A Busy Two Weeks of Genealogy On The Horizon

A quick note as I dash out the door for my flight to O'Hare Airport here in Chicago to catch a flight to Salt Lake City!

I will be spending the next two weeks in what I call "Genealogy Heaven" attending the following events:

• Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy: I will be taking the American Records I track during Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (January 23-27, 2012) produced by friend and colleague Paula Stuart-Warren. I've been looking forward to this for almost a year now.  For me, this week will be more than just attending the classes.  Since I'll be producing the Internet track for SLIG 2013, I'll be shadowing the process and pretty sure I'll annoy the heck out of Paula with my questions.  Note to self: take Paula out to lunch or dinner at least once this week!

• Association of Professional Genealogists - Professional Management Conference: On Wednesday, February 1, 2012, I will be presenting "Virtual Presentations for Professional Genealogists" at the APG PMC.  Being selects is a big honor for me and I am looking forward to sharing my knowledge of webinars from the presenter's point of view to many of my colleagues in the field.

• RootsTech: Not only will I get to meet over 84 genealogy bloggers from around the world, but I'll be attending the largest genealogy and technology conference in the world at RootsTech from February 2-4, 2012.  I expect to meet lots of people, give two presentations and a luncheon keynote speech as well as have lots of fun!

I expected to have a backpack filled with tech gear in order to stay connected but if you get a slower response from me than usual, just realized that I'll be up to my ears in genealogy for the next two weeks!

© 2012, copyright Thomas MacEntee

Thomas Goes All Media Crazy

For those of you who haven't kept up with my latest shenanigans, let me just say that I've been exposing myself. I bet that caught your attention!

The exposure has been in different media forms since the start of 2011.  Some of this was planned and some if it was not and has taken on a life of its own.  Here's what's going on:

Rootstech: I attended the first RootsTech conference in Salt Lake City, Utah from February 10-12, 2011.  Not only did I have a great time meeting up with folks from all over the world - many of whom I've worked with online, but I also had the opportunity to deliver three presentations. One of them - a round table on Virtual Presentations was streamed live on the Internet and also recorded.

GeneaBloggers Radio: just before RootsTech, the premiere episode of Season 2 of Who Do You Think You Are? debuted on NBC. I started my own radio show - GeneaBloggers Radio - as a way for the genealogy community to discuss not just that night's episode of the show but also to discuss issues in the genealogy community and to share ideas. Let's just say after 7 episodes, this radio thing is really fun and starting to become popular. Last week for a St. Patrick's Day feature we had genealogists from all over the world including Ireland discussing how to find your Irish roots. And this week the show will be featuring nationally known genealogist Megan Smolenyak.

You can catch the episodes live here from 9-11pm Central each Friday evening. Also, each two-hour show is archived and can be played back at any time.

Listen to internet radio with GeneaBloggers on Blog Talk Radio

Webinars: And I've been very busy developing a line of genealogy education webinars for Legacy Family Tree Webinars that are delivered live online. In January 2011 I presented Google for Genealogists to 1,000 people who signed in from over 33 different countries around the world.  This week's webinar was entitled Backing Up Your Genealogy Data and is now available for viewing until April 4, 2011.

Click here to view the recorded webinar.

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

Atlanta Family History Expo - Next Stop!

Later this week I am on my way from Chicago down to Atlanta, Georgia to present at the Atlanta Family History Expo which runs from Friday, November 12 through Saturday, November 13, 2010.

Not only will I be delivering a record six presentations (including a new one on Wikis for Genealogists), but I will be meeting up with various genealogy bloggers including some I've never met before.

In addition, I am fortunate to have been named a Blogger of Honor for the Atlanta event by Family History Expos which means I'll be hanging out in the Beacon of Bloggers area. While there, besides socializing with friends old and new, I'll be doing some live blogging of the event, sending messages to Twitter and also answering questions of those attendees stopping by our table.

