Saturday, November 12, 2011

Data is the New Black

I meant to just refer any readers out there to this article, but the linking of it to Blogger contained more than I thought it was going to.  I want you to know that I don't follow every bit of the article, but I can grasp a few things and from that I have concluded that this is the beginning of one very technology driven science fiction era in which are living.

Data is the New Black:
At our recent Preservation Storage Meeting, the word “data” was frequently mentioned. This was of some note to me, as cultural heritage organizations have, until recently, spoken of “collections” and “content” or even “files,” but not data. This is of course not the case at universities, where social science and observational datasets are very much a part of the custodial landscape. But most libraries, archives, and museums have not considered their collections to be data.

Martha Anderson recently blogged on this topic very eloquently.

I want to say this out loud: we all have data, from metadata to full-text collections to more formal datasets. We used to talk non-stop about metadata. Now we talk about data. Data is the new black.

Linking Open Data cloud diagram, by Richard Cyganiak and Anja Jentzsch. http://lod-cloud.net/
Linking Open Data cloud diagram, by Richard Cyganiak and Anja Jentzsch. http://lod-cloud.net/

The Storage Meeting and a recent meeting with a software vendor have had me thinking specifically about what constitutes “Big Data.” The definition of Big Data is very fluid, as it is a moving target — what can be easily manipulated with common tools — and specific to the organization: what can be managed and stewarded by any one institution in its infrastructure. One researcher or organization’s concept of a large data set is small to another.

In one conversation that I remember not too long ago, an organization was surprised to find that they would need 10 TB of storage for a large digital collection. I now know of collections that add that many TB in a single week.

The Twitter archive has 10s of billions of tweets in it.

The Chronicling America collection has over 4 million page images with OCR.

Web Archives, such as the one at the Library of Congress, may be comprised of billions of files.

And researchers may want to interact with a collection of artifacts, or they may want to work with a data corpus. Some may want to search for stories in historic newspapers. Some may want to mine newspaper OCR for trends across time periods and geographic areas. Some may want to see what a specific user tweeted. Some may want to look at the spread of an event hashtag across the world in a day.

We still have collections. But what we also have is Big Data, which requires us to rethink the infrastructure that is needed to support Big Data services. Our community used to expect researchers to come to us, ask us questions about our collections, and use our digital collections in our environment. We transitioned into a partially self-serve model when we moved online. But can we support real-time querying of billions of full-text items? Can we provide tools for collection analysis and visualization? Can we support the frequent downloading by researchers of collections that may be over 200 TB each? These are among the questions that all of our institutions are grappling with as we build large digital collections and discover new ways in which they can be used.

Sunday, November 06, 2011

{FLPanhandle Genealogy} The Seven Steps of the Research Process | olinuris.library.cornell.edu - StumbleUpon

Will this guide help us with genealogy research?   Read through the material and see what you think.  In addition, I did want to point out the feature, "Ask a Librarian".  Has anyone utilized that option?  If so, share a little bit about your experience.

Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

VA-History-Exchange

VA-History-Exchange

Genealogy, the search for our ancestry, of necessity, encompasses history. As we become more involved in the strategy of research, we learn to look for clues in the pedigree chart: date and place. Developing a chronology (timeline) for our ancestor is not just something interesting to do; building a backdrop (a stage, a setting) for each leaf on the family tree provides direction for our research. See if you can detect (as in "detective") the why, the where, the when, the what and you will begin to discover clues that will lead you to the "rest of the story". Be sure to download the Power Point presentation, "Untold Stories from the Virginia Frontier" if you want to see how history and family members are intertwined.


Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Are your genealogy files in your will?

Are your genealogy files in your will?  

Like to read? If you've spent hours researching your family history, you will want to read this e-mail and the articles recommended by Leland K. Meitzler and Lee Everton, editors of the free "Genealogy Newsline".
When
Tuesday, Sep 27, 2011 GMT-05:00
Where
In your cozy chair...
Who
(Guest list has been hidden at organizer's request)

Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

Monday, September 12, 2011

Misleading Genealogy Advice for Beginners – Free Guide to Tracing your Ancestry and Researching your Family Tree.


