Category: Faces of NextGen

Faces of NextGen: Meet Madam Ancestry

September 27, 2017

Madam Ancestry, Georgia

What five words would you use to describe yourself? Family-oriented, Inquisitive,Determined,Humorous and Committed

Why genealogy?

Why not genealogy?! There’s always something exciting to be discovered when doing genealogy. I will never understand how people can spend so much time following other families but don’t know anything about their own family. Genealogy is the story of what makes you who you are! I aim to learn everything I can learn about my story and strive to keep family history alive.

What’s the coolest discovery you’ve made?

Every time I make a discovery I think it’s the coolest! BUT…if I had to pick just one…I’d say it’s discovering the story of my 2x Great Grandfather. I went from not knowing his name, to discovering a fascinating chain of events surrounding him murdering his wife! He spent the rest of his days in prison and (according to newspaper sources) is buried on the prison grounds. His story was very shocking and unfortunate, and would also make a very good screenplay! I was able to obtain a copy of his prison ledger from the early 1900’s and that was definitely a surreal feeling. Everything was there except his mugshot, so I’m still on the hunt for that!

What are you working on this week?

Preparing to resume client work and working on new features for my blog http://madamancestry.blogspot.com/.

What’s the number one secret to your success in genealogy?

Simply sticking with it. All the answers may not be found in one day or one year. We’re all eager to find answers but you come to a point where you realize finding those answers takes time. It’s ok to take a break sometimes and regroup. I’ve had moments where I’ve hit a brick wall with one ancestor, so I took a break from that one and focused on another instead, or I’ll go back and review the things I’ve researched. And it’s always beneficial to keep learning along the way – workshops, webinars, lectures, ask questions, and don’t forget to follow others in the genealogy community. No matter how much we know we can always gain new insight and inspiration from these resources.

What superpower would you want to help you uncover your family history?

Can I have two?

Time travel, because I love the thought of just randomly popping in on ancestors at any given time like “Hey, I’m your family from the future! You may as well tell me what’s going on now because I’ll find out anyway through countless hours of research and DNA testing!”

I would be the person who somehow saves the 1890 Census!

*Genealogy world erupts in a thunderous applause*

What are we most likely to find you doing when you’re not researching family history?

When I’m not doing family research, I’m still doing family things. Most things that I love, I love to do with them. What can I say? Family is my lifeline. Periodically I escape to write, try out new recipes, or rock a karaoke session (smile)! I love to laugh and enjoy life with the people I love.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I’d like to urge people to get involved in their family history now. It’s important to ask questions while you have relatives who are still here to give you the information. Also, never throw out family history; this includes pictures, personal papers, family heirlooms, etc. Those things may not mean anything to you at this moment but may be the key to answering family questions down the line. If you don’t want the items or don’t know what to do with them, contact me and I’ll help you find a safe place to preserve them.

Find Madam Ancestry online at www.madamancestry.com

The NextGen Genealogy Network is made up of young genealogists with diverse backgrounds, interests, and experiences. Faces of NextGen showcases a different member of our community each month. If you would like to be considered for an upcoming feature, simply complete our questionnaire and submit a selfie.

Faces of NextGen: Meet Lisa Medina

September 6, 2017

Lisa Medina, 34, California

What five words would you use to describe yourself?

Caring, Intellectual,Pragmatic, Passionate and Introverted

Why genealogy?

I have harbored a strong affection for history since childhood, fascinated by vivid images, stories and figures of the past. When I discovered genealogy and the ways my ancestors related to the larger narrative of history, I was hooked. Also, I love research!

What’s the coolest discovery you’ve made?

There have been many, but what first comes to mind is the discovery that my grandfather and my husband’s aunt lived in the same small town in northern California at the same time. My husband and his family are from Guadalajara, Mexico, I grew up in Maine and my grandfather was from Oklahoma, so this was a very unexpected coincidence.

What are you working on this week?

I have picked up my research into the early life of one of my maternal great grandfathers, who was adopted and about whom little is known. I have been in communication with my mother’s cousin, who is the son of the eldest of my great-grandfather’s sons, and who is helping to guide my research by answering questions and confirming several discoveries based on oral histories.

What’s the number one secret to your success in genealogy?

Commitment to well-organized research. By remaining committed to the scope of my research projects and digging into the details, with as much structure in my research plan as possible, I am able to document my search and findings easily – and the details for narratives are available!

What superpower would you want to help you uncover your family history?

The ability to see into the past, of course! Also, full access to the Family History Library 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What are we most likely to find you doing when you’re not researching family history?

