Hanging out Down Under!

Posted on October 30, 2013 by Julie Goucher

What an eventful morning! I have just spent and enjoyable hour or so in the first Geniaus’ Hangout on Air. What a wonderful treat that was. Many of the panel were new to this wonderful extension of being online and some, like Dear Myrt and Cousin Russ were experienced and familiar with the wonders & opportunities that Google provides.

The whole concept of being able to explore, discuss and chat informally with fellow genealogists despite the many time zones and miles between us is truly wonderful and anyone who has not embraced this is surely missing out on a real treat.

I know from personal experience that the first hangout is always a huge hurdle in terms of nerves and questions – what if it all goes wrong?  – nothing did go wrong and Jill is planning to host another in a few weeks. This, hopefully will become a regular feature on the genealogical online hangout calendar.

Over the course of an hour this morning we chatted and mentioned some great online resources and whilst I didn’t note all of them down, here are a few I can remember – great resources to everyone researching their ancestry, or local history – listed in no particular order

The wonder of these hangouts is not just interaction with others that share an interest. It is about the sharing of resources. Creating friendships and steering the path on collaboration. Even if these resources was known to you it was absolutely worth a mention because sometime we forget what we know, because there is so much material and resources “out there”.

It was a true joy to be invited by my Aussie geneablogging mate to take part.

If you missed the hangout – you can watch it at Jill’s YouTube Channel, but here it is embedded, for your viewing pleasure and enjoyment.

Congratulations to Jill for taking the bull by the horns and launching Geniaus On Air!

If you want to be kept in the loop about when the next Aussie Hangout will take place add Jill to your Google Circle and you never need miss a hangout again!

As you guys down under would say – Good on ya Jill!

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Battening Down the Hatches!

Posted on October 27, 2013 by Julie Goucher


The weather forecast for England has been for heavy rain and severe gale force winds, the prediction is for the worse since 1987.

In 1987, I was living inland and in Surrey and can recall the devastation those heavy winds caused.

This morning as I looked out of our bedroom window towards the sea, I could see several tankers, with heavy loads, moored awaiting to dock at Teignmouth Docks. I sure do not envy those guys on those vessels.

The weather has been somewhat dubious all day. Teignmouth is on the coast and is between the second and third named place on the map; in the red bit!

By mid afternoon the wind was starting to pick up and by early evening the rain had started to fall. Now, just approaching midnight, the rain is falling very heavily and the winds are pretty severe. The prediction is for the worse to occur at around 3am.

Meanwhile, hubby has gone to bed, I am just finishing my bedtime tea and then I shall be away to bed, listening to the wind as it rages. So very glad that I am not out on the sea tonight.

“See”  you all on the other side!

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Book of Me, Written by You, Prompt 9

Posted on October 25, 2013 by Julie Goucher

Today is week 9 of what is going to be a 15 month project. Each Saturday, at around 12.30am UK time I will release the prompt for that week’s Book of Me, Written by You.

 If you are new here, welcome! The details, background flyer and Face Book link to the Book of Me can be found HERE. 

This week’s prompt is Halloween

Have you ever participated in a Halloween event?
When was it?
Where was it?
What did you dress as?
Trick or treat?

The video at over at the YouTube Channel

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GeniAus Hangout on Air

Posted on October 24, 2013 by Julie Goucher

The first email I spotted this morning as I started work on my inbox was from Jill at Geniaus, who has I am delighted to say, has taken the plunge and is hosting what I believe will be a regular in the Genealogy Google Hangout calender.

Image courtesy of Google & Geniaus

The event will take place on Wednesday 30th October. Jill has created an event at Google which you can access HERE.

By clicking on Yes to attend or maybe the item will appear in your Google stream so that you don’t miss the event.

As someone who has started hosting hangouts with the Book of Me, they appear to be daunting, but don’t let that put you off.

It is easy to participate and I really recommend getting involved. All you need is –

  1. A Google Account which allows you to access the event
  2. Headphones and a microphone – I personally have a Microsoft Life Chat LX 300 (remember to tell your computer you are using a headset!)
  3. Google operates by allowing 10 people to be inside the hangout – or in the room, or active participants. The hangout once live will record at YouTube where you can 
    1. Watch live
    2. Water later 
You can view Jill’s YouTube Channel HERE & check your time zone by using World Time Buddy

The Internet and Google are really allowing us to interact and collaborate with fellow genealogists, from the comfort of our homes. Isn’t technology wonderful?

So, what are you waiting for? Will we see you on Wednesday?

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The Book of Me, Written by You – Catch up & Hangouts

Posted on October 23, 2013 by Julie Goucher


Just 8 weeks in and I have to say the support and interest in the Book of Me has been breathtaking.

The Facebook group has been a true source of amazement and engagement. It is wonderfully refreshing to see a group of relative strangers come together, across the many miles and time zones to share their stories, listen to stories and be part of something very thought provoking.

On the back of the Facebook group I decided to undertake a couple of trials.

  1. A video to accompany the prompts, which started with week 3. I was asked if I could produce one each week and so far I have, either in the format of me talking or a presentation style, which I think is my preference, as it means that I can prepare them in my pajamas!
  2. A fortnightly hangout on air. – These have been fairly well supported.
Mr Google is my new best friend, well after several fellow genealogists, who did some hand holding – you know who you are, so thank you! Through Google we can tap into the facilities of Communities and YouTube.
  • The Google+ Community is HERE
    • This is where you can join the event live and leave comments in the Google+ stream
  • The YouTube Channel is HERE
    • This is where you can watch live or view later when it is convenient.
    • This is where the weekly short presentations are of the prompts (from week 3)

The hangouts are going to be a regular feature – every fortnight. 

  • Week 1 – live for the UK & Australasia time zones
  • Week 2 – live for the UK & US time zones
Depending on my schedule the day may vary, but I quite like Tuesday’s!
The next hangout is set for Tuesday 29th October at 4pm London time

Use World Time Buddy to see the time in your region. 
The URL will be listed on both the Google Community & Facebook Group

(Also listed on GeneaWebinar’s Blog)

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Time Capsules

Posted on October 23, 2013 by Julie Goucher

The latest prompt in the Book of Me Series, is about Time Capsules. You can read the details of the this prompt HERE.

Image from Google Images

Over the last year or so, I have written about previously about time capsules and in 2000 created one which we have planted in the loft of our home for future residents.

I thought that it might be useful to share those earlier posts here, before I share with you my current plans for prompt 8.

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Tuesday Tips – Family Search

Posted on October 22, 2013 by Julie Goucher

When I first started my genealogical research the IGI (International Genealogical Index) was only available via microfiche. There were the various LDS search rooms including the one in Hyde Park London, which had drawers and drawers of parish records on film. It was a complete treasure trove of data.

With the formation of the internet, the genealogical community has developed and developed. It is easy to see what is available now and be grateful that the information exists, but I believe that sometimes we love the progression and availability and yet we forget the journey the various genealogical information resources have been on.

Family Search, has been on quite a journey and I think on occasions we forget the wonderful resource it provides.

  • Search – this facility is essentially the IGI. Whereas in those early days of my research the local studies department had the County in which I lived (Surrey) and part of the neighbouring County (Hampshire) other counties were accessed by visiting the London LDS library. The search facility is where you search for people.
  • Wiki – this is the knowledge bank. There are currently over 75,000 articles about a whole host of genealogical material and places. This is where you search for places. You can see an example of a wiki entry HERE. This relates to one of my One-Place Studies
  • Source Box – this is a relatively new facility and is one of my favourites. This is a similar facility to the Shoebox that is provided by Ancestry. Here you can create folders and save material you have downloaded from the site so that you can locate the material again or process later, when convenient.
  • Photographs  – You can add your photographs to the site
    • Documents – You can add your documents to the site
  • Trees – You can add your family tree to the site
  • Indexes – You can give back to the genealogy community by getting involved in an indexing & transcription program.
  • ……and much more
When did you last review the Family Search site? Perhaps you might revisit after reading this post and look at the site with a fresh pair of eyes, as if you were new to researching (or perhaps you are!). Sometimes the most obvious resource is the one we overlook.
The Family Search site is a great site and completely free of change to everyone, regardless of your religion or location. Absolutely free to everyone everywhere! 
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Book of Me, Written by You, Prompt 8

Posted on October 18, 2013 by Julie Goucher

Today is week 8 of what is going to be a 15 month project. Each Saturday, at around 12.30am UK time I will release the prompt for that week’s Book of Me, Written by You.

 If you are new here, welcome! The details, background flyer and Face Book link to the Book of Me can be found HERE. 

This week’s prompt is in two parts and you have several choices.
The prompt is Time Capsule
1.      You can choose who to create the time capsule for as that will influence what you put (or would put into your time capsule)
2.      The creation of a time capsule
a.       you can do this in the literal sense or
b.      you can simply write what you would place into your time capsule and why. It is much more fun to create though!
  • You may choose to create a time capsule for your children, or a niece/nephew, for grandchildren – A physical item that you will give to a named person.
  • Why have you chosen that person and when do you intend for them to have it?
  • You may choose to create a time capsule of your home and leave it for someone in the future to find.
  • You may want to create a time capsule relating to an actual event or anniversary
  • If you create a physical time capsule, what did you choose to use as your capsule and why?
This week’s video is available at the YouTube Channel
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Remembrance Day Photo Collage Festival

Posted on October 17, 2013 by Julie Goucher

Following the success of the February photo collage festival. You can read my round up post HERE.

Here in the UK we celebrate Remembrance Day on 11th November. I thought that it might be quite nice to have a collage with a military theme. Instead of running the whole month, the challenge would run for 2 weeks from Monday 4th November until Sunday 17th November. 
The purpose is to share whatever military picture you have in your family, not exclusively the First World War. This way we can share earlier and later military folk, whose commitment to their Country and the cause can be, and should be recognised.

To see my photo collage made easy post click HERE.

I plan to post my Remembrance Day collage on 31st October and then each day from 4th November for 2 weeks I will discuss one of the photos.

If you would like to play along please complete the linky below and please spread the word!

http://www.simply-linked.com/listwidget.aspx?l=a31a52a1-8566-4acd-ab79-f7baa094e518

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Where it all started….

Posted on October 16, 2013 by Julie Goucher
This morning, whilst working on something else, I had cause to pull out this Census image. It was this very image that made me really pursue my interest in my maternal family history. 
Image courtesy of Ancestry – RG11/780/6 Puttenham Surrey
When I started researching in the late 1980’s the latest Census for the United Kingdom was the one from 1881. 
This particular record shows the family of my Great Grandmother as a little girl, aged just one. That very same Great Grandmother who cuddled up to me as an elderly lady. Smelling of talcum powder and lavender. Who had the firmest, yet gentlest cuddle of all. She would wrap me in her arms and tickle me and I would wriggle with excitement. I can almost feel that cuddle as I write this and all of a sudden I miss this elderly lady, who loved her family passionately and yet despite her frailness, always gave me one of those lovely safe and reassuring cuddles.
Annie Prudence Butcher nee Harris
1879 – 1972
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