Little Bytes of Life

Elizabeth Goes to Washington

2009-07-05T07:30:00.000-07:00

Well, my gowns and gloves are packed, and I'm ready to go. This morning, I'm off to Washington, DC, for the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)'s 118th Continental Congress. It's kind of like the Super Bowl of lineage society events, if you know what I mean.

You can read about my trip last year here.

I decided to spend a few extra days there in order to do some genealogical research at the DAR Library, and possibly the National Archives, something I usually don't have time to do. Am I more prepared than I was last year? Not really. I guess I'm just going to have to wing it (I know, I know: where's my research plan, right?).

Even if I'm genealogically disappointed, I'm looking forward to seeing old friends, meeting new ones, and having an exciting week. As a stay-at-home mom, I don't get to play dress-up (for real) very often.

I'll be Tweeting using the hashtag #darcc09, so you can follow the fun, if you like. I encourage anyone else attending to also use this hashtag so we can keep up with each other!

And to DAR Geneabloggers: how many of you be there, too? I know of at least 2 of you, so let's plan a GB meet-up! Leave me a comment or send me an email with suggestions for when/where we should meet. My suggestion is either before Opening Night, when we're all gussied up in our glittery finest, or at the National Defense Luncheon, or _____??? This is an extremely busy week for everyone, so let me know what works for you.

Safe trip to everyone heading to DC this week!

Celebrating Independence Day

2009-07-04T12:51:00.000-07:00

On this anniversary of America's Independence, our family would like to wish a safe and happy 4th of July to all of our readers.

Our family's (known) Revolutionary War patriot ancestors:

Burwell Blanton (NC)
Simon Herring (NC)
William Hughes (VA)
Isham Lane (NC)
Henricus Stonecypher (NC)
Leroy Taylor (NC)
William Underhill (NC)

Our prayers go with our current service men and women, who risk their lives daily in support of freedom. You are not forgotten. May you come home safely to your loved ones as soon as possible.

JAMSTOCK '09: Exclusive Video of the Geneablogger Dinner

2009-06-30T23:06:00.000-07:00

BURBANK - Little Bytes of Life has obtained this exclusive video of the Geneablogger Dinner from an anonymous source.

It is not known who the anonymous source is, as the source is completely anonymous. And wants to stay that way.

____________________

DISCLAIMER: I believe that this one speaks for itself. Please, nobody hate me.

JAMSTOCK '09: Massive Recycling Effort Underway at the Burbank Marriott

2009-06-30T12:20:00.000-07:00

BURBANK - It was noted Saturday evening at the Geneablogger Dinner that the Daily Grill restaurant at the Burbank Airport Marriott serves extremely large portions of broccoli with their steak dinners.

Many of the Geneabloggers did not eat their broccoli, and several were reportedly seen trying to give theirs away to frightened restaurant customers.

So, what happens to all the uneaten broccoli at the Burbank Marriott?

This reporter has discovered a disturbing similarity between the large broccoli florets and the table decorations in the East Tower hallway.

Close-up view of table decorations.

It is not known for certain whether these ornaments are indeed made of uneaten broccoli. If they are, the Burbank Marriott is to be commended for their tremendous recycling efforts. Unfortunately, their taste in table decorations remains questionable.

____________________

DISCLAIMER: Well? You be the judge. Looks like it to me!

JAMSTOCK '09: What REALLY Happened at the Geneablogger Dinner

2009-06-29T12:51:00.000-07:00

BURBANK - More than 30 Geneabloggers mobbed the VIP room at the Daily Grill restaurant on Saturday evening. Several non-blogging restaurant patrons were seen running out the door as the Geneabloggers converged.

Some of the contraband items confiscated from the bloggers. It is not known what purpose these items served, as none of the bloggers would tell. One blogger reportedly told a non-blogger that "if she was meant to know, she would have them." Several bloggers were seen wearing a black ribbon with the words, "Rock Star." It is assumed that these are some sort of blogger gang "colors," which will be banned at future blogger gatherings.

Many bloggers were seen periodically checking their iPhones, presumably to find out of other bloggers were writing or Tweeting about them. Pictured here is Dick Eastman's phone showing a photo of the license plate on one of his cars.

Many paparazzi were in attendance at this event, hoping to catch photos of their favorite bloggers. It is not known who Randy Seaver is attempting to photograph in this picture.

