We have a door prize winner for the Genealogy Gems Book Club Open House held at RootsTech 2016. And here’s how everyone’s a winner with the free Genealogy Gems Book Club.
The Genealogy Gems Book Club got two thumbs-up at RootsTech 2016! Several people I talked to have enjoyed reading our featured books and then listening to the author interviews at the end of each quarter. Others are simply tuning in for the author conversations or adding the books to their “to read” lists. That’s what we love about the Genealogy Gems Book Club: there’s something for everyone.
At the Genealogy Gems Book Club Open House last Thursday at RootsTech, we offered a chance at a door prize for all those who suggested a book title for the Book Club. Alexis Maurer from Salt Lake City, UT won the drawing! She’s received a year’s Genealogy Gems Premium website membership, giving her full access to the Book Club interviews on the Premium podcast every quarter.
Here are the results from the Genealogy Gems “Where I’m From” poetry contest. They include this fantastic short video version. Check it out!
During the last quarter of 2015, we ran a family history writing contest inspired by a poem by George Ella Lyon called “Where I’m From.” George Ella, the poet laureate for Kentucky, joined us on the Genealogy Gems Podcast Episode 185 to share her poem and tips for others to write their own version (click here to listen–it’s free!).
Kay wrote in with this Gem: “When I heard your podcast interview with George Ella Lyon, I just knew that I needed to write a ‘Where I’m From’ poem. Since I am fortunate to have many family photos taken by my dad throughout the years, I decided to add photos to my poem and make a video. I finished it last night, and wanted to share it with you and your listeners.” Kay has posted it on her blog, Just a Little Detail, but you can also watch it below:
In addition to this marvelous video, I received eight audio-recorded entries. Truly, all of them are absolutely wonderful. I had planned on randomly drawing one winner, but I changed my mind. ALL entrants will receive 1 year of Genealogy Gems Premium website membership (if they’re already members, I’m adding on a year). Taking the time to think about their personal history, writing the poem, and then overcoming nerves and recording it to share with really does show above-and-beyond dedication to family history and to our family history community!
Congratulations to the winners you’ve heard from already: Kay Little (above) and a few whose poems have already been shared on the free Genealogy Gems podcast: Kathie Duke, Wanda Stone and Dee Guyre. You’ll hear from more winners in coming episodes.
Feeling inspired? Here are more gems on writing your family history:
Our news of the day is that RootsTech has given us a FREE RootsTech All-Access Pass for one of YOU. This is a $159 value–itself an enormous value for all the fun and learning you’ll find at RootsTech.
If you can get yourself to Salt Lake City for RootsTech from February 12-14, 2015, you can enter to win this pass.
In the body of your email, tell us whether you think you’ll read the book. (Tell us why if you’d like–your opinion won’t affect whether you win!)
Include your name, email address and phone number.
No purchase necessary.
Your entry must be received by Nov. 25, 2014. The randomly selected winner will be announced in the Dec. 4, 2014 newsletter.
We just launched our new Book Club last month and we’re already hearing enthusiastic response. Our Book Club is free and features mainstream fiction and nonfiction titles that make great reads for those who care about family history. Sign up for our free monthly newsletter to follow the Book Club selections.
Do you need a little extra motivation to write your family history? Here it is! The International Society of Family History Writers and Editors (ISFHWE) sponsors an annual writing contest for those who write genealogy for blogs, journals, magazines, newspapers, websites and even for editors of family history newsletters. Winners in each category receive a cash prize and a certificate–and of course, bragging right!
The Excellence-in-Writing Competition accepts columns, articles and society or family history newsletters. You can submit unpublished materials and those that were published in 2012. Click here for complete rules and entry information and here for an online entry form. Entries are due by June 15, so polish that piece or pull out that thing you shared with everyone at the holidays or family reunion last year.
We’re five weeks from RootsTech and counting down! The folks at RootsTech have sent out this registration update and contest invitation:
“Early bird registration has been extended for one more week. The $149 price will expire on 2/22/2013. We’ve seen some great momentum in registrations this week. So, we want to give every opportunity for folks to take advantage of the reduced price on a full conference pass. After 2/22 the price will move to a “last chance” price of $179 for a full conference pass. The “last chance” price will expire on 3/16, at which point the price will go to $219.
As you know, Story@Home is a new addition to RootsTech this year. Story@Home offers class sessions with award-winning storytellers, performers, and speakers to help attendees explore ways to use the power of story to connect with their family. We’re excited buy std medication online about the new perspective and dimension Story@Home adds to the RootsTech experience. You can learn more about Story@Home at www.rootstech.org/stories.
Our friends at Story@Home are running an Instagram Photo Contest. Official RootsTech bloggers are invited to help spread the word. Here are the contest details:
Prize: Story@Home + Getting Started pass ($79 value), Access to all Story@Home classes and Getting Started classes all three days of RootsTech. Contest Dates: February 20th-24th. To participate in the contest: Snap a picture you think tells a story. Examples include family, friends, places, events, mementos–anything that has meaning for you. Upload the photo to Instagram and share with us what story your photo tells. Include the hashtags #tellyourstory and #storyathome. The winner will be chosen by Random.org and announced on the Story@Home Facebook page Monday, February 25th. “Like” us on Facebook to find out if you’ve won: https://www.facebook.com/pages/StoryHome/175409965858537?ref=ts&fref=ts.”
We have a door prize winner for the Genealogy Gems Book Club Open House held at RootsTech 2016. And here’s how everyone’s a winner with the free Genealogy Gems Book Club.
There’s still plenty of time to enjoy this quarter’s featured title, Orchard House: How a Neglected Garden Taught One Family to Grow
In addition to this marvelous video, I received eight audio-recorded entries. Truly, all of them are absolutely wonderful. I had planned on randomly drawing one winner, but I changed my mind. ALL entrants will receive 1 year of 
WHY and HOW to Start a Family History Blog
