Just when we throw up our hands in frustration and declare that we will never find a particular ancestor, someone comes along and proves it possible.
King_Richard_III
Reuters is reporting that England’s King Richard III has been found after 500 years. “A skeleton with a cleaved skull and a curved spine entombed under a car park is that of Richard III, archaeologists said on Monday, solving a 500-year-old mystery about the final resting place of the last English king to die in battle…In one of the most significant archaeological finds of recent English history, a team from the University of Leicester said evidence showed a skeleton found last year in excavations of a mediaeval friary under a city car park was that of Richard.”
The physical evidence is compelling: The skeleton possesses a curved spine (which Shakespeare mocked him for), and multiple wounds attributed to battle.
Researchers at the University of Leicester sought to confirm the theory through DNA testing which included extracting DNA from the teeth and a bone for comparison with Michael Ibsen, a modern-day descendant of Richard III’s sister Anne of York. The results: A Match.
“The DNA remains points to these being the remains of Richard III,” University of Leicester genetics expert Turi King said during a press briefing.
The lesson is not that we as genealgoists need to start digging up parking lots, but rather “never give up, never surrender.” And where there is evidence, seek indisputable proof.
To learn more about the role that DNA played in this amazing discovery watch these videos The Search for King Richard III – The Genealogy
The Search for King Richard III Identifying the Remains (Dr. Turi King)
Many genealogists yearn for a career in a family history related field. Here’s an opportunity with APG:
WESTMINSTER, Colo., 1 February 2013—The Association of Professional Genealogists (APG®) is seeking qualified candidates for the managing editor position of its quarterly publication, Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly (APGQ). APGQ has served the genealogy community since 1979 with staff-written and contributed articles covering all aspects of the profession.
The responsibility of the managing editor is the overall production of the APGQ, in keeping with the magazine’s high quality style and compelling content. This includes soliciting articles, working with contributing writers, determining the themes of each issue, and editing and approving all content. Interested parties should have extensive knowledge of copyright law and genealogy, as well as grammar and writing standards.
The current managing editor, Matthew Wright will continue to serve the publication as layout editor, a new position. “In the last few years, APGQ has grown both in scope and in outreach,” said Kenyatta D. Berry, president of APG. “It now makes sense to divide the responsibilities between two professionals. We’re excited about these changes and what they mean for the publication and our members.”
Interested parties should send their cover letters and resumes to admin@apgen.org by the end of the day, 15 February 2013. Please do not send work samples with the initial inquiry. Further instructions on uploading samples will follow, if needed.
The new managing editor will also assist the APG eNews editor in coordination of messaging and content. The managing editor is a paid, contractor position. For more information on APGQ, see http://www.apgen.org/publications/index.html .
About the Association of Professional Genealogists
The Association of Professional Genealogists (www.apgen.org), established in 1979, represents more than 2,600 genealogists, librarians, writers, editors, historians, instructors, booksellers, publishers, and others involved in genealogy-related businesses. APG encourages genealogical excellence, ethical practice, mentoring, and education. The organization also supports the preservation and accessibility of records useful to the fields of genealogy and history. Its members represent all fifty states, Canada, and thirty other countries.
INTRODUCING THURSDAY’S KEYNOTE SPEAKERS AT ROOTSTECH
Keynote presentations at RootsTech are not like any other genealogy conference, and attendees rarely hit the snooze button on their alarms for a few more minutes of shut eye skipping opening events. Rather they arrive in droves to vie for the best seats to hear some of the best in the genealogy community. As an Official Blogger for RootsTech, I’m please to share news with you before it’s made public officially: Here’s who you can look forward to hearing on Thursday morning (Mar. 21) as keynote speakers at RootsTech 2013:
DENNIS C. BRIMHALL
Dennis Brimhall is currently the President and CEO of FamilySearch International. FamilySearch International is a worldwide organization helping individuals find, preserve, catalogue, and search genealogical information. FamilySearch International is sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A native of Provo, Utah, Mr. Brimhall earned an undergraduate degree in zoology from Brigham Young University in 1972 and a master’s degree in management from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in 1974.
SYD LIEBERMAN
Syd is a nationally acclaimed storyteller, an author, and an award-winning teacher. Many of his best-loved stories deal with growing up in Chicago and raising a family in Evanston, Illinois. Syd is also known for his original buy medication online australia historical pieces. He has received commissions to write stories for some of America’s leading institutions and agencies, including the Smithsonian; Historic Philadelphia, Inc.; NASA; and the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. Syd was one of six tellers featured on the television special The Call of Story. He has also performed numerous times at the Timpanogos and National storytelling festivals.
D. JOSHUA TAYLOR
D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS is the Business Development Manager – North America for brightsolid online publishing, the creator of findmypast.com. A nationally known and recognized professional genealogist, lecturer, genealogical author, and researcher, Taylor is the current president of the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) and the former Director of Education at the New England Historic Genealogical Society.
