While I haven’t actually attended any genealogy conferences in person yet, I did attend Rootstech 2012 via the Internet earlier this year. I watched some of their virtual classes online and it was great! I learned a lot and found it very worthwhile.
One of the classes I watched was Genealogy Podcasts and Blogs 101 by Lisa Louise Cooke. I was one of those genealogists who had never heard of Genealogy Blogs before. I'm so glad that through this class I discovered the genealogy blogosphere! I know there are more genealogists out there who are unaware of genealogy blogs. I found this out firsthand. I was speaking to our local genealogical society the other night (my topic was Indexing) and I brought up genealogy blogs. I asked how many of them had heard of genealogy blogs and it was crickets! I saw one lady nod her head. So, what did I do? Why, I took the opportunity to spread the word about genealogy blogs! In fact, in my handouts I included a couple pages of links to various genealogy blogs, webinars and podcasts (no, mine wasn't on the list, ha ha! I listed some of the "heavy hitters" in the genealogy blogosphere). I've also started including the topic of webinars, podcasts and genealogy blogs in my Family History Class that I teach at my church.
So, why am I most grateful for Rootstech? It was because of Rootstech that I discovered genealogy blogs and webinars, which have helped me to expand my knowledge of various genealogy topics. And now I've even started my own genealogy blog, which I never thought I would do. But it's been a fun experience so far, if not a bit intimidating. I mean hey, I'm not a writer or genealogist by profession, so the self-doubt can start creeping in (what can I say that hasn't been said before, what if it's not good enough or well-written enough, etc.). But hey, my mom and brothers appreciate my little family history blog, so it's all good! And maybe someday my husband and kids will become regular readers too. (One can dream, right?)
Thanks for reading!
Copyright © Jana Last 2012
Jana, I enjoy your blog and am happy for you that your mom and brothers actually read it. I have one and nobody in my family reads it. But I agree with all you say in this post. Many people still are not aware of blogs, webinars, podcasts etc. I'm a Trainer to the Consultants in our Family History Center and work tirelessly to inform the staff, but they still haven't caught on to the tech part of genealogy. However, we did have 16 people attend the Family History Expo in Colorado Springs this month. That's a good start! Be proud of your blog and your efforts to educate. You're doing great!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comments Becky!
DeleteI gave up on the Abundant Geneaology because the topics no longer applied to my experience. But reading your post for this week's theme reminds me that I have done THAT! There are indeed some good tutorials out there if you just pay attention.
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy! Ya, I don't always participate in every topic for Abundant Genealogy, but I could participate in this week's, so I went for it. I just loved watching the Rootstech classes. They were great! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI enjoy your blog and think you write very well. I've got the same dream for my loved ones. The person in my family who keeps up with my blog consistently and offers me information is my deceased aunt's husband - he is my uncle in all but the DNA. When I posted my first few entries, I emailed a cousin and said I had blogger's remorse/panic. He told me to get over it! I'm trying.
ReplyDeleteI like what your cousin told you about your blogger's remorse/panic. I think your blog is great and I'm glad you took your cousin's advice.
DeleteThis labor of love is SO important! Eventually everyone in the family will discover what a gem you've given them. I'm so glad you discovered Rootstech so it introduced you to the blogosphere!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cindy!
DeleteI thoroughly enjoy your enthusiasm and reading what you write. It's encouraging. This very post, in fact, is one more encouragement to me to seek out more serious educational opportunities. Well done...
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your comments! I have been enjoying watching different webinars that interest me. They provide an excellent opportunity to learn and grow.
DeleteLisa Cooke is always interesting and full of good ideas. I'm sure more classes will be broadcast live as time goes on. But you must get to a conference. They are always so much fun and full of interesting people and ideas.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Anne! After watching Rootstech online this year, I've been tempted to make the trip to Rootstech 2013.
DeleteI had the same reaction to watching Rootstech from home this past winter, and it caused me to get out and do more online, also. Thanks for writing this - and keep going - you do fabulous work! Have a great weekend! ~Jen
ReplyDeleteThanks Jen! Hope you have a fantastic weekend too!
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