Preparation, Preparation, Preparation

This has been a very busy week as my course presentation for the Samford University's Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research (IGHR) is coming together. I have two classes to present on June 13, 2007 in Birmingham. I will be presenting a program about Alabama genealogy and one about finding family in the 20th century.
My deadline for submitting the outline is May 1st and that day fast approaches. I love to do these presentations but I find the preparation is a drag. Am I alone in this feeling?
You can learn more about this very educational program by visiting this web site at Samford University: http://www.samford.edu/schools/ighr/.

Genealogy On Line via Conference Call

Most of my evening yesterday was spent on a conference call initiated by the folks at Ancestral Manor led by Sharon Sergeant: http://ancestralmanor.com/dnn/. We enjoyed hearing about the upcoming Professional Management Conference to be held in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Some of the presenters joined the conference call, such as Donna Moughty and Tom Jones, and shared the programs that will be available. This PMC is the first day of the Federation of Genealogical Societies: http://www.fgs.org/ to be held August 15-18, 2007. I was thrilled to hear about the writing program, report writing program, and one about unique resources. Anyone who might want to learn how to polish their skills in the field of genealogy and its affiliated programs should plan to attend the FGS.

Saturday from Lakeland

Saturday found my day beginning with a commemoration ceremony by the local chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy dedicating a monument to all the Confederate Army veterans who are buried in Roselawn Cemetery. Many attended the dedication including Lakeland City Commissioner Howard Wiggs, myself representing the Polk County Historical Commission and the Imperial Polk Genealogical Society along with many of the local and state officers of UDC.
The meeting was entertained by a musical group named Identical Strangers. This group consisted of two women and a man who played guitars and fiddle as they sang a song from the movie "O' Brother Where Art Thou" and several others.
The weather was fantastic and the program was super. I had to be excused early to attend the meeting of the IPGS.

View from Florida

It has just about moved into full blown summer. It was over 80 degrees here in Lakeland today and the breeze was blowing lightly out of the west.
Got a call from the vital records office in Portland, Maine and the clerk said it was snowing and it might put a damper on their "Patriot's Day" celebration on Monday. I wish all states would celebrate such a thing and recognize our founding fathers.
We are having a big celebration on Saturday for our local chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy is dedicating a memorial marker for all the Confederate soldiers buried in a local cemetery. I have been asked to speak for a few minutes as I will be representing the genealogy community.
I will try to get a photo of the memorial marker and post it on my blog for all the world to see.

New Venture

My first venture to adding to my blog in several months. My daughter Kim has come to work in my office and will be learning what I have done for more than 25 years. She is slowly learning and I can see it will take a long time.
She is learning how to use my many databases. I think she is super on the net but I have to make certain that she understands not all the stuff is truth on the net.