Season 3 of "Who Do You Think You Are" debuts on Friday, 3 February

There’s a new preview video over at the Who Do You Think You Are? (WDYTYA) website – this one covering the family secrets and skeletons in the closet that stars like Martin Sheen and Marisa Tomei discover!

Who Do You Think You Are? Season 3 (U.S. Version) premieres on Friday, February 3, 2012 on the NBC network (8 p.m. PST on Channel 7/39 in San Diego).

There will be twelve shows in this series, featuring:

*  Martin Sheen
*  Marisa Tomei
*  Blair Underwood
*  Reba McEntire
*  Rob Lowe
*  Helen Hunt
*  Rita Wilson
*  Edie Falco
*  Rashida Jones
*  Jerome Bettis
*  Jason Sudeikis
*  Paula Deen.

RootsTech 2012 Conference - LiveStreamed Sessions

The RootsTech 2012 Conference is this coming weekend, February 2nd to 4th in Salt Lake City.

The Conference website is www.rootstech.org.  There are links there for the:

*  Schedule (http://rootstech.org/schedule)
*  Keynote speakers (http://rootstech.org/schedule/keynotes)
*  Official RootsTech bloggers (http://rootstech.org/bloggers)
*  Expo Hall (http://rootstech.org/expo)
*  Exhibitors and sponsors (http://rootstech.org/exhibitors)
*  Downloads (http://rootstech.org/downloads)

At the downloads site (http://rootstech.org/downloads), anybody can download a Zip file of all of the available presentation summaries.  A user can go to the Schedule (http://rootstech.org/schedule) site and download individual presentation summaries as PDF or DOC files.  Please note:  These are FREE!

There will be at least three sets of Live-streamed presentations (all FREE to access live), including:

*  RootsTech Livestreaming (from Room 155):  see list at http://www.geneamusings.com/2012/01/rootstech-2012-livestreaming-schedule.html

*  Ancestry.com live-streaming:  see list at http://www.geneamusings.com/2012/01/ancestrycom-to-livestream-sessions-at.html

*  Legacy Family Tree will host the Genealogy Idol Competition on Thursday, 1:45 p.m. MST (12:45 p.m. PST).  Register to view the live webinar at http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/Webinars.asp.  You should be able to view it for ten days after the event on http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/Webinars.asp.

This is a wonderful opportunity for all genealogists to obtain up-to-date genealogy technology information (the syllabus materials) and see state-of-the-art presentations live for FREE from the comfort of your home.

January 25th CVGS Program Review - "Genealogy Is Fun! Seriously!"

Randy Seaver was the speaker at the January 25^th program meeting of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society. His topic was “Genealogy Is Fun! Seriously!” The audience of over 40 members and guests came prepared to laugh and enjoy themselves.

From the opening slides with really funny (and strange) names in vital records, to gravestone epitaphs, then several funny obituaries and wills, census records (names and occupations), and finally American and English place names, the audience could hardly believe what they were seeing and hearing. Randy showed some cartoon genealogy funnies, then T-shirt designs (and taking his shirt off to catcalls, revealing his “Genealogy is Like Sex” shirt), and introduced Chris Dunham's genealogy satire site, The Genealogue (www.genealogue.com). After several Top 10 lists, genealogisms and tag lines, he covered possible genealogy TV show themes, rejected conference topics, and a Genea-Man comic book.

Finally, Randy played the song “I Am My Own Grandpa” and demonstrated the relationships on a pedigree chart, ending in a sing-along for the ending chorus. He finished with reasons why he thinks genealogy is fun – citing on-site research, conferences, geneablogger meetups, genealogy cruises, teaching and working in local societies as fun experiences.

Before the presentation, Randy passed out Genealogy Bingo cards to the participants, and during the talk the attendees crossed off words in the categories of Names, Places, Relationships, Terms and Random words as they were said, or read on the screen. Attendees were encouraged to shout “Bingo” when they completed their first line, but nobody completely filled their card (it was close, Shirley Becker fell one square short – the place was “Salt Lake City.”) Who knew that genealogy could be so much fun?

Randy also had a handout with genealogy humor sites (including poems, tag lines, stories, videos) and a list of recommended free and commercial online genealogy sites to help attendees with their research.

CVGS Program on Wednesday, 25 January: "Genealogy Is Fun! Seriously!"

The January program meeting of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society is this coming Wednesday, 25 January 2012, at 12 noon in the Auditorium of the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street in Chula Vista).  

The program speaker will be Randy Seaver on the topic "Genealogy Is Fun! Seriously!"

The presentation summary:

Believe it or not, there is a lot of humor in genealogy research – names, epitaphs, wills, cartoons, videos, sayings, poetry, apparel, wisdom, genealogisms, etc. This presentation takes a light-hearted look at the best of the genealogy humor sites and humorous entries in genealogical databases.  In addition, attendees will play a special game during the presentation - the winner gets to take Randy out for dessert!

Randy's genea-CV:

Our speaker, Randy Seaver, is a native Chula Vistan. His ancestry is mainly colonial New England and Upper Atlantic, with some colonial German, French and Dutch forebears, and several 19th-century English immigrants.  He has been pursuing his elusive ancestors since 1988, and has been online since 1992.

Randy is a former President of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society, and is currently the Newsletter Editor and Research Chair. He speaks to Southern California societies, libraries and groups; teaches "Beginning Computer Genealogy" adult classes at OASIS; and writes the Genealogy 2.0 column for the FGS FORUM magazine.  He is a member of NGS, NEHGS, SDGS, CGSSD, CVGS and SCGS. Randy blogs daily about genealogy subjects at Genea-Musings (www.geneamusings.com), The Geneaholic (www.Geneaholic.com) and the Chula Vista Genealogy Cafe (http://CVGenCafe.blogspot.com).

CVGS Research Group Review - 11 January

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We had a record 18 attendees at the CVGS Research Group meeting on Wednesday, 11 January at the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library.  

Randy started the meeting by discussing coming programs, the Spring Seminar, and the Family History Fair.  He also asked for topic suggestions for an Intermediate Genealogy class (Genealogy 201).  Three topics stood out - Citing Sources, DNA Tests, and Online Research.  Randy passed out a handout with his "Best Of..." research tips by record types.  There was also discussion of education via radio shows, webinars, seminars, conferences, and learning institutes.

Next on the agenda was each attendee highlighting one or two of their 2012 Goals.  The goals described included (without names!):

*  Citing sources better
*  Research the next generation on my tree, and research the "dashes" (family history events)
*  Become better organized - my paper collection and computer files
*  Learn how to use my genealogy software program (Family Tree Maker, Reunion, RootsMagic, Family Tree Builder mentioned)
*  Publish my research to a DVD
*  Put my research on paper into genealogy software
*  Research a specific line (e.g., maternal grandfather's line)
*  Scan, label and organize my pictures.
*  Get my computer working again
*  Dedicate one day a week on genealogy efforts.
*  Use my Ancestry.com subscription to find records of ancestors
*  Prove the line so I can join "Daughters of the King"
*  Take the Genealogy 101 class
*  Increase my involvement in CVGS
*  Attack and knock down my brick wall challenge
*  Pick and use only one genealogy program
*  Do research at the FHL in Salt Lake City
*  Add content and sources to my genealogy database

Questions asked included:

*  What's the scoop on the 1940 U.S. Census?  Answer:  See January newsletter; images available on 2 April, FamilySearch/Archives and Ancestry will create separate every-name indexes, perhaps completed by the end of 2012.
*  For photo scanning, what resolution should I use?  Answer:  For printing, 300 dpi as a JPG is satisfactory.  For archival purposes, 600 dpi saved in a TIF format is recommended.
*  How do I import a GEDCOM file into FTM 2011?  Answer:  The Help button is your friend, and there's a book to help you.  Friends can help also.
*  Do programs have Research Logs?  Answer:  Yes, FTM 2012, RootsMagic and Legacy do - use the Help button.  Or use a word processor for each surname or ancestor.

In the sharing time, the attendees said:

*  Virginia found a shaky leaf on Ancestry.com for her grandmother's marriage
*  Kevin's cousin sent information for two more generations, and Kevin found a third.
*  Mary Lou noted that members of some genealogical societies are permitted to go into their county records to research questions.
*  Ann went to Wisconsin to research, and shared research with an elderly cousin.  She also found a 1906 divorce notice on a Clark county WI website.
*  Bobbie shared three books that have helped her research, one on DNA research, another on Acadia, and the third on Lake County IL resources.
*  Randy had success with the San Diego historical newspapers just added to GenealogyBank.  He also discussed autosomal DNA tests and results.

This was a very fast and information-packed meeting.

The next Research Group meeting will be the second Wednesday of February, 8 February, at 12 noon in the Chula Vista Civic Center Library Computer Lab (note the location change, due to AARP income tax help).

January 2012 CVGS Newsletter Available Online

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The January 2012 issue of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society Newsletter is available online at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cacvgs2/Newsletters/12_01jan.pdf, in a PDF format.


The Table of Contents includes:


*  page 1 - January 25th Program Meeting: "Genealogy is Fun! Seriously!" with Randy Seaver
*  page 2 - President's Message
*  page 3 - Spring Seminar Announcement: 31 March, "British Isles to America and Migrating West" with Bill Dollarhide and Leland Meitzler.
*  page 3 - Ask Gene E. Allogee, Tip and Techniques


*  page 4 - Research Group News
*  page 4 - Computer Group News
*  page 4 - Lemon Grove Research Group News
*  page 4 - Be A Part of CVGS History
*  page 5 - December Holiday Luncheon Review


*  page 6 - Sharing Files with Dropbox (Dick Eastman article)
*  page 6 - Library Committee Report
*  page 6 - CVGS Workshop Programs
*  page 7 - Here Come the 1940 US Census Records
*  page 8 - Online Articles That Might Help Your Research


*  page 9 - CVGS Society Information
*  page 9 - San Diego Genealogy Events
*  page 10 - Genealogy Days in Chula Vista

Genealogy Days in Chula Vista - January 2012

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The Chula Vista Genealogical Society events for January 2012 include:

** Wednesday 11 January, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Research Group meets in the Library Conference Room, led by Randy Seaver. We will review the latest genealogy news, share success stories and information, and discuss members research problems, and potential solutions, based on the collective knowledge and wisdom of the group.

** Wednesday, 18 January, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Computer Group meets in the Library Computer Lab, led by Shirley Becker. Sharpen your computer skills and investigate online genealogy resources.

** Saturday, 21 January, 1 p.m.to 3 p.m., Bonita-Sunnyside (County) Library (4375 Bonita Road) -- Outreach Workshop meets in Community Room. Susi Pentico will present "More Counties of Pennsylvania."

** Wednesday, 25 January, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- General Society Meeting meets in the Auditorium. CVGS Member Randy Seaver will present "Genealogy is Fun! Seriously!"  There will be a society business meeting before the presentation.

The Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library is located at 365 "F" Street in Chula Vista - between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue, midway between I-5 and I-805 (take the "E" Street exit from the freeways).

The Bonita-Sunnyside (County) Library is located at 4375 Bonita Road in Bonita - just west of the Otay Lakes Road intersection with Bonita Road, on the north side of Bonita Road. The Chula Vista South Library is at 389 Orange Avenue (southeast corner on Fourth Avenue) - parking lot is off of Orange east of Fourth.

We welcome guests and visitors to our CVGS programs and events - if you are in the greater San Diego area and want to attend our events - please come and introduce yourselves.