Please tune into the GeneaBloggers site starting Friday morning at 7am EST for the latest news from the expo.  I am looking forward to a great time and a great genealogy event!

As for my speaking schedule, here is what I have planned:

• Friday, November 12, 10:00 am
  Social Networking: New Horizons for Genealogists

• Friday, November 12, 3:00 pm
  Building a Research Toolbox

• Friday, November 12, 4:30 pm
  Facebook for Genealogists

• Saturday, November 13, 8:00 am
  Wikis for Genealogists

• Saturday, November 13, 9:30 am
  Twitter: It's Not Just "What I Had For Breakfast" Anymore

• Saturday, November 13, 11:00 am
  Build a Genealogy Blog Workshop

Disclaimer: I have been named a Blogger of Honor by Family History Expos for the Atlanta Family History Expo which entitles me to complimentary registration, complimentary wifi access, admission to the Friday evening banquet as well as other promotional gift items. See Disclosure Statement for more information on the material connections I have with Family History Expos and various genealogy and non-genealogy vendors.

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

A Side Trip to Banff

I am convinced that my name must mean He Who Brings Bad Weather in the Native American cultures. When I landed in Calgary last evening, the city had been basking in temperatures of 71F during the day.  However, this morning I woke to snow and a temperature of about 32F which I know is 0C.

No matter.  We still took our side trip up to the mountains at Banff and Lake Louise Marie. Joan Miller from the Alberta Family Histories Society was the tour guide and Dick Eastman, Lyn Meehan and I were along for the ride.

First stop was Bow Falls right inside Banff National Park.  Below are three videos of our short time there. (Note: in one clip, I state that the hotel is the Lake Louise Hotel when in fact it is the Banff Springs Hotel which we later visited. It must have been my two hours of sleep that caused me to make that error!)







After driving around Banff, we stopped in for lunch at the Bison Mountain Bistro and General Store.  What a great place and great food! Ask Dick about his bison chili! More great conversations about genealogy during lunch as well.

After lunch, it was on to Lake Louise which was about 45 minutes away.  More beautiful views but slightly obscured by that pesky snow!

Finally a long ride back to the hotel with some cat napping and lots of genealogy discussions! After a good nights sleep, we'll all be ready for the Family Roots seminar tomorrow!

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

Another Day, Another Airport

No moss grows under a genealogy speaker, especially during October which is Family History Month.  I am sitting at O'Hare airport having an "adult beverage" while I wait for my flight to Calgary, Canada.

I am speaking at the Family Roots Seminar on Saturday, October 16, 2010 for the Alberta Family Histories Society.  The seminar is an all day event with several presentations and I am in good company as far as genealogy speakers go: Lyn Meehan and Dick Eastman.

Tomorrow is a "fun" day with a side trip to Banff! I'll have a full report tomorrow.

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

Fun at the California Family History Expo

I arrived back home safe and sound in Chicago after a fun-filled weekend in California.  The main focus, of course, was the California Family History Expo held at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, California on Friday, October 8th and Saturday, October 9th.

While you can follow all the posts of these that participated, including presenters and bloggers, here are my personal observations:

• Although the location was far away, being part of a Family History Expo guarantees not only a fun time, but an educational one, even for presenters like me.

• I had the chance to present on four topics - all social media related - in front of enthusiastic participants. The Facebook for Genealogists presentation was the most popular with over 50 people scrambling for extra seats.

• All my presentations were made in the Exhibit Hall. At first, I wasn't sure how successful this format would be, but I actually enjoyed it.  It didn't bother me if people sat down in the middle or got up to leave - it was more important that they got what they wanted out of the materials.

• I am convinced that Amy Coffin of We Tree and I should never be at the same table with a case of the giggles.  And Lisa Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist is not much better in terms of a table companion.

• A separate bloggers area is a great way not only for the bloggers to meet and to do some live blogging about the event, but it also allows us to answer questions about blogging from event participants. More genealogy conferences should consider setting up such an area with wireless internet access for bloggers.

