It's been a whorl wind two days. I greatly enjoyed DNA day. I keep taking DNA classes and I learn more each time. I heard two new, for me, genetic genealogists, Kitty Munson Cooper and Tim Jensen M.D. And really enjoyed their talks. I wish I had signed up for the DNA class on Friday with Tim Jensen but didn't get to it in time. The big take away from Tim's classes is that I need to have my daughter take an autosomal test. Seeing as I have an Ancestry test I'll do it next week. I enjoyed Kitty's presentation style and found that she makes some of the more difficult concepts easy. I also really enjoyed Diahan Southard' Organizing Your DNA Matches class. She used a metaphor of the First Date to represent her organizational system. Great teacher.
Today was the first day of the actual Jamboree. The day started out cool but quickly heated up. The tents did not do as good a job staying cool as last year but they were quieter. My sore throat has turned into a full blown cold. Sniffing, sneezing, watery eyes. - I sound like a commercial. What I need is Clariton D but they don't sell it in the little store. Got my question answered at the DNA round table. All those neat tests and graphs only work on the people who have chosen to share gnomes with you. Too bad all our close matches seem to not want to respond.
I participated the the Society Share with Jean Hibben. Interesting discussion. We need to look into the Barnes and Noble fundraiser. Looks like the majority of societies are now paying $100 plus mileage for speakers. I was surprised at how many meet at the local library for free. I gave WAGS my speaker card so maybe I'll get asked to speak there.
I went to Tom Jones' class on The Jones Jinx: Tracing Common Surnames. Bill was surprised that he wasn't as dynamic as Judy Russell. I told him that Tom is a professor and you need to listen to the methodology. This class had lots of ideas about separating identities of any two same named individuals. I love Toms statement that everyone is unique in the history of the world.
Today was the day I got to give my first Jamboree talk...and I was sick. I spoke at 4-5 to a group of about 30. My topic as very specific, Homesteading California. I chose this topic because it is not what you associate with California. The processes are the same as any homestead in the U.S. But California was unique in the number of Spanish and Mexican grants and the entire history of land development. I was nervous to start and realized that I couldn't read my notes. I think I'll print them out in 20 pt next time. Once I got started everything was ok. Sheila Benedict who just wrote the book
California for NGS was in the audience and her comment was that I really know my stuff. Nice complement. I hope this helps me get to speak at RootsTech and some other national conferences. The next thing I need to do is finish my portfolio and apply for a CG. Opens doors.
