A Genealogy Reflection of 2017

Above, my husband and I are with a group of genealogists from the Lowell, MA area. We had a pretty active genealogy club, but as time passed, we lost 4 people due to death, and several lost interest. I believe the club lasted about 15 years. Two people shown above are very active in local Massachusetts genealogical clubs, and you'll probably recognize the two named Diane.

At this time of the year, many genealogists are taking stock of their 2017 accomplishments or lack thereof. I fall into the later category. The evidence is from Google, but the statistics aren't all that bad. In 2010 and 2011, I wrote 260+ blogs a year, this past year it was 18! My readership via email is over 1,000, the increase came in the fall, and my hits are at 572,100 (32,000 more since Oct. 25), although I don't remember the total in 2016.

If you are wondering if I'm still doing genealogy, the answer is a YES,  but several things have gotten in the way. Mainly, many computer problems, printer problems, and Verizon has been to the house three times. I did purchase a new computer and printer in the spring.

For 2018, I intend to complete the approximate 100 posts I have in draft form. Most are travel related, with plenty of photos, because my husband and I took a lot of day trips, and I know there are always a few readers who appreciate the photos. I get ideas from facebook friends, and then I have to go and see places for myself. My 65+ library posts were fun, and I'd like to continue writing them. Several genealogy related posts are almost ready to post as well. However, I haven't done any research that is out of the norm that any genealogist does, so I won't write about my findings. If I find amazing discoveries, then I'll post the story.

I've helped quite a few people with their research and just recently decided to update some posts. During the past 8 years, new data has been entered into my tree, and my posts need to reflect that. Two examples of updated posts are:

Tombstone Tuesday -- OLIVER AND ANNA BELDEN (written July 2011)

I explain that my 3 photos gave no indication of where they were taken in the cemetery. I took additional photos recently and added more information.

BALCH of Massachusetts -- Surname Saturday (written January 2011)

My blog has at least 159 Surname Saturday listings. Many are terribly outdated, so I chose my Balch line to update. I had to use a trial-and-error method since I couldn't use RootsWeb due to Ancestry problems. So, with RootsMagic, I did a report, copied it to Word, then pasted to the post, obviously a long process. So, I hope Ancestry does its magic to get RootsWeb up and running soon.

Below are a few posts.

If Only All Cemeteries Would Do This

Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum

The Royall House and Slave Quarters, At One Time t...

Requests July 8, 2014

In less than a month, I've received three requests from individuals wanting to use a photo of mine for whatever purpose, usually business related. Of course, I gave permission, but what is unusual is the number. In the past, requests were from one or two genealogists. Below are the three letters to me, followed by the photo. Possible future requests will be posted to this site.

"Dear Barbara,
I’m an archaeologist working on some large scale excavations in Philadelphia and we have a public information session coming up for the residents of the neighborhood where we are doing the excavations.  I was looking for pictures of open hearth and brick oven cooking to use on a poster that will explain how red earthenware pans and dishes were used in 19^th century cooking and I came across this image on your blog.  I was wondering if you would give us permission to copy the image for our poster?  The public session is very informal—sort of a meet and greet for archaeologists and people in the neighborhood—but your photo is ideal for showing both a hearth and a brick oven. You would of course be credited as the author of the image."

The photo is shown, but some of you might not be able to see it. Please see my "Seeing New England" post here, and scroll down to see the two ladies in the kitchen. HERE.

"Hi Barbara,

I've just come across your blog and I really enjoy it.

Thank you so much.

I am the author of The Old Money Book, which is currently available on Amazon and Nook. The book details how anyone from any background can adopt the values, priorities, and habits of America's upper class in order to live a richer life.

I have a blog http://theoldmoneybook.com/ as well.

I was wondering if I may use your photograph of the Concord Free Library Main Reading Room. It's beautiful, and perfectly captures the tone of my book and blog."

My third request this month was from Maine.

"I wanted to write you personally to let you know we recently featured your post about Kennebunkport Historic District on Hopper! Click here to view it or to sign up to reach new readers. 