Spending time with my 5-month old and husband at Balboa Park or the zoo – two of our favorite family outings. When I’m not with my family (and also not researching), I am often swimming at my local YMCA.

Lisa can be found online at www.medinagenie.weebly.com

Faces of NextGen: Meet Amber Oldenburg

August 23, 2017

Amber Oldenburg, 39, Indiana

What five words would you use to describe yourself? The five words I would use to describe myself are; patient, enterprising, blessed, methodical, and motivated.

Why genealogy? Genealogy was an accident for me. My original intention at BYU-Idaho was to study towards becoming a park ranger, choosing Family History as a minor. I was immediately hooked on the subject. Very quickly I shifted my focus towards a degree in Family History with the goal of becoming a professional genealogist. Since my initial introduction to the subject, I have spent an inordinate amount of time researching and learning the ins and outs of the field. I feel truly blessed to have discovered my passion, one in which I very much hope to make a career.

What are you working on this week? As classes do not resume until September (thank goodness), I’ve chosen to use this time to study in preparation for ICAPGen accreditation, occasionally stepping away to conduct research on the Thompson branch of my family tree.

What’s the number one secret to your success in genealogy? I would have to say the number one secret to my success has been persistence in the face of some quite daunting challenges. Whether it’s running into a metaphorical brick wall while conducting research, or attempting to make heads or tails of difficult scripts, I keep moving forward until I achieve what I set out to do.

What superpower would you want to help you uncover your family history? Undoubtedly, I’d have to go with time travel. To be able to personally speak with my ancestors, and to hear their story from their lips would be the absolute greatest gift I could receive.

What are we most likely to find you doing when you’re not researching family history? When I am not working on researching family history, I can be found devouring every genealogy book available, or attending genealogy seminars and conferences. Aside from genealogy, I adore spending time with my wonderful husband and two brilliant daughters, very often camping or road tripping throughout the U.S.

Faces of NextGen: Meet Joseph Haines

August 2, 2017

Joseph Haines, 35, Ohio

What five words would you use to describe yourself? Five words I would use to describe myself would be wise, witty, loyal, passionate, & prudent.

Why genealogy? Why genealogy? Wow, that is the toughest easy question I’ve ever had to answer. And I only say it’s tough to answer because there are so many excellent reasons why genealogy is extraordinary. But for me, I find it fascinating how genealogy connects the past to the future in a very interpersonal way via the present actions of us genealogists.

What’s the coolest discovery you’ve made? The coolest discovery I’ve made involved DNA testing. Prior to getting mine done, I had hit a brick wall as far as the identity of the father of one of my great-grandmothers. No father was listed on her birth certificate and the wrong person was listed as her father on her death certificate. However, a Social Security Claims Index gave me yet another name that I could not confirm anything about. Fast forward years later to me uploading my raw DNA to GEDMATCH, and my closest match shared the same surname as the man listed on that S.S. Claims Index. I knew I was on to something. Sure enough, I eventually discovered that the man listed was indeed her father. Contacts through GEDMATCH put me in contact with a granddaughter of his that was born from different relationship. She is now in her late 70’s and has provided a wealth of information about my 2^nd great-grandfather and his lineage. And if it wasn’t for DNA testing, I may have never met this 1^st cousin, 2x removed to obtain any of this information.

What are you working on this week? This week I am working on accurately naming the file names of over 4000 family photos I have recently scanned. I know, it doesn’t sound very exciting, but it has to be done. And when I’m not working on that, I am working on writing material for a blog I plan to launch soon.

What’s the number one secret to your success in genealogy? The number one secret to my success in genealogy is my desire to learn as much as I can about the subject. My mind is a sponge when it comes to genealogy-related topics. And no matter how far I end up going down a genealogy career path, I’ll always be a student because there will always be something new to learn.

What superpower would you want to help you uncover your family history? I’ve tried to come up with a “not so obvious” answer to this question, but let’s get real. It would have to be the ability to travel through time. However, I’ve seen Back to the Future enough times to know that I could only observe and not interact. You know, that whole space-time continuum thing can get pretty messy if you interfere with history. Although, it would be a little difficult to not drop a couple anonymous tips to certain fire departments regarding impending courthouse fires!!!

What are we most likely to find you doing when you’re not researching family history? When I’m not researching family history, I’m learning about it. Whether it be podcasts, books, webinars, etc…I’m always learning. And genealogy is my life. But that’s ok. Because that is the life I want!