SOPA Protest

Our Future Rooted in Our Past is Protesting SOPA/PIPA on 1/18/12. Become informed about SOPA/PIPA.  Write your congressmen/congresswomen.  This bill could interfere with our genealogy research. Watch the video below.

PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.

To write to your congressman/congresswoman click Write to your Representative. To write to your senator click Contact your Senator.

American Libraries Internet Archive

I found this wonderful resource of information a while back and wanted to share with you. The American Libraries Internet Archive is a treasure trove for genealogists as it archives images and books that would be of interest for the genealogist.  If you type "genealogy" into the search engine, you will be amazed at the number of items that will be returned. I did a search for my last name and came up with over 30 hits ranging from census records to family genealogy research books.  I would suggest taking the time to research this archive as soon as possible because if the SOPA/PIPA (Stop Online Piracy Act/Protect IP Act) passes through the US congress, which could effect the accessibility of this site. If you would like to research in this site, click Ameican Libraries Internet Archive. The books are available for reading on the Kindle, Daisy, and PDF to name a few.

Welcome to StoryTree!

In honor of  December 7th, the day Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941, I thought this would be a great video to share to remind everyone the importance of recording our personal and family histories. One of the great places that I have discovered to record these videos is on Story Tree.  Story Tree allow you to video record your loved ones on a variety of topics that are suggested by Story Tree or you can create your own topic.  Invite your family to participate and you can begin to share the memories you had as a child, parent, grandparent.  What do you remember about your 1st car?  1st date?  It has been said, that if a person's history is not written down or in this case, a video biography, their life story will be lost within 2 generations. Don't let the memories of your grandparents, parents, or siblings be lost or fade away.  There are so many options and ways to share family history, but this site allows for collaboration.  If you would like to learn more, click the link Welcome to StoryTree!

Do you hear voices from the past?

I found a wonderful video speaking to the importance of writing down one's thoughts. A journal/diary allow you to express your thoughts, dreams, disappointments, heartaches, and much more.  There are many kind of journals such food journals, exercise journals, personal journals, and personal study journals.  Journals/diaries let you record your life as it happens.  You will be amazed at the growth you see in yourself as you read back through some of your prior entries into your journal. You don't have to journal every day, or every other day; just write down your thought when you want to remember something.  If you don't write down your thoughts, they are quickly forgotten. I have read some of the things that I have written in the past and think, "Wow, did I really think that way?"  I have also enjoyed reading some of the journals of some of my ancestors.  Many of the things were about their day to day life, which we all experience.  The one thought that stand out when I read them, is that they are not so different from me.  They had dreams, joys, trials, etc, just like me.  Reading their thoughts on how they dealt with their life inspires me.  There may be several years that separate us, but they still can provide encouragement and insight into life that I have not experience; thus I can learn from their experiences.

 If you need help getting started, please let me know and I will send you a link to a document that provides you with ideas on how to journal or write your life history.  Just post your request below in the comments section to this post.  Enjoy the video.

Have you joined the 5-Minute Genealogy Challenge Yet?

How is your research going? Hopefully you have been able to visit with some of your family members to learn more about your family. Have you written down your information. Learn why this is important in this next video.

What is a Picture worth

As one ages, you begin to realize time flies on wings of lightning.  The once endless summers as a child become the cherished months spent escaping from the rigors of college.  After college, life begins  to settle in with the normal adult responsibilities of a job, family, travel, and a variety of activities that fill the days, months and years.  If we do not capture these fleeting moments, they pass far from our view and can never be recaptured.  Or can they?

Some say "A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words."  I think pictures can speak volumes and not just "A Thousand Words."  One professional photographer from Argentina has been taking pictures of each member of his family from 1976 to the present.  The picture is taken the same whether it is a good or bad day and it is always the same pose. Looking at these just reminds us of the importance of documenting our family not only with names, dates, and places,  but also the importance of photographs and stories.  One of the most precious gifts we can give our family are pictures. Pictures record a snap shot of ones life and help others to know what we were like and remind us of times in the past. Pictures are part of history and can be very artistic.  If you would like to see the full picture of the Diego Family through the years, click Diego Goldberg :: The Arrow of Time.  One word of caution, please remember to label your pictures with an acid free pencil or scan and label the people in the photographs so you don't forget who was in the photos.

Fairmount Childrens Home

As a follow-up post to Fairmount Childrens Home. I continued to research to find other options for those who are searching for connections to others who have had family members that lived in the Fairmont Childrens home.  I soon found a Facebook group that anyone can join as long as you have a Facebook account.  I have read on this group, questions and answers from people seeking family members or information about the home.  If you have a Facebook account and would like to learn more about the Fairmount Childrens Home or would like to possibly connect with old friends from here, click on Facebook Fairmont Childrens Home Group.