Cec and I registered before we left on our US trip and I signed up for the classes that interested us:
- I've had my DNA tested, now what? Presenger: Mary Kathryn Kozy This was so interesting! She started by talking about the Golden State Killer who was recently captured after 40 years on the run. They caught him with a DNA match through a relative on GED MATCH! She also said DNA testing is the gateway drug for genealogy! She took us through all the chromosomes and explained how two siblings may not have exact DNA. She also cautioned about finding "hidden secrets" in your family. I find DNA fascinating and I am very pleased I had mine processed.
- A video presentation: Proven Methodology for using Google for Genealogy. Lisa Louise Cooke was giving a presentation in front of a huge audience. Her tips and tricks on using Google to search for ancestors was excellent. She spoke of Google Books, Google Scholar and Google News! I have never searched those databases. She also told us about Google Alerts, so if you search for something today and come up with zero results and something is published in a month, Google will send you an email! Who knew? Great advice and an interesting presenter.
Break for lunch - We met Sharon and had a nice visit! They served a delicious lunch and when we found out Sharon brought egg salad sandwiches, we both had one. They were wonderful! Along with some fresh veggies, a banana and a nice cold bottle of water it was a nice lunch!
- Intermediate England Research Presenter: Rob Whitlock This was a very detailed presentation. Rob studied genealogy at the University of Toronto and is a past president of the BC Genealogy Society. His family is from England and his presentation was intense! He started out by explaining why you can't find anything before 1066! He said there are four dominant time periods, Before 1066; 1066 - 1500; 1500 - 1837; 1837 to present. If you want to search 1086, check the Doomsday book. If your ancestors were royalty or owned land, they would be noted in the Doomsday book. That let's my family out! From 1500 to 1600 all records are in Latin! In 1752 England moved from the Julian to Gregorian calendar. In 1837 England started the Civil Registry! From that date forward you should be able to locate your ancestors! He gave us many internet sites and book sources to help find information. His knowledge was awesome. There was so much information and I am glad I took notes. There is a course handout that is available to download. I've just saved it for future reference!
Sharon went to The 1939 Register. The National Registration Act 1939, was an act of Parliament in the United Kingdom. It was introduced as an emergency measure at the start of World War II. It began operating on 29 September 1939, providing a snapshot of the civilian population of England and Wales. Details of around 40 million people were recorded in more than 65,000 volumes of transcript books. That course interested me but Google was at the same time so I'm glad she filled me in with the details.
There were 24 different seminars, each lasting one hour and 50 minutes! There were beginner, intermediate and advanced classes and you could chose to join the ones that interested you. The event was extremely well organized and the presenters all had excellent qualifications.
At lunch there were several information booths. I knew the Cloverdale Library has a good family history section. They have "Fun Family History Fridays" on the first Friday of each month from 2:30 to 4:30 PM. They are also offering an Ancestry Workshop on Wednesday, May 9th at 7:00 that I signed up for. The class is limited to 12 and you take your laptop. It should be interesting!
I also met the lovely ladies from The United Empire Loyalists Association of Canada, Chilliwack Branch. I don't have any ancestors who supported the Crown and lived in a British-American colony that revolted against Britain in the American revolution, but they were very interesting.
Cec picked up a book of "early Kelowna", complete with pictures and stories from the early days for $2.00! He was born in Kelowna and the city today is much different than the pictures from 1811 until the late 1950's! Some of the 1950's buildings still stand today.
At lunch there were several information booths. I knew the Cloverdale Library has a good family history section. They have "Fun Family History Fridays" on the first Friday of each month from 2:30 to 4:30 PM. They are also offering an Ancestry Workshop on Wednesday, May 9th at 7:00 that I signed up for. The class is limited to 12 and you take your laptop. It should be interesting!
I also met the lovely ladies from The United Empire Loyalists Association of Canada, Chilliwack Branch. I don't have any ancestors who supported the Crown and lived in a British-American colony that revolted against Britain in the American revolution, but they were very interesting.
Cec picked up a book of "early Kelowna", complete with pictures and stories from the early days for $2.00! He was born in Kelowna and the city today is much different than the pictures from 1811 until the late 1950's! Some of the 1950's buildings still stand today.
