Relics: Genealogy, family stories, history & other curiosities.

Happy 2022!   While the new year seems to be off to a bit of a shaky start, with Covid numbers once again rising across the country, I am determined to be optimistic and of course cautious.   Yes, I am sad and frustrated that the virus and my inability to travel has been a challenge to my research. But I don't feel like I have right to complain too much.  My friends and family have remained healthy and we are all vaxed and boosted to keep each other safe. My library co-workers have remained vigilant while dealing with the public while we still work in very close quarters.  Since life has continued this year to present us with lemons, I have chosen to make lemonade.  I may not have been able to travel and accomplish some long anticipated on the ground research, I have research, studied and continued to learn.   The opportunity to participate in classes and webinars is abundant! While I do occasionally feel the "zoom fatigue" many have talked a...

 I have often longed for long stretches of time at home for genealogy and this year I certainly got it. Unfortunately, like most Americans, I was often distracted and struggling to focus. It took me some time, but I did develop a rhythm with working from home, staying safe and working on my research.   February 22, 2020 was the last time I attended an in person genealogy program. I think about it now and I feel so naive, so unaware of what was to come.  It was the the Pinellas Genealogy Society Seminar featuring Dr. Tom Jones at the near by Largo Library. I was able to attend with two friends and it was an inspirational and exciting day. Less than two weeks later, the next PGS event was cancelled and we were figuring out how to work and research from home.   Making lemonade out of the lemons of 2020 has been a recurring theme of my work life this year and it applies to genealogy research too. It is amazing to me how quickly societies and organization...