Episode 54 - A Riveting Story of DNA & Genealogy, And Family Traditions To Start Now

Nov 2, 2008

Published Nov 2, 2008

I am very happy to announce that  I just launched my brand new podcast called Family History: Genealogy Made Easy.   The new show really captures two areas of focus that are really sort of outside the focus of this show. 

First, I wanted to do a show that anybody could stumble upon and with absolutely no prior experience in genealogy be able to listen to and enjoy and that would walk them step by step through the process of doing family history research.  It's like a long term free seminar that you can listen to and work along with!

The other area I've wanted to focus on is success stories and words of wisdom from experienced genealogists.  As I travel around going to conferences and as I read my email, I hear so many great stories.  I wanted to have a show where I could really showcase these stories and the wisdom of experienced genealogists.  Newbies to genealogy will get a sense of what they can look forward to, and more experienced genealogists like you guys can enjoy hearing  personal stories from those that you have probably heard of in the world of genealogy. 

So that's what you'll find at Family History: Genealogy Made Easy - Personal conversations and stories from the experts, and a genealogy how to course all wrapped in to one. 

Flash video issue has been resolved.

GEM: Profile America
Cash Register History 
The James Ritty Patent at Google Patents.

GEM: Interview with Colleen Fitzpatrick, The Forensic Genealogist
 Forensic Genealogist Website

GEM: MacGenealogist
Ben Sayer reviews genealogy software for the Macintosh computer:  MacFamily Tree.

GEM: Quilting Family Traditions

The ladies in our family are Connie Drew, Stacie Sanders, Steffanie Wicker, Shannon Stewart, Shellie Ireland and Brooke Drew 

Lee wrote me to say "Seeing your own love of quilts, you know how precious these handmade creations will be to our descendants throughout the generations. And so it goes, passing on skills, love and enjoyment across the generations through the use of sewing needles..."

Great Family Tradition & Heirloom Ideas from Lee and Connie Drew:

1. Sister Quilts - Round up relatives from the neighborhood or around the country and start a tradition that will create lasting heirlooms.  If you don't have a lot of quilters in your family, how about doing cross stitch or scrapbook pages.
2. Create a family tree wall hanging.  There are so many mediums you could use.  Quilting, applique, cross stitch, painting, the options are pretty limitless.  I love how Connie incorporated family silhouettes into the tree.
3. Create unique heirloom clothing.  Not artistic or handy with a needle?  How about creating custom shirts on a website like Cafe Press.  Just upload your images and add text if you like.  How about a shirt for each person with the photo of the ancestor they remind you of most? And you could still sew in a little tag that says it was created with love from grandma like Connie did.

Whether you're really artsy or don't have a creative bone in your body, there's a project out there for you that will allow you to express yourself, and promote lasting family traditions.

More Resources:

1. Genealogy Gems Episode 39 on Heritage Quilts 
2. Genealogy Gems Presents Heritage Quilts Video at the Genealogy Gems YouTube Channel
3. American Quilterâs Society Website 

GEM: Linguistic Bit by James Mowatt
Historyzine Podcast Website

GEM: Name That Tune
As you'll remember last episode (episode 53) I told you that I had recently inherited a reel to reel tape that was recorded in the 1960s by my husband's Grandfather and Grandmother Cooke.  I played this first of several songs on the tape for you

The Library of Congress American Memory Website had the old original sheet music.  The song is entitled Hush-a-bye, Ma Baby with a subtitle of the Missouri Waltz.  Lyric by J. R. Shannon.   music from an original melody procured by John Valentine Eppel, and arranged by Frederic Knight Logan.

Thanks to those who wrote and called in for identifying the song for me!In this episode I play another song in the hopes that you'll be able to do it again.  Mystery Song #2 - NAME THAT TUNE!

If you think you know the name of that song, please email me or better yet call and leave the answer on the voice mail line at 925-272-4021.

There are lots of ways to contact me: 
Join the Genealogy Gems Facebook Group
Catch up on what's going on in the world of genealogy at The Genealogy Gems News Blog.
Visit the the Genealogy Gems YouTube Channel where you can watch lots of great genealogy themed videos