Saturday Serendipity (October 10, 2020)

 

Here are a few suggested reads for this weekend before Columbus Day.

1.  Jaqui Stevens, of A Family Tapestry blog,  posted an interesting piece titled "Writing to Family You've Never Met."  She muses on the changing nature of genealogy research in the internet age and the intimidating act of reaching out to strangers even if related to you.  Read her post here.

2.   With the background in recent years of the growing anti-vaccination crowd and the concern about Operation Warp Speed today, a very timely and interesting post from Jane Roberts, of PastToPresentGenealogy blog, discusses the history of vaccinations in Great Britain and the naming of children.  Go here to see how the author weaves these two subjects together!

3.   One of my great research faults is the accumulation of materials with relevant information and then the failure to process them expeditiously.  Reminders about the importance of processing as soon as possible are always valuable and Janine Adams, of Organize Your Family History blog, provides a valuable lesson of why immediate processing in the long run saves the time you think you don't have when you first gather the materials.  If you thought the material was worth saving at the time, then it definitely should be processed then and there or ASAP.  Read here why Janine thinks she and we would process materials ASAP.  [And Janine also provides an easy solution to shadows in your genealogy photos and how to eliminate them here.  Scroll to the bottom of the post to her solution illustrated.  It is simple and you will think, "Of course.  Why didn't I think of that?"]

4.   "Bite-Sized Family History Projects" – a catchy post title by Marian Burketts Wood, of Climbing My Family Tree blog.  You can read Marian's piece here.

5.   And as this pandemic gains new ground and is about to converge with the annual flu season, this post by James Tanner, of Genealogy's Star blog, should be must reading for those literate mask and social distance deniers.  Pass it on.

6.   The Legal Genealogist, Judy Russell, is always vigilant regarding matters of copyright and public availability of information.  Once again she brings to our attention an example of overreach into use of public records -- this time by New York City.  Read "Um . . . a retreat by NYC?" here.

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Copyright 2020, John D. Tew

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