"There’s a difference between knowing something and being able to explain it so someone else can understand it. Plus, an explanation that makes sense to an experienced person may be totally confusing to a novice. This is why so many people give up ancestor hunting before they really get started. So, what’s the answer?"

Quotes:

Misleading Genealogy Advice for Beginners – Free Guide to Tracing your Ancestry and Researching your Family Tree.

    • There’s a difference between knowing something and being able to explain it so someone else can understand it. Plus, an explanation that makes sense to an exper ienced person may be totally confusing to a novice. This is why so many people give up ancestor hunting before they really get started. So, what’s the answer?
      Read more »

      ( http://message.diigo.com/message/misleading-genealogy-advice-for-beginners-fr... )


      This message was sent to you by Margaret Harris via Diigo

      Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

      Sunday, September 11, 2011

      10 Steps to Writing Your Family History

      10 Steps to Writing Your Family History

      Kimberly Powell offers some thoughtful insights on a topic I've often considered: when and how can I produce a history of my family? She points out that there are several ways to accomplish this. One method that is kind of attractive to me is the idea of "publishing" a family cookbook. The great thing about projects of this type are that, in these days of desktop publishing, with Kinko's or Office Depot just an digital second away, we have the opportunity to be simple and straigtforward with our task. Other types of publishing offer an less expensive way to complete a more formal presentation that just wasn't available twenty or thirty years ago.

      So what will be the format be for our family history? Will we design a memoir or a pedigree? Will we collect and publish family recipes, then annotate it? A scrapbook is what many have chosen to put together, but I can't help but think that I need to do something that can be circulated among our family members and perhaps friends.

      Will 2012 be the year? Kimberly's article remind us to choose a deadline that will be realistic and manageable. This article covers several points that can help us make this goal a realistic objectiive.

      Friday, September 09, 2011

      Family Search and a Free Newsletter in Your E-Mail

      Area-Info.net is the pipeline for lots of good stuff!  It is through them that I receive the Genealogy Newsline,  a free genealogy newsletter that comes straight to my e-mail inbox.  The newsletter is a product of Family Roots Publishing and is written by Leland K. Meitzler.

      One article is massive good news:  FamilySearch has updated and posted the 1865 Illinois State Census, (Labor Day 2011); other record collections that were completed and posted on Labor Day have been integrated into the GenealogyBlog Online Database Links Files.

      What would we do without folks like Leland?!!  We'd be wandering around in the dark, I'm afraid. 

      Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

      Saturday, September 03, 2011

      Heritage Books Labor Day Sale







      To: la376@bellsouth.net

      HPC’s Giant Labor Day Sale!

      (Prices good while supplies last or until September 30, 2011)

       

      Buy One County Heritage Book at Regular Price & Get One of the following books at Half-Price! 

       

      * Plus FREE SHIPPING *

       

      For a list of all our products, go to <heritagepublishing.net>

       

      Go to our Website and select a book at regular price.

       

      Example: Hill County, TX, Vol. II @ $60.00. Go down the list below and select any of the listed books. Perhaps, Autauga, AL. You get both for $90.00 and no S&H charges. You save $30.00 on the 2nd book and $9.00 S&H.

       

      Alabama

      Autauga – $60

      Blount – $65

      Bullock - $60

      Butler – $60

      Calhoun – $55

      Choctaw – $65

      Clarke – $60

      Coffee – $60

      Colbert – $55

      Cullman – Vol. I – $55

      Cullman – Vol. II – $60

      Dallas – $55

      DeKalb – Vol. II – $60

      Elmore – $65

      Etowah – $55

      Houston – $60

      Jackson – $60

      Lauderdale - $60

      Lawrence – $65

      Lee – $60

      Lowndes – $60

      Mobile – $60

      Monroe – $55

      Perry – $55

      Pickens – $55

      Pike – $70

      Russell – $60

      St. Clair – $65

      Sumter – $60

      Tuscaloosa – $65

      Walker – $60

      Washington – $55

      Winston – Vol. II – $60

       