• I thoroughly enjoyed meeting new people and seeing some old faces too.  Thanks to all my blogging buddies for their hospitality especially Lisa Louise Cooke of Genealogy Gems podcast who hosted a wonderful "after party" on Saturday evening.

• I could not survive a conference without my iPhone: looking up directions, checking weather, getting restaurant reviews on Yelp, locating the nearest Panera for hazelnut coffee and wireless internet.

• The time passes too quickly.  It seems you are just landing at the airport and then you are back preparing for a flight home.

Speaking of which, I am now preparing for my next speaking gig: at the Family Roots seminar presented by the Alberta Family Histories Society in Calgary on October 16, 2010.
Disclaimer: I have been named a Blogger of Honor by Family History Expos for the Atlanta Family History Expo which entitles me to complimentary registration, complimentary wifi access, admission to the Friday evening banquet as well as other promotional gift items. See Disclosure Statement for more information on the material connections I have with Family History Expos and various genealogy and non-genealogy vendors.

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

Genealogy Gold Rush - Off to California Family History Expo

Things are busy here tonight! I'm busy packing for my next speaking engagement which is at the California Family History Expo in Pleasanton, California! I've got the Mardi Gras beads (blue and gold - blue for the Pacific Ocean and gold for the Gold Rush), ribbons for The Great Ribbon War, buttons, business cards and all the other conference bling I carry with me. And I actually have a new toy which I can't wait to show off - let's just say it is bright and shiny like my personality!

I am flying into San Jose International Airport where, if things are on schedule, Lisa Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist and Amy Coffin of We Tree will be waiting.  We'll get our "wagon" and then drive up the backside of the San Francisco Bay, check in at our hotel and get settled. Click here to see which other genealogy bloggers will be at the Expo this weekend! I expect there will be lots of catching up to do, lots of fun, lots of dinners and lunches together too.

Even if you haven't registered yet, you can still show up starting at 7:00 am on Friday, October 8th at the Alameda Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, California and join us! I will be sitting with all the other bloggers at the Beacon of Bloggers table. Please stop by and say hello!

As for my speaking schedule, here is what I have planned:

• Friday, October 8, 10:00 am
  Build a Genealogy Blog Workshop

• Friday, October 8, 4:30 pm
  Twitter: It's Not Just "What I Had For Breakfast" Anymore

• Saturday, October 9, 11:00 am
  Facebook for Genealogists

• Saturday, October 9, 2:30 pm
  Social Networking: New Horizons for Genealogists

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

Meet Meme - The Next Step In Personal Trading Cards

Bright and Shiny Will Always Catch My Eye!

It all started by reading one of my favorite tech blogs - Mashable - and looking at photos from their 2010 Mashable Summer Tour here in Chicago.  One photo caught my eye - an attendee was showing off a personalized trading card created by Meet Meme.

There was no link for Meet Meme but a simple Google search located their website. I signed up for their next beta group but with the ever-spinning wheels of my mind, I wanted more information. I was curious if these cards - sort of like business cards on social media steroids - could be used by genealogists at events such as genealogy conferences.

After a few emails and a phone call with the staff at Meet-Meme, Inc. (who seemed so much younger than me but they politely laughed at all my jokes), they agreed to let me build my own set of Meet Meme cards.

The Meet Meme Cards

The process was quite easy and in fact they have all the social media hooks including OAuth sign in with Twitter or Facebook and more. And after a few days, here's what came in the mail:

I received 40 cards in eight packs of five cards each. I also swear I smelled bubble gum but it was just my imagination. Once I opened up a packet, I could see that this were s-o-o-o-o neat!

Each card is two-sided with your Twitter name, the number of Twitter followers as well as how many tweets you've sent on one side.  On this same side you list a brief bio, your special powers as well as a quote.  Oh yeah, you can also put up your ugly mug like I did. Remember kids - like your mother said, your face is your fortune.  Too bad mine is already spent!

