Writing My Story

I'm getting back to writing. I signed up with Amy Johnson Crow's: 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge. I belong to a writing group once a month through my local society. I struggle, but the group helps me make sense of what I'm trying to say. I may not make all 52 weeks, but I'm willing to start.

I came across this great motivator from Thomas MacEntee's Twitter feed and on Facebook: 18 Writing Tips for 2018: How to Tell Personal and Family Stories with Confidence. I especially like tip number 3, Make a Time Line of Major Life Events. I really like the concept. After reading the whole article, I shared the link on my society's Facebook page and sent the link to my writing group.

I found a notebook I had and emptied out pages that had writing on them. Then I started to write down each year I've been alive. Left a page or two between each year and started adding in some of the big turning points of my life.

I don't have to write about ancestors. I'll write about whomever I want. I just want to START!

Copyright 2018, Gayle Ficarra Wolcott
#52ancestors #genealogy

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

6 June 2014, SCGS Jamboree, day 1

The first free session I went to was "10 Tips for Finding Newsletter Content" by Gena Philibert-Ortega. Gena comes to our local society, Ventura County Genealogical Society each July and does a mini seminar for us (http://venturacogensoc.org) so I know her talk would be worth my time. I'm not our newsletter editor but I picked up some terrific tips from her about writing articles for our newsletter.

The next session I went to was "Making the Case: Change and Technology in Your Society" by Randy Whited. I've heard Randy talk before too. He use to host the Blog Talk Radio podcast, My Society. He explained the changes that the Texas State Genealogical Society made in the way they conducted their society business.  

So many sessions to choose from, oh my! I finally settled on an old favorite of mine, Thomas MacEntee "Genealogy Cloud Computing." He did not let me down. He's always prepared, always has great handouts, he's knowledgeable and even funny. I always try and get at least one of his classes when he's on the roster.

2:30 p.m. session I chose "Evernote for Genealogists," with Jordan Jones. I was sitting about two rows back from one of the projection screens. I sometimes found it hard to hear Mr. Jones.

4:00 p.m. session was with another all-star speaker, Paula Stuart-Warren, "Manuscript Finding Aids: Locating Migrating Family Records." Ms Stuart-Warren doesn't disappoint, she really knows her stuff! I didn't have her handout printed out in advance but I downloaded it onto my tablet so was able to follow along.

I probably shouldn't have gone to my last session at 5:30 p.m. I was tired, kept watching the clock because the session was going to end at 6:30 and the banquet was starting at 7:30 p.m. Wouldn't give me much time to dash back up to my room, change my clothes and then get in line for dinner. But I went anyway because it was Rhonda McClure, "Following the Crumbs: Tracing Family through Land Records." In my mother's paternal line our ancestors were farmers. I want to start researching Wisconsin land records. I liked her talk and handout; I'll probably refer to it often.

Copyright, 2014, Gayle Ficarra Wolcott