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

 Hello!   I have finally found some time to get back to my research!   I was inspired by the Florida Genealogy Society- Tampa annual seminar last week. I haven't missed the seminar since I moved to FL in 2013. I don't attend the regular meeting often as the are in Tampa and I hate driving there. I have been impressed by the quality of speakers this seminar attracts and this year was not exception. I was especially pleased that the program was all virtual and featured my favorite podcast host, Diana Elder and Nicole Dyer of Research Like a Pro. It was a great day! Diana and Nicole are both great speakers and explain their methods well. I was motivated to pick up my copy of their new book and dive right in to their DNA class.  If have not yet listened to Diana and Nicole you are really missing out.  In addition to the podcast, they offer two great online classes, Research Like a Pro and Research Like a Pro with DNA. I was proud of the research and work I...

 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...