On the reverse side is your email address and website URL plus a QR code that can be scanned (the QR code takes you to a Meet Meme hosted site).  Also, neatly embedded in the background on each side is the date "2010"

What This Means

So what does this mean for me and the genealogy community - especially those genealogists who are leveraging social media to expand their genealogical experience? Well, I've posted more about this over at GeneaBloggers here.  Take a look and leave your feedback in the comments.

I could so see these being used at the national genealogical conferences and especially those that embrace social media like the Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree and Family History Expos.   Over at GeneaBloggers I discuss the different types of cards and their potential uses.

Join In The Fun

Visit the Meet Meme site and sign up for the next beta of their Personal Edition Cards.

Disclaimer: I contacted Meet Meme about receiving a complimentary set of 40 Personal Edition Cards at no cost to me. This material connection had no effect on the outcome of the above product review and the review was performed based on the merits of the product. See Disclosure Statements for more information on the material connections I have with various genealogy and non-genealogy vendors.

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

My New Book Now Available In Print

I'm happy to say that my "proof" copy of my new book, Approaching the Lectern: How to Become a Genealogy Speaker, arrived, approved and now you can purchase the book in print at Lulu.com.

Click here to learn more about the book at The Connected Genealogist and get a sneak peek at the table of contents and a few sample pages.

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

Reflections on #FGS10

I am finally back home in Chicago and recovering from a long but fun and productive week in Knoxville, Tennessee at the Federation of Genealogical Societies Annual Conference. As I sort through photos to be posted on blogs, a stack of business cards to enter into my contacts, thank you emails to be sent, etc., I have these thoughts about my experience last week:

• There were over 1,000 attendees with an unanticipated number of first time attendees - to the point that there were not enough First Time Attendees ribbons to go around!

• Yes, I did get more ribbons.  Thanks go out to Tonya my account manager at pcnametag! I will be displaying them here soon!

• Some felt that the numbers were "down" over previous FGS conferences.  I can't speak for past conferences since this was my first FGS conference, but keep in mind that the Knoxville Convention Center holds 20,000 people - it is absolutely enormous!

• The people in Knoxville are amazing - from the minute my limo met me at the airport through to the time I left, everyone was helpful, polite and told me they were glad to see me and all the genealogists in Knoxville.  The Market Square district had many good restaurants and places to grab an adult beverage.

• I love meeting up with other genealogists, especially my old friends and new bloggers! Amy Coffin and Missy Corely provided lots of laughs and good conversation about the genealogy industry.  Amy and I almost got in trouble at Preservation Pub no thanks to a Belgian beer called Delerium Tremens with 8.5% alcohol content.  The pink elephants on the bottle should have served as a warning.

• It was hot in Knoxville.  Hotter than two June brides.

• I attended the Association of Professional Genealogists Professional Management Conference on Tuesday, August 17, 2010 and was impressed by the event, the content of the seminars and the chance to network with colleagues. I spoke at the roundtable later that evening and will be describing the event over at my other site, High-Definition Genealogy.

• Most of my time at the FGS event was spent helping out at the ISGS booth with my fellow board members from the Illinois State Genealogical Society. We had a good time and helped spread the word about next year's conference.

• I had the longest "conference beard" - aka group of ribbons - at the conference.

• On Wednesday evening, I had dinner with 17 other members of various ProGen study groups. A great time and got to meet some interesting people.

• While standing in line at the restaurant for ProGen I got to meet three of my genealogy idols: Elizabeth Shown Mills, Dr. Thomas W. Jones and Elissa Scalise Powell.  All of them were involved with the Boston University program and are genealogy scholars I respect greatly.

• I kept telling myself, "It's not the heat, it's the humanity."

• There were opportunities to meet with vendors: the Family Search breakfast on Thursday, another meeting as an ISGS board member with Family Search as well as an ISGS breakfast with Ancestry on Friday.  Which reminds me, I need to update my Disclosure Statement page.

