Jamboree 2011 - Sunday Sessions

We had a slow, but enjoyable, morning on Sunday. We had to pack and check out by 11:00, so we kind of got things together and then went down to the cafe for breakfast. After eating we returned to the room, finished packing up, called to have our bags stored, and checked out. Then we went to the exhibit hall, something neither of us had had time to fit in up until then. After that, we hit two sessions.

Advanced Photo Detecting by Maureen Taylor: I have heard her speak before and wanted to make sure I got into one of her sessions this year. Maureen Taylor does amazing things with old photos! It is so interesting to hear her talk about cases she has worked on, and points to help us figure out who is in all of those old photos many of us have with no names on them.

Migration Routes of our Ancestors by Leland K. Meitzler: Our question, so how did those Prime brothers get to Indiana by 1820? Leland talk, quickly, about all the different routes, where they were (and are), and when they started being used. It was enough information for a three house talk, done in one hour! My head was spinning! But it made me want to figure it out even more than before!

After this session we decided it was time to head for home. We reviewed, planned, and analyzed all the way home. It was a wonderful conference and we are already anticipating next year's Jamboree. Great job, Southern California Genealogical Society!

Jamboree 2011 - Saturday Sessions

After staying up way later than we should have, talking, exploring with our new knowledge, planning...Too fun!...we were up early on Saturday in order to get to our breakfast and presentation on 21st Century Marketing for Genealogy Societies by Thomas MacEntee.

They Became Americans by Lou Szucs FUGA: All about naturalization and where to find the records. It amazes me every time I hear that there was a time in our country when women lost their citizenship if they married a man who was not a citizen!

Find Them Fast by Anne Mitchell: Great speaker! I really enjoyed listening to her speak! Although the session was about using the search at Ancestry to find ancestors, her message was really about telling their story! Loved it!

But It Ain't Really the ORIGINAL Record! by Kory Meyerink, AG, FUGA: Primary vs secondary sources! Holey, moley! It all gets so complicated! This is an area I need to keep working on!

Finding your English/Welsh Ancestors by Margo McKinstry, AG: A lot of our ancestors came from England. Unfortunately, they came too early for this information to be of much use. Parish records are where it is at for us!

The dinner banquet tonight was good and included Curt Witcher as our speaker. His presentation, The High Tech and High Touch of 21st Century Genealogy, was focused on encouraging us to embrace today's technology.

Jamboree 2011 - Friday Sessions

Friday was a full day of sessions and learning! Very fun! Not too crowded, but I know that there will be more people here tomorrow, so I am enjoying the elbow room today. I believe I heard someone say that there were 1700 pre-registered for the conference.

Genealogy Society Development Workshop (Made up of three sessions and speakers)

• The Shape of the 21st Century Genealogical Society by George Morgan: I have been absorbing anything having to do with Society growth recently and this was a continuation of that. Much of what was discussed I had come across in my research, however, it was good to hear it again, with comments and examples. Of course, much of it was focused on technology and how to use it to the benefit of the Society. This was a great way to start the conference!






• But...It's My Family!by Cath Madden Trindle: Lots of wonderful information on copyright laws as it pertains to genealogists and societies. Not really what I am looking for right now, but very important to re-visit, but for myself and for the GSOR.






• Program! Program! Git yer Program! by Jana Sloan Broglin: The focus here was on providing a good programs for the Society. The ins and outs of meetings, speakers, seminars, etc. The presenter gave a good list of resources for finding speakers as well as important information about contracts. I am also impressed by the focus on the need for advertising the Society! I know that this is an area we really need to work on!

Prostitution in the Wild West by Jana Sloan Broglin, CG: Okay, this one was just because it sounded fun and interesting! No, I have no reason to believe it applies to us, but...

Using Veterans' Censuses and Lists by Leland K. Meitzler: As usual, Mr. Meitzler's enthusiasm for his topic was infectious! He provided lots of resources for finding veterans, from the Revolutionary War through the present. He showed examples of each record type, what information is included, and where to find the records. The comment was made that we are seeing a huge increase of digitized records recently and, therefore, the list of resources is only a start. Continuing to check to see what is available is crucial.

U.S. Agricultural Census Schedules by George G. Morgan: Genealogists use census records all the time. But many of us don't use them to their full benefit. And we sure don't us the Agricultural Schedules as often as we should! This session was focused on where to find them, what is on them, and why we should pursue them.

We finished the day at the banquet. The food was good, the company was good, and we enjoyed the speaker, Tony Burroughs.

Jamboree 2011 - We Have Arrived!

We have arrived in Burbank for the 2011 Jamboree! We are in our room, looking out the window, watching all of the attendees come through the doors. We can pick up our registration packets at 6:00 PM. There have been a few sessions today, mostly focused on writing about your family history (Writers Workshop). This evening there is a Kids Camp. I may have to go down and take a look at that one!

Patti

Jamboree 2011 - Anticipation!

We, Rob and I, are so excited! We are leaving soon for Burbank, CA and the Jamboree 2011, the biggest and best genealogy conference on the west coast!

More reports to follow!