SCGS 2015 Jamboree – Day 1

I’m in Burbank, CA for the annual Jamboree put on each year by Southern California Genealogical Society. I’ve been a member for several years and try not to miss this national conference which is “in my neighborhood.” No airport, TSA screening, tight seats and recirculating air. I do like to have a hotel room for the duration of the conference because I hate driving 50 minutes to over an hour each way, each day from home.

I attended an all-day workshop titled “Creating a Digital Genealogy Scrapbook” by Barb Groth.

We needed to bring our laptop as the process could not be completed on a smart phone or a tablet.

Ms. Groth sent an email with instructions what to have ready before we came to class. We should have some (not necessarily all) of the following information saved to our desktop in a single folder:

·         Family photos – each should be a minimum of 300 dpi

·         Documents, such as census records, church records, naturalization, military, newspaper articles, etc.

·         Scanned memorabilia – medals, etc.

·         Maps or photos of places and/or locations your family came from or resided in

·         A few Word document with brief typed information about the family or person you are including in the album

We downloaded the free demo version of the software program “ScrapRoom.” http://scraproomsoftware.com/purchase.html  (Scroll down until you see the free demo version.)

We also downloaded free templates and elements to use in the program at http://www.simplyyin.blogspot.com/   (Scroll all the way down the page until you see: Mye De Leon FREE Demo Kit.)

She recommended to watch any scrapbook tutorials on YouTube.com and just have fun! Use Google to look for other free design layouts for scrapbooking.

Ms. Groth discussed the organization of photos, elements and documents on our computer, the ScrapRoom Software and its components, and the organization of the album. We began to design and develop the actual pages of the album. I wasn’t able to complete the album in class. We were learning the techniques, but felt confident I’d be able to complete the album on my own. We could also purchase the Guide that’s been written to help assist with step by step directions. I’ll probably pick it up in the Exhibit Hall tomorrow.

I’m looking forward to completing my album at home.

©2015, copyright Gayle Ficarra Wolcott. All rights reserved.

2013 Jamboree - Day 1

I've been coming to SCGS Jamboree for about 10 years.  I look forward to all three days.  I've always blocked out those days early on our family calendar. Sent in my registration, packed my bag and my genealogy info.

This year was no exception. I downloaded the 2013 App; got it all setup with my schedule. I had reserved a room at the Marriott for three nights. I even got here extra early just to get a parking spot in the lot.  Didn't want to have to park over at the airport and then schlep my luggage.  I was so ready, prepared, excited, just forgot one little thing.  I forgot to send in my early registration.  Tomorrow, I'll be standing in line at 12 p.m. as a walk-in registrant.

This won't dampen my excitement about being here in Burbank. Hope I get into all the classes I want.  If not, I have backup classes I can dash to.

2013 NGS Conference - Travel Day

I'm in Las Vegas this week to attend my first National Genealogical Society (NGS) conference. This is actually my third conference this year. January I attended the Family History Expo in Mesa, AZ. March, I went to Salt Lake City for Rootstech 3. In June I'll make my annual trek to Burbank, CA for Southern California Genealogical Society's Jamboree.

I flew in early this afternoon, got my room; settled in. I then went in search of the convention center so I could pick up my conference materials. I plan on attending the 8 am opening session, then spend some time to scope out the exhibit hall.

Here's the sessions I hope to attend on Wednesday. The first in each group are the sessions I hope to get a seat; the second choice is my backup:

11 AM, W121: Debunking Misleading Records - Thomas W. Jones
11 AM, W129: The Ultimate Genealogy SuperSearch Engine - Daniel Horowitz

2:30 PM, W142: The Genealogical Proof Standard - Elizabeth Shown Mills
2:30 PM, W143: Basic Military Research - Craig Roberts Scott

4 PM, W155: Divorce Records in Genealogical Research - Pam Stone Eagleson
4 PM, W152: Impossible Immigrant! I know Everything About the Man Except Where He Came From - F. Warren Bittner

I'm looking forward to tomorrow.

Copyright (c) 2013, Gayle Ficarra Wolcott