• Many folks were surprised at the quality of the education sessions and the topics covered. For those who thought that FGS was just about genealogical societies you should know that this is a perfect genealogy conference for individuals, especially intermediate genealogists.

• I don't do well with mornings.  Someone asked that I meet for breakfast at 6:45 am and I actually laughed.  And that was 6:45 am Eastern time.  Silly rabbit.

• I was disappointed that several sessions would not allow live blogging or Twitter.  Their loss.  I will be discussing this and other industry issues over at GeneaBloggers as part of our Open Thread Thursday discussions.

Also, in case you haven't already heard, I have been named the National Publicity Chair for #FGS11 which will be held in Springfield, Illinois from September 7-10, 2011 and is co-hosted by the Illinois State Genealogical Society. Visit the FGS2011 Facebook page and click "Like" to receive the latest news on the event.

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

The Ribbon King Hits Knoxville

I am off to Knoxville, Tennessee in the morning for two genealogy conferences! The first is the Association of Professional Genealogists' Professional Management Conference on Tuesday, August 17th. I will be on the panel Tuesday evening at the Round Table discussing “Your Internet Presence- How to get IT and what to do with IT: A discussion of what IT is.”

The second is the Federation of Genealogical Societies Annual Conference - Rediscovering America's First Frontier - running from Wednesday, August 18th through Saturday, August 21st.

And as the "ribbon wars" heat up, I will be there with my trusty box of badge ribbons from pc/nametag. If you are a member of GeneaBloggers please track me down (I'll be at the FGS booth much of the time) and ask for your GeneaBloggers ribbon.

In case you know nothing of the "ribbon wars" it seems to have started at the Arizona Family History Expo this past January. Now several of us keep adding to our long "train of ribbons" to the point of endangering ourselves by tripping over the ribbons.

I'm happy to say I have some added ammo for the fight: my sales rep from pc/nametag was nice enough to send me a complimentary stack-a-ribbon® Fun Pack for me to use at FGS and other conferences*. So look for me to bestow a ribbon on you.  Let's see, what are you . . . a diva? a queen? a bored member? certifiable? easily excited?

Photo: Thomas MacEntee at Midwest Family History Expo, Kansas City, MO, July 31, 2010. Photo by Diana Ritchie of Random Relatives - used by permission.

* Please read my Disclosure Page to see a list of vendors and providers with whom I have a material connection and from whom I have received payment or complimentary items.

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

Finally! My Book Is Finished!

I am proud to say I have finished my first genealogy-related book! The title is Approaching the Lectern: How to Become a Genealogy Speaker by me, Thomas MacEntee.

Approaching is a 38-page handbook for genealogists and family historians (the hobbyists as well as the professionals) who want to learn how to effectively speak at genealogy conferences, genealogical society meetings and other venues.

You can read more about the book and check out sample pages over at my other blog, The Connected Genealogist.

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

APG PMC Night of the Roundtable

Sorry for the bad pun but I am really psyched about this opportunity: I've been named as a participant in the upcoming Annual Meeting and Roundtable of the Association of Professional Genealogists being held on Tuesday, August 17, 2010 in Knoxville, Tennessee.

You can read more here over at my business site, High-Definition Genealogy.  I can't wait to participate in what should be a stimulating conversation about how professional genealogists can build a Web presence.

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

Next Stop: Kansas City!

I am getting ready for my next speaking engagement:  the Midwest Family History Expo in Kansas City, Missouri beginning Friday July 30th through Saturday July 31st, 2010 at the KCI Expo Center.

As previously mentioned, I will be in good company at the event and attending with at least 11 other genealogy bloggers!  And 10 of these bloggers will be presenting over 32 exceptional presentations dealing with various aspects of genealogy and family history.

Hopefully I will get to meet lots of new genealogy folk and perhaps readers of this blog!

