genealogy software
I am using Personal Ancestral File. I started using PAF with version 2.1, on a TRS80 Mod III. When we went to the Osbornes I think PAF worked on that CPM platform, too. Getting an IBM was a big deal. I have participated in PAF users groups here and there. There is not one of those in my town, but an hour away.
I like PAF 5. It is free. It works well. I am familiar with it. It does a lot. I also like having PAF Insight to use with it. I am using newFamilySearch, too. (...and FamilyInsight, from Ohana Software.) Because I am online with newFamilySearch, and I have a googlepages website for my genealogy, I have not felt the need to get other more fancy genealogy software.
With newFamilySearch I mean to try to keep track of my genealogy online, and when the combining is under control, and we can download easily from that website, maybe update my system. I still recommend PAF 5, even though I understand the the LDS Church does not plan to update and maintain it. It is still a reliable workhorse.
Labels: genealogy software
Recommendation
Ohana Software, creators of PAF Insight, is staying on the front edge of the wave in genealogical computing. Our goal is to stay in the Sweet Spot & not Wipe Out our family history. I recommend their products (Family Insight now for working with new.FamilySearch.org, and others), especially their webinars. Teaching others to fish (pun for me :-) is one of their watchwords. The webinars (online interactive classes) are changing how we keep up with the Wave~!
Ohana Software Check them out!
Labels: genealogy software, webinar
2010 Census is hiring
This is genealogy related. The US Census Bureau is beginning to hire for the 2010 Census. Wouldn't it be nice if census workers Cared about genealogy and Accuracy?! If you have worked the Census before, it is interesting to see the changes. This is for temporary work, but it may last awhile, as this is just 2009. Call 866-861-2010 to find your local Census office, and set up an appointment for the screening test. The test is basic reading, math, maps, and following directions. Check it out.
Labels: Census, employment
new.FamilySearch.org
I am really excited about new.FamilySearch.org! I have posted in my profile that one of my most fun thigs about family hostory research is finding other people to collaborate with - well new FamilySearch.org is going to really facilitate this! I am LDS, and so I am amazed and excited about all the wonderful improvements nFS will enable even over the tremendous things that "old" FamilySearch can do - streamlining the prcesses for temple work, cleaning up records, "correcting" errors.... But "regular" FamilySearch.org is changing and growing, too! This is a great day to be working in family history research :-)
Our temple district will be going online pretty soon. We are within our 90-days/pre-rollout period, if all goes well :-) Our family history consultants, and leadership, are actively working on their own family history "accounts" on nFS. We are all learning patience :-0 And we are learning a Lot!
There are amazing resources becoming available through the Church at Family History centers, and through other entities online. The Family History centers are not going away - they should become busier and busier. Our FHC has a schedule of regular hours, but I expect that the times they are "not open" will also become more utilized, too, with special classes and small groups. Great day!
One key to commitment is the recognition of the direct relationship of involvement in family history work and blessings in your life. It is a fundamental commitment in my life. I recommend it. Besides the transferable skills from learning to do research, keep records, analyze data, do story problems in math, write letters and improve your interviewing techniques, it is fun and keeps you off the streets at night! Networking for family history you meet all kinds of wonderful people. Knowing you are part of a family gives hope for the future - We're not alone :-)
Makes you want to reach out & touch someone! Touch someone's heart - remember them.
Facebook
I'm on Facebook, too. RU?
Labels: social networking
When will we learn?
We live in the Medford Oregon Temple District. Priesthood leadership and family history consultants now have access to
new.FamilySearch.org Exciting times! I am encouraged that new. FamilySearch.org is an improvement to how genealogy is done. Plus all the new databases that are being made available through the means of
FamilySearchIndexing, and partnerships with FamilySearch.org, are really going to open a lot of brick walls for people, worldwide. This is a great time to be alive and participating in this great work. There is a great responsibility to do more, too, as individuals. The means is there. We need to step up to the plate. President Hinckley's (and other prophets!) vision of the magnitude of the work that needs to be done, is coming into action. The capacities, the capabilities, the scope of the mission of the Church in electronic media is really taking off. There is an LDS Tecnology Blog; this month's Ensign's lead article was about sharing the Gospel online in our sphere of influence; stake and ward websites, email lists for auxillaries, on and on. Classes at our family history all have something to do with utilizing electronic resources. It is here. It is not my mother's genealogy anymore. Only it is! The basics are still the most important thing! Cite your sources. Don't just copy and pass it on.
Meanwhile life goes on. The human condition is the same throughout the ages. We each have our agency; none of us are perfect, and as we live our lives and make our choices, themes of the human condition echo through the generations. The older I get, the more sympathy I have for my own parents. When I was a teenager and they were going through a divorce I really had no idea what they were going through, except that from observing my mother, I knew that it was emotionally difficult! Oh, how I wish I could talk with them now :-( I believe that after we die that we can see more clearly on the other side of the veil. I don't mean that we automatically will see more clearly, but that if we can start to recognize our biases, that we Can start to see the real reality. But what do I know? I know that our prayers from here still have impact on the other side of the veil, and that that is the case the other way, too.
3 am - 10 Minutes past when I said I was going to go to sleep. All this is hard on diabetes management.... But I am glad I am still alive.
Labels: Doomed to repeat history?
my favorite things
Working on family history really is one of my favorite things. I have been doing more on FamilySearchIndexing.org; I just worked on 3 more pages on my family history site on GooglePages. I do feel like I get something done when I do that.
My life has been full of lots of other stuff, though, the actual Stuff of Life. Taxes done, but maybe we will file an amended return. Our youngest son is working hard to graduate from high school and get into college. We are working on the plan to move to Washington State this summer. And there is the associated paring down, sorting and packing. Plus dealing with the VA, volunteering with the American Red Cross, the local Senior Center, and working two shifts at our family history center.
Another one of my new found favorites is that every night as I retire I write in a journal about at least two times in the day when I could see the hand of the Lord in my life or the lives of my loved ones. Only two?! I really feel the presence of the Spirit in my life. I KNOW I need help! I pray for help, and I appreciate the help I know I get, and that I am able to participate in. I pray to be a blessing, as well as to have our family's needs met.
Family history particularly is how I am on the lookout to be a blessing. Being involved in family history has been such a blessing to me :-) I have learned what ever I know about computers because of how it has been a tool for family history. I sing because of my testimony, and my family's heritage of faith to me. I serve because of the examples of service I have from my family :-)
When I publish my family history I hope it will be a cookbook. I just started taking insulin this week. I am rethinking my recipes now.
Some people might approach their family history with humor. Which stand-up comics have stories about their families? We all have funny stories from growing up, as long as we survive them! I hope you are writing your funny stories down!
Today is St. Patrick's Day, 17 Mar 2008. This was the Meet-iversary for my father's parents. They had gone on a double date to a St. Patrick's Day dance (1/2 way through Lent, when you get a break from whatever you are giving up for Lent?), but they didn't go with eachother. After the dance, after they dropped off Pa's date, he asked Nana's date if it would be alright to ask her out. I hope my cousins will straighten me out on that story.
Anyway, I know one Irish joke. Would you like to hear it?
What is green and Irish and sits out in the back yard all night?
Paddy O'Furniture...
And it was clean!
