Do Not Open Until 15 Mar 2112

At West in New England, Bill West has issued The Genealogist's Time Capsule Challenge.

My first thought is how would I insure that anything I set aside now would be kept by the family and yet remain unopened for 100 years. I'm not sure I have a good answer. I could certainly leave instructions in my Will but there would be nothing to stop someone down the line from deciding to get rid of old junk or conversely deciding that there is no reason to wait until 2112 to open it. Perhaps the best way would be to entrust my time capsule to a bank or law firm with sufficient funds for them to maintain its safety and see that my final wishes are followed. I'd make a big deal over it, perhaps have a family ceremony so that the youngest members of the family would remember and pass the story down with promises of riches for family members not yet born. At the ceremony the the box will have already been partiality filled by me and those contents covered and hidden from view. I would ask my grandchildren to each add one item with a note they'd written about it. The final items added to the box would be six silver dollars, one for each grandchild. Not a fortune today but one hundred years from now, who knows?

The first item I would add would be my tell-all auto-biography, a great read for the family historian of the future!

Next will be family photos. I will have to chose carefully or the box will be too large. All will be labeled, however to keep it interesting some of the labels will be just a year and a place, others just initials and a few labeled mere Aunt and Uncle.

Technology changes so incredibly fast but I 'm certain that my descendants could find a way to read a flash drive or DVD one hundred years from now. But to make life easier on them I will include a new laptop. I will include all of the family history research I have done, digital images of old family photos and all of the photos that I culled earlier on a flash drive which will be downloaded just as they are now on my computer, a jumbled mess. I will also backup the files I feel are most important to DVDs.


I will also include items that I think of as family treasure but which don't seem to hold much interest for others.

• I think my grandmothers pink ball gown will be too bulky to include but I will add her gavel and a photo of her in the gown. Also my grandfather's IOOF ribbon/pin.
• One of my father's 35mm cameras along with photos of his old box camera and enlarging equipment.
• A crystal owl and a crystal apple and a note detailing why they were important to me.
• A pair of gardening gloves.
• As long as I have provided a means to watch DVDs I will include some of our favorite movies with notes tucked into the cases telling why they are favorites. I know my grandchildren have little patience for old movies so I wonder what my great-great-grandchildren will think of Star Wars, A Walk in the Clouds and Avatar? 
• My grandfather's Bible and Book of Psalms.
• Something that I cross stitched. Perhaps the blue bird Christmas wreath that I made for my father years ago.
• My "Love Boat" pin. No explanation, they'll have to find the photo of me wearing it to learn it's significance.
• Baby shoes. Will they figure out who they belonged too?
• Old report cards.
• The wooden pyramid puzzle made by my father.
• Grandma Lottie's watch, the one on a chain. Perhaps a descendant will have the initials L. S.

I have a yellow plastic tote that has held craft items for many years and it would be just the right size to hold all of the items listed. Not so small as to be easily lost, yet not so large as to be in the way. It could easy sit on a storage self until the time came to open it.

SNGF - A new Meme Going Around

For this week's round of Saturday Night Genealogy Fun Randy has challenged:

Your missin, should you decide to accept it is to:

1)  Participate in the Ancestors GeneaMeme created by Jill Ball on the Geniaus blog.

2)  Write your own blog post, or add your response as a comment to this blog post, in a Facebook Status post or note, or in a Google+ Stream item.

The Rules:

The list should be annotated in the following manner:
Things you have already done or found: bold face type
Things you would like to do or find: italicize (colour optional)
Things you haven’t done or found and don’t care to: plain type
You are encouraged to add extra comments in brackets after each item 

Which of these apply to you?

