A blog that discusses Albany, New York area history. Areas of focus include historical and genealogical research, documentation, ethnicity, cemeteries, gravestone restoration, and historic landmarks.
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic and to aid in preventing the spread of the virus numerous libraries, genealogical, and historical societies have temporarily closed and/or have canceled their meetings.
Please check the websites of these organizations before heading out.
Please stay healthy and continue your research online!
Please do not forget about the upcoming local genealogy conference hosted by the CDGS on 30 May 2020. There will be three excellent genealogy pros each giving two lectures on topics that will help a researcher improve their skills. Speakers include
Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL "The Legal Genealogist"
Thomas W. Jones. PhD, CG, CGL, FASG, FGA, FNGS
Meryl Schumacker, CG
All CDGS meetings are held at 1 PM on the 4th Saturday of month, except 3rd Saturday of month in May and November; no meeting in December. Location: William K. Sanford Library 629 Albany-Shaker Road Loudonville, New York 12211
1:00 - 2:30 Meeting and Speaker
2:00 - 2:30 Refreshments with meet and mingle time (our
speaker usually is usually available for questions during this time)
2:30 - 3:30 Internet Resources Group and Discussion
Thursday was day number two at RootsTech. Another full day of genealogy, friendly people, and friends. Sessions throughout the conference ran at 8 am, 9:30 am, 11 am, 1:30 pm, 3:00 pm, and 4:30 pm.
The conference was held at the Salt Palace Convention Center; only two blocks away from the Family History Library. Many attendees including myself researched at the FHL after the day's events ended at RootsTech. The size of the convention is enormous. A couple shots outside and inside the Salt Palace does not indicate its size. Well over 20,000 attendees were inside.
Today's general session speaker was Leigh Anne Tuohy who is the real-life mom from the movie the Blind Slide. Her motivation talk highlighted that everyone has a story to tell and that stories and family matter!
Just got back from RootsTech 2020 in Salt Lake City. If you have not been there, I suggest that you get there next year! It is a great experience; lots of energy and genealogical learning. Now for upcoming genealogy events, locally. The Capital District Genealogical Society will hold its March meeting on 28 March 2020 at the Sanford Library in Colonie at 1 PM. The lecture topic is The New York State Archives. Presented by archivist Jamie Brinkman. Further details are below.
All meetings are held at 1 PM on the 4th Saturday of month, except 3rd Saturday of month in May and November; no meeting in December. Location: William K. Sanford Library 629 Albany-Shaker Road Loudonville, New York 12211
1:00 - 2:30 Meeting and Speaker
2:00 - 2:30 Refreshments with meet and mingle time (our
speaker usually is usually available for questions during this time)
2:30 - 3:30 Internet Resources Group and Discussion
So much to see, do, and learn about at RootsTech. My day was full with lots of action. Early morning sessions started at 8 AM. This was easy for me since I am at work by 5:45 AM when I work the day shift. But I am sure difficult for some.
Salt Palace Convention Center
Crowds were large but everyone passed through the hallways with ease. Everyone was in a great mood. Never once did I see a frowning face. The pictures below do no justice for the size of the crowds. Attendees came from 55 different countries and 49 out of 50 states. West Virginia was the only state without representation here. There was a nice addition that I noticed that helped ease traversing through hallways - large circles in the center of the hallways with directional arrows to the rooms.
Some of the sessions that I attended included tracks on
Accrediation
Dutch Ancestry
DNA
Informational signs were placed everywhere.
Wheelchairs and lift rides were readily available for those who required help.
The general vibe of the conference was full of energy and fun. I was able to conduct a verbal interview of a couple, Arquaro and Raquel. They were originally from Peru. This was their first RootsTech conference and they were truly enjoying themselves. Their main goal was to learn new techniques for researching their ancestors.
The presentation rooms were of varying sizes. Most were able to handle the masses. In the video below, check out the size of this particular room. Many presentations were filmed with high quality filmmaking equipment.
Wow, after a long flight and a three hour layover in Atlanta, I am finally in Salt Lake City (SLC) for RootsTech 2020! The flight was uneventful; just a long day that began at 3 AM. But, now ready for the conference.
A view from the window
After checking in at the Hilton Hotel, which has excellent accomodations, it was off to the Family History Library for some research. While at the library I was flattered when a woman, Lynn, asked me if I was Chris White. Well, "yes I am." In a moment our connection became apparent; a couple of years ago I brought Lynn and her husband Jim to the van Rensselaer Family Burial Grounds that I was in the process of restoring. Lynn was in SLC doing research and getting ready for RootsTech.
Family History Library
Short-term Office
Later it was off to the Ambassador's Dinner. It was great to connect with other genealogists that I follow on social media; putting a face with the name. Also seeing other fellow genealogists that I have not seen since the last conference. And to meet and make friends with new contacts. Dinner was excellent and numerous RootsTech organizers gave motivation talks to get Ambassadors pyched for the conference.
Group photo of Ambassadors Photo courtesy Elizabeth Miller via Facebook