Disclaimer: I have been named a Blogger of Honor by Family History Expos for the Atlanta Family History Expo which entitles me to complimentary registration, complimentary wifi access, admission to the Friday evening banquet as well as other promotional gift items. See Disclosure Statement for more information on the material connections I have with Family History Expos and various genealogy and non-genealogy vendors.

Disclaimer: I have been named a Blogger of Honor by Family History Expos for the Atlanta Family History Expo which entitles me to complimentary registration, complimentary wifi access, admission to the Friday evening banquet as well as other promotional gift items. See Disclosure Statement for more information on the material connections I have with Family History Expos and various genealogy and non-genealogy vendors.

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

IAJGS 2010 in Los Angeles

While I head out to yet another speaking engagement, let me quickly state that I had a great time at The 30th Annual IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy this weekend in Los Angeles, California.

I had three speaking engagements, including the "breakfast with the experts" shown above.  It was fun to see Schelly Dardashti of Tracing the Tribe: The Jewish Genealogy Blog and Lisa Louise Cooke of Genealogy Gems News as well as lots of new friends that I met.

You don't know what you are missing if you haven't attended a genealogy conference lately.  I am looking forward to next year's IAJGS event in Washington, DC!

Photo credit: Schelly Talalay Dardashti, Tracing the Tribe: The Jewish Genealogy Blog.

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

Off to Los Angeles for a Genealogy Conference

Well it is another trip - one of many this summer - to a genealogy conference this weekend.  I leave today for Los Angeles where I am attending and speaking at The 30th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy which runs from July 11th through July 16th, 2010.

The event takes place at the brand new J.W. Marriott L.A. Live hotel in downtown Los Angeles and I can't wait to check out this new place.  The conference organizers predict 1,000 attendees during this six-day event and I know I'll be attending lots of sessions.

As for speaking, I have the great honor of being asked to give the IAJGS Management Symposium this year.  It is a two-hour talk entitled 21st Century Marketing for Genealogists and Genealogical Societies.  Making sure that both genealogists and genealogical societies take advantage of all the free tools available to them in order to prosper is my passion.

Besides giving my Social Networking: New Horizons for Genealogists presentation, I will be participating in a fun event with colleagues Schelly Dardashti of Tracing the Tribe: The Jewish Genealogy Blog and Lisa Louise Cooke of The Genealogy Gems podcasts.  Entitled Breakfast with the Experts: "Only Connect!"—Social Networking & Blogging for Genealogists, it is a panel discussion which should be lots of fun!

Over the next few days I'll have more news on the IAJGS conference here at Destination: Austin Family as well as over at GeneaBloggers.  Stay tuned.

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

Midwest Family History Expo - Blogger of Honor

I am excited to announce that I've been named a Blogger of Honor for the upcoming Midwest Family History Expo in Kansas City, Missouri at the end of the month!

The expo takes place Friday July 30th and Saturday July 31st, 2010 at the KCI Expo Center and since it is a Family History Expo production you know it will not only be fun but also educational!

I will be in good company at the event and attending with at least 11 other genealogy bloggers!  There will be old face, some new faces and perhaps some new faces on old faces!

If you are in the area that weekend, believe me it is worth a 3, 4 or more hour drive to attend at least one day of a Family History Expo.  Holly Hansen and her staff take good care of not only the bloggers, but the vendors and the attendees.  There is nothing better than lots of happy people at a great genealogy event!

Disclaimer: I have been named a Blogger of Honor by Family History Expos for the Atlanta Family History Expo which entitles me to complimentary registration, complimentary wifi access, admission to the Friday evening banquet as well as other promotional gift items. See Disclosure Statement for more information on the material connections I have with Family History Expos and various genealogy and non-genealogy vendors.

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

Day 2 - Colorado Family History Expo

Well after a great evening viewing Forgotten Ellis Island, I was exhausted and needed some sleep.  So I headed upstairs at the Loveland Embassy Suites (and what a beautiful hotel) and collapsed.