1.  Can name my 16 great-great-grandparents
2.  Can name over 50 direct ancestors
[Well, not off the top of my head and I'm not going into my database to count the exact number but well over 50]
3.  Have photographs or portraits of my 8 great-grandparents
[I have a least one photo of 7 of the 8. I hold out hope that there is a cousin out there that has a photo of James C Kelly to share]
4.  Have an ancestor who was married more than three times
[Not that I've discovered but there are a couple of cousins that fit the bill]
5.  Have an ancestor who was a bigamist   
[No bigamists in the tree that I can think of off the top of my head. At least one polygamist cousin]
6.  Met all four of my grandparents [Grandpa Carlisle died when I was a month old]
7.  Met one or more of my great-grandparents
[All had died before I was born]
8.  Named a child after an ancestor
[Both my children are named for ancestors]
9.  Bear an ancestor's given name/s
[I was named for my great-grandmother, Charlotte T.K. Hollington Berry Sanders.
10.  Have an ancestor from Great Britain or Ireland
[Most of my ancestors were from the British Isles]
11.  Have an ancestor from Asia
12.  Have an ancestor from Continental Europe
[Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands]
13.  Have an ancestor from Africa
14.  Have an ancestor who was an agricultural labourer
[A long line of farmers]
15.  Have an ancestor who had large land holdings 
[Define large?]
16.  Have an ancestor who was a holy man - minister, priest, rabbi
[My granduncle was a Baptist minister]
17.  Have an ancestor who was a midwife
[I assume so. Anna Camfield Carlisle was called when a baby was coming but was never refered to specifically as a midwife]
18.  Have an ancestor who was an author
[Several cousins but no ancestors that I've discovered. I do have a DESCENDANT I'm quite proud of]
19.  Have an ancestor with the surname Smith, Murphy or Jones
[Susannah Smith, currenly lots of bricks by her name]
20.  Have an ancestor with the surname Wong, Kim, Suzuki or Ng
21.  Have an ancestor with a surname beginning with X
22.  Have an ancestor with a forename beginnining with Z
[Zerrababel Eager]
23.  Have an ancestor born on 25th December
[A DESCENDANT was]
24. Have an ancestor born on New Year's Day
25.  Have blue blood in your family lines
26.  Have a parent who was born in a country different from my country of birth
27.  Have a grandparent who was born in a country different from my country of birth
[My paternal grandparents were born in Canada]
28.  Can trace a direct family line back to the eighteenth century
29.  Can trace a direct family line back to the seventeenth century or earlier
30.  Have seen copies of the signatures of some of my great-grandparents
31.  Have ancestors who signed their marriage certificate with an X
32.  Have a grandparent or earlier ancestor who went to university
[Grandma went to business school. Great-grandma went to Normal school]
33.  Have an ancestor who was convicted of a criminal offense
34.  Have an ancestor who was a victim of crime
35.  Have shared an ancestor's story online or in a magazine (Tell us where)
[Doesn't my blog count?]
36.  Have published a family history online or in print (Details please)
37.  Have visited an ancestor's home from the 19th or earlier centuries
[Carlisle home, Buchanan, MI. It was torn down a few years sgo.]
38.  Still have an ancestor's home from the 19th or earlier centuries in the family
39.  Have a  family bible from the 19th Century
[Cousin has the Bible, I'm happy to have photocopies]
40.  Have a pre-19th century family bible

The 99+ Genealogy Things Meme

Becky Wiseman has brought back this meme at Kinexxions that she originally ran in 2009. There are a few other versions out there and she provides links.

Feel free to modify the list to suit your needs... If you wish to participate in the meme, simply copy the text below and paste it into your blog (or into a note on facebook or Google+ if you don't have a blog) and annotate the list accordingly. We're on the 'honor system' here, no one is going to check up on you! Participation is up to you, no tagging of other bloggers required. And, if you've done it before, you can do it again.

So let's play! I modified a couple to suit myself. Numbers 104-113 I found on Sheri's list at The Educated Genealogist. My comments are [in brackets].

If you've done this in the past, indicate which answers have changed. (And please link back to Becky)


The list should be annotated in the following manner:
Things you have already done or found: bold face type

Things you would like to do or find: italicize (color optional)