Get Registered Now for Early Savings
As a reminder, early bird registration ends on February 15th. Don’t you think a RootsTech pass would be a great gift for Valentine’s Day? After all, RootsTech is all about connecting with those you love—past, present, and future! Now’s the time to remind folks about the end of early bird pricing, if you haven’t already. The price will go to $179 for a few weeks, as a last chance offer, before going to the full price of $219.
In addition to her passion for creating beautiful family tree charts through her company Family ChartMasters, my friend Janet Hovorka has a real heart family. She yearns to help families grow closer through family history. Janet’s brand new book and resource materials can help any genealogist Zap the Grandma Gap! Read all about it below: PRESS RELEASE
29 January 2013
Are the youth in your family more attached to their iPod or laptop screen than they are to you? How do you connect to your family members and form the kind of close relationships that will support and strengthen them as they grow into successful and grounded adults? Teaching your children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and even your brothers and sisters about their family history can create strong bonds in your family and become a framework that protects and empowers your relationships. Family history connects family members in a way that is personal and unique to your family. It especially gives children the power to identify with personal heroes, learn life lessons and gain a broad, wise perspective on life.
You may be thinking, sure but my family’s eyes roll back in their heads and they suddenly have pressing engagements they have to attend to when we start to talk about family history. Super Grandma comes to the rescue. In the new book Zap the Grandma Gap : Connect With Your Family by Connecting Them To Their Family History, you’ll find specific ideas, examples and step by step instructions to take your family history from snoring and boring to exciting and inviting. Super Grandma will teach you all the tips and tricks to connect you and your family back to your own super grandmas and grandpas in simple and easy ways that will bind your family together and strengthen your relationships.
You’ll find specific tips on ideas such as:
Applying your family history to your current family member’s interests
Utilizing social networking to teach your family about their past
Honoring past family members through the plants inside and landscaping around your home
Exploring your ancestor’s skills and talents by creating a project or taking a class together
Establishing traditional food heritage such as historic family recipes or even a gingerbread house of the family home
Collecting and archiving the jewels in your family history to ensure future curiosity
Navigating the rough spots in your family history
Along with the launch of the book, a new website has been created full of resources to help families connect with their family history. The zapthegrandmagap.comwebsite establishes a gathering place where people can submit their best ideas and learn from each other how to strengthen the coming generation. Included in the site are a multitude of free resources including:
“If you are looking for concrete ideas for sharing your family history and inspiring the next generation, look no further than this book. The personal stories and worthwhile activities make this an enjoyable read, and an ongoing resource to every genealogist. Janet’s passion for the power of family history in the lives of today’s busy families shines throughout the pages!” Lisa Louise Cooke, Author and host of The Genealogy Gems Podcast.
“Janet Hovorka has provided a book overflowing with valuable ideas and suggestions for involving the “younger” generation in genealogy, perhaps without them even knowing about what you are trying to do. This book succeeds in being both entertaining and informative in a way that makes sense rather than preaches.” James Tanner, author of The Guide to FamilySearch Online and genealogysstar.blogspot.com.
“Zap the Grandma Gap is a handy toolbox brimming with inspiration and ideas for getting the “family” into family history. You’ll be grateful for the guidance as well as the casual and supportive way in which it is delivered.” Amy Coffin, author of wetree.blogspot.com and The Big Genealogy Blog Book.
“This book is a must-read for everyone who treasures family history and wants to make it come alive for future generations.” Suzanne Curley Director, Riverton FamilySearch Library
“Zap The Grandma Gap is not only a good read but a great reference book for creating fun family centered activities that treasures and builds firm family values.” Holly T. Hansen, President Family History Expos Inc.
Zap the Grandma Gap : Connect With Your Family by Connecting Them To Their Family History by Janet Hovorka is available now at www.zapthegrandmagap.com, at bookstores and by calling 801-872-4278. For it’s initial release, the book will be on sale for $19.95 until February 8th at which time the book will return to its regular price of $23.95.
About the Author: Janet Hovorka received a B.A. in Ancient Near Eastern History and a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from BYU. She helped people at the BYU library with their family history research but was completely uninterested in her own. Now, she and her husband Kim Hovorka own Family ChartMasters (www.familychartmasters.com) -official, award winning printers for most of the genealogy software and database companies. She is currently serving as President of the Utah Genealogical Association and teaches courses in library skills and genealogy at Salt Lake Community College. Janet inherited a large amount of genealogy from her mother and grandmother, both wonderful genealogists who lived family history in a way that was attractive and inviting. Eventually Janet woke up to the soul satisfaction of learning about her past. Most recently she has found great joy in encouraging her teenage children’s genealogical interests. Understanding the good and the bad in her own family history has helped her deal with her children and husband, and even her extended family in a more healthy way. Janet writes the The Chart Chick blog (www.thechartchick.com), has written for numerous genealogy publications, and has presented 100s of lectures all over the world to help people learn more about their past.
