Category Archives: Thoughts and Musings

In Which I Appreciate What I Have and Forget About What I Don’t

Posted on May 9, 2012 by

There will be some genealogy here. Bear with me a moment… I was driving home from work a couple of weeks ago when I  stopped for a lengthy traffic light. It was one of the odd, tropical 80+ degree days … Continue reading →

Posted in Thoughts and Musings | 3 Comments

StaatsofOhio: What’s in a Domain Name?

Posted on May 1, 2012 by

When I decided to start learning about website creation and design, the first thing I did was set up my own domain name. The initial site’s purpose was to talk about what my immediate family was doing, post our vacation photos,etc. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Fun!, Thoughts and Musings | 1 Comment

Fixing Your Genealogy Jalopy: A Metaphor

Posted on April 29, 2012 by

One of the things I’ve discovered over the course of my many life adventures is this: poverty is a wonderful motivator and teacher. During those lean years, I learned to do a number of things I might not have otherwise, … Continue reading →

Posted in Thoughts and Musings | 12 Comments

1940 Census: Now That the Dust Has Settled

Posted on April 22, 2012 by

You would have thought it was the census Brigadoon, never to be seen again after Monday, April 2nd. Every blog, facebook post, and tweet was focused on the release of the 1940 census. Being the rebel I am, I swore … Continue reading →

Posted in Thoughts and Musings | 1 Comment

Genealogy Seminar Organization: Not For the Faint of Heart

Posted on March 30, 2012 by

Phew. If you haven’t seen a post in a while, it’s because my brain is mush. You see, I hold the very lofty-sounding title of Seminar Chairperson. And the first seminar under my watch is tomorrow. Prior to this experience, … Continue reading →

Posted in Thoughts and Musings | 2 Comments

“But it says right here in this record…”

Posted on March 22, 2012 by

A recent thread posted to one of the lists to which I belong has illustrated an important principle of research. In this particular example, the question was about misinformation knowingly provided on a marriage application. Both parties had provided false … Continue reading →

Posted in Thoughts and Musings | 4 Comments

More Pennsylvania Statute Fun: Where Are They Now?

Posted on March 6, 2012 by

While granted, most of my Pennsylvania research has been western and central PA (i.e. “newer”), I have done a reasonable amount of research in eastern Pennsylvania. Never once have I seen any governmental document similar to what is required in … Continue reading →

Posted in Thoughts and Musings | 2 Comments

Who Says Statute Books Are Boring?

Posted on March 2, 2012 by

There’s no question finding the laws that governed the creation and recording of your ancestor’s documents is an integral part of wringing all of those clues out of records that might have gone otherwise unnoticed. I could, and probably have, … Continue reading →

Posted in Thoughts and Musings | 3 Comments

Lines Askew: Irregular Township Shapes South of Ohio’s Western Reserve

Posted on February 19, 2012 by

One of the benefits of speaking to various groups is that inevitably, you will be asked a great question to which you do not know the answer. Such was the case yesterday while speaking to the Summit County Genealogical Society. … Continue reading →

Posted in Thoughts and Musings | 3 Comments

Getting My GRIP On.

Posted on February 8, 2012 by

This summer, I am excited to announce, I will finally be making it to my first-ever extended learning event, the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP). Tension was high in anticipation of the sound of the opening registration bell. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Fun!, Thoughts and Musings | 17 Comments