Things you haven’t done or found and don’t care to: plain type

1. Belong to a genealogical society.
2. Researched records onsite at a court house.
3. Transcribed records.
4. Uploaded tombstone pictures to Find-A-Grave.
5. Documented ancestors for four generations (self, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents).
6. Joined Facebook.
7. Helped to clean up a run-down cemetery.
8. Are a member of the Genea-Bloggers Group on Facebook.
9. Lectured at a genealogy conference.
10. Spoke on a genealogy topic at a local genealogy society.
11. Been the editor of a genealogy society newsletter.
12. Contributed to a genealogy society publication.
13. Served on the board or as an officer of a genealogy society.
14. Got lost on the way to a cemetery.
15. Talked to dead ancestors.
16. Researched outside the state in which I live.
17. Knocked on the door of an ancestral home and visited with the current occupants.
18. Cold called a distant relative.
19. Posted messages on a surname message board.
20. Uploaded a gedcom file to the internet.
21. Googled my name.
22. Performed a random act of genealogical kindness.
23. Researched a non-related family, just for the fun of it.
24. Have been paid to do genealogical research.
25. Earn a living (majority of income) from genealogical research.
26. Wrote a letter (or email) to a previously unknown relative.
27. Contributed to one of the genealogy carnivals.
28. Responded to messages on a message board or forum.
29. Was injured while on a genealogy excursion.
30. Participated in a genealogy meme.
31. Created family history gift items (calendars, cookbooks, etc.).
32. Performed a record lookup for someone else.
33. Went on a genealogy seminar cruise.
34. Am convinced that a relative must have arrived here from outer space.
35. Found a disturbing family secret.
36. Told others about a disturbing family secret.
37. Combined genealogy with crafts (family picture quilt, scrapbooking).
38. Think genealogy is a passion not a hobby.
[Actually I'm passionate about my hobby.]
39. Assisted finding next of kin for a deceased person.
    [Unclaimed Persons]
40. Taught someone else how to find their roots.
41. Lost valuable genealogy data due to a computer crash or hard drive failure.
    [Not much and easily found again]
42. Been overwhelmed by available genealogy technology.
43. Know a cousin of the 4th degree or higher.
44. Disproved a family myth through research.
    [I'm not a Princess :-( ]
45. Got a family member to let you copy photos
    [Have taken my old flatbed scanner on the road].
46. Used a digital camera to “copy” photos or records.
    [Several thousand images worth]
47. Translated a record from a foreign language.
48. Found an immigrant ancestor’s passenger arrival record.
    [Husband's ancestors. I've seen my ancestors ships of arrival listed in books]
49. Looked at census records on microfilm, not on the computer.
50. Used microfiche.
51. Visited the Family History Library in Salt Lake City.
52. Visited more than one LDS Family History Center. [Haven't been to one yet]
53. Visited a church or place of worship of one of your ancestors.
54. Taught a class in genealogy.
55. Traced ancestors back to the 18th Century.
56. Traced ancestors back to the 17th Century.
57. Traced ancestors back to the 16th Century.
58. Can name all of your great-great-grandparents.
59. Found an ancestor’s Social Security application.
    [Husband's grandmother]
60. Know how to determine a soundex code without the help of a computer.
61. Used Steve Morse’s One-Step searches.
62. Own a copy of Evidence Explained by Elizabeth Shown Mills.
63. Helped someone find an ancestor using records you had never used for your own research.
64. Visited the main National Archives building in Washington, DC.
65. Visited the Library of Congress.
66. Have an ancestor who came over on the Mayflower.
    
67. Have an ancestor who fought in the Civil War.
68. Taken a photograph of an ancestor’s tombstone.
69. Became a member of the Association of Graveyard Rabbits.
70. Can read a church record in Latin.
71. Have an ancestor who changed their name.
72. Joined a Rootsweb mailing list.
73. Created a family website.
74. Have more than one "genealogy" blog.
75. Was overwhelmed by the amount of family information received from someone.
76. Have broken through at least one brick wall
77. Visited the DAR Library in Washington D.C.
78. Borrowed a microfilm from the Family History Library through a local Family History Center.
79. Have done indexing for Family Search Indexing or another genealogy project.
80. Visited the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
81. Had an amazing serendipitous find of the "Psychic Roots" variety.
82. Have an ancestor who was a Patriot in the American Revolutionary War.
83. Have an ancestor who was a Loyalist in the American Revolutionary War.
84. Have both Patriot & Loyalist ancestors.
85. Have used Border Crossing records to locate an ancestor.
86. Use maps in my genealogy research.
87. Have a convict ancestor who was transported from the UK.
88. Found a bigamist amongst the ancestors.
    [Actually a cousin]
89. Visited the National Archives in Kew.
90. Visited St. Catherine's House in London to find family records.
91. Found a cousin in a foreign country.
92. Consistently cite my sources.
93. Visited a foreign country (i.e. one I don't live in) in search of ancestors.
94. Can locate any document in my research files within a few minutes.
95. Have an ancestor who was married four times (or more).
    [Several cousins]
96. Made a rubbing of an ancestors gravestone.
97. Organized a family reunion.
98. Published a family history book (on one of my families).
99. Learned of the death of a fairly close relative through research.
100. Have done the genealogy happy dance.
101. Sustained an injury doing the genealogy happy dance.
102. Offended a family member with my research.
103. Reunited someone with precious family photos or artifacts. 
104. Joined a group at GenealogyWise
105. Joined a National Genealogy Society
106. Used Google+ for Genealogy
107. Have an ancestor who came to America as an indentured servant.
108. Have visited a NARA branch.
109. Have taken online genealogy or history course.
110. Have an ancestor who served in WWI or WWII.
111. Discovered a blacksheep ancestor.
112. Joined a lineage society.
     
