My First Genealogy Workshop Presentation

I began tracing my family history in 1994 out of a need to understand my roots. After researching for several years, I felt the need to share my findings with others. As early as 1995, I began sharing my findings at family reunions.

However, a few years later, an opportunity arose for me to share genealogy and family history beyond my family. My first major opportunity to conduct a genealogy workshop came from the library of Old Dominion University (ODU) in Norfolk, VA. It was interesting how I got the invitation to speak at ODU. I was working as an applications computer software trainer (Microsoft Office/WordPerfect, etc.) and my company had a contract to train ODU employees in computer skills. I was originally supposed to conduct training at another company, but that class was canceled and I was sent to ODU to teach a computer class instead.

In my introduction to my class, I mentioned that my hobby was tracing my family history. Ironically the Friends of the Library of ODU were planning a genealogy conference and needed someone to speak about genealogy and computers. I don’t remember exactly who was in this class, but I guess someone in the class was on this committee because these were all ODU employees whom I was training.

Months later, I was invited to present a session on using Family Tree Maker and Internet software at the Friends of the Library genealogy conference on a Saturday in July 1998. The presentation was a success and I also learned a lot from the other speakers.

Now, almost eleven years later, I have had numerous opportunities to conduct genealogy workshops at churches, libraries, cultural festivals, and local and national genealogical societies.

This weekend, I was notified of my acceptance as a workshop speaker for the first International Black Genealogy Summit on October 29-31, 2009 at the Allen County Public Library. I look forward to this opportunity and to other opportunities to conduct workshops.

Twitter Cheat Sheet

Last Sunday night, I became a Tweep or Twit. In Twitter language, that means I became a Twitter user. Everyday this week one of my coworkers and I have been exploring this system. Read more about why we began using Twitter.

As of 2:56 PM, EST, I am following 45 other Tweeps, have sent 30 tweets, and have 23 followers.

Today, I received a message from Geneabloggers that included a Twitter Cheat Sheet. I thought I’d share it with my blog audience. Thanks to Thomas McEntee for developing this cheat sheet and for sharing it with others.

Twitter and Blog Promotion

One of my coworkers introduced me to this website the http://www.2createawebsite.com/ and the video on Lisa’s Website Traffic Secrets . Lisa did a great job talking about the history of various web technologies on through the present ones. Towards the end of the video, she mentioned how she uses Twitter to promote her blog, and not for posting trivial things about what she is doing.

My coworker, who is also a blogger, and I had an earlier discussion about Twitter. We decided that it was not necessary to use this tool because we did not feel the need to be that connected and post everything we are doing.

Now, after viewing Lisa’s video, my coworker and I have changed our minds and we are now using Twitter. So far, we are enjoying using the tool.

In the following video, Lisa explains the basics of the Twitter system and how she uses it to promote her blog.

Twitter and how I use it to promote my blog

Wordless Wednesday - NC Postcard #4

Twitter in Plain English

I’m always interested in exploring new technologies. I’ve been hearing a lot about Twitter especially on “Good Morning America” on the ABC television network. During various segments such as hot topics discussions, viewers are able to submit questions by email or Twitter. I set up a Twitter account on Sunday night to try Twitter out just to see how it works. So far, I am enjoying using Twitter.

Here’s a video which explains the Twitter social networking system in plain English.

Proud “Auntie” Moments

One of my proudest moments as an Aunt was hearing two of my nephews (Ryan and Eddie) sing solos at my mother’s funeral in August 2007. I knew that several of my nephews were talented in playing musical instruments such as keyboard, bass guitar, and drums, and I expected them to play an instrument rather than sing at the funeral. However, I did not know that they could sing so well. Several people remarked on how good my nephews sang.

Another proud “Auntie” moment came earlier that year at our Moore Family Union in Emporia, VA during the summer of 2007. The same two nephews who sang at my mother’s funeral played musical instruments at the Saturday night banquet of the reunion. As seen in the photo above, Ryan played drums and Eddie played the keyboard along with my first cousin Watkins on bass guitar. They sounded fantastic and played well together as if they did it all the time. I don’t think that they had ever played together, but they blended together as if they were a permanent group.

I was on the family reunion banquet program to talk about the Moore family history. Before I began my talk, I proudly announced to the audience that the two young musicians were my nephews and that I was very proud of their musical talents.

Randy’s Best of the Genea-Blogs List

I am honored that I have been chosen for another blog award and made Randy’s List of the best of Genea Blogs for the week of March 8-14, 2009.

Randy’s states that his criteria is as follows:

“My criteria for "Best of ..." are pretty simple - I pick posts that advance knowledge about genealogy and family history, address current genealogy issues, provide personal family history, are funny or are poignant. I don't list posts destined for the genealogy carnivals, or other meme submissions (but I do include summaries of them), or my own posts.”

My posting of the videos on “Capturing the Past” and other videos on oral history interview techniques met Randy’s criteria.

Thanks, Randy for selecting my blog for this honor. And also thanks for your hard work in advancing genealogy blogs.

Happy 1st Blogoversary to Find Your Folks

Wordless Wednesday - NC Postcard #3