as many memories of the #24. But I do remember the hours my uncles spent making these race cars fly, and how proud we were of them when they took that checkered flag!
Many happy hours were spent at those race tracks and I'm so glad that we as a family spent that time making those memories. The entire family there in the stands (the ones that weren't in the pits with the cars), the bags of peanuts we shared, the shells everywhere, ice cold pepsi's we shared... most of all the sense of family that it instilled in us and finally the memories we have.
My uncle Ron Radley passed away several years ago - but every time I see a stock car on a trailer headed for the race track I think of him - the checkered flags, the sound of those engines. My kids think I'm crazy when I go to the Woodward Dream Cruise and I actually enjoy the sound of those big engines. Now they know where that comes from. Thanks Ron, Richard, Gary, Dad and the rest of the crew for the memories! After all, families is what Family History is all about!
07 October 2013
Monday Musings
It's been a crazy few weeks here hence the lack of blogs. Thanks for your patience. I've redone my email accounts, opened some new, got rid of some old, but the contact information here stayed the same. Thankfully I've got a very techy son who saves my backside when I get in over my head on computer stuff.
We've added another branch to our family tree. Jacob Michael Luotonen weighed in at 8 pounds 2 ounces when he joined us on Saturday morning, September 28th, 2013. He's adorable, looks just like his awesome mom! Needless to say grandma can't stop smiling at the thought. Holding him brings back so many memories of the three older grandsons when they were that size and of course our two kids when they were just infants. Congrats to our daughter, Amanda and her husband, David on a job well done!
The scanning and re-organization project is ongoing. I think I finally have every loose paper from my summer research trips scanned to my flash/thumb drives. Now the fun begins as I start to transcribe and clean up those images to link in my data base.
Speaking of databases, I've joined the Heredis for Mac beta test that is going on. So far things look great, but my "test" file still has some issues I'm not thrilled with. Heredis is a European Genealogy software that has recently come on to the US genealogy software scene. It has great potential and I'm enjoying the experience thus far.
Mom has arrived from Florida for a few months. Its always great having her here to enjoy the holidays with us. The grandsons think she's awesome and since she's the shortest one in the family at only 5'1 the oldest grandson thinks she's great - he's finally taller than one of the adults!
It's Monday, time to get busy! How about you? What have you been working on?
Happy Researching!
Karen
We've added another branch to our family tree. Jacob Michael Luotonen weighed in at 8 pounds 2 ounces when he joined us on Saturday morning, September 28th, 2013. He's adorable, looks just like his awesome mom! Needless to say grandma can't stop smiling at the thought. Holding him brings back so many memories of the three older grandsons when they were that size and of course our two kids when they were just infants. Congrats to our daughter, Amanda and her husband, David on a job well done!
The scanning and re-organization project is ongoing. I think I finally have every loose paper from my summer research trips scanned to my flash/thumb drives. Now the fun begins as I start to transcribe and clean up those images to link in my data base.
Speaking of databases, I've joined the Heredis for Mac beta test that is going on. So far things look great, but my "test" file still has some issues I'm not thrilled with. Heredis is a European Genealogy software that has recently come on to the US genealogy software scene. It has great potential and I'm enjoying the experience thus far.
Mom has arrived from Florida for a few months. Its always great having her here to enjoy the holidays with us. The grandsons think she's awesome and since she's the shortest one in the family at only 5'1 the oldest grandson thinks she's great - he's finally taller than one of the adults!
It's Monday, time to get busy! How about you? What have you been working on?
Happy Researching!
Karen
11 September 2013
Wedding Wednesday - 1946
Valley City
With palms and soft candlelight decorating the alter and foreground, Lorena E. Reusch, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy R. Reusch, became the bride of James M. Metti of Cleveland. The single ring ceremony was performed in the Emmanuel Evangelical and Reformed Church of Valley City on Saturday evening, Nov. 30, at 7:30 o'clock with Rev. Robert Frey officiating. A short recital preceded the ceremony at which time Mrs. Katherine Schake of Cleveland sang, "Because" and "The Lord's Prayer" preceding the benediction and was accompanied by Miss Rosemary Jones, the organist. The bride was given in marriage by her father. She wore a soft wool melon colored street length dress with black accessories. Her corsage was a lavender orchid. Miss Lucille Reusch, sister of the bride, served as bridesmaid. She chose a dress of aqua wool with black accessories and wore a corsage of pink and white carnations. Mrs. Barbara Bodnar, friend of the bride from Windham, served as matron of honor. Her dress was gray with black accessories. Steve, brother of the groom, served as best man. Willard Reusch, brother of the bride, served as attendant and also as usher. Joseph Kostya of Cleveland served as an usher for his cousin. The bride's mother wore a fuschia colored dress with black accessories and a corsage of white roses, mums and carnations. The grandmothers of the bride, Mrs. Amanda Reusch of Valley City and Mrs. Caroline Bauer of Medina, wore corsages of white gardenias. Following the ceremony a reception was held at the home of the bride's parents for 65 guests. The bride is a graduate of Liverpool high school and was employed by the East Ohio Gas company of Cleveland. The groom is a graduate of a Cleveland school and is an employee of the Navy Building of Cleveland. After a short trip to Washington, D.C., and New York they will make their home at 9118 Cumberland Street in Cleveland.
03 September 2013
Tombstone Tuesday
Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the John A. Arpp Funeral Home, Germantown, for George O. Kreitzer, 79, of West Carrolton, who died Friday morning at the Delp Nursing Home, Dayton. He had been in failing health for the past year. Pastor Paul Ressler officiated at the services and burial was in Germantown Cemetery.
Kreitzer was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Germantown, and a retired machine operator at Moraine Box Co. in Dayton.