113. Visited the Allen County Public Library.

Plant Orchards - 1853

When I saw that Bill West would be hosting the Second Great Local Poem and Song Genealogy Challenge I admit that I groaned just a bit. Poetry has never really interested me and often I simply don't understand it.

Bill recommended that I search for poets or poems from an area that my ancestors lived. Easier said than done! I found several but could not see how they might have related to my ancestors in any way. I finally just searched for 'Michigan poem' and ended up finding myself reading from the 1853 volume of the Michigan Farmer at Google Books. The poem was not what I was looking for but I did find myself skimming through the articles. I would think that if they could afford to buy a copy that my family would have been interested in reading the magazine themselves. Further along I ran across the poem below. I know nothing about the author, Samuel Arnold, but Gilead is not far from where Mike and Sarah Ann Camfield settled. Apples were a staple for my family so even though I don't believe the following to be great poetry I do feel it connects to my ancestors.

Michigan Farmer, Volume XI, Detroit, June 1853, No. 6, page 175

Plant Orchards
For the Michigan Farmer.

An opinion too long in this country's prevailed,
As though on the people 'twere fully entailed,
That the climate of Michigan never could suit
Good peaches, or apples, or any such fruit.

For the buds of such trees would expand premature,
This being the case it must follow for sure,
That the frost with his cruel and sharp biting sting
Would wither the fruit in the blossoming spring.

The "old settlers" were sure that the buds would all freeze,
Than where was the use to be planting young trees,
If the trouble and pains would not warrant such cost,
When fruit would not grow the labor was lost.

To my shame must I own that I too was deceived,
This do-nothing story I partly believed;
In this manner I lived something more than eight years,
Neglecting my duty in doubt and in fears.

Of my friends, some had tried, and their fruit, who could beat?
Of which they did cordially press me to eat,
And whilst I of the same sis most freely partake,
I thought of my duty, and then was awake.

I soon planted some trees, and to all gave them stations,
Inserting choice scions and inoculations,
And e'en now my young orchard I highly do prize,
For we've apples in plenty for sauce and for pies.

There are those who stick to this miserable pies,
Refusing to plant e'en the first apple-tree.
O How lazy the man, how ungrateful the heart,
That never performeth his duty or part.

And what if though our orchards do fail in some years,
To yield us good fruit in spite of our cares?
We should know our Creator most surely has said,
In wisdom He's numbered the hairs of our head.

That He shows in abundance His fatherly care,
O'er beasts of the field, and the fowls of the air.
In His promise of faith all who hope may confide,
That also for man He will surely provide.

My do-nothing friends, you can do as you please,
But I shall advise you so plant fine young trees,
And no longer to make such a flimsy pretense,
But trust the event to a kind Providence.

Gilead, Branch Co., March 1853 SAM'L ARNOLD

Over Due Thank Yous!

I am incredibly embarrassed that it has taken me this long to thank those who honored me with the Ancestor Approved Award. The only reason I received the honor so many times is that I took so long to get the icon posted on my sidebar but I am very pleased that so many thought of me. I got terribly behind in my reading and so I further put off my acknowledgment for fear of missing someone. If I did miss you please let me know!

Thank you to:

Miriam at AnceStories 
Debra Andrew at The Sum of All My Research
TennLady at Gene Notes
Lisa Swanson Ellam at Faces of My Family
Mary at me and my ancestors
Liz Haigney Lynch at The Ancestral Archaeologist
Tim at Walking the Berkshires
Pam at Granny's Genealogy  
Craig at GeneaBlogie
Olive's Granddaughter at Grandma's Stitches

Evelyn Yvonne Theriault honored me with the Blogger's Best Friend Award at A Canadian Family, saying "I’d like to recognize her for her regular feature – the Weekly Rewind - which includes carnivals and such, but also her personal selection of recommended readings for the week." Thank you Evelyn! Again I'm embarrassed as my Weekly Rewind feature abruptly stopped just after I received the award. Weekly Rewind will return tomorrow!

I'm also pleased to announce that Apple's Tree has been included on MyHeritage.com's Top 100 Genealogy Sites. I see from the list that I am in very good company. There are several sites that are new to me that I will have to check out.

Thank you MyHeritage!

Me, Myself and I

Randy's challenge for SNGF this week is to write about our interests beyond family history.

• I spend a lot of time with my family. We visit Mom a couple of times a week. Monday is Kid's Night and we have as many grandkids as care to come for dinner. Nikki and Liz ride with me to school and then I run over to the pre-K a couple of days a week to walk Sprout in.

• In the summer months I love to be out in the garden. In the winter I like to browse gardening books and catalogs for ideas.