      Florida

      Bay – Vol. I – $60

      Escambia – Vol. I – $60

      Escambia – Vol. II – $60

      Holmes – $65

      Jackson – $60

      Liberty – $60

      Okaloosa – Vol. I – $60

      Okaloosa – Vol. II – $60

      Santa Rosa – Vol. II – $60

      Walton – $60

       

      Encyclopedia of Florida Sheriffs 2 volume set – $65  (counts as 1 Book)

       

      Others

      Folsom, LA $25

      Wayne Co., MS – Vol. II $55

      Terry Co., TX $65

       

      AL residents add 4% Sales Tax, KY residents add 6% Sales Tax

       

      Mail your check/MO to the address below or call and charge your order

      HPC or Heritage Publishing

      PO Box 22128

      Louisville, KY 40252   

       

      We accept phone orders for Visa/MC/Disc/AMX/Debit

       

      1-800-568-1611 or (502) 423-9016

      FAX (502) 423-9017

       

      We have sold out of Calhoun County, FL. However, we have reprinted Tallapoosa County, AL.

       

      If you do not wish to receive emails from us, please return this message with "Delete".

      Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

      Exhibit Opening Reception, Military Memories - Sat. SEPT. 3, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida





      From: Gina Marini <gmarini@co.okaloosa.fl.us>

      Dear Museum Members,

      Thank you for your continued support of our work at the Heritage Museum and for helping to keep history alive in our community.

      Because we value your membership, join us during the opening reception of Military Memories on Sept. 3, 10a-12p and receive a special gift while supplies last.

      Thank you!

      Unknownname
        

      Exhibit Opening Reception
      Military Memories – On the Home front & At War
      Saturday, September 3, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the
      Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida

      Valparaiso, FL - The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida will hold the official opening reception with refreshments for their new exhibit, Military Memories – On the Home front & At War, sponsored by Pioneer Technologies, Inc. on Saturday, September 3 from 10 a.m.  – 12 p.m.  Military Memories features original artifacts from the Museum’s collection from the Civil War, WWI, WWII and the Vietnam War.  In addition, on loan from local POW Howard Hill, is the original uniform he wore during his 5 years as a Prisoner of War during the Vietnam conflict.   Historian, Michael Weech will be available to explain about the exhibit and discuss military history with an emphasis on the history of Eglin Air Force Base.  September 3rd is also the last day for active duty military and their families to take advantage of free admission as part of Blue Star Museums, a nationwide program in which the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida is one of over 1400 museums participating. 

      Event:              Military Memories Exhibit Opening Reception

      Where:             Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida
                              115 Westview Avenue, Valparaiso, FL

      When:              Saturday, September 3, 2011, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

      Contact:          (850) 678-2615
                              www.heritage-museum.org

      Cost:               General museum admission applies
                              Free for Active duty military and their families
                             Free for Heritage Museum members

      ###

      Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

      GSOC Sept. Meeting

      Original Message --------
      Subject: GSOC Sept. Meeting
      Date: Fri, 2 Sep 2011 10:09:46 -0500
      From: Pat <QueenDecor@cox.net>
      To: <Queendecor@cox.net>
      CC: '

      Hello All

      The September meeting of the Genealogical Society of Okaloosa County will be a field trip to the University of West Florida main campus in Pensacola.  We  will be visiting the John C. Pace Library Archives and History Center. Meeting is scheduled for 10:00 AM on Saturday, 10 September.  Visitors are welcome to join us there.  After the meeting, those who wish will share a Dutch Treat lunch in Pensacola.  Those who wish to car pool from Niceville will meet at the large sign at the Palm Plaza parking lot on John Simms Parkway at 8:30 AM. 

      Check out our Newsletter at our GSOC Website for more details and a map thanks to Jim Young , our Websmaster.