Hopper wants to reward awesome bloggers like yourself with more and better exposure, so if you have any feedback or questions please reply directly to this email."

On July 16, 2014, I received: "Barbara,

AAA Southern New England will be featuring Westford in the October issue of our club publication Horizons. We have print, the online version and a Facebook page, too.

The member submitted column, which is called My Town, will mention The Westford Knight.  I'd like your permission to possibly use one of your attached photos. We will be happy to give you a photo credit if we use it. 

Thanks for your help." 

A Little Cheer in the New Year.

Every time I see this photo, it cheers me up, especially in winter and each time I turn on my iPad. The above photo was taken in a nursery in the middle of winter last January. I had just gotten the toy and decided to take practice photos. It soon became my cover photo and I see it every time I go online. Since that day, I took very few flower photos because I wasn't happy with the outcome. The reason for writing all this is to say, I have taken over 4,000 shots this past year, and deleted about 1,000. Many others have to do with genealogy in some way, such as: cemetery stones, war memorials, and a lot of tourist spots in New England.

If you have seen any of my posts for this past year, each photo was taken with this iPad, the majority are clear and sharp. It's works beautifully for cemetery stones and pages from books, really anything but flower close-ups.

One of my "projects" for this year is to go through all photos and get them posted to my blog. It might seem unusual to see bare ground (no snow), green trees and lovely foliage in a cemetery during these early 2014 months, but that is what I intend to do.

Meeting up with Blogger Friends -- Part 1

Within the past month, I've met with two genealogy blogger friends. First was Cynthia Shenette who has the Heritage Zen blog. And the second was with Diane MacLean Boumenot of the One Rhode Island Family blog. I had met each of them four times, so they weren't "new" to me. Below are photos taken almost a month ago in Harvard, Massachusetts, where Cynthia and I visited the Fruitlands Museum. To give you an understanding what it is, Wikipedia writes, "The property was purchased in 1910 by Clara Endicott Sears, who opened the farmhouse to the public in 1914 as a museum.^[5] In addition to the Fruitlands building, the site now includes a transplanted Shaker house from the nearby Harvard Shaker Village, Native American artifacts and Hudson River School paintings.^[6] The museum is primarily the result of the efforts of Sears, a preservationist." We had a very nice time, weather was absolutely perfect for walking, even though the pictures show a threatening sky.

The red house above was where Louisa May Alcott and her family lived for six months. Below is an original sofa where she sat (we were not allowed to sit on it, of course). From MassMoments, the article tells us that the Alcott family arrived at Harvard, MA from Concord, MA on June 1, 1943. Interesting article may be seen at:

http://www.massmoments.org/moment.cfm?mid=162

Shaker house. Wish I had taken photos inside, but I managed a shot from the back.

In the art museum, I took this photo called, Sunset in the Tropics, 1868 by Frederick Edwin Church.

The year before, Cindy and I met in Boston to tour The Gibson House Museum. From their website, "Built in 1859-60, the Gibson House stands as the historic house museum of the Back Bay. In 2001, the National Park Service declared the Gibson House a National Historic Landmark. It is unique as an unspoiled single-family residence that retains its kitchen, scullery, butler’s pantry and water closets, as well as formal rooms and private family quarters, filled with the Gibsons’ original furniture and personal possessions. Visitors enjoy a glimpse of the lives of a well-to-do Boston family and their domestic staff." We loved this old house, even though it was rather dark inside and the stairs didn't look safe, we still enjoyed ourselves. I wish I'd taken more photos, but couldn't becauswe it was quite dark inside.

UPDATE: Fall 2016 article

Welcome to my Genealogy Blog, Redux

Central Street, Lowell, Massachusetts

It was a nice summer, and I enjoyed my three month break from blogging, except I slipped up recently, and posted a few things because I was itching to do it.

One change I am making is described below, and it will be posted to my heading

description. With over 930 posts written I'd like to ease up on the writing...which I know isn't strong, but will focus on taking the pictures that relate to history in some way.