• I like to read novels but rarely have the time these days. I have a very hard time putting a book down and like to read a book straight through. Some of my favorite authors are Janet Evanovich, Jonathon Kellerman, James Patterson, Stuart Woods and Faye Kellerman.

• I do spend more time than I care to admit watching TV shows, often on my computer. My favorite shows are Survivor, The Amazing Race, White Collar, Burn Notice and Legend of the Seeker.

• I love to travel and explore new places.

• I really enjoy sitting around the kitchen table playing a game with good friends.

More Happiness

It's mid-week and I'm finally catching up on my reading. Several more bloggers have shared their happiness with me and I'd like to thank them!

Denise Levenick at The Family Curator

Cathy at Detour Through History

Irish Mason at Portals to the Past

Ten things that made me happy in the last week:

1. Top marks on my defensive driving test
2. Having my trainee solo and do an excellent job
   
3. Hot coffee
4. Chocolate
5. A sunrise - the sun actually peeked through for 10 whole minutes this morning!
   
6. Completing the third folder of Camfield letters
   
7. Listening to Liz and another girl sing at the top of their lungs all the way to school this morning.
8. Kids night
9. Getting out of my meeting early on Tuesday
10. A nice dinner out
    

Thanks X 3!

The Happy 101 award is flying around the blogoshere and I'm very happy to have received it from three different friends, Cheryl at Heritage Happens, Harriet at Genealogy Fun, and Becky at Kinexxions. Thanks ladies, I really appreciate it!

Per the rules I will now list ten things that make me happy.

1. My husband, kids, and grandkids.
2. Sunshine!
3. Pain free days.
4. Chocolate
5. Palm trees
6. My garden
7. Butterflies and humming birds
   
8. Country Music
9. Having a reason to do the Happy Dance
10. Comments!

Now I am supposed to pass this on to ten more blogging buddies but as fast as this one is flying around I'll pass for now and share some link love in a couple of weeks.

Back in Snowville

My week of warmth and Florida sunshine was great! I had no internet connection and I read several books and just relaxed. It seems nobody else took the week off as my reader is overflowing with over 1,000 posts to read. I'll be spending the next couple of weeks trying to catch up.

I was very pleasantly surprised to learn that I received the Kreativ Blogger award from Taylortales Genealogy, Msteri at Heritage Happens, Colleen at Orations of OMcHodoy, Diane at Attic Treasures and from Generatins Gone By, who said, "Probably the prettiest genealogy site it’s very soothing on the eyes and love all her documents." Thank you all! (And I am very sorry if I missed anyone.)

Nikki-ann at Notes of Life tagged me for the 6th photo meme. She bent the rules a bit and I will too by sharing my 6th picture from vacation, a pretty view from Blue Springs State Park.

When Was I Born?

Randy's Saturday night fun exercise for the week is:

For Saturday Night Fun this weekend, please find answers to these questions:

1) What day of the week were you born? Tell us how you found out.

2) What has happened in recorded history on your birth date (day and month)? Tell us how you found out, and list five events.

Well I was born on a Wednesday. I found out that Wednesday's child is full woe! back in October when footnote Maven posted Nursery Lore. She provided the same link that Randy had earlier this week.

Here are five events from history that happened on my birthday. Many of you will figure out the date without having to click any links.

1. Catherine of Aragon was born in 1485. 1st wife of Henry VIII she found herself divorced but kept her head.

2. I was born on the same day as Ludwig van Beethoven. Sadly there doesn't seem to be a correlation between the date and musical genius.

3. There was a big Tea Party in 1773 but I don't believe any of my ancestors were able to attend.

4. The Great Fire of New York City started on my day in 1835. Believed to have perished in the inferno was my cousin (1st, 5x rem.) David Carlisle 1771-1835.

5. In 1965 Pioneer VI was launched while Gemini VI returned to earth. I was fascinated by the space program when I was a child.

40 Things Meme

Thomas at Destination Austin Family has tagged me for 40 Things About Me.

1. Do you like blue cheese?
Yuck!

2. Have you ever done something you regretted?
Many times.

3. Do you own a gun?
No.

4. What flavor of Kool Aid was your favorite?
Cherry

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?
Before my annual GYN visit. No more lumps please! (So far they've all been benign)

6. What do you think of hot dogs?
Kids love 'em so I make them.

7. Favorite Christmas movie?
It's a Wonderful Life

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Kona coffee.

9. Can you do push ups?
No

10. Favorite hobby?
Gardening, spring and summer
Family history, fall and winter

11. Do you have A.D.D.?
No

12. What's one trait you hate about yourself?
I tend to put things off.

13. Middle name?
Ann

14. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment?
I'm tired of sitting.
I have to finish Christmas shopping.
It's another ugly, gray day.