      Pat Pruett, Publicity Chairperson GSOC 678-2023

      Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

      Thursday, September 01, 2011

      [FLOKALOO] WFGS - Research tips program

      For more information about my group at Windows Live,
      just e-mail FamilyHistoryFriends@groups.live.com

      ---------- Forwarded message ----------
      From: Cynthia Dean <cgdean@bellsouth.net>
      Date: Wed, Aug 31, 2011 at 9:08 PM
      Subject: [FLOKALOO] WFGS - Research tips program
      To: FLOKALOO@rootsweb.com


      West Florida Genealogical Society
      Meeting date:  Sept. 3, 2011
      Place:  West FL Genealogy Library
                  5740 N. 9th Ave., Pensacola
      Time:  10:00 AM

      A favorite speaker, Jerry Merritt, will give a Power Point presentation on
      research tips:

      1.  Help to figure ages in pre-1850 censuses
      2.  Preserving and restoring old photographs on your home computer
      3. Using reverse search techniques to find other researchers with whom
      to trade information
      4. Using land records to find where your ancestors lived
      5. Solutions to long-term storage of your research

      Attendees will receive a link to a copy of the Power Point presentation
      to download and use at home.

      Contact:  Cynthia Dean   850-432-7072 cgdean@bellsouth.net
      Allen Lawrence
      List Admin
      -------------------------------
      To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FLOKALOO-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

      Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

      Tuesday, August 16, 2011

      Now on the horizon: 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812

      Exclusive preview of PBS's upcoming War of 1812 Documentary is available at Baltimore Genealogy and History (Examiner.com) website.

      Other War of 1812 Resources:

      • Find links at Google, Bing, and other search engines.
      • Visit FootNote.com
      • Access "the largest online collection of War of 1812 records" at Ancestry.com
      • Library of Congress (loc.gov)
      • Bone up on the facts, Visit a Library today near you!
      • Plan an 2012 Summer Vacation and Visit Memorials, Events, Etc.
      Examples of What You'll Find:

      Don't forget to check for images, maps, and more on the Internet.

      War_of_1812


      For more information about my group at Windows Live,
      just e-mail FamilyHistoryFriends@groups.live.com

      Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

      Thursday, August 11, 2011

      Family Roots Publishing - Home (Brief Review)

      http://www.familyrootspublishing.com/

      Do you want to receive even more e-mail?  Well, this site offers a free Genealogy Newsline newsletter that you can opt to receive in your e-mail box.  There are scads and scads of genealogy newsletters.  Some of them are syndicated and can be read in your news reader.  And some are available to be read online, as well as in your e-mail "box".

      The one that I recently received was the eighteenth edition of the Newsline.  To give you and idea of the content, I'm listing a brief list of its features:

      •     Salt Lake Christmas Tour (numerous trips to The Family History Library; attendees will recieve assisted research at the library from experienced professional genealogists ALL WEEK LONG.  There are ten classes and workshops scheduled for the week, all presented by Thomas MacEntee.  Be sure to take in the Christmas lights and tour of Temple Square and if possible, attend a free rehearsal of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  Editors, Lee Everton and Leland K. Meitzler are the hosts and organizers for the 27th Annual Christmas Tour.

        • One of the features of the Newsline (really handy for those of us without a brain--I for one need numerous reminders), is a list of the recent addition of records just posted to FamilySearch.org.  This feature lets us know that new USA Vital Records Data is now available, including digital imagesand indexes. 
        • A plug for Aero-Info.net (a way to publish your local genealogical or other types of events).  Can I call it a "plug" if it's free to do that? 
        • New book review.  After all, the website is a publishing company for genealogy books. 
        • Articles.  This time, one titled, "Oregon Historic Newspapers".
        • Special Sales of published materials and books.  This company also publishes state guides, etc, but you may not want to forget to check for free guides from other sources before you pay big bucks.  Just Google "free genealogy guides for U.S. States" or something like that.
        • Another plug for Aero-Info.net: a place to express your personal opinions as many times as you wish about anything, I guess!  And don't forget you can share news of your town and society at this venue.
        • News from the Genealogy World.  To get the latest news and commentary, visit GenealogyBlog.com.

      Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

      Saturday, August 06, 2011

      [FLOKALOO] WFGS - Change of speaker

      For more information about my group at Windows Live,
      just e-mail FamilyHistoryFriends@groups.live.com


      From: Cynthia Dean <cgdean@bellsouth.net>

      Date: Fri, Aug 5, 2011 at 8:24 AM

      Due to a death in the family of the scheduled speaker
      on Indian Research, we
        will,  instead,  be  having Dot Brown to talk about
      "What is a Florid Cracker?" 
      Dot is a long-time genealogist, writer and delightful speaker.
        You will enjoy her.  Visitors are welcome.
        Sat. 10:00 AM.  West Florida Genealogy Library,
      5740 N. 9th Ave., Pensacola
        For info, contact Cynthia Dean   432-7072
      Allen Lawrence
      List Admin
      -------------------------------
      To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FLOKALOO-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

      Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

      Saturday, June 04, 2011

      FT.com / US / Economy & Fed - Jobs data stoke US recovery fears

      FT.com / US / Economy & Fed - Jobs data stoke US recovery fears

      How many factories in your town? What is your city's main source for jobs? I don't think the country is beyond economic recovery, but just in case I'm wrong, perhaps we should cut down on our TV and our golf and learn how to be self-sustaining, somewhat. Remember the (according to my kids), "ancient text" of the Fox Fire Books? Amazon offers them and there are other publications with a similar, though never as genuine/original/earthy as the Foxfire Books.

      I'm pretty ignorant about things these days; I can't remember the last time I walked into an old-fashioned hardware store and bought a hoe, or any other gardening tool for that matter. Fortunately, hoes can be purchased in many different places today, even online.

      Now, if only I wasn't out of shape, having trouble with my back, and not wanting to bend those knees........

      I'm sure I can find a project and accomplish something toward this goal, but first I'll just check the Internet and see what info is out there for beginners.

      Tuesday, May 31, 2011

      Home Sweet Home

      Ed and I would appreciate you letting us know if you can help with our huge family project for this summer.  We'll need some volunteers when the big day comes, but, FIRST, we have to find a house.

      Monday, May 30, 2011

      Memories on Memorial Day

      Last night as my husband and I watched the great Memorial Day Concert at the Capitol in D.C., my mind began to travel back in time to those in my family who served our country.  Let Freedom Ring!  The concert and program were amazing.

      First, I will touch on my biological father, largely absent from my growing up years.  For some reason, I can't locate his photo anywhere, but here's the scooop:

      He and my mother were divorced when I was a baby.   Dewey Earnest Winters was in the armed services even before he met my mother; when World War Two ended, it was only a short few years before he was back in the thick of the fighting in the Korean War.  He got shrapnel in his leg.  I now own the flag that was presented at his funeral and I was able to get his military records and medals, also, through the National Archives Web site.  I honor my father, Dewey, today.

      Brother of Dewey Winters: A.W. Winters and Wife

      Thanks to the volunteer who had this posted.  I have misplaced my own photo.

      Thursday, May 12, 2011

      Missing the mark in Florida

      I, for one, am famous at hearing and storing snippets of conversations, snippets of news broadcasts, and snippets of things that are posted by others, (yes, even the newspaper).  From these snippets, I form an opinion or deduce what I think are the facts.  Sometimes, this data ain't correct.  The conclusions I've drawn are erroneous or incomplete.

      For example:  Staff's Restaurant in Fort Walton Beach is a landmark building.  The Staff and Gerlach and Bass families have been offering food up for locals and tourists since 1913.  It was established on the waterfront of the Intracoastal Waterway which meanders through the area and in Fort Walton Beach is often referred to simply as "The Sound".  Still, to this day, the fresh seafood arrives, almost literally, at Staff's back door.  That seafood is the hallmark of  Staff's menu, along with its rich, homemade chocolate cake.

