Genealogy ~ All over the Place !

Genealogy, the more you know, the more you want to know....it's a learning experience at every turn. Oh, there is so much to learn! 

So grateful to learn from my friends, my genealogy friends......and to share the knowledge. 

I am active on Facebook "Shannon's Genealogy Friends" where people meet, exchange genealogy news and interests. Facebook's genealogy community as a whole is growing expeditiously. A few favourites: the Alberta Genealogical Society (AGS), several branches of the AGS, Genealogy & Historical Databases, Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness (RAOGK) International. The list goes on and on but let's step away from the computer shall we? 
A few goings on to note: 

Sherwood Park, Alberta
A great group of people meet at Family Tree Trackers in Sherwood Park at the Strathcona County Library, on the 2nd Thursday of the month .....next meeting is January 14, 2015.   All are welcome !

Camrose, Alberta be sure to check out the Camrose Branch of the Alberta Genealogical Society. Meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of the month..... meeting next on January 14, 2015.  For more information:  http://camrose.abgensoc.ca/

If you have research interests in and around Camrose, contact the Camrose Branch for research assistance. 

Let's travel! 

RootsTech 2016 Salt Lake City www.rootstech.org  
Discover and share your family stories and connections at RootsTech, February 3-6, 2016. 

Coincidentally, I am trying to complete my registration form for RootsTech tonight. It will be my first trip there. I know it's going to be amazing!


Salt Lake City
From the good folks at Medicine Hat...... heard last years trip was a blast. And for every good thing, there should be an encore!
Salt Lake City Adventure 
May 15-22, 2016 
Book asap, it's bound to fill up quick!


~Shannon

Follow up ~ Genealogy in the Park Nov 7, 2015

Tammy Lough and Shannon Switzer Cherkowski

What a wonderful fun-filled day that was! Tammy and I are still spinning! Thank you to all who came out to enjoy the day! It was sincerely our pleasure to host this, our first Genealogy in the Park day.

Learning Opportunities

Networking & Sharing 

                                                                                

Re-Connecting and Connecting with Genealogy Friends!

                                                               

           
                              



                 

Dave's presentation "Decoding the Dash" .....Alberta sources and evidence of a 'lifelong resident of Spokane'.

Our sincerest thanks to: 

Dave Obee ...our presenter and vendor 

www.cangenealogy.com                     www.daveobee.com

Provincial Archives of Alberta – smart phone stands, travellers bandaids, lighted magnifying glasses, paper http://culture.alberta.ca/paa/

The Archives Store - http://culture.alberta.ca/paa/store/default.aspx

Shop the Hound - Jason   http://www.shopthehound.com/

Alberta Genealogical Society - Claudine N.

Lou T. – providing audio equipment, set up and management

Chris - Park AV Rentals  http://www.parkavrentals.com/

Todd - muffins and squares – his contact information is in the programme…… Book him soon….Christmas is coming!


Winn (Shannon's mom) - gluten free banana bread and orange loaf 

John H. audio visual technical programmer

John A. projector contribution

Kristen B. (Shannon's daughter) video cam contribution

Denise D.  Photography

Family Tree Trackers & Camrose Branch group members - registration, hall set up and take down 

The Recents - Ted http://www.albertagenealogy-research.ca/

Shannon's Research Services 

_______________________________________________________________

a few comments from the feedback forms:

What did you like the most?

"the friendliest group of people"

"everything"

"the whole thing was brilliant"

"information on sources we would not otherwise know about"

"location was excellent!"

"the peanut butter marshmallow bars - joke! - They are the 2nd best thing....Dave was the best part!"

What did you like the least:

"none of it"

"I didn't win a door prize"

"I ate too many sweets"

"Tables were a teensy bit close to the vendor tables...." "too squishy" 

     note from us:  We were advised the hall held 120 seated at tables.  (We had 83 people in the house) We will be getting a larger hall for our next event, and will ensure that people will be able to maneuver easily. ~ S & T

{ One person changed this question to read "What did you like  the least even better: the talks and information....spell binding. Great food...."

Comments: 

"Really enjoyed the day, even though I did not win a door prize.  Enjoyed my table mates. Drove 6.5 hours and was not disappointed."

"I'll watch for future sessions"

Wow! To bring a speaker of Dave's caliber to Sherwood Park!   ( note from us: We know....right!?!?!?!?  WOW!!. But seriously, Dave is the BEST! )

Comments received the week after: 

"Many thanks to Shannon and Tammy for organizing a TERRIFIC seminar with Dave Obee this past Saturday. He is a wonderful inspiration for rookies such as me" A.M.

"Congratulations to you & all who assisted (& baked) in the Genealogy in the Park conference.

It was awesome – you all did a marvelous job!" R.S.

"I’m tired from a wonderful day and I just imagine that you and Tammy are exhausted. You gals did a tremendous job right from the planning, publicity, set up and right through the day too. Lots of learning, lots of networking!" D.D.

"Put your feet up and enjoy some quiet time knowing you and Tammy did an excellent job." C.N.  

I'm still smiling ...learned a lot and enjoyed meeting people.  Thank you to both of you - very lucky to have had a chance to hear Dave Obee. T.A.

"You both did great last week, super impressed, super happy that I was a part of it". 
~Dave Obee

Summary of the day:

75% return on feedback forms - thanks to all who took the time to complete them. 


The appreciation showed to us has encouraged us to think about doing an event like this again! 

Wishes granted, look for upcoming breaking news about our next Genealogy in the Park event.

Shannon & Tammy

Find us on "Shannon's Genealogy Friends" on Facebook

The day after. . . .

Stay tuned for our "After the Event" summary, coming soon!

Egad! It's the night before!

Making a list, checking it twice.... sure it's only November, but tomorrow is "Genealogy in the Park featuring Dave Obee"!!!!

Tammy and I offer our heartfelt thank yous to all who helped and will be helping, for spreading the word, set up of the hall, advice on electronics, coffee makers, the list is vast....so many things to get done, It's impossible for two people to do alone.  Thank you!

Tomorrow is going to be such a fabulous day. Presentations by Dave, always fantastic!, networking opportunities, and seeing our genealogy friends!

Tentative Revised Schedule

8:00am - Doors open

8:50am - Announcements

9:00am – “Genealogy by Google”

10:00am-10:30am - break

10:30am – “Beyond the Online Basics”

11:45am - Lunch (may start a bit earlier)

1:00:pm – “Decoding the Dash”

2:30 pm – 15 minute break

2:45 pm “Geography of Genealogy in Europe” (approx. 1 hour).

Ready.....set.............................

~Shannon & Tammy

Genealogy in the Park featuring Dave Obee ---- fast approaching!

Ah, the week of an event, always a scurry of activity! 

If you have not reserved your pay-at-the door seat with either Tammy or myself....Imperative to do so by Friday as we are getting close to capacity! Our contact information is on the poster and brochure

It's been amazing to watch the unsolicited publicity Genealogy in the Park Featuring Dave Obee (this Saturday!) has received.

Our sincere thanks to 
Gail Dever, of http://genealogyalacarte.ca/ 
St.Albert's Place on the Web http://www.mybirdie.ca/ 
Clandigger (Edmonton Branch AGS newsletter)

Isn't that what genealogy is all about? Spreading the word of learning opportunities.
We are very grateful.

We will have just a few vendors -
Dave Obee - Book sales
Shop the Hound - Genealogy related items
Alberta Genealogical Society - Book sales and information about the AGS
and Strathcona County's Dave Drader will be in the house-more information about Strathcona County's people and self publishing than you ever knew possible.

Bring Cash!

Off and running, lots to do!