15. Name 3 drinks you regularly have?
Coffee, diet cola with lime, cranberry juice.

16. Current hate right now?
Child abusers.

17. Favorite place to be?
Someplace warm and sunny.

18. How did you bring in the New Year?
Playing board games with friends.

19. A place would you like to go?
I have a whole list.

20. Name three people who will complete this:
Randy
Nikki-ann
Msteri

21. Do you have slippers?
Several pairs.

22. What shirt are you wearing?
Gray fleece.

23. Do you like sleeping on satin?
Never have. I do love my flannel sheets!

24. Can you whistle?
I can carry a tune but I wish I could produce one of those loud, crowd silencing whistles.

25. Would you be a pirate?
No, I could take something that wasn't mine. Of course if I could be a lousy pirate and just sail the world, that would be cool.

26. What songs do you sing in the shower?
I never sing in the shower anymore.

27. Favorite girl's name(s)?
Don't have a favorite.

28. What's in your pocket right now?
No pockets.

29. Last thing that made you laugh?
A bat at Northview Diary.

30. Favorite bed sheets as a child?
Didn't everyone have plain white sheets back then?

31. Worst injury ever?
I broke my right arm in three places when I was nine.

32. Do you like where you live?
Seven months of the year I love it here. The other five it snows and depresses me.

33. How many TVs do you have in your house?
Three. One is almost 30 years old and still works fine.

34. Who is your loudest friend?
JK

35. How many dogs do you have?
None. Our faithful friend died in 2003.

36. Does someone have a crush on you?
Not that I'm aware of.

37. What is your favorite book?
Pick one book? I love to read and I have eclectic tastes.

38. What is your favorite candy?
Milk chocolate

39. Favorite Sports Team?
Which ever peewee team my grandsons are on.

40. What song do you want played at your funeral? Mom and I used to sing this together. She rarely sings so it holds special meaning for me.

Going Home by Will Martin (based on music by Antonin Dvorak).

Sunday Morning Fun - Who's Number 1,000?

Randy was having some more Saturday Night Fun but by the time he posted in California I was already in bed here in New York.

It's Saturday night, and I'm sitting here wondering who else is pecking away on his/her keyboard not having any real fun. So, let's play a little game with our genealogy software:

GOAL: Find out who is Reference Number 1,000 in your genealogy software.

Randy has instructions on how to find # 1000 in several different software programs, including Family Tree Maker 16 and FTM 2009. I use FTM 2005 so it should have been easy. Ha!

In Family Tree Maker 16, it turned out to be similar to FTM 2009: [Edit] > [Find Individual] > Search [Reference number] and for = [1000], click [Find Next]. This took less than one second to solve.

It turns out that the creators of Family Tree 2005 see reference numbers as obsolete.

The reference number field allows you to enter any numbers or letters you choose. This reference system stems from the days when genealogy programs used numbers to find someone in the database. Today’s software uses names, but some researchers still prefer to have the reference numbers available. This is useful if you use a unique filing or pedigree reference system. If you do not use such a system, leave the field blank. You may use a combination of letters and numbers not to exceed 11 characters.

Apparently I never had a use for them before this so I had to turn the automatic reference numbers option on so there would be a number to search for!

My results? Number 1000 is Benjamin Bargwell to whom I am not related. He was the father of Matthew Bargewell 1833-1881 who married my 2nd cousin - 3 times removed, Miriam Rogers 1832-1920.

Randy's 1000, William Simonds 1651-1872, is also in my file as William Symonds - #9044. His sister, Judith 1644-1704, was the first wife of my 8th great-grandfather, John Barker, 1645-1709. So Randy and I connect through the Towne line but apparently not through this one.

So what are you doing for fun this morning?

Giving Thanks

Granny Pam has tagged me for Julie's Thanksgiving meme.

Thanksgiving Day is approaching fast. In honor of this day (and coincidentally my mom's birthday) I wanted to take a moment to give thanks to all of those who came before us and built this wonderful country we live in.

I thought I'd start a meme/game of tag to go along with this. The challenge...

1. Write a blog post telling us about 2 things you are thankful for.
2. You can post the Thanksgiving Day banner above in your post if you like.
3. Tag one person to spread the love. Post a comment on their blog so they know they've been tagged.
4. Send me a link to your blog post by 11/25: genblogjulie (at) gmail (dot) com.

I will post all submission on 11/26.

Note: No need to be tagged to play along.

