As 2011 fast approaches it is time to reflect on the genealogy highlights of the past year. As I look back it has been a rewarding year of discovery and new friends.
1. In January we were in Mesa at the Family Histories Expo where I served as a Blogger of Honor and met many of my fellow geneabloggers – Lisa Alzo, Amy Coffin, Lisa Louise Cooke, AC Ivory, Gena Ortega, Thomas MacEntee, Colleen McHugh, and more. This was my first geneablogger gathering at a conference. What a fun time we had! The weather was miserable but the warmth, friendship and sessions were great!
My proudest moment came early in the year when we received our copies of the Women Pioneers of Saskatchewan book containing my article about Grandma Isabel IRVINE. Coauthored by my Uncle Bob Irvine this project became a family effort with a flurry of emails and Skype conversations between Mom, my aunt, my uncle and myself. It was a trip down memory lane and the best part was Grandma’s story was published.
2. My next genealogy event was in February assisting at the Alberta Family Histories Society booth at the CBE staff association conference. I joined the PR committee this month and created the AFHS blog and Twitter profile.
3. March had those of us who serve on the Geneablogger Jamboree Welcome Bag committee (Thomas MacEntee, Amy Coffin, Denise Levenick and myself) in full planning mode. That month I joined yet another genealogy society….SCGS. How many societies does a gal need? As many as she can afford I think! (I added the Sask Genealogical Society to the group in July).
4. April I had the opportunity to hear Colleen Fitzpatrick speak at an AFHS event. Her story of the Hand in the Snow almost brought me to tears.
5. Sherry Irvine came to the AFHS in May with a very knowledgeable talk about genealogy process.
6. In June I was in Burbank at the Southern California Genealogical Society’s Jamboree. What fun! The sessions were great and the best part was meeting the faces behind the blogs of many geneabloggers.
Writing was a highlight this past year. I wrapped up an article on my husband’s Great Grandmother Minnie MOSS for Women Pioneers of Saskatchewan, Book 2. I was asked to write a regular column for the AFHS quarterly publication, the Chinook entitled “From the Geneasphere” and I published several other articles in the Chinook. I’ve never considered myself to be much of a writer although it seems I have lots to say when it comes to genealogy!
7. July had me installing two more family tree software programs on my computer. Does a person really need three programs? Of course! I’ve used FTM for years and I added Rootsmagic and Legacy to the mix. I like them all for different reasons.
8. In August I volunteered with AFHS at Fort Calgary helping kids do their family tree. What fun!
9. In September I gave a Genealogy 101 presentation at the University of Calgary and throughout the year I’ve entertained my two Toastmasters clubs with genealogy speeches. The best comment came from a fellow toastmaster – “Good job making a boring topic interesting.” Genealogy, boring???! 🙂 Stay tuned fellow Toastmasters – more genealogy speeches to come!
Luxegen Genealogy Blog had its 2nd blogiversary. A big thanks to all of my readers.
I also created family tree fan charts using Legacy for our kids which they thought were very cool.
10. October brought Dick Eastman, Thomas MacEntee and Lyn Meehan to AFHS for a day of seminars. I had fun chauffeuring them around Banff despite the snow.
11. In November and December I touched base with our DNA genetic genealogy cousins again to compare notes. I’ve written many times about our serendipitous Y-DNA findings. I also ordered autosomal and mitchondrial DNA testing for myself and found two DNA testing buddies, Carole and Susan, to share the journey. My mom and husband are getting tested too. DNA is going to be a major focus in 2011.
12. In December I was delighted and honored to be nominated as one of Family Tree Magazine’s Top 40 Blogs. We were doubly delighted when the AFHS blog was also nominated. I was honored when asked to be an Official RootsTech Blogger and look forward to attending the conference in February of 2011.
It has been a busy and rewarding year genealogy wise. If I was to add anything else it would be to go to MORE conferences!