Several Geneabloggers were seen engaging in a genealogy drinking game. The rules reportedly required each player to draw his/her family tree while doing a shot of his/her choice between each generation.

Steve Danko was seen cheating by looking up his family tree on his iPhone. He was not disqualified, since no one said he couldn't do that.

Steve's tree was impressive when completed, and he later received the award for neatness. It was assumed that his Polish surnames were spelled correctly since no one wanted to check.

Drew Smith completed his tree back to Y-Adam. No DNA test was conducted for verification.

Sheri Fenley was the undisputed winner, as she was the only person who could draw her tree from memory and remain standing after the game. Sheri is pictured here tearing her tree out of the paper tablecloth.

____________________

DISCLAIMER: There were no genealogy drinking games going on at the Geneablogger dinner. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

JAMSTOCK '09: Son of Blogger Jamfest Rocks the Marriott

2009-06-29T11:45:00.000-07:00

BURBANK - The headline event of Jamstock '09 was the "Son of Blogger" Jamfest, held at the exciting, newly-remodled Burbank Airport Marriott.

9 bloggers rocked the main stage: (L to R) Lisa Louise Cooke, Dick Eastman, Schelly Talalay Dardashti, DearMYRTLE (aka Pat Richley), Craig Manson, The Ancestry Insider (who came in cognito, but claimed to have a cold), Leland Meitzler, Stephen J. Danko, Ph.D., and George G. Morgan, who served as moderator. They are seen here being introduced by JAMSTOCK '09 organizer, Paula Hinkel (far right).

The bloggers played to a packed house full of enthusiastic fans and paparazzi. Seen here are Amy Coffin (with camera) and Thomas MacEntee.

Audience members raised their lighted cell phones in tribute.

Jamfest superstar blogger Steve Danko poses for photos and signs an autograph for fan club president, Kathryn Doyle.

After the "Son of Blogger" Jamfest concluded, many audience members rushed the stage deamanding autographs and advice on how to start their own blogs. No injuries were reported; however, a few would-be bloggers came away with more questions than they had before the summit.

____________________

DISCLAIMER: This one's really pretty acurate, so I don't feel the need to disclaim anything. Except that there's no such thing as JAMSTOCK '09. And I'm not completely certain that Steve Danko has a fan club. However, if he doesn't, he should.

JAMSTOCK '09: BREAKING NEWS

2009-06-27T11:01:00.000-07:00

BURBANK - Dozens of geneabloggers attempted to bring down the Burbank Marriott's wi-fi system by simultaneously blogging and Twittering during the "Son of Blogger" Jamfest.

Randy Seaver, pictured above (top right), was responsible for the majority of the Tweets, and was quoted as saying, "We want to see the hastag #scgs09 become a trending topic, or else!" Randy is known for stirring up unrest in the genealogy community with his blog Genea-Musings.

The geneabloggers remained quiet during the summit, however, the sound of typing was annoying for the non-bloggers in attendance. Several computer batteries were killed during the event.

____________________

DISCLAIMER: While there were, indeed, plenty of geneabloggers live-Tweeting and blogging during the summit (this one included), there was no malfeasance intended. I think.

JAMSTOCK '09: Genealogists Stage Sit-In

2009-06-26T14:31:00.000-07:00

BURBANK - Protesting the fact that too many genealogists simply copy family trees off the Internet and neglect to check or cite sources, over 100 local genealogists staged a sit-in at the Library of the Southern California Genealogical Society on Friday morning.

Led by well-known rabble rouser Doug Miller, the genealogists grabbed books off of shelves, sat around the tables, and chanted, "Hell no, copied trees must go!" Several genealogists sat on the floor and locked arms, blocking library patrons from using the computers.

After the protest, the genealogists left peacefully in a white Hummer limo. No arrests were made.

____________________

DISCLAIMER: Not really. Doug Miller is actually a very nice guy and would never do anything so radical as stage a sit-in at a library. Come on, people.

JAMSTOCK '09: Let the Love Begin!

2009-06-25T16:08:00.000-07:00

This summer marks the 40th anniversary of that most famous "Summer of Love" music festival: Woodstock. I was only 5 years old at the time, so unfortunately I missed all the fun.

Judging from all the hype in the geneablogosphere, the next best thing will be happening this weekend: Jamstock '09! Hendrix won't be there, but some of the biggest rock stars of genealogy will be. From what I've heard, there will be plenty of opportunities for food, drink, good times, and geneablogger love!

