Backing-Up Your Genealogy Data

I recently read a blog post by Thomas MacEntee that reminded his readers to back-up all of their genealogy data.  I shook my head when I read the reminder, because I have personally suffered from a tragic data loss that left me empty handed after several years of research.  For whatever reason, most of us genealogists think of only how to locate and accumulate new material in our research - while completely overlooking the daunting task of protecting it all.  (MORE)

Wedding Wednesday: Chris and Darla

The family treasures I run across while sorting through my genealogy collection continue to amaze me. I can't believe all of the things I have kept over the years. I suppose that's because I was one of those pack rat kids who could find sentimental value in the most trivial of trinkets.  (MORE)

My Top Ten Genealogy Tools

Earlier this month, Randy Seaver at Genea-Musings published his top ten list of genealogy tools and asked his fellow bloggers what their own lists would include.  Randy's post made me consider my own genealogy toolbox and question what I consider to be the most valuable tools at my disposal.  Here is what I came up with (in no particular order):  (MORE)

Evernote: A Great Tool

Above logo links to the Evernote website

The blogger in me is constantly thinking up new ideas, topics, sentences, or seeing things that would be perfect for a new post.  I got in the habit of using the notepad on my phone for keeping notes, but it wasn't as convenient as it sounds.  My notes had to be synced to my pc, they were unorganized, and the process of syncing and then organizing was a royal pain.  Since there is an app for everything now - I started looking around on the App Store for a free app meant for taking notes...  this is how I stumbled across Evernote.  A couple of days later I had figured out how to use the app and became seriously addicted.  (MORE)

Embracing My Heritage: Traditional Appalachian Music

Evan Dew - 14 Jun 2009

From a very young age I was taught to appreciate music.  My daddy loved music in a wide range of genres.  He started quizzing me on artists and song titles before I could spell my own name - and I was surprisingly good at his little game.  I suppose it's really no wonder, because I come from a rather musically inclined family.  I have one cousin whom I'm convinced is the most talented guitarist to ever live, another cousin who I remember playing the drums when I was a little girl, another with the windpipes of an angel, my daddy had a beautiful voice, and although I have no hidden musical talents to speak of - I am confident that I could win "Name That Tune" even if I went deaf.  (MORE)

Sorting Saturday: Cleaning Up the Mess

The Mess

Last Saturday I talked about how I was working on creating a workspace to help myself become more organized in my research and blogging efforts.  I think my mentality on the issue leaked over into other areas of my life, because I have been a little obsessive compulsive about cleaning lately.  Just today the refrigerator was emptied and thoroughly scrubbed, the dishes were washed, the bathroom got cleaned, floors swept and mopped, and after this post is finished - I plan on working on the seemingly growing pile of genealogy stuff that I have collected over the years.  (MORE)

Poplar Grove's Halloween Festival

Poplar Grove Plantation

My mom and I recently made plans to take the girls to Poplar Grove's Halloween Festival this weekend. I find that the closer it gets to time for our little family excursion - the more excited I become. It has been a long time since I have participated in the Poplar Grove Halloween tradition that my family has been embracing for nearly two decades.  (MORE)

Thankful Thursday: Google News Archive

Google News Archive

As a genealogist I am constantly looking for new sources to use in my research.  So when I ran across Delmas Deward Bullard's Funeral Notice I took note of the fact that the Google News Archive has digital copies of the Wilmington Star News.  (MORE)

North Carolina Legends: The Boojum and Hootenanny

View from Lake Junaluska -2011

My closest friends and family will tell you that I have a strange obsession with the dark and twisted.  I love horror movies, scary books, ghost stories, and legends.  I bet most of them have been rather surprised that The Sanford Family Misfit has yet to reveal much about that side of my personality.  (MORE)

Delmas Deward Bullard's Funeral Notice

Delmas Deward Bullard's Funeral Notice

After noticing that most of the hits my blog receives are from direct sources - I decided that I needed to work on getting my number of hits from search engines up.  So, over the last couple of weeks I have been doing a lot of research on improving my Google ranking, SEO (search engine optimization), and the proper use of keywords.  (MORE)