Genealogy

[cheyenne....@gmail.com]

Although I work as a professional archivist and librarian, I have recently become the genealogist for my family's website.
I was thinking of possibly discussing the various aspects of online genealogy databases (I find them very similar to cataloging books, archives, etc..), what information should be included in these databases (the former family genealogist didn't include dates of birth for living relatives because she was scared of hacking), and any other possibilities.
My family also has a famous connection to Boston, so I thought this would be perfect since it has to do with the Freedom Trail!
I'm open to ideas since I am new to the genealogy game. Thanks!

[phone...@gmail.com]

Hi,

I'm the archivist at a public library and many of the patrons I work with are going genealogy research. I'd be open to working with you on proposal. Let me know.

Erik

[cheyenne....@gmail.com]

Erik,

It would be great to work on something in regards to genealogy. Like I said, my first ideas that I thought of had to do with cataloging/genealogy databases (my paid job is to catalog archives, so that's what first jumped out to me) or maybe privacy dealing with genealogy searches? Did you have any ideas off the top of your head?

Cheyenne

[peabodyinstitut...@gmail.com]

Hi, Cheyenne,

My thoughts are from the "lone arranger" side of things. One has to do with privacy of records. We have some records in the collection that need to remain closed, for now, because they are to new. Other thought has to do with using other methods to research a person beyond just vital records and such and some of these other records are not used as much, voter registration, assessment records and a like. Last idea is using genealogy to help establish provenance. I've used genealogy to help establish to confirm the provenance of some objects in our collection.

These are just my thoughts and I'm open to all ideas and possible formats for this proposal.

Erik

[cheyenne....@gmail.com]

Erik,

I am also coming from a "lone ranger" perspective, so maybe we can follow that route? I am still trying to work with my genealogy database and hopefully narrow down a focus that could be most helpful to MARAC. I'll try and get back to you tomorrow about it...

Cheyenne

[phone...@gmail.com]

Cheyenne,

Great I look forward to hearing what you are thinking.

Erik

[cheyenne....@gmail.com]

Erik,

What is jumping out at me while adding information to my family genealogy database, is how to add relatives without having proof. Apparently, someone has a record of who a lot of these people are in my family, but I don't. I only have my branch...So, I do like your idea of using other forms of identification (voter registration, etc...) to find out who people are. Also, where does one begin? Anyway, just processing my thoughts on the topic.

I did mention my family has a famous link to Boston. His name was William Dawes (he rode with Paul Revere on the famous ride), and I'd like to link that in somehow since it's a nice little connection with the city. Of course, our topics can be separate with maybe the common link being genealogy from a lone arranger perspective? So maybe we can just start a proposal with that being the base?

Cheyenne

[phone...@gmail.com]

Cheyenne,

I think you might be on to something in that we could have a common theme of genealogy and the lone arrange while talking about slightly different experience or uses. Your ideas about how to start the proposal sounds good. Now it just comes down to the details.

Erik

[cheyenne....@gmail.com]

Erik,

I assume we will be going with the "standard presentation" session. If you have another idea, let me know. Our theme is Genealogy as a Lone Arranger (enter clever title here). I haven't been able to think up something yet...

Maybe we can break up the discussion into 2 parts? What do people use to find genealogical info, and you can discuss those options you mentioned before found in archives(voter cards, etc...). Then I can discuss what to do after finding that info (cataloging into a database?). I don't know. Since I am doing this on a personal level and you are doing it from the professional, I thought we could discuss it from those perspectives? It seemed to me to have a natural flow.

I looked at the form for filling out the actual proposal and it seems like we have all of the bases covered except for the specific details.

Also, I am a MARAC member and live in the DC Metro area. Are you NEA? It'll be nice to have a combined session.

-Cheyenne

[phone...@gmail.com]

Cheyenne,

Your idea about breaking the discussion into two parts sounds like a sound idea. Taking a personal / professional approach would give it a nice flow and allow for hearing two perspectives.

Glad to meet someone from MARAC. You are correct I am am member of NEA, I live and work on the North Shore of the Boston area.

[cheyenne....@gmail.com]

Is anyone else interested in joining this topic?

[cheyenne....@gmail.com]

Erik,

Looking at the proposal submission form, we need a brief description of what we'll be talking about. Do you want to write up your part and I'll do mine so that we can combine them for the submission? I guess I can fill out the form, since I proposed the topic, but it looks like I need some basic info for you in order to do it. I need your: Name, Affiliation, and email address. You can send these to me off list at cheyenne....@gmail.com. 

MARAC/NEA,

If there is anyone else out there who would like to join us, please don't hesitate to jump in. I think maybe we should turn in the proposal on June 30/July 1 (since it's due the 2nd) just to make sure anyone else interested gets a chance to jump in?

Thanks!

[phone...@gmail.com]

Cheyenne,

Sounds good. I'll get to work. I hope to get my part to you by Saturday at the latest.

Cheers,

Eirk

[phone...@gmail.com]

Cheyenne -

I've emailed you my section of the proposal and my contact information. Let me know if you need anything else.

Erik