I am thankful that I have health insurance again after being uninsured for five years. I didn't realize how much I took it for granted until it was gone.

I am thankful that both my Aunt Vivian and Great-Aunt Tamerson had the foresight to protect my family's history by donating letters and documents to libraries.


I tag anyone that hasn't already participated. Thanksgiving is just days away. What are you thankful for?

8 Things about Apple

Jewelgirl of Sandwiched Mom! and Searching For Family Branches has tagged me for the 8 Things Meme. I've done this before so I'll try come up with new things. Here goes......

Here are the Tag Rules:
1. Each player starts with eight random fact/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3. A the end of your blog post, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their name.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged and to read your blog.

1. I can't dance - but that doesn't stop me!
2. My home is decorated in a tropical theme. A girl can dream, can't she?
3. A fun evening for me is sitting around the kitchen table playing cards with friends.
4. I've been to Hawaii twice and walked to within a few feet of a lava flow.
   
5. I once worked as an insurance policy auditor. I was always in trouble for talking too much to my co-workers and distracting them.
   
6. My father said I'd never learn how to drive. I believe that was just after I knocked out the support to the barn awning......or maybe it was when I backed into the clothes pole.
   
7. I've never said no to chocolate.
8. I love the Harry Potter series of books almost as much as the Stephanie Plum novels.

On to tagging

1) All My Ancestors
2) Granny's Genealogy
3) Notes of Life
4) Jessica's Genejournal
5) West in New England
6) Family Matters
7) Oracle of OMcHodoy
8) Kinnexions

Eerie Facts or Spooky Fiction?

The 58th edition of the Carnival of Genealogy was a lot of fun and is now posted at Creative Gene. Which of the 22 entries were true and which were products of talented and creative writers? I can't wait to find out! Kathryn threw out a challenge at Looking4Ancestors to leave at least ten comments a week on blogs we read. I challenged myself to do this with the articles submitted to the CoG. This edition just invites comments so check them all out and let the authors know if you think they're fact or fiction.

The topic for the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy is: Politics and Our Ancestors. The next edition of the COG will be published on Election Day in the U.S. (November 4). So it's the perfect time to research and reflect on what we know (or can find out) about our family members' involvement with the election process. Did one of your ancestors run for office? Who was President when your immigrant ancestors first set foot on American (Canadian, Australian, etc.) shores? What do you know about your grandparents' voting record? Which of your ancestors was first eligible to vote? Do you have any suffragettes on your family tree? What did the electoral process mean to your ancestors? Do you have a personal Election Day memory you'd like to share? Think about it, write about it, and submit it for the next COG! The deadline for submissions is November 1.

Submit your blog article to the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

A New Game of Tag

A new game of tag is in progress, Randy seems to have started it and now I've been tagged by both Jasia & Thomas. How fast will this one fly around the geneablogs? A fun way to learn a little more about each other.

10 Years Ago I...

1. .. became a grandmother.
2. .. traveled to Hawaii with most of my family.
3. .. had time to read 3 or 4 books a week.
   
4. .. was driving bus #156. It retired this year. I didn't :-(
   
5. .. got my passport. It's time to renew!
   

5 Things on Today's To-Do List...

1. Make signs for Safety Expo
2. Buy more bicycle helmets for the Expo
3. Inventory supplies for the Expo
4. Get flyers out to all of the drivers
5. Write the announcement for the Elementary school

Our annual safety expo is this Saturday and although I know everything will fall into place I'm a wee bit stressed.

5 Snacks I Enjoy...

1. Peanut M&M's
   
2. Milk chocolate
   
3. Half Moon cookies
   
4. Plain donuts
   
5. Oatmeal cookies
   

5 Places I Have Lived...

1. Syracuse, NY
   
2. Clayton, NC
   
3. Pennellville, NY
   
4. Akron, NY
   
5. Liverpool, NY
   

5 Jobs I Have Had...

1. Harvesting Tobacco
   
2. Cashier - Cooks, Price Chopper
   
3. Insurance policy auditor
4. Travel agent
5. School Bus Driver
   

Here are 5 Genea-Bloggers I'm tagging:

• T.K. of Before My Time
• Becky of Kinexxions
• Jessica of Jessica's Genejournal
  
• Tim of Genealogy Reviews Online
• Bill of West in New England
  

Pass it on!

Summer Time!

The journaling prompt this week at Miriam's AnceStories2 is Summer which is my favorite season. Hopefully I'll find time to expand on some of these prompts.

*How do you feel about summer? Is is a favorite season, or do you prefer another?

Summer is definitely my favorite season! Four months of being able to be outside in the garden. Spring, aka May, is ok, it promises that summer is coming. Fall, aka October, is sad, signaling summer’s end. Winter is 6 months of misery.

*What are your favorite summer activities? Do you enjoy being outside, or would you rather curl up with your air conditioner?

I love to be in the garden, full of beauty, birds and bugs. I like playing outside with the kids. I am often found outside under the shade of a tree or in the screen room with a book or my lap top. In the evening I like to curl up on the glider and watch the dance of a small fire.

*Do you have a favorite summertime sport to participate in or watch?

Tanning and people watching! I don’t enjoy watching organized sports much. Baseball and tennis are incredibly boring to watch. I like to play kickball, volleyball and badminton but with my current health problems I don’t participate as much as I’d like.

*What is your typical summer outfit?

Shorts, tank top and clogs.

*Do you take a summer vacation? Where do you normally go, and what kinds of activities do you do there?

I get 4-9 weeks of vacation every summer. We often go away for a week or two in the summer but not always; we have no plans to travel this year. Rather than return to the same spot over and over we would rather go someplace we’ve never been before.

*What is your favorite summer holiday, and why?

The 4th of July is my favorite because we have an annual barbecue and most of my family is then altogether in one place.

*What kinds of summer foods or drinks do you enjoy?

We do a lot of grilling and have lots of different salads in the summer and I like to sample various Finger Lakes wines.

*Share some favorite memories of summer vacation from when you were a child.

Camping was the highlight of our summer. We had a tent camper and went to the Adirondacks or Vermont every summer.

*What is your least favorite thing about summer?

Deer flies and mosquitoes.

*Do you enjoy summer storms?

I love summer storms, especially watching them build and push across Lake Ontario. One year when we had a camp at Sylvan Beach, on Oneida Lake, I gathered everybody out on the glass enclosed porch to watch a storm. I small tornado went through just a block from us and that was the last of our storm watching there.

*What is the hottest summer temperature you remember experiencing?

121° on a trip to Laughlin, NV. I don't remember it ever hitting 100° here in CNY.

*Do you have a memory of a cool or cold summer? Has it snowed on the Fourth of July in your area?

We have had a few summers where we never it never reached 90°. I tend not to focus on unpleasant memories. We have never had snow in July or August that I can remember. May and September occasionally see snow.

*What family birthdays, anniversaries, or events are commemorated in the summer? Are there any significant family history events that occurred during summer?

There are too many summer family events to list here. When the nieces and nephews were younger and still living nearby there would be one huge birthday party in August because there were simply too many to celebrate individually.

My great-grandfather, Ashley Carlisle, had an annual picnic for veterans of the Civil War. It was held in honor of his birthday which was the 5th of July but I have seen newspaper articles that say the picnic (and his birthday) were on the 4th.

*What summertime hobbies do you pursue? If you are a genealogist, do you travel to ancestral locations during this season?

My hobbies have changed over the years. Currently I garden. When my kids were young summer time revolved around them. I have made very few trips for research and none in the summer. Genealogy is my winter hobby and does not get as much attention when I can be outdoors.

Non-fiction meme

Lori, at Smokey Mountain Family Historian, has tagged me for the non-fiction book meme created by Gautami.

What issues/topics interest you most--non-fiction, i.e, cooking, knitting, stitching, there are infinite topics that have nothing to do with novels?

Mostly history and gardening these days. I occasionally read some psychology books and technical manuals.

Would you like to review books concerning those?

Nope! I'm way behind on my writing as it is.

Would you like to be paid or do it as interest or hobby? Tell reasons for what ever you choose.

I could probably be persuaded to write reviews if I were paid or received free books.

Would you recommend those to your friends and how?

I do recommend books to friends if I've enjoyed them.

If you have already done something like this, link it to your post.

The only review I've written was for a garden book.

This meme seems to have made the rounds! With a tag of 10 if all of the genealogy bloggers haven't been tagged yet they soon will be! So I'll tag Mrs. Mecomber at New York Traveler and anyone who hasn't been tagged yet.

161 Meme

Becky at kinnexions has tagged me for the 161 meme. Go to page 161 of the book I'm reading and share the 6th sentence. Then tag 5 more.

I'm currently reading When Phelps Was Young by Helen Post Ridley (a history of Phelps, Ontario Co, NY) online at World Vital Records. I do actually read entire books on my laptop. This book only has 136 pages.

I'll be re-reading The Christmas Train by David Baldacci next week at work. Leading up to Christmas I re-read several favorites every year.

"Well, the Zephyr does leave out of Chicago too."

If you haven't already been tagged - you're it!