Tuesday, January 27, 2015

New Backpack

A few weeks ago I read a Facebook post from Thomas MacEntee where he describes the backpack he uses:

“When I travel to genealogy conferences, many people ask me where I got my rolling backpack – it is a High Sierra Powerglide Wheeled Book Bag from Amazon – and it is 59% off right now…”

Since my old backpack I usually use has seen better days, I jumped right onto the Amazon.com link and checked it out and read the reviews. So glad I did. I ordered the black backpack right then. Here are some of the terrific selling points for me:

1)      Large, multi-compartment design with CUSHION ZONE padded computer sleeve holds most 17" (screen size) notebook computers.
2)      Large, zippered front compartment has premium organizer with media pocket, zippered pocket, multiple open pockets and removable key fob.
3)      Zippered accessory compartment has a headphone port.
4)      Smooth rolling, corner-mounted wheels.
5)      Double-tube telescoping handle stows inside a protective zippered compartment.
6)      Contoured, adjustable mesh padded shoulder straps store behind a zippered, padded core back panel
7)      Zippered side pockets hold a water bottle or other gear.
8)      Triangle clip to attach a lock or other accessories.
9)      Corner guards and a kick plate protect the bag from abrasion.
10)  Reflective accents for night safety
 
The backpack arrived yesterday, was I ever excited!
I’ll be going to the 2015 FGS/RootsTech Conference in style!

© 2015, Gayle Ficarra Wolcott

Monday, January 26, 2015

Preparing for FGS/RootsTech 2015 Conference

13 days until I board a jet plane and head to Salt Lake City, UT, to attend the 2015 FGS/RootsTech Conference. I've been busy. I'm finally updating my RootsMagic database with all the copied and downloaded files I've had for my German immigrant great-great-grandfather, Andreas Ramminger.

I took a German genealogy course through the Genealogical Studies program. So glad I did. Of course I wish I hadn't signed up during December/January, made things really hectic. Working through my assignments I found the Andreas with his first wife and six children in the New York Passenger List on Ancestry.com. I now have the port of departure, Rotterdam, and the date they arrived in United States, 6 July 1852.

I have such a feeling of accomplishment. I've been dutifully citing all my sources. I can then file all those pieces of paper in my permanent file folders.

 After I've updated the database I want to generate reports, save them as PDFs and import them to my tablet computer. This way I won't have to carry all the papers on the trip.

 I've been checking the weather for Salt Lake and making notes on my trip check list. This time next week I'll break-out my suitcase and start throwing in the items I'll need.

© 2015, Gayle Ficarra Wolcott

Saturday, January 17, 2015

FGS/RootsTech 2015 Conference

I’ll be attending the FGS/RootsTech 2015 Conferences in Salt Lake City being held February 11-14. I’ve been busy mentally packing my bags and getting my check lists updated. I'm getting there a few days early so I'll also do some serious research at the Family History Library. I want to be prepared, here’s a portion of my list so far:

 
GENEALOGY STUFF
Pens, pencils + highlighters
Dryline
Research & Journal logs
Spiral-bound notebook

ELECTRONICS
Tablet, power & charging cords
Phone & charger
Flash drive

MISCELLANEOUS
Return address labels
Personal business cards
Water bottle
Antibacterial Hand Wipes

Copyright 2015, Gayle Ficarra Wolcott

NOTE:  I am an FGS ambassador, but I don't receive any benefits for being one.