For four years I've blogged mostly about my personal genealogy in New England (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire), New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconson, and the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada. In addition, I have taken a lot of photos to go along with my stories.

After 4 years, I have decided to update my blog, and make it more useful to those who have New England ancestors and want to see the area through photos, I know you don't all want to read about my ancestors. I have always loved photography, and even took 8 cover shots for the DAR Magazine many years ago. Things I’ll include are typical white New England churches, libraries showing their genealogical collection, historical societies, historical sites, cemeteries and war monuments. If something else interests me, I’ll take pictures. I’ll also take some nature shots, like the ocean, flowers, and the lay of the land.

Please check out the labels on the right side for articles. The header tabs at the top are a work in progress.

Blogs and Summer

The photo was enlarged so you could clearly see where I want to spend some of my summer. Not necessarily here at the historic Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich, Massachusetts, but going to other places in New England and taking photos. Additional photos of the estate are posted to my Seeing New England blog. The bottom photo is the view at the opposite end, I just turned around. For movie lovers, you might recognize this location. (Taken Memorial Day, 2013.)

For several years, I've wanted to take a summer break from blogging, and since I'm going into my fourth year, with over 1293 posts combining my three blogs: Life From The Roots, Seeing New England and Flowers from my Area, I feel this is the time for a vacation. I will continue posting in Seeing New England. A warm thank you to all of you following me and the many more who follow by email. I wish you all a healthy and a happy summer.



NOTE: A SPECIAL GENEALOGY SOFTWARE OFFER (July 3-7, 2013).

I recently received notification from a rep. from HEREDIS, a genealogy software program you might have heard about. There is a super deal on to buy it for $10, until Sunday. Barbara

Here is the message: We would like to inform you that we have launched promotions for all versions of the Heredis genealogy software and some of the offers may interest your readers.
MEGA DEAL: Heredis software for $10!

For 4 DAYS ONLY, from Wednesday, July 3, 2013 to Sunday, July 7, 2013 inclusive, Heredis for PC at $10 instead of $ 39.90 available in http://www.heredis.com/en/heredis-pc/ and Heredis for Mac at $10.99 instead of $ 59.99 available in http://www.heredis.com/en/heredis-mac/or in the App Store: http://appstore.com/mac/heredis/.
Last update: improvement of the Gedcom import/export. If genealogists have created a file with another genealogy program, it is easy to transfer in the Heredis program. The file will be converted automatically in the Heredis version. All data will be open.

We thank you in advance for your feedback. Do not hesitate to come back to me for any further information.

Heredis PC | Heredis
www.heredis.com
Tout sur la généalogie avec Heredis, le logiciel de généalogie pour Mac, pour Windows, et pour iPhone/iPad.

Heredis PC | Heredis

www.heredis.com

http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4664905362839287500#editor/target=post;postID=2692237524796147397;onPublishedMenu=overview;onClosedMenu=overview;postNum=0;src=postname

How Observant Are You ?

Do you recognize the below photo? It was my very first header photo for my blog. If you look at the current one, you will see I changed seasons, not locations (see last photo). These were taken in Chelmsford, Massachusetts.

The winter photo was taken on a 50 degree day in January! The second photo, of the same cemetery, shows something quite interesting, especially if you have ancestors buried there and want to source it correctly. And the third photo was a total surprise, since I've been by it probably thousands of times. Why am I just noticing some of these things, well, it's due to a new iPad. Yesterday was my first time using the camera, and because of the large size of the photos it just about told me to really look at what I had taken...almost like looking at document. The first two answers are below.

I didn't enlarge because you wouldn't be able to see the right side (nice followers photos covered it.) The enlarged is below.

Cute little house on the common and, I never wondered what it was.

Middlesex Canal Toll House 1832

Oldest Canal Toll Houses in America. (Photo enlarged from above picture.)

This was totally new to me.

Notice the two signs? One says Forefathers Burial Grounds and the other is Forefathers Burying Ground.

Something a Little Different for the New Year

Which blog has 4,500,000 pageviews? You'll have to continue reading, because you won't be able to guess it.