Survivors are four daughters, Mrs. John Fox and Mrs. Lawrence Miller of Germantown, Mrs. Ray Phillips of Bradenton, Florida and Mrs. Gerald Zeck of Columbus; a son Firman Kreitzer of Miamisburg; a brother, Clarence Kreitzer of Farmersville; 14 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.
07 August 2013
Research, Research and More...
I've been very diligent about working on getting all my data from our recent research trips to Dayton & Darke County, Ohio put into my database. But I've also been following alot of the conversations on the Facebook site for the Organized Genealogist. So much good stuff coming across there that it makes you stop and think sometimes.
Its a closed group, you have to ask to get in, but the stuff you can learn about organizing your files, your heirlooms, photographs and so much more. Awesome group.
I'm off today to work at the State Library in Lansing. I've got quite a few pages of people that I need obits from Michigan newspapers on. My friend Diane and I will research and then stop for dinner on the way home. Sort of a girls day out genealogy style!
Saturday I'm off to Ft. Wayne again. This has turned out to be a win win thing for both Mr. Brown Eyes and myself. He joined the local bridge group in Ft Wayne, has a regular partner and everything. He's playing there twice a month. The bonus is that I get to research at the library while he's a few miles away playing bridge. WIN!
On a non-genealogy note, we recently had solar installed on our roof. It's something we've wanted to do for quite a while. By installing the solar on the roof we're now eligible for the solar lottery - a chance to get paid some dandy funds for our solar in addition to the funds the solar generates, as well as a few bucks back on the installation fees. Today's the drawings on the lottery, they'll be posted tomorrow. Cross your fingers for us!
Happy Researching!
Its a closed group, you have to ask to get in, but the stuff you can learn about organizing your files, your heirlooms, photographs and so much more. Awesome group.
I'm off today to work at the State Library in Lansing. I've got quite a few pages of people that I need obits from Michigan newspapers on. My friend Diane and I will research and then stop for dinner on the way home. Sort of a girls day out genealogy style!
Saturday I'm off to Ft. Wayne again. This has turned out to be a win win thing for both Mr. Brown Eyes and myself. He joined the local bridge group in Ft Wayne, has a regular partner and everything. He's playing there twice a month. The bonus is that I get to research at the library while he's a few miles away playing bridge. WIN!
On a non-genealogy note, we recently had solar installed on our roof. It's something we've wanted to do for quite a while. By installing the solar on the roof we're now eligible for the solar lottery - a chance to get paid some dandy funds for our solar in addition to the funds the solar generates, as well as a few bucks back on the installation fees. Today's the drawings on the lottery, they'll be posted tomorrow. Cross your fingers for us!
Happy Researching!
24 July 2013
Wedding Wednesday
Married - Miss Susie Stiver,
who at one time was a resident of this city, now of Miamisburg, was wedded on last
Thursday, to Mr. Charles Zehring, of Richmond, Indiana. The ceremony took
place at the United Brethren Parsonage and was performed by Rev. W.I.Underwood.
Miss Nellie Ogden and Warren Bellman, of Miamisburg, were the attendants.
After the ceremony a wedding supper was served at Maplewood Inn, Chatauqua, and
then Mr. and Mrs. Zehring left for their home in Richmond, Ind., where Mr.
Zehring is connected with the Starr Piano Company.*
*Germantown Press, 11 JUN 1925, Pg Unk.
22 July 2013
Monday Musings
The switch to Reunion has really slowed things down around here as far as genealogy goes. Many of my facts that I had customized in Legacy really didn't transfer in well at all. All in all I do believe it will be worth it once we get everything straightened and reorganized.
Still inputting information from our Dayton, Ohio trip over the 4th of July week. We do that trip every year and no matter how often I go there are still more obituaries to find, headstone's to photograph and people to meet. It never gets old.
I'm considering some changes to the blog, mainly mixing things up on different days. I thrive on change so you just never know what's going to change or when. For now still in pondering stage.
This coming Saturday we will be researching in Ft Wayne, I've got a to do list there that is actually printed out and comb bound. Much easier to keep up with all the pages. Mr. Brown eyes will work with me in the morning and then slip off to go play bridge all afternoon. We so enjoy these trips together.
Earlier this month I started a reorganize and declutter of my office - it started with getting all those pesky computer wires (you know you have them too!) up off the floors. I used a very large clip and now all the wires are clipped up in several places to the back of my desk. Its easy, rather inexpensive and it works! I also have one of those large clips holding up the power strip on the end of the desk! I'm cleaning out the cubbyholes on the hutch of desk and then to hit the folder holder with all the file folders. Its time to get this taken care of!
How about you? What are you working on this week?
Still inputting information from our Dayton, Ohio trip over the 4th of July week. We do that trip every year and no matter how often I go there are still more obituaries to find, headstone's to photograph and people to meet. It never gets old.
I'm considering some changes to the blog, mainly mixing things up on different days. I thrive on change so you just never know what's going to change or when. For now still in pondering stage.
This coming Saturday we will be researching in Ft Wayne, I've got a to do list there that is actually printed out and comb bound. Much easier to keep up with all the pages. Mr. Brown eyes will work with me in the morning and then slip off to go play bridge all afternoon. We so enjoy these trips together.
Earlier this month I started a reorganize and declutter of my office - it started with getting all those pesky computer wires (you know you have them too!) up off the floors. I used a very large clip and now all the wires are clipped up in several places to the back of my desk. Its easy, rather inexpensive and it works! I also have one of those large clips holding up the power strip on the end of the desk! I'm cleaning out the cubbyholes on the hutch of desk and then to hit the folder holder with all the file folders. Its time to get this taken care of!
How about you? What are you working on this week?
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