Webinars, Family Search and Events

Thank you for joining me at the Ferndale Genies blog.  Blogs are terrific for keeping in touch and for keeping info accessible for everyone.  If you can’t tell, I love blogs.  I subscribe to a handful and pass on to you just a few of the items I find timely and interesting. 

I like webinars as much as I like blogs.  And here’s the best buy I’ve seen for Legacy Family Tree Webinars Annual Subscriptions - including renewals!  There is no better bargain for webinars.  There are more than 600 archived genealogy webinars that you can watch on demand and the presenters are the best in the business.  And you have access to the syllabus which is not available without a subscription.  There is a webinar for anything you want to learn and I’m not exaggerating!

Here’s the announcement from blogger Thomas MacEntee with his own promo code added.  “This is the BEST SALE of the year! And if you already have a subscription, use the link below to automatically extend your current plan an additional year! Regularly $49.95 USD per year, now just $28.98 USD! PLUS use promo code THOMAS15 at checkout and the price is just $24.21! Sale valid through Sunday, April 1st - click HERE to shop.”

If you don’t want to subscribe, try this free class.  Free March 28 thru April 4.  Blaine Bettinger presenting “Formulating a DNA Testing Plan”.  Rated for beginners, it is about “minimizing costs while maximizing results by formulating a testing plan early in your research”.  I’m not sure what that means but I’ll be checking out here: https://familytreewebinars.com/download.php?webinar_id=720

Another blogger I have just started following is James Tanner at his blog “Rejoice and Be Exceedingly Glad”.  James blogs about Family Search from the LDS perspective and he announces this amazing alternative to the Family Search Family Tree “tree display”.  You can start with a video and instructions here https://virtual-pedigree.fhtl.byu.edu/ or go directly to the program using the Virtual Pedigree link below.  James says:

“If you are frustrated with the FamilySearch.org Family Tree interface, there is an alternative. The alternative is called "Virtual Pedigree." It is an interactive Family Tree viewer from the Brigham Young University Family History Technology Lab.

“Virtual Pedigree allows you to navigate your family tree with a new and revolutionary fluid interface. Simply click (or touch!) and drag, and begin exploring ancestors and their descendants! It gives you hints and help as you explore your tree…By the way, you either love it or find it difficult to use. This depends on how familiar you are with using a mouse or touchpad.”

You may be asking why I would be telling Genies about this.  FamilySearch.org is a giant tree which we all share.  I never knew how far back my ancestors were recorded.  A quick look at Virtual Pedigree took my dad’s line back to the 1100’s.  Wow!  We found Alice’s ancestors back to the 1100’s too but it took us all afternoon at the Family History Center.  Here’s the usual caveat:  Beware! there are many known errors so these are excellent clues but you have to verify with your own research.

You will need to register at familysearch.org for a free membership.  For beginners, you will need to connect yourself with some already existing ancestors.  Click on the Family Tree button and then the Find button.  Look for your most likely ancestors like US great-grandparents.  (I was lucky.  When I first started my dad was already in there.)  If you’d like, someone can help you at our next meeting.  For people familiar with Family Search, dive right in to a new experience with Virtual Pedigree.

Goodbye for now.  Mark your calendar and we will see you soon.

WGS, April 9, “Planning & Preparing for a Research Trip” with Mary Kozy 

Skagit Valley GS, April 14, “The Lost Communities of Whatcom County’ Troy Luginbill, Director of the Lynden Historical Museum

Ferndale Genies, April 16,  “Story Writing” with our members Loretta Willems and Linda Lambert.  They both attend the Whatcom Writers and Publishers and have published writings.  You will have a short time to practice writing a story about yourself or an ancestor. 

As usual, details are on the Ferndale Genies blog under the Events tab.  If you are receiving this in your email, a shortcut is to click on the name of this post at the top.