Bloggers love writing and at the beginning of a new year, many will write what they accomplished the previous year, and what they hope to accomplish in the new year. I don't bother with the resolutions.

Instead, I've decided to post some of the very enjoyable blogs I follow that have no genealogy information. They are also the ones I usually read first. After 23 years of doing genealogy and over three years of writing this blog, it's time to discover what else is out there. If anybody has a few favorite, non-genealogy blogs, please leave me a comment. I'll include them to this list.

The most recent blog I discovered is, My Castle in Spain. Lala says, "I’m an ex Parisian living a village life in Andalusia (southern Spain). I create paper objects, I make aprons, I bake cakes for a restaurant and I occasionally translate to earn the extra bucks. Andalusia, gardens, pastry making, flowers, cakes and books and my Spanish boyfriend are my constant inspirations."

Do you like Paris and food? If so, you'll enjoy Paris Breakfast by Carol. She writes, "Paris breakfast is an 'amuse bouche', a little bite of daily Parisian life to savor with your coffe and inspire your dreams. I paint Paris dreams." I had never seen a blog with over 4,500,000 pageviews" That give you an idea of how popular it is.

The Library History Buff Blog, by Larry, a retired librarian, wrote, "Promoting the appreciation, enjoyment, and preservation of our library heritage." His blog has been a long-time favorite of mine.

One blog I can relate to and really love is Elizabeth's  About New York She has some of the best photos of the city, and this was my go-to site as Hurricane Sandy hit. She lives in lower Manhattan and captured real life days following the storm.

Now I know gardening is a huge hobby, maybe more popular than genealogy. Finding Growing with Plants was a real treat. Matt of Worcester, MA wrote, "Growing with plants began as a little project where I could document my daily adventures in my glass greenhouses and in the garden, here in central Massachusetts.  To show this blog's popularity, he has over 1,000,000 pageviews!   

Another fun blog is Shortbread and Ginger. The owner, Liz writes, “I also love rummaging through charity shops for vintage bits and pieces." If you enjoy needlework, beads, antiques, you'll enjoy this site.

Heather Rojo recommended a cooking blog, Cooking without Dairy.

Wendy Grant Walter recommended a blog about quilts called, Crazy Mom Quilts.

Did You Contribute to my Top Ten Two Years Ago?

SUNDAY, JANUARY 2, 2011

Your Top Ten -- Not My Top Ten

Below is the post I did almost two years ago (see above date). Recently, I realized it is among my all-time top 10 among readers. As a matter of fact, it is #2, after my Adams surname. See my most popular posts on the sidebar, on the lower right-hand side. I thought, on this almost anniversary, it would be a good time to share it with my new readers. The contributors might get a kick out of it too.

As a little twist on the annual Top Ten most popular blogs for 2010. I've decided not to list mine but, welcome readers to post their top 10 or top 5 OF THEIR OWN posts in the comment section. There are now 18 entries, so there is lots to read, not just for now, but for when you have time in the coming weeks. I'm asking for your title and link only. If you already posted to your own list, you can do it here as well.   Bring on 2011 2013. Happy New Year everybody. (Note: My spacing might be off, but that is due to copying what was submitted.)

From Susan Petersen at Long Lost Relatives:
1. Tribute to my Mom
2. What if Your Ancestor Was an Axe Murderer
3. Success Stories: When the Pieces Come Together
4. The Bellinger Family History as Told by John William Bellinger
5. Batter Up
6. Success Story: Petersen-Jeremiasen immigration record
7. Sunday Supper - homemade ice cream
8. If You Can Read This Thank a Teacher
9. Create Your Own Genealogy Conference

From Susan at Nolichucky Roots: 
1.-2. Orphaned and Widowed, Part I      (continues to Part II)
3. Treasure Chest Thursday: What they kept
4. Once upon a time or Why Uncle Vasil firebombed the church
5. Thanksgiving: Our American Story

From Heather W. Rojo at Nutfield Genealogy:
1. My cow series of posts, which were four stories all in one week
2. Romanus Emerson, my 4x great grandfather
3. Cousins at the Battle of Lexington
4. Ginger Harvey of Londonderry
5. Another Royal Wedding

From Jo at Images Past:

What a good idea Barbara - I started my Images Past blog in August, but my favourites so far are:

1. Dad's pet jackdaw

2. Names in the Scottish records which relate to our recent spell of wintry weather

3. Comparing the personalities of my Gran and her sister using their two sewing boxes

Elyse Doeflinger said...
Hey Barbara! Here is the link to my top posts!  Elyses Genealogy Blog

Carol said...
OK, Barbara, I did a post for ya  Reflections From the Fence

Joan Miller said....
Thanks Barbara! Luxegen Genealogy is my blog and I would like to share some posts that brought in new cousin connections this year. Blogging does make genealogy connections!
1. My Grandmother was a Blue Tooner
2. Surname Saturday: Wilson Scotland to Canada
3. Finding the MILLER branches in New Brunswick
4. Y DNA Y NOT

Hummer (Frances) of Branching Out Through the Years submitted five blogs, and they can be seen at this link. She also mentioned Carol and me, so if you want to read that, you'll need to go here Top Favorite Posts.

Jennifer / IrishEyesJG wrote: 

Thanks for posting these. Carol suggested I add my URL. I write, On a flesh and bone foundation': An Irish History. This was a really nice exercise; I enjoyed revisiting these posts. My post of Most Popular Posts.

Nancy of My Ancestors and Me wrote:

Here are my top ten, a few of which are readers' favorites and some that were ignored by readers.

1. Coal Miners in My Family

2. Refreshing an Indelible Image

3. Raymond - An Unusual Christmas Memory

4. How His Surname Passed Away

5. Student Nurse, Registered Nurse

6. yes That Engage the Viewer

7. Elizabeth

8. My Father's Desk

9. Like Mother, LIke Daughter

10. A Kind and Generous Woman

Cynthia Shenette of Heritage Zen wrote:

1. Advent Calendar, Food: What the Dickens, Or How to Blow Up a Duck 

2. The Stories My Grandmother Told Me

3. Meditation: The Strength of Ordinary Women 
4. Where They Lived: Every Address Tells a Story
5. COG 97: Researching "The Coldbrook Tragedy" (Part 1 of 4) 
6. Reflecting on My American Experience This Thanksgiving 
7. A Matter of Habit: Solving a Mystery
8. Madness Monday: The Stuff We Throw Away, and... 

9. Treasure Chest Thursday: Travel Diary, Poland 1937 
10. Letters and Photos and Stuff, Oh My!: Sorting Through a Loved One's Estate (Part 1 of 3)

Greta Koehl of Greta's Genealogy Bog sent her link to her Top 5 favorites.

Bill West of West in New England sent his link to his Top 10 favorites.

Dru Pair of Find Your Folks sent her link to her Top 6 favorites. 

Liz of My Tapley Tree...and its Branches submitted her Top 5 favorites. 
I have a new blog: gatapleytree.blogspot.com. I just started it in November, but I've already made 39 posts!
1. Sympathy Saturday
2. A Place in Our Family
3  Wednesdays Child - Michael Edward Tapley
4. Treasure Chest
5. Wordless Wednesday

Pat O'Donnell Kuhn of Touching Family History submitted her Top 5 favorites.
1. Sundays Obituary - George C. Vanbilliard
2. SNGF - Your Very Best 2010
3. Thriller Thursday - Sad Case of Poisoning
4. Sentimental Sunday - Mom and Dad
5. Sisters

Becky Wiseman of Kinexxions submitted her Top 6 favorites.

Brenda of Journey to the Past listed her favorites.
Barbara, it looks like you have a hit with this idea! I chose my fav 5:
5. Ancestor Biography of David Watt and continued
4. Sorting out Henry Glover
3. Veteran's Day-My Father's Service
2. Hattie's Bible
1. Tombstone Tuesday-German P.O.W's