Groovy.

Opening for Jamstock '09 will be Tukufu Zuberi, Ph.D, one of "The History Detectives" (a TV show on PBS, for those of you who shun the propaganda of the establishment). I won't be at this event because, hey man, I just have to be free, and I can't be kept down by schedules and rules and stuff (read: I neglected to buy a ticket). I'll be at the ProGen lovefest, where I'll be free to not eat rubber hotel food, and properly cite my sources, and I can dance in the hallway if I want to, man. I don't, but the point is that I can.

Headlining on Saturday morning will be the "Son of Blogger" Jamfest, featuring 9 of the biggest genealogy blogging superstars. I'll expect to see everyone's lighters waving in the air for this event. Or, if the Marriott oppresses our freedom of speech and won't allow us to have fire indoors, just hold up your lighted cell phone. It's the thought that counts.

My knapsack (with netbook) is packed, and I'm a free momma, riding the rails to Burbank. I'll be setting up camp (and looking for free wi-fi) at the Marriott for the next 3 days.

Stay tuned for more Jamstock '09. Let the love begin!

____________________

DISCLAIMER: There is no such thing as Jamstock '09, so don’t bother Googling it. You’ll only wind up right back here, more confused than ever. The event is actually called "Jamboree," and is sponsored by the Southern California Genealogical Society. There is no love-in at the Burbank Marriott. Seriously. Now, put the tie-dye down, and go home.

I'd Rather Have Had the Change in my Sofa Cushions

2009-06-23T16:45:00.000-07:00

An article in Sunday's newspaper caught my eye. The author was contemplating whether or not one should air one's dirty laundry on a social networking web site. Specifically, the author was referring to folks who had been laid off from work: should they announce this unpleasant news flash in a Twitter or Facebook status update? Or is making one's bad news public in 140 characters or less seen as "desperation?"

I've struggled with this dilemma myself for the past several months. "To air, or not to air…" that was my question. I'd fallen off the blogging map for a while, but I wasn't sure that I wanted to talk about it.

To top it off, I'd been hit with a mind-numbing case of writer's block: I was numb from pain, numb from meds that were supposed to relieve the pain, and numb from wondering if this was going to be my life from now on. Had I just hit a bump in the road? Or was this going to be a permanent detour?

It started last March…

Ok, sure, I'd been quiet for a couple of months before that, not really writing regularly since before Christmas. We'd had a few hiccups in our household: my husband's company was downsizing and threatening lay-offs so we were holding our collective breath. I was busy with a variety of projects that were making demands too loud to ignore. And my daughter was almost 3. 3 is very busy age.

But things really started to change in mid-March.

My daughter and I returned home from the DAR State Conference in Santa Clara. We'd driven up there – just the two of us – and had a busy, girls' weekend together. A few days later, I bent over to pick something up and felt as though someone had stabbed me in the lower back with a hot fireplace poker. Oddly enough, I hadn't even touched the item for which I was reaching.

Over the next few days, pain and numbness began to radiate down my right leg. I could only get comfortable standing or laying flat on my back; sitting up was impossible. Desperate, I found an orthopedic surgeon who specialized in disorders of the spine. An MRI confirmed the diagnosis I’d heard pronounced for my mother time after time, but never, ever expected to hear in reference to myself: Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD). Disc herniations at L-4 and L-5.

Was that really a picture of MY spine on the computer? Is it supposed to look like that?

I don’t recall hearing much after that. All I could think of was that my mother had died from "complications" four weeks after having a lumbar laminectomy to repair disc herniations at L-4 and L-5. My mother was 60. I was only 45. This couldn't be happening to me.

I must have looked like I'd seen a ghost because my doctor's demeanor completely changed. He promised that we'd take things slowly, trying steroids and physical therapy before any sort of surgery would be considered. "These things usually resolve themselves without surgery," he said. The disc swells, bulges out, nerves are compressed. If you're very unlucky, you've got pain that radiates into your extremities. Hopefully the swelling goes away – eventually – and takes the pain with it.

Small consolation when you're in pain.

But he was right: a few weeks later, the pain was pretty much gone, and we were mostly back to normal. I'd completed a round of steroids and started physical therapy. I was NOT going to wind up like my mother.

Unfortunately, that episode was just a preview of things to come. On Easter morning, I awoke with a cramp in my neck. "No big deal," I thought. I was sure it was just one of those "cricks" that people get from sleeping in a weird position. It would be gone in a couple of days.

I was wrong. As the week progressed, the pain began to radiate down my right arm and into my hand. Sitting up and standing became impossible; I felt as though my spine was crushing itself every time I stood up. It was impossible to get comfortable, even laying down. It was some of the worst pain I'd ever felt (and I'm no stranger to pain), and it was unrelenting.

By Saturday, I begged my husband to take me to the ER for some kind of relief. After initial x-rays, the ER doctor pronounced the same words I'd heard less than a month before: Degenerative Disc Disease. This time, a herniated disc of the cervical spine. He shot me up with enough dilaudid to put a horse to sleep and sent me home. I slept for two days.

The following week was a blur. I was back in the spine doctor's office, sent out for an urgent MRI, and then on my way home with another round of steroids. The MRI didn't show anything definitive, but my symptoms indicated cervical disc herniation. Perhaps it was the valium I'd taken for the MRI… or perhaps it was the pain… but this time I did not feel as if a ton of bricks had fallen on me. I honestly didn't care anymore. Just please make the pain go away.

For weeks, I was unable to function. In addition to excruciating pain, I'd lost a lot of reflex in my right arm, making things especially difficult because I'm right-handed. Activities I'd previously taken for granted, like typing, driving, cooking, or picking up my daughter, were now impossible. Even simple things, like sitting up and eating, were challenging. We braced ourselves for a long recovery. My poor husband was a trooper and never complained, although he frequently stared at me like a deer in headlights.

A CT scan with a myelogram (contrast dye shot up my spinal cord – that was fun) a few weeks later revealed what the MRI had not: a herniated disc and a possible cyst in my lower cervical spine. It wasn't what I wanted to hear, but at least now I knew that I wasn't crazy. I think even the doctor felt vindicated.

Was I ever going to get better? Or was this my life now?

Finally, the pain began to decrease, ever-so-gradually, and I saw a tiny bit of improvement on most days. Two steps forward, one step back. Recovery from DDD is slow, and nerve pain is difficult to treat.

I'd seen and heard it all before, with my mother.

*****

In order to cope with change, you must get to a point where you no longer fear. You just accept, and go on. Your life has changed, and you will never be the same again.

I’ve accepted that I will probably never be able to lift my daughter again. This is hard to explain to a crying toddler demanding to be picked up… but we've adjusted. I was finally able to start using a computer again with the help of "Naturally Speaking" dictation software; I can now type like a normal person for short periods of time, but I still use NS for some applications. I can drive short distances, do light housekeeping (no lifting or pushing a vacuum), and my doctor has given me the green light to travel to Washington, DC, for the DAR Continental Congress in 2 weeks.

How did this happen? Well, age is a factor, but young people can get it, too. Plus, DDD is in my genes: both of my parents had it. My mother's condition was debilitating and could not resolve itself without surgery. My father decided that the pain was more bearable than "the thought of someone with a scalpel so close to my spinal cord." I'm inclined to agree with my father, but I suppose that if the pain returned and refused to go away, I would have to reconsider (I keep reminding myself that people have – and recover from – successful back surgeries every day). I'm not sure if my grandparents had it or not, but they frequently complained of back pain.

I still have pain every day, but it's tolerable, and mostly controlled by meds and PT. My life is slowly returning to a new sort of normal.

Hey, whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?

____________________

I would like to thank all the people who helped us out during this difficult time, ranging from thoughtful ladies of the MOMS Club, who brought us dinners during some of my worst weeks, to the kind bloggers who left me comments and sent emails asking how I was doing. Just knowing there were people out there who cared meant so much.

P.S. The x-ray photo above is not mine. Mine is much uglier.

ProGen Meet-Up at SCGS

2009-06-23T14:53:00.000-07:00

Are you a member of ProGen Study Group 1, 2, or 3? Are you attending the Southern California Genealogical Society (SCGS)’s "Jamboree" this weekend?

If so, let’s say, "Hi!"

As of today, no formal gathering has been planned. My hope is that we can meet-up at the Welcome Reception on Friday evening at about 5:30ish pm, and those of us who will not be attending the Banquet can decide if we'd like to continue visiting over dinner. I did not get a Banquet ticket – a decision I’m now regretting after finally seeing "The History Detectives" – so anyone who would like to join me for dinner is welcome!

I'll have ribbons available which will identify us as members of the ProGen Study Group so we can be easily identifiable. Please note that I'll only have about a dozen of these, so they'll be given out on a first come, first served basis.

For more information about ProGen Study Groups, or to be put on the waiting list for the next group, please visit http://www.progenstudy.org/.

If you have questions about this gathering, please contact me directly. I'm so looking forward to meeting you all this weekend!

Family Tree DNA Offers Y-DNA Upgrade Sale

2009-05-14T13:54:00.000-07:00

As the Group Administrator for the Swanay/Swaney DNA Surname Project, I am pleased to tell you about the "Y-DNA Upgrade Sale" currently being offered by FamilyTree DNA. I received the following email yesterday from FTDNA Vice President Max Blankfield:

Over the last several years, due to the unmatched growth of our database, numerous people have confirmed and found new connections with others of their surname, and adoptees and descendants of adoptees have even found their biological surname lines. Are there any other individuals among these adoptees looking for their connection to this direct paternal line?

To help answer that question, Family Tree DNA is offering, for a limited time, a discount on all Y-DNA upgrades! We will notify each participant in the database who qualifies for this offer by e-mail, and will provide them a direct link they may use to take advantage of the upgrade. There will be no need for participants to contact us directly in order to receive the reduced price; our prices have been adjusted in the system accordingly.

The offer will last from May 14th through May 23nd. On average, the reduced prices will be 25% lower than the standard upgrade price. This is a great opportunity to increase the data in your project. Are there members who have been hesitant to upgrade due to price? This discount is an opportunity for them to upgrade and help both their group and potential lost relatives at the same time. When encouraging members to upgrade, you may wish to note that genetic matches allow people to find their biological lines, and not necessarily a specific individual.

This promotion is for upgrades only and does not apply to new kit orders. It's our way to thank past customers for their patronage.

As always, we appreciate your continued support.

If you have already tested with Family Tree DNA, you may order this special offer by logging into your personal page and clicking on the special offers link on the left hand navigation bar. Offers that are relevant to you will be displayed in the drop-down menu. Don't miss this great opportunity to get more "bang for your buck," DNA-wise!

For more information about the Swanay/Swaney DNA Surname Project, please visit our public project page, or visit FamilyTree DNA.

Thanks and Belated Thanks!

2009-05-11T14:49:00.000-07:00

Things have been a bit stressful at the "Little Bytes" household for the past few months. I know I haven't been on the level with you all... but I will, I promise. I've done quite a bit of whining and complaining on Facebook, but I don't want to do that here in this post. I can whine and complain later in a completely new post.

As I read my email (which is dreadfully backed up) a few days ago, I found a very sweet comment posted in the previous article. It was from Janice Tracy, who writes the Mississippi Memories blog offering me the "One Lovely Blog Award," which you see pictured to the left. Janice, thank you so much for making my day!

One of the requirements of receiving this award is that it must be passed on to seven other bloggers whose sites are worthy of the award. So, I hereby bestow this lovely award upon the following lovely bloggers:

Virginia Travis of Oh Blah Vi, Oh Blah Va
Lisa of Small-Leaved Shamrock
Taylorstales-Genealogy
Jennifer of Rainy Day Genealogy Readings
Jewelgirl at Searching for Family Branches
A. at A Changing Life
Harold at Midwestern Microhistory

I hope that you will visit these sites and tell them all just how lovely they are!
____________________

This has jogged my seriously deficient memory... I had received a couple of similar messages a few months ago. I offer my PROFUSE apologies to these wonderful folks: please know that had I not been such a space cadet at the time, I would have thanked you much sooner!
Back in December, both Sheri Fenley of The Educated Genealogist and Bill West of West in New England offered me the "Proximidade" Award:

These blogs invest and believe in PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers, who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.

***

Judith Richards Shubert of the Tennessee Memories blog awarded me the "Kreative Blogger" Award back in February. I love reading all about Tennessee (the home of my paternal ancestors) on Judith's blog!

The instructions for this award are as follows:
1. Copy the award to your site.
2. Link to the person from whom you received the award.
3. Nominate other bloggers.
4. Link to those sites on your blog.
5. Leave a message on the blogs you nominate.

***

Since so many months have already passed, and there are probably very few, if any, bloggers out there who have NOT received these two awards, I'm going to be naughty and not nominate any others (GASP!). However, if you come upon this post and find that you are one of those few, please feel free to pick one up for yourself and consider yourself nominated!

Thank you again to all four of these kind folks. I will strive to be worthy of these awards in the future!

Wordless Wednesday: Yesterday's Delta 2 Launch

2009-05-06T02:02:00.000-07:00

...as seen from my backyard.

Delta 2 Launch. Photographed by Elizabeth O’Neal, May 5, 2009. [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Santa Barbara Co., California. 2009.

More about this launch at Spaceflight Now.

More about Wordless Wednesday.

Genealogy Action Alert: Preserving the American Historical Record

2009-05-05T10:29:00.000-07:00

"Preserving the American Historical Record" is a bill to provide federal formula grants to every state for projects that preserve historical records and make them more accessible. As genealogists, we certainly want those records preserved and accessible!

Current Status: Representatives Maurice Hinchey (D-NY-22) and John McHugh (R-NY-23) reintroduced the PAHR bill in the House of Representatives on April 30, 2009.

What can you do to help?
Ask your representative to sign on as a co-sponsor of HR 2171. Ask him/her to contact either Mike Iger in Congressman Hinchey's office (202-225-6335 or michael.iger@mail.house.gov) or Jason Miller in Congressman McHugh's office (202-225-4611 or jason.miller@mail.house.gov).

NO representatives from California are currently sponsoring this bill.

For more information, visit http://www.archivists.org/pahr/.

Central Coast Genealogy Calendar: May 2009

2009-05-05T09:50:00.000-07:00

Saturday, May 2
San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society
12:30 - 1:00 PM
Research Class: "Internet Boom Town: What's New for Genealogy?!" with Cafi Cohen
1:00 PM - Business Meeting
1:15 - 1:45 PM - Social time; book & drawing sales, snacks, coffee & tea
1:45 PM - Main Room - "Swedish Research" with Roma Miller
1:45 PM - Lunch Room - "Case Study: Big City Research Online" with Cafi Cohen

Thursday, May 7
Monterey County Genealogical Society
7:00 PM (Doors open at 6:00 PM)
Gale Foss - "Norwegian Heritage: Ancestral Homelands"

Tuesday, May 12
Conejo Valley Genealogical Society
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Computer Interest Group Meeting
Delores Pederson - Online Photo Sharing

Friday, May 15
San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society
1:00 PM
Internet Genealogy Skills - "Finding Living Cousins Online"

Saturday, May 16
Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society
9:30 AM - Special Interest Groups
10:30 AM - General Meeting
Kate Carter - "The Way it Was: Remembrances and Lessons from the Depression Years"

Saturday, May 16
Ventura County Genealogical Society
1:00 – 4:00 PM
Rev. Dr. Gary Alan Dickey - "The Treasure of Church Records"

Tuesday, May 19
Conejo Valley Genealogical Society
5:30 - 6:30 PM - Genealogy Tools
6:00 - 8:45 PM - General Meeting
Delores Pederson - "Organizing Your Research For Your Heirs"

Please send me an email if you would like to have your event included in this monthly calendar series.

Wordless Wednesday: Three Pados

2009-04-15T02:27:00.000-07:00

Mary, John, and Anne Pado. Photograph. Undated. Digital image. Privately held by Elizabeth O’Neal, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Santa Barbara Co., California. 2009.

About Wordless Wednesday.

A Noble Life: On the Railroad

2009-04-10T10:48:00.000-07:00

Life on the railroad - especially in its early days - was hard. The physical labor was exhuasting, there were long hours away from the family, and it was dangerous. Men were frequently injured, often fatally. But the railroad connected our country and made east/west travel much more accessible.

I have absolutely no idea who these men are or where the photo was taken. The original photo was found in a very old family album which I borrowed from my cousin (and need to finish scanning!). On the back of the photo it says, "fa. rat[words covered by black paper stuck from photo album] was taken before I got sick. No good."

I'm not aware that any of my paternal family worked for the railroad. Perhaps one of these men is a cousin? A family friend? How did he get sick? One or all of these men is somehow connected to my grandparents or great-grandparents... I just wish I knew how.

Unknown Railroad Workers. Photograph. Undated. Digital image. Privately held by Elizabeth O’Neal, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Santa Barbara Co., California. 2009.

Article composed for the 12th Edition, Smile for the Camera: A Noble Life.

DAR Genealogy Workshop

2009-04-09T03:13:00.000-07:00

Members of the Captain Henry Sweetser Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will be holding a Genealogy Workshop on Sunday, April 19, 2009, from 2:00-5:00 p.m., in Santa Maria.

Anyone wishing to work on ANY kind of DAR application, or DAR-related genealogical research, is welcome at this workshop... whether it's your DAR membership application, current members' supplemental applications, or that "stuck-on-you" research (you know, those stubborn ancestors who are holding up your application, and you have just about given up?). Help will be provided!

To RSVP, or for more information, please contact the Captain Henry Sweetser Chapter DAR.

Wordless Wednesday: Little Grave Robber

2009-04-08T03:05:00.000-07:00

"Put That Back!" (Oak Hill Cemetery, Ballard, Santa Barbara Co., California). Digital Image. Photographed by Elizabeth O'Neal, April 2, 2009.

About Wordless Wednesday.

Tombstone Tuesday: Patrick & Johannah (Genan) McGraw

2009-04-07T11:16:00.000-07:00

My great-great-great grandparents, Patrick and Johannah (Genan) MCGRAW are buried in Saint Edwards Catholic Cemetery in Afton, Iowa.

PATRICK MCGRAW and wife, JOHANNA, both born in County Clare, Ireland, came to the United States before 1855 and worked on the railroad in Pennsylvania until 1865, when he moved to Sangamon County, Illinois, where he farmed until he moved to Ringgold County, Iowa, north of Beaconsfield.

Both are buried at Afton. He died February 25, 1888, age 80 years. She died September 17, 1901, age 82 years.

Children: JOHN; MICHAEL; PATRICK; BRIDGET, who became SISTER MARY AMELIA, Sisters of Charity of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; JAMES; THOMAS; MARTIN.^[1]

SOURCES:

¹ "A History of the Catholic Church, Decatur County, Iowa: Together with Biographical Sketches of Early Families, Priest and Mother Parishes" By Edward J Harkin, published by s.n., 1956.

Photo of Patrick and Johanna's headstone by Find A Grave volunteer FLH.

For additional sources and information about this family, please contact me.

Central Coast Lineage Groups Calendar: April 2009

2009-03-31T17:22:00.000-07:00

Friday, April 3
United Daughters of the Confederacy - Arlington Chapter
San Luis Obispo
11:00 AM

Friday, April 10
Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War
Laura Belle Stoddard Tent 22
Santa Barbara

Saturday, April 11
Captain Henry Sweetser Chapter DAR
Santa Maria
10:00 AM - Noon
Alicia Valdivienzo - "Citizenship Program at Allan Hancock College"
(Note program change)

Thursday, April 16
El Paso de Robles Chapter DAR
Paso Robles

Saturday, April 18
Rancho Purisima Chapter DAR
Lompoc
10:00 AM
"Colonial Flag History"

Saturday, April 18
Central Coast Chapter SAR
San Luis Obispo
12:00 Noon

Saturday, April 18
Santa Barbara Chapter SAR
Santa Barbara
12:00 - 1:30 PM

Saturday, April 18
Sons of the Revolution (SR)
Membership Luncheon
Glendora
12:00 Noon

Wednesday, April 22
La Cuesta Chapter DAR
San Luis Obispo

Thursday, April 23
Mitz-Kahn-a-Khan Chapter DAR
Ventura
11:00 AM
Diane Johnson - "Discovering the Stories Behind my Colonial Virginia Ancestors"

Thursday, April 23
Mission Canyon Chapter DAR
Santa Barbara
12:00 Noon
Speaker: Carrie Svoboda, Junior High School Teacher

NO Meeting in April
Stephen Eastin Society C.A.R.

C.A.R. = Children of the American Revolution
DAR = Daughters of the American Revolution
SAR = Sons of the American Revolution
SR = Sons of the Revolution

If you would like to have your group's information included in this calendar, please contact me. Thanks!

Central Coast Genealogy Calendar: April 2009

2009-03-31T12:07:00.000-07:00

If April showers bring May flowers, what do Mayflowers bring? Ancestors!

Thursday, April 2
Monterey County Genealogical Society
7:00 PM (Doors open at 6:00 PM)
Kenyatta D. Berry - "Royalty or Revolutionary: Using Oral History to Reveal the Truth about Your Heritage"

Saturday, April 4
San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society
12:30 - 1:00 PM
Research Class: "Questions & Answers on Jewish & Eastern European Research" with Steve Morse
1:00 PM - Business Meeting
1:15 - 1:45 PM - Social time; book & drawing sales, snacks, coffee & tea
1:45 - 3:00 PM - "Hodgepodge" with Steve Morse

Friday, April 10
San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society
10:30 AM - Noon
Hands-On Computer Genealogy - "Q & A Session for Online Genealogy"

Tuesday, April 14
Conejo Valley Genealogical Society
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Computer Interest Group Meeting
Garl Satterthwaite - "Genealogical Wikiis – The New Future?"

Wednesday, April 15
Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society
9:30 AM - Noon
Beginning Germanic Genealogy
(In association with Santa Barbara City College Adult Education)
Class runs for 8 weeks

Friday, April 17
San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society
9:30 AM (Note change of time)
Internet Genealogy Skills - "Googling Grandpa"

Saturday, April 18
Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society
9:30 AM - Special Interest Groups
10:30 AM - General Meeting
Sandra Ruch - "Who's your mother's mother's mother?" Understanding mtDNA, the genetic inheritance from our mothers

Saturday, April 18
Ventura County Genealogical Society
1:00 – 4:00 PM
Gena Philibert Ortega - "Combining Historical Research With Your Genealogy"

Sunday, April 19
Captain Henry Sweetser Chapter DAR
Genealogy Workshop
2:00 - 5:00 PM
Santa Maria

Tuesday, April 21
Conejo Valley Genealogical Society
5:30 - 6:30 PM - Genealogy Tools
6:00 - 8:45 PM - General Meeting
Topic TBA

Thursday, April 23
Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Van Trip to Two Libraries: The LDS Regional Family History Center & the Los Angeles Central Library

Sunday, April 26
Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society
3:00 - 5:00 PM
World of Wines & Vines
(SBCGS Members & Guests only)

Please send me an email if you would like to have your event included in this monthly calendar series.

Wordless Wednesday: The Adobe Burros

2008-12-17T03:04:00.000-08:00

"Petting the Adobe Burros," (Dana Adobe, Nipomo, San Luis Obispo Co., California). Digital Image. Photographed by Elizabeth O'Neal, December 14, 2008.

About Wordless Wednesday.

Dear Genea-Santa: Wishin' Impossible?

2008-12-15T12:57:00.000-08:00

Dear Genea-Santa,

Every Christmas with my precious daughter and husband has been so special. Seeing Christmas again through the eyes of a child has served as a reminder that this season is about sharing love with the people who mean the most to us.

However, this year I've got a few extra requests for myself that I really hope you will be able to fulfill. I know it will be hard to find these things, but if anyone can do it, it's you, Genea-Santa!

1. Any information about Miles SWANAY (SWANEY).

Miles was my 4th-great grandfather, and I know very little about him. Where did he come from? Who were his parents? Did his family come from Scotland (specifically, Orkney)?

He was born abt. 1758 in Johnston, North Carolina, and was married to Jane JOHNSON. He probably died in Tennessee, but I don't know that for certain. He had at least five children, including my 3rd-great grandfather, Hiram SWANAY. As far as I know, no one on any branch of this family tree has been able to find this information, so whatever you can bring, Genea-Santa, would be a gift we all can share!

2. Information about Samuel Marion DUNN.

Samuel was my great-great grandfather. He was born abt. 1818 in Lincoln, North Carolina. He married Julia Ann BLANTON in 1839 in Rutherford, North Carolina. He and Julia had eleven children, including my great-grandfather John DUNN. Samuel died in 1871 in Hamblen Co., Tennessee, but I don't know where he is buried. I would love to know who his parents were and where his grave is located.

You'd think it would be easy to find information about a man with the middle name of Marion, but it just isn't.

3. My Great-Grandfather Frank SWANAY'S violin and banjo.

My grandfather tried to recover these items many years ago, but he was never able to do so. He always wanted me to have his father's violin, and he talked about it all the time. If you could find either or both of these items, it would mean a lot to me to know that my grandfather's wishes were finally fulfilled.

Thank you, Genea-Santa. I'll have milk and cookies waiting for you by the tree, provided that my husband, daughter and/or dog don't get to them first.

XOXO,
Elizabeth

P.S. If you can't find any of these items, I would be thrilled to have my grandfather's typewriter show up under my tree!

____________________

Written for the 62nd Edition, Carnival of Genealogy: 3 Wishes!