One at home ... one on the way

The You Go Genealogy Girls have done a fine job of not being together this summer.  It has not been our intent, but what has happened.  We have talked about trips or meeting somewhere for research, but it hasn't happened.  Add to that the fact Nebraska has had a brutally hot summer with days in the triple digits with no rain, makes both of us want to stay at home in the AC and at the computer.

Things are cooling down now, even though we have not had rain for weeks on end.  Our original plans were to meet up in Kearney, Nebraska for the Midwest Family History Expo which begins Friday and Saturday of this week (Sept 7th and 8th).  You Go Genealogy Girl #2 has conflicts so has had to bow out of her arrangements.

Tomorrow afternoon I'll leave for Kearney, Nebraska, which is the shortest jaunt I've made to a Family History Expo this summer.  Kearney is located about smack dab between the east and west coast so maybe we should say the Heartland Family History Expo or the Mid-US Family History Expo or the Smack Dab in the Middle Family History Expo.  I think Midwest Family History Expo is fitting, even though we here in Nebraska usually don't refer to us as being the midwest, reserving that for a bit further east, for some reason.  So if we are not midwest, what are we?  Are we the Mid-Plains?  Whatever we are, we'll all show up to learn and share in Kearney.

Wherever I'm going, I am always thinking genealogy.  It can be anywhere in the United States ... smack dab in the middle, in the mountains, along a river, in a city ... I'm thinking genealogy.  Traveling to Illinois for the Family History Expo a month ago I recalled ancestors who lived in towns along the route as well as courthouses and cemeteries I need to visit.  For me life is one big genealogy trip.  I hope you feel the same and take your ancestors with you every day of your life.

There's still time to register for the Midwest Family History Expo which is held smack-dab in the middle of the United States.  Go .... GENEALOGY!

You Go Genealogy Girl #1 ..... Ruby

Attending a Family History Expo

Not many of the attendees of a Family History Expo or any genealogy conference know what goes into getting everything ready for the event.  A year or more ahead of time plans are made for where, when and how the next year's Expos are going to be held.  It just doesn't happen.  The staff and vendors arrive ahead of time to set up and coordinate.  Many people get involved, hours tick by and even though tired, they are dedicated to presenting a top notch event for genealogists.

I just returned home from the Family History Expo in Overland Park, Kansas.  As you can see by the photos, there is a good deal of thought that goes into setting up.  Some of the vendors have their props and signs shipped and others bring trailers, some fly from one location to another and others drive.  It's like old home week when finally get together.

Once things are in place, the rush and sometimes confusion begins the next day.  If you are attending an event, keep in mind that we are all human and errors happen.  Even computers are not perfect.  Smile and be patient!  People register and are given their packets or hand out bags.  They ask questions and we try to answer them.  Then the classes begin.  Unfortunately attendees can not take in every class and hear every speaker.  They must choose between several tracts.  However, they can use their syllabus to read what they missed.

As a speaker I enjoy seeing genealogists, meeting them and learning from them.  Yes, I learn also!  If they attend my class and go away learning just one thing, I'm happy.  That's my goal as a speaker!  There has not been one Family History Expo this summer where I have not met a relative or somebody that I have met through e-mail, Facebook, Twitter or blogging.  The world tends to be small and getting smaller.

One of the exhibitors brings his children.  They are polite, cute kids.  If you meet them, you won't forget them.  Rachel is a young artist.  She draws what she sees or what she imagines.  I commissioned her to do a painting of me in one of my classes.  Rachel doesn't go into the presentation rooms.  She stays in the vending area, so she drew what she imagined it would look like, including the escalator which was beside the exhibit hall.  Rachel did a good job and I will treasure her drawing.  She drew a good likeness of me.  Notice the blonde hair.

A friend of mine has attended three Family History Expos this summer,  as well as the Civil War Conference here in Nebraska.  She said she thought she was becoming a Family History Expo Groupie.  Even if you are not a joiner, you can attend one of many enlightening genealogy conferences this summer, fall and next year.  Be sure to put the Family History Expo on your calendar!

You Go Genealogy Girl #1 --- Ruby

Genealogy Multi-tasking

Hold yer horses! YGGG #2 is alive and well, just occupied. Aren't we all occupied? She doesn't multi-task too good when it comes to genealogy, family get togethers, vacations, packing, unpacking and cleaning house. While most of the Midwest Family History Expo attendees are home, she's hasn't quite gotten there.

YGGG #2 and her granddaughter, Katelynn, spent last night with me and just headed out the door for home base in Alliance, Nebraska. Some of her grandchildren, her son and daughter-in-law are already there. Once home she will unpack and start packing the camper and boat for a lake outing. Once the gang leaves in a few days to head home to Topeka, YGGG #2 will repack everything for vacation time with Go Hubby.

Now where does that leave time for genealogy? My condolences are extended to her as we all know she'd rather be doing genealogical research. Lucky me I'm heading to the Family History Center today to read microfilm.

In the meantime, YGGG #2 has asked me to tell you all that she'll return in due time to fill you in on her many genealogy adventures. Aren't you the least bit curious about mine?

YGGG #1 -- Ruby

Genealogy, Rest, Relaxation, More Genealogy

You Go Genealogy Girl #1 has been on the road in Lil' Red since mid-May. While I have made appearances at home, they have been brief. At least for a while, my suitcases are out of sight and Lil' Red just roams around town.

That should leave time for rest and relaxation. How I wish! As long as there are genealogy projects, I don't get in much R&R. I have been writing, reading, more writing and also trying to get through my still very high stack of papers from Salt Lake City. There's good stuff in that box. I feel that every spare moment needs to be devoted to it. Actually it's almost like Christmas seeing what comes out of the box next. It's gone down by about two inches since I returned home in early June.

Already I'm being asked by friends if I'm going back to Salt Lake City in 2011. I need to discuss that with YGGG #2. We have actually talked about selecting another site for our annual, big research trip. However, we seem drawn back to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. It's convenient staying next door to the library and Lil' Red knows the way. YGGG #2 is a pro at packing the car with everything needed for our stay in Deseret.

While I'm basking, not in the sun, but in the thrill of going through genealogy treasures here at home, YGGG #2 is getting ready to leave for Topeka, KS. She will visit her son, daughter-in-law and their eight children. On Friday she will be at the Midwest Family History Expo in Kansas City. I'm turning green with envy. However, if I don't stay home, my treasures will still be in the box and the writing and research will not get done.

Maybe I do need a little rest and relaxation today. Could I possibly find a cemetery that I have never visited? What's that Lil' Red? No more out of town trips for a while? Okay, back to the grindstone.

YGGG #1 .... Ruby (the one at home)