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April 2014, Vol. 8, No. 8e
Editor's Note
Lifelong Learning
Genealogists usually start their research with the basics -- finding birth, marriage, death, and census records. But those "basics" aren't always easy to find. And it takes time to learn strategies for how to discover a more meaningful account of an ancestor's life -- something beyond the primary facts. It can be a lifelong learning adventure.

The April 1st e-News poll results tell us that you like to attend conferences, or you're at least considering doing so in the future. Starting with this edition, we'll highlight more of these kinds of learning opportunities -- near and farther afield -- in the e-News. Thanks for sharing your opinions. Your feedback helps us know what you might like to see in the e-News.  

See you at the library!
Marcelle White signature
Featured Local Events
Activities in the Bay Area and Beyond
5/2-5/3:
Northern California Family History Expo, Sacramento

Attendees can choose from dozens of classes on a wide array of topics. Don R. Anderson, Senior Vice President of FamilySearch, will deliver the opening keynote. Learn more.

5/3:
San Mateo Genealogical Society's Spring Seminar, Menlo Park

Susan Goss Johnston and James Baker will give four lectures on the theme, "Brick Walls: Bust 'Em, Don't Build 'Em." Online registration closes April 25th. Learn more.

5/10:
Sacramento German Genealogical Society's Annual Seminar, Fair Oaks 

"The Latest German Research Tools" is the theme for this year's seminar. Kory Meyerink will lecture on three different topics. The pre-registration deadline is May 4th.  Learn more.

For more local events, view April's San Francisco Bay Area Genealogy Calendar.

 

Beyond the Bay Area
National Genealogical Society's Annual Conference, May 7-10
Richmond, Virginia

This four-day extravaganza, themed "Virginia: The First Frontier," offers attendees at all skill levels a huge selection of classes related to record collections, migration, ethnic groups, methodology, and much more. A selection of lectures also will be available via live-streaming to those unable to attend in person. Learn more.  

 

Did Your Ancestor Work on the Railroad?
Western Railway Museum
Suisun, California  
Was your great-grandfather a railroad man? Did your grandmother use the Key Route trains? Whether your family traveled to the West on the rails or you simply have a keen interest in trains, there's a gem of museum and library about an hour's drive from Oakland.

The Western Railway Museum is open Saturdays and Sundays. Its library is open the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month. Learn more and plan your visit.

April Membership Meeting: Highlights
Meeting Recap 
There was a lively discussion last Saturday on "Finding, Keeping, Sharing Family Photos." Stories were shared about inheriting old photos or finding them online, itinerant photographers in the late 19th and early 20th century, and even the practice of post-mortem photographs. (Was that little girl in the daguerreotype living or dead?)

A couple of great tips:
      • Make sure you're protecting your photos with acid-free mylar sleeves.
      • Mini scanners like Flip Pal are a great tool to take with you when you visit relatives.
      • Expert restorers may be able to revive faded photos, including daguerreotypes.
      • Websites like Picasa and Flickr are a way to create public or private online albums.

We hope you''ll join us for the next Membership Meeting in July. Stay tuned for details.  

April Poll Results
Do you attend genealogy conferences outside the Bay Area? 
 25%Yes, at least once a year.
 20%Yes, maybe once every couple of years.
 15%
No, I only go to those close to home.
 34%I haven't yet, but I'd like to some day.
   6%Never.

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Marcelle White, eNews Editor
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