Hey friends! Do you like history? Do you like research? Would you like to know about the way things were as opposed to The Way Things Were ™? Do you want to learn for free? Do you want to learn about how black heritage is an actual thing that can be discovered?
Why don’t you head over to RootsTech.org and watch some classes by real life adult genealogists who know stuff. And you know what? Why don’t you do it for all of the free!
Amazing classes today, the first by Syd Leiberman whose a truly epic storyteller about what makes a story had how to shape your experiences into stories. It was about family history stories, but still was excellent for creative writing. Second class was on publishing. And here’s the thing. I’ve been working on turning the Wee Doctor series into an original series. This means somethings must change. Sherlock is now a scientist named Loughty who hunts bogeymen. John is a medic for a bogeyman defense force who is a British expat named Ben. And London has become an American city for purely logistic reasons. But there’s still time travel, intrigue, conspiracies and complicated family relationships. I’ve mentioned this before but this is the point where I’m considering the business side of it.
If you want the Wee Doctor series to turn into a series you can buy now is the time to let me know. I would like to have at least a hundred responses to this post. That doesn’t mean just like it. I will take that as a vote, but please send me a message or reply talking about what you like in the series and if you’d be willing to buy it. The buying is the important part, because I need to survive. Which means moneys. LET ME KNOW IF YOU’D BE WILLING TO PURCHASE A PAPER COPY OR AN EBOOK. If you’re not willing to reply or if you don’t have a tumblr send me an anon ask. You only have to do it once.
Thank you darlings!
After a brief frolic through the snow I arrived in time for the keynote speakers. I don’t always like the info dump ancestry uses, but they do have good features. And over the next three years they will be working with familysearch to index and digitise over 140 million probates (wills to administrations) from the US from 1800-1930. That is awesome news. Now I’m off to learn about databases.
Rocking it out at the Leonardo after party hosted by findmypast, my internet boyfriend. Speaking of which I totally revealed this to the head of marketing findmypast is my internet boyfriend. Also I just talked to Josh Taylor. He was really excellent and professional I was seriously impressed. I also told him findmypast needs a tumblr. And I didn’t even pass out. I hope he didn’t feel uncomfortable or cornered. I do have a tendency to talk too much and nerd out. But findmypast is without a doubt the second best genealogical website right after familysearch.
The searches are accurate, the information on the indexes and transcriptions make sense and the images are gorgeous. It’s a beautiful site. I really like genealogy y’all. This conference has been the best thing ever.
Classes are continuing to be wonderful while I braved a crowd of genealogists to rescue an ill Gorgeous One. It was of course a false alarm, although she did manage to get into one of the most desirable classes of the conference. Which was of course taught by another of my super successful friends. I’m also going to do a post later about free internet archives because there are some different uses for them especially for writers and readers.
Thank you for your patience with my Rootsteching.
I’m cutting it close before my first class, but my phone is about to die, sorry for any spelling and grammar errors, I’m typing with my thumbs. I’m also three feet away for Josh Taylor right now and earnestly trying not to pass out like a creeper. Also for any LDS genealogists out there RootMagic 6 can sync with Family Trees. This is a huge relief for me personally as the massive shift is being made. Also Josh Taylor is talking about genealogy really close to me. I hope he never reads this, I am a super dork.
The exhibit hall is brilliant, but flip pals, which are one of the best mobile scanners on the market (wow, two product placements, but stil, the scanner is epic) are still out of my budget. I have to run now and try to get to class!
Josh Taylor how are you so perfect. You have reached perfection, you need to stop before I pass out. He grew up doing genealogy, works for findmypast, had an ancestor who crossdressed as a female horse rider at the circus, loves libraries, wants to make family history games and also I’m not going to comment on his good looks because then I’ll feel like a creepy stalker.
Syd Leiberman is adorable and wonderful and understands the story aspect behind genealogy. I could listen to him talk for ages.
But man, Josh Taylor.
I’ve had a brush with celebrity this morning, one of my friends has a job as a writer for a magazine now. Congrats darling! I’m always so proud to hear about my successful friends, but also I feel like I accomplish nothing. It’s a strange combination of feelings. I’m super excited for her though.
In slightly less self conscious news ROOTSTECH HAS OFFICIALLY STARTED!!! If anyone else is here who follows my blog you can find me squealing fangirlishly. And not just because Thompson from D C Thompson, who runs findmypast. Let the liveblogging commence!
(There are people here from every state but Delaware,why not? No one knows.)
As I type I’m standing in line with The Gorgeous One to get my registration packet. I am so excited, I’ve got my guide, my cunning bag and my lanyard. Prepare for tales of victory.
There’s another one! As soon as I’m done I’ll post the next chapter Something for you to look forward to!
Speak with Tenderness 