Your Chance to Get Your Ancestor's Handwriting Analyzed at the Live Genealogy Gems Podcast at Jamboree!

Will you be attending the Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree June 10 – 12, 2011?  Plan on being e a part of the live audience as Lisa Louise Cooke presents the Genealogy Gems Podcast Live on Sunday June 12 at noon.

Lisa’s special guests will be Allison Stacy, Editor of Family Tree Magazine, and Paula A. Sassi, Certified Master Graphologist, and author of the book Better Handwriting in 30 Days.

In addition to giveaways during the live show, one lucky audience member will have the opportunity to have their ancestor’s handwriting analyzed during the show by Paula Sassi! 

If you are registered for the Jamboree and plan to attend the Live podcast show, here’s how you can enter for your chance to have your ancestor’s handwriting analyzed:

1. Go to the Genealogy Gems Podcast Facebook Fan page and click the “Like” (if you haven’t already become a fan.)

2. Upload and post a digitized copy of the document you wish to have analyzed and provide the ancestor's name, relationship to you, the date of the document, and why you want it analyzed.

Lisa will select one lucky entry and one runner up (in case the winner is unexpectedly unable to attend the live podcast) and announce the selected entry on Facebook on Friday June 3, 2011.

Analyzing the handwriting of an ancestor found in an old letter or document can give you new insights into their lives and personality.  Paula will be sharing tips and techniques during the show that could help you interpret the handwriting found in records in your family tree. (That's my great grandmother's signature - looking forward to having Paula take a look at it!)

Paula will also be doing 15 minute one-on-one ancestor handwriting analysis consultations at the Genealogy Gems Podcast booth in the Exhibit Hall at select times on Sat. and Sun for just $25. Bring a copy of a document with you and then stop by the booth starting on Friday to sign up for your consultation. 

Family History Expos Announces New Events for 2011!

Here's the latest from the good folks at Family History Expos.  (I hope to see many of you at the Colorado and Midwest Expos where I will be giving the Keynote.)


The spirit of family history is alive and well. Family History Expos rises
to the challenge to reach out to more individuals seeking expert assistance
by setting up more events in more cities, bringing education closer to home
for both the curious and experienced family history seeker. In addition to
the 3rd annual Colorado Family History Expo, FHE announces three additional
Expos to be held in June of 2011. They include – North Platte, Nebraska;
Rapid City, South Dakota; and Sheridan, Wyoming. Watch for more
announcements as new events line up across the U.S.!

 “We expect to add three or four additional one-day events in conjunction
with the main Expos that we have scheduled, creating a circuit of events
nearly every month,” Holly T. Hansen, president and founder of Family
History Expos, Inc., said. “With rising fuel costs and other factors in
our economy, we have taken the challenge to create more events closer to
home for many of our customers and newsletter subscribers.”

The circuit events, hosted by Family History Expos, Inc., will feature
notable speakers, exhibits, a lite lunch or dinner, and the opportunity to
“Ask-the-Pros” a few personal research questions. Each event will
culminate with a closing session and prize drawings for the attendees.
-More-

Upcoming Expos for June 2011
North Platte Expo – June 16 – 4:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Holiday Inn Express
300 Holiday Frontage Rd.
North Platte, NE 69101

Rapid City Expo – June 18 – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Rushmore Plaza Holiday Inn
505 North Fifth Street
Rapid City, SD 57701

Sheridan Expo – June 21 – 4:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Holiday Inn
1809 Sugarland Drive
Sheridan, WY 82801

Colorado Family History Expo – June 24-25 – 8 am to 6 pm
Embassy Suits, Loveland – Hotel, Spa & Convention Center
4705 Clydesdale Parkway
Loveland, CO 80538

For links and details visit http://FamilyHistoryExpos.com

To register for the any of the upcoming Family History Expos, visit
FamilyHistoryExpos.com today or contact Family History Expos, Inc.; PO Box
187, Morgan, UT 84050; 801-829-3295; expos@fhexpos.com
-END-

Family History Expos, Inc. is a Utah-based company headquartered in
Croydon, Utah. FHE has been holding successful expos throughout the United
States, teaching thousands to learn the art of and experience the spirit of
family history research, since 2003.

Twitter hashtag: #fhexpo

Coincidence or Family Tree Serendipity?

You hear about genealogical serendipity, amazing coincidences and even down right eerie stuff happening when folks research their ancestors. I've certainly had my fair share of those types of experiences - like in Episode 106 when I recounted the numerous unusual happenings during my recent trip to England!

Well, Eric, a long time Genealogy Gems podcast listener, wrote in recently to share an uncanny thread that seemed to be running throughout his family tree. And I can't help but wonder who else out there has experienced similar serendipity.  Here's Eric's story:

"My family has a thing with dates... I know, I know, there are only 365 days in a year so things are bound to happen on the same date... in my family it seems to happen a whole bunch.

My paternal great-grandfather was born on November 17, 1883 in Portugal, his youngest son, my grandfather died on November 17, 1998 ( I also know four other people who have passed away on that day... I take it off every year), my paternal great-grandmother (my grandfather's mother) was born on September 15, 1887 and my dad, her grandson was born on September 15, 1946.  

My maternal grandmother was born on March 1, 1923... her younger sister was born on March 1, 1933... my daughter was born on March 1, 2008 and my nephew was born on March 1, 2009... (My grandmother had two great-grandchildren born on her birthday)  

As I said, my great-great grandfather died on June 10, 1927... I was born on June 10, 1972... not only is it the same date... but the last two digits in the year are switched for each event... =)  (Also, in my family, both my grandfather's, my mother, and all but one of my five nephews were born on holidays)  

Just thought you might get a kick out of that... =)" - Eric

Have you experienced quirky coincidences
or occurrences in your family tree?

Well respected genealogist Helen F. M. Leary thinks most people have...
(watch the video below to hear Helen's thoughts on the subject)