Monday Memories - Salt Lake City Trip 2010

Saturday, the Bruce Grey Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society held their Fall event in Ayton, Ontario. It was a great day with Stephen S. Barthel from St. Cloud, Minnesota (formerly from Salt Lake City) speaking on German Research and Maryann  Cunningham of the Red Rascal Band performed songs that she related to her family history.

After a delicious lunch, we watched a presentation that showed highlights of the recent trip to Salt Lake City by members and friends. There were 15 of us on the trip and we certainly enjoyed our time. Since my return, I have shared information and photos with members of the women's group at my church and I will get an opportunity to do it again next week with another group.

Already on this blog, I have posted some photos but I have not shared anything about the trip itself. I will present some of my memories over several blog articles over the next few weeks.

The Bruce Grey Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society celebrates this year its 40th anniversary. The group meets every month except December. The trip was planned as part of this celebration.

We each made our own arrangements to get to Salt Lake City, some travelling alone and some in pairs. Four of us left Owen Sound together but we were on different flights to Salt Lake City but we arrived in Salt Lake City close enough in time to get the same hotel shuttle bus.

We received a warm welcome when we arrived at the Carleton Hotel Inn & Suites. The hotel is within an easy walk of the Family History Library or a shuttle bus is available in the morning at 8 and at 9 to head to the library and to return at 5 or at 9 at night. Since our rooms had a refrigerator and a microwave oven, our first jaunt was off to the deli/market, just a short walk away. This was Saturday night and we were reminded when we checked in that it would be closed on Sunday so if we wanted to pick up anything we should do so before it closed.

The air was beautiful and it was wonderful to take a walk after spending many hours in airports and in the air. I remembered the market from my trip in 2005 but now I was staying much closer to the market. Once we made our purchases, we returned to our rooms thinking about our week ahead and what we were going to see and do. More on that in another posting.



© 2010 Janet Iles

Wordless Wednesday - Statuary at Salt Lake City, Temple Grounds - Mothers and children

 photos August 2010
© 2010 Janet Iles

Follow Friday - When an Old House Whispers

If you love old buildings, I present to you When an Old House Whispers 
for this Follow Friday edition.

Blogger, James Johnstone says in the blog's masthead:

Sometimes an old house whispers... and some houses even seem to shout... and even though some old houses come across as quiet, even silent, they each have their story. I pay attention... I listen... These are the stories I've heard, and now I am passing them on to you...

Johnstone is a house historian in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada who writes about houses and gives historical tours. He presents neighbourhood studies telling the history of the houses, the community and the people who lived in them.

Current and past photos help tell the story of the houses and other buildings in each of the areas he showcases. It is not just photos of buildings but he also includes photos of people who once had lived there.

I hope you stop by to visit his site. If you are in the Vancouver area, it certainly would be interesting to take one of his tours.
© 2010 Janet Iles

Reflecting on 36 years ago and looking ahead

Thirty-six years ago today, I began my career as a library technician at the Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library. Well, back then it was known as the Owen Sound Public Library. I had graduated from the two year program at Sheridan College in Oakville. I had previously taught for two years, one in Owen Sound and one in Northern Ontario. Teaching in the school system wasn't for me. Perhaps, it was the grades that I couldn't handle, because anyone who actually knows me, knows that I love to teach. Five and half years ago, I officially retired although I have helped out since then.

September is always a time for new beginnings, almost as much as the start of a calendar year. Many of the activities I am involved with take a break in the summer. Now, our genealogical society is different than many. We have summer meetings. Sometimes, we will get visitors to the area at our meetings. It is much easier to travel when we do not have snow.

Sunday School starts back again on the 12th. I teach the wee ones. Each year, I look forward to seeing the children and to discover how they have changed over the summer. Will I  have new children? I must take a look at the curriculum. It is online now but I believe there should be an accompanying package of visual aids. I must check on that.

This morning while eating my breakfast, I decided that I'd better make some lists. Sometimes, or perhaps, often, I find myself working on projects that should be lower on the priority list and putting aside ones that need to be done right away.

The first one I tackled was for my business: Janet Iles Consulting & Research Services. I made a list of current client projects and upcoming presentations. One major project is almost completed. One just needs another hour - I sure hope I can find that elusive photograph in the newspaper. Some are fairly new projects. It looks like I will be busy for the next couple of months anyways. Work on the three presentations has begun: Timelines, Wills and Land Records.

Then came my personal list. It still isn't done yet. I will divide it into sections: Church, Historical Society, Family History research, house related and other.

Church - Sunday School, Book club, Women's group and Presbytery. This month, my small group is in charge of the program. I am going to talk about my trip to Salt Lake City. It is easier to do the program yourself sometimes than think of who we should have as a speaker. On Northern Waters Presbytery, I am not as involved in as many groups as some but I am on two groups: Open Doors and Faith Formation. I am new to Open Doors so I have a lot to learn about our responsibilities and to figure out how best I can contribute. We also have a full day meeting and workshop in September for Presbytery.

I have already prepared the church newsletter for this quarter, so I will have a break until November. In the minister's letter in this issue, he challenged us to look at the activities of the church and chose one more thing to participate in. Honestly, as I look at my lists, I can't add anything more right now.

Historical Society - as President I have upcoming board and regular meetings to prepare for and conduct. I am also webmaster and blog writer as well.

Markham Berczy Settlers Association - I am President. I am working with the other members of the executive to figure out how we can have a board meeting. Perhaps, teleconference will be the way to go.

I am tiring myself out just thinking of my lists and I haven't even got to the other things I love to do and are high priority: blogging, connecting with others on Facebook, walking and family research. Also much needed is organizing and tidying the house, so I can get my new computers. When I see what others are involved in, I wonder how they do it all.

Something special I am really looking forward to is the upcoming marriage of my nephew, David, in October. This will bring the whole immediate family together for a couple of days. I am also excited about becoming a great-aunt for the first time in November.

Do you find that making lists helps you to focus? Do you post them somewhere you can see them often and are reminded of what are the priorities? Mine are going to be posted on the refrigerator. Where do you put your lists?


© 2010 Janet Iles

Wordless Wednesday - Ready to Research at the Family History Library

Janet Iles -- August 21, 2010 Salt Lake City, UT in front of the Family History Library


© 2010 Janet Iles