Fun & Photos From the Mesa 2009 Family History Expo

As promised, here are some of the photos I took while at the Mesa 2009 Family History Expo.

Holly Hansen, Kimberly Savage and Janene Morgan (Executive Mother Hen) are the women behind Family History Expos. Their hard work and dedication to bringing the best quality speakers and vendors to their expos was evident in Mesa. Great job, ladies!




There was a good number and selection of vendors at the expo. What better way to spend your money!?

After attending The Chart Chick, Janet Hovorka's interesting and informative session about charts, I wanted to meet her in person. She is a friendly and knowlegeable person. I am going to have to review my family files and have some charts made by Janet's company, Generation Maps.

Yes! DearMYRTLE was there, sharing knowledge in her warm and friendly way. I attended her session, "How to Find Where to Look". I learned there are lots of places to look on the FamilySearch website. Myrtle's suggestions and tips are going to keep me busy for the next little while. Ol' Myrt (as she likes to call herself) really is your friend in genealogy.

I'm sure you are familiar with Lisa L. Cooke of the Genealogy Gems Podcast. I had the pleasure of meeting Lisa this past February at the St. George 2008 Family History Expo. Shortly after introducing ourselves to each other, she whipped out her digital recorder and asked if she could interview me for an upcoming episode of her podcast. Was I ever surprised! You can hear our interview at Episode #44.

This time around, Lisa interviewed me on camera for an upcoming Genealogy Gems TV episode. As soon as I know when it will be broadcasted, I will let you know. Lisa is a wonderful person to chat with. She shares her beautiful smile as well as her genealogy knowledge with all. I had a great time catching up with her.

Although I don't have a photo, I did have the opportunity of meeting Colleen McHugh of Orations of OMcHodoy. I am pleased she attended my session "Tracking Your Ancestors on the Internet: Points of Entry". I hope the information I shared will be helpful.

I am looking forward at the next Family History Expo which is being held in St. George, Utah, February 27 & 28, 2009. I hope to see you there!

Live From Mesa!

Yes I am live from the Mesa 2009 Family History Expo. Today has been great. Since I was scheduled to speak yesterday, I had today free to attend the sessions. And the sessions have been very informative. The speakers are excellent.

I have learned some new tips about Google and the tools available from Lisa L. Cooke of the Genealogy Gems Podcast. I have learned all about the DNA testing that is available through Ancestry.com. I have learned about all the FamilySearch has available thanks to DearMYRTLE. Janet Hovorka a.k.a The Chart Chick showed how helpful it is to use charts in your family history research. I

I am planning to post photos from the event in the next day or two. And I will be elaborating on all the goings on here at the Expo. Time to visit the vendors now, one last time before the end of the day.

Fun Friday - Mesa Family History Expo

I have been at the Mesa 2009 Family History Expo today. What a great way to spend a Friday. I did manage to get to a session this morning before I had to speak this afternoon. Unfortunately there is no Internet service available at the convention centre, so I was not be able to blog throughout the day like I wanted to.
Nevertheless, the session I attended was called "What's New at Ancestry?" Well, there is certainly a lot new at Ancestry. Besides new content, there is a new Ancestry toolbar which you can install. You can now customize your own Ancestry homepage and add quick links to all your favourite research databases. Oh, and the books they publish. You can upload a GEDcom file to Ancestry family trees and then you can publish a book based on that information. Ancestry will search its records and find matching documents that you add to the book, such as census records, and birth, marriage and death registrations. The books can be customized any way you like. The Ancestry booth in the Exhibit Hall had some samples of the books. They are gorgeous. I am definitely considering using this service to publish a book about my grandfather.

This afternoon I spent speaking. My first session was "Tracking Your Ancestors on the Internet - US & Canada Census Records". Second session was "Tracking Your Ancestors on the Internet - Points of Entry. This session dealt with Ship Passenger Lists, Immigration Records and Border Crossing Records in Canada and the US. Both session were quite well attended. I had some good comments from the audience afterwards. It makes me feel good when I know people have learned something that they can put to use in their family history research from my sessions.

And now, I am off to the evening banquet. Beau Sharbrough is the keynote speaker. It will be nice to have someone serve me dinner, and I don't have to clean up.

Much more tomorrow.

Here I am in Mesa

It is nice and hot here today in Mesa. Supposed to be 85 degress. Sure beats the cold & drab weather back home.
I am planning to post throughout the day today while I am at the Mesa Family History Expo 2009. There is a wonderful choice of excellent speakers in which I hope to gain some knowledge and tips. I will be speaking this afternoon.

It looks like its going to be a great day!

Fun Friday

It's Friday night and that means it's Fun Friday! Yay! So with that in mind I thought I would share some fun and interesting things with you.

First is Mesa Arizona Family History Expo 2008 by My Ancestors Found is fast approaching - November 14 & 15, 2008. The early bird registration ends this Monday, September 15th. Early bird price is $65.00. Regular pre-registration price is $75.00, and registration at the door is $90.00. Click on the link above to get more details. This is sure to be an excellent event. The theme is "Cyberexchange 101: Learn the tech to trace your roots". There are a variety of terrific presentations planned by wonderful, knowledgeable speakers. I have been to St. George Utah Family History Expo twice and I had a great time! Holly Hansen and her people at My Ancestors Found put on a great family history week-end. Be sure to check it out.


Next is a website called Yearbook Yourself. The kids and I had a blast with yearbooking me. Here are their favourites:


1954





1962

1966

1978 - My boys just about fell over laughing at this one!

1996
Are you done laughing yet?

I know, it is just waaaaaay too funny. Thanks goes to my genea-blogging buddy and cousin, Thomas for finding and sharing this neat website. Not only is it fun, it is useful. You can use it to create those missing photos of family members for your heritage photo album.

Hope you have a Fun Friday checking out Mesa Arizona Family History Expo 2008 and Yearbook Yourself.

Mesa Here I Come!

by looking4ancestors

The Mesa, Arizona Family History Expo 2008 is coming November 14 & 15, 2008.

Expo organizer, Holly Hansen and her crew at My Ancestors Found always put on a great family history week-end.

Mesa is a new venue for the MAF History Expo which is well established in various locations throughout Utah and Wyoming.

Check out the speakers here. I'm sure you will recognize many names. Yours truly will be there. Want to see what topics I'm presenting? Click here.

Check out the schedule of workshops here. There is a fantastic variety of presentations for every level of genealogist.

As you can see it is a jammed-packed, fun-filled, family history experience!

I have been to two St. George Expos, and they keep getting better and better.

So, if I can get there all the way from Canada - so can you! And when you do come, please make sure to say "Hi"!