      My brother who has been living out West for the last several years, was in town and invited my sister and I (old homies that we are), to dine with him at Staff's.  As we approached the building, we could discern no sign of activity or patronage.  People weren't flocking to the doors and the parking lot was curiously empty.  I opined, "maybe they're closed or gone out of business; I think I heard that they were going to close their doors".  "I think I heard"?!!!  How many times those exact same words have escaped my lips? 

      Well, we were hungry and it wasn't quite tourist time yet, so we got out to test my lame theory.  The restaurant was open and we went in and were ushered to a nice table near the window.  As soon as we got settled, I asked our serving person about the "rumor" that Staff's was closing.  He informed me that the newspaper had kind of got it wrong.  Staff's was the only restaurant to not receive compensation from BP for the oil spill of last summer.  They had applied but had been turned down.  If they didn't get those funds then some type of shake-up might indeed become necessary.  Calamity had indeed struck the Gulf Coast of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana in 2010 and Staff's was located on "Miracle Strip Parkway", the part of State Highway 98 that goes through the City of Fort Walton Beach.  Tourism is vital to the economy in these parts.

      So, for now, anyway, the good news is that Staff's Restaurant is staying open.  We picked up a little newspaper-like leaflet, there, detailing the history of the eatery and the families who helped to settle Fort Walton Beach.  My brother ordered gumbo and ate every bite; I got grilled shrimp and fresh steamed veggies and my sister ordered fried oysters.  We passed a pleasant hour together, caught up with this and that and topped it off with a three-way split of the wonderful chocolate cake.  Our experience included a chat with one of the family members who jointly keep the restaurant going, but before I go spouting off my bits and pieces approach to news reporting, again, I will go to the source, first, and get the real story.  It's so much more personal.  Of course, that isn't practical in every case.  So, what do you suggest?

      Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

      Thursday, March 31, 2011

      Population change - Māori population change - Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand

      Population change - Māori population change - Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand

      Quite a fascinating bunch of studies and graphs, here. Will have to study up on NZ history and stuff!

      Church Humanitarian Aid, Japanese Church Members Helping People Suffering From Disaster

      Church Humanitarian Aid, Japanese Church Members Helping People Suffering From Disaster:

      This was updated March 29th. Our family prayers for the Japanese people are frequent and sincere. I hope they feel our love as they struggle and strive to stay safe and recover their families and their lifelines.

      Church News and Events - Atlanta Georgia Temple Open House and Rededication

      Church News and Events - Atlanta Georgia Temple Open House and Rededication

      I would love to go to the Open House! Quick trip up and back.

      Tuesday, March 01, 2011

      A Find of a Lifetime: Jefferson Books Quest Ends at Washington University « Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello

      What a stretch! I mean from Thomas Jefferon's environs to St. Louis! I love to hear about stuff like this. The project was indeed something to celebrate.

      Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

      Japanese Magnolias are Blooming

      Spring is three weeks away.  Usually, we can count on some coolish weather continuing through at least the first two weeks of April.  I have the A/C on because for some weird scientific reason, the house gets warm or retains the warmth of the day, longer.  Outside, it is rainy, humid, but definitely not hot or cold.  I look forward to all the flowers blooming, the azaleas in their full glory, the trees getting tender green leaves, etc. etc..  I don't look forward to warm weather even though we've had one of the coldest winters I can remember.  It just so happens that when the humidity is high, I am constantly sweating, truthfully dropping large drops from my hair to my face, big liquid tears of perspiration drenching my hair, neck, body, etc.

      Here are some of the spring photos I've taken in Northwest Florida in years past.

               

      Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

      Thursday, February 10, 2011

      Day Trip Suggestion

       

      Mississippi Rails--Tony Howe Art

      At the Baker Block Museum in Baker, Florida, there are a couple of books about the role of the railroad in Southern Alabama and Northwest Florida.  I'm pretty sure that some of my ancestors had ties to the railroad in the area, so, when I picked up a copy of the Hurlburt Patriot and saw an article about Foley, Alabama's railroad station, I was eager to read it.

      The Train Depot, along with the Foley Archives & History Museum is located in Foley, Alabama, just north of Gulf Shores and west of Pensacola.  Not only is the museum interesting for children, but the kids wil lalso like an old fashioned ice cream parlor, just down the street.  A park is located next to the museum.

      Directions from Fort Walton Beach to Foley Archives & History Museum: 

      • Go north on SR 85 to I-10, go west beyond Pensacola and into Alabama.
      • Head south on Highway 49.  The museum is located at the intersection of Highway 59 and Laurel Avenue (Hwy 98). 
      • You can also simply drive west on 98 till you get there! 

      To contact, call phone number is 251-943-1818.  Admission is FREE.  Open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. until 4 p.m..  Model Train exhibit, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2p.m.

      Food is available for purchase at the nearby old-fashioned drug store and ice cream parlor provides light refreshments.

      If you are doing background research on your railroad man, be sure to view the beautiful pictures of trains and such check these sites:

      1. Train Paintings
      2. Rail Art by Shane.

      Learn how to retrieve pensions for railroad your ancestor who worked on the railroad: Click Here.

      Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

      Saturday, February 05, 2011

      Kevin needs help.

      My son, Kevin, is age 24; he broke his ankle a couple of weeks ago and needs surgery asap.  He doesn't have insurance.  If you can give even $1, it would mean a lot to our family.  Donate today, please.

      The baby is Kevin's little nephew, Josh.  The tattoo is fake.  Kevin is into physical fitness; can you tell?

      Wednesday, January 26, 2011

      Gather and Tether Your Data

      Round up all your boxes, notebooks, CD's, scraps of paper, file folders, etc.--anything that pertains to your genealogy, get it all together in one area.  Then, and only then, will you be able to organize (or more appropriately, perhaps, re-organize) your "stuff" [as President Obama would say].  Surely we can confine our research to a few shelves, a couple of filing cabinets, or several drawers.  IN THE SAME AREA.  If we have to run from room to room, from downstairs to upstairs, or whatever, we are wasting precious time that could be better spent finding our ancestors.

      Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

      Tuesday, January 25, 2011

      State of the Union

      President Obama uses the word "investment" as if our government has money with which to make an investment.  Our government's investment should be to trust private industry to develop according to the market.  I'm sure that a lot of hearts just fell to the floor when he indicated he didn't want our country to invest in the oil business any more.  What, we're going to punish Sarah Palin and all those who stand with her, in maximizing Alaska's resources?  We need refineries built and refreshed; our country still has plenty of this resource, don't you think?

      We are going to be force fed, if the President gets his way, with green energy.  I'm all for conserving our natural resources, re-purposing old stuff instead buying new stuff, and using "clean energy".  What I'm not all for is the federal government buying up all the land and lakes and mountains.  I'm not all for the government taking the role of protecting us from things that might be bad for our health.  Of course, there are many ways to approach valid concerns and take moderate steps in cleaning up our world and our lifestyle.  I'm not sure any of those ways really need to be regulated by the President and his cohorts.  Bureaucracy starts at the top and trickles down or floods down, rather, the tentacles of federal power spreading and invading into every corner of our lives.

      No salt, no fat, no dirty coal, no oil; how long before Big Brother wants to control our television watching habits, our reading styles, our religious practices, etc., etc., etc.?

      Read the text of the speech the President gave tonight and look for the code.

      Is it really the business of Congress to protect us from wearing earphones in both ears?

      Wednesday, January 05, 2011

      Meridian Magazine - The First Archaeological Support for the Book of Mormon

      Meridian Magazine - The First Archaeological Support for the Book of Mormon

      I would have been an archaeologist in another life, I think. How fun to jet around the world and walk the pathways of the ancients. It is both historically satisfying and tangible to those who are involved in the field, I would imagine. To reach out and touch an altar where perhaps Lehi once officiated, is this spiritual or what? I mean, that is the message her, right? I haven't read the whole article, so I guess I'd have to get more scholastically involved here, before I get too excited. Still, the prospects are exceedingly enticing.