Day Two began with getting ready for the day and packing my bags - I scheduled my return flight later that evening so I could save some money on hotel accommodations (I am travelling to 10 other genealogy events this year).

As I sat down to breakfast, I was joined by fellow genealogy blogger Gayle Gresham of Colorado Reflections.  It was a pleasure to break bread with her and learn a little bit more about living in Colorado.  For me, Gayle and Becky Jamison of Grace and Glory are my "go to" folks when someone needs help with Colorado genealogy or history.

After a quick check-in at the Bloggers Lounge and a visit with Lisa Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist, it was off to present at two back-to-back sessions.  First, the Build A Genealogy Blog session was attended by some very enthusiastic genealogists who wanted to learn more about blogs and how they could help them not only with their research, but also with their genealogy business ventures for those who are professional genealogists.  While the crowd was amazed with the demo of creating a blog in less than five minutes, what impressed them more were the number and variety of genealogy blogs out there!

With a quick 30 minute break, it was time for Social Networking: New Horizons for Genealogists.  Many of the blog session attendees stayed and some of the Facebook for Genealogists attendees from the previous day stopped by.  I love teaching this class and it seems to be the most requested one of all my presentations.  I think because it gives a good overview of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other applications and it also covers the dos and don'ts of social media as well as how to protect your privacy.

I was finished by 12 noon and it was time to change into shorts and a Hawaiian shirt for the flight home.  One more stop at the Bloggers Lounge to say my farewells and then a one hour ride to the Denver airport.  I finally arrived home in Chicago at 10:00 pm, tired but fulfilled, if there is such a feeling.

* * *

I will definitely return to Loveland for the 3rd Annual Colorado Family History Expo next year and I urge anyone who is looking for a more intimate genealogy conference with friendly attendees and vendors, consider joining me next June!

In the meantime, here is the latest news on the Colorado Family History Expo and other upcoming events!



© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

Day 1 - Colorado Family History Expo

Day One at the Colorado Family History Expo in Loveland, Colorado began for me with registration as speaker and Blogger of Honor - and receiving lots of gifts and goodie bags!  Thanks to Holly Hansen, Christine Sharbough and the rest of the crew at Family History Expos for taking care of me and the rest of the bloggers.

My first class - Facebook for Genealogists - wasn't until 10:00 am which gave me a moment to set up at the Blogger's Lounge in the Exhibit Hall.  While there, I was able to meet some wonderful bloggers for the first time: Becky Jamison - Grace and Glory, Gayle Gresham - Colorado Reflections, and Terri Kallio - The Ties That Bind. It is amazing that I've know most of them for close to two years and it has taken this long to meet in person!

After my class - which went very well - I hung out again at the Blogger's Lounge for a bit before coming up to the room for a little lunch and hopefully a nap!

Later today I have my Twitter class - Twitter: It’s Not Just “What I Had for Breakfast” Anymore - and then it is Movie Night when the movie Forgotten Ellis Island will be shown and we'll be treated to snacks and root beer floats.

I'll have another report tomorrow!

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

Colorado Family History Expo 2010

Well my bags are packed and I leave tomorrow afternoon for another genealogy conference!  I will be speaking at the Colorado Family History Expo in Loveland, Colorado beginning Friday, 25 June 2010 through Saturday, 26 June 2010.  If you plan on attending this event please let me know, I'd love to meet up and talk genealogy!

On Twitter I'll be using the #FHExpo hashtag to post photos and to discuss the event.

Here is my schedule:

Friday 25 June 2010

• 10:00 am - Facebook for Genealogists

• 4:30 pm - Twitter: It’s Not Just “What I Had for Breakfast” Anymore

Saturday 26 June 2010

• 9:30 am - Build a Genealogy Blog

• 11:00 am - Social Networking: New Horizons for Genealogists

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee