Elizabeth Shown Mills - Fan Club concept

Those who have heard Elizabeth Shown Mills speak or read anything she has written knows that she stresses studying not only the family but also the associates and neighbours of those we are researching. She refers to those individuals as the fan club. She reminds us to really look at the documents.

As I work on my soldiers' project, I am only doing a brief introduction to the family of the soldier. Currently, I am looking at the life of Alexander McKay Gunn. Although not digging deeply into all the relations, I did come across where the fan club concept would be helpful to a researcher of his family.

Alexander McKay Gunn, son of John Gunn and Johanna McKay was born in Keppel Township on 13 January 1884.


Alexander’s mother died two weeks after his birth. She died 27 January 1884 of puerperal fever. He went to live with his mother’s sisters. In 1891, at the age of 7, Alexander is shown in the census in the household of William and Isabella Cullen. Alexander is listed as the nephew of the head of the household. Mary McKay and Betsey McKay, also in the same household, are listed as sisters-in-law to William. Ten years later, according to the 1901 census, Alexander is living with his aunts, Mary and Betsy McKay, in Sydenham Township.

Alexander's mother was Johanna McKay, daughter of Alexander McKay and Betsy Gunn. Alexander's father was John Gunn, son of Donald Gunn and Elizabeth McDonald. John Gunn married Johanna McKay 25 January 1882 in Keppel Township by Rev. Scott. The witnessses at the wedding were Angus McDonald and Isabela McKay, both of Sydenham Township.

Who was the informant of the birth of Alexander and the death of his mother Johanna?  == Donald McGregor of Keppel Township. Both events were registered on the same day.

So who was Donald McGregor? Was he a neighbour or was there a family connection? A search on Ancestry.ca, found a Donald McGregor getting married in 1864 in Sydenham Township  to  Elizabeth McKay. Donald was the son of William McGregor and Jane Gunn. Elizabeth was a daughter of William McKay and Catharine Gunn. It certainly looks there is some family connection. If either the Gunns, McKays or McGregors of this area, were my family, I would do some more investigating of these connections through a variety of different sources.

© 2011 Janet Iles

Advanced Genealogical Skills: A Seminar with Elizabeth Shown Mills - the pledge

Already a week has past since I attended Advanced Genealogical Skills: A Seminar with Elizabeth Shown Mills on April 2 at the North York Central Library in Toronto. The day was wonderful. I am so happy that I was able to attend. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina prevented Elizabeth Shown Mills (ESM) from attending the FGS Conference in Salt Lake City and I had hoped to hear her at that conference.

I am thankful that I have the handouts and the recording of the presentations to review as she packed so much information into the day that it is good to be able to review regularly what we learned. The challenge is of course, to put it into practice.

Near the end of the afternoon, ESM told us "Raise your right hand and repeat after me."  So up went the hands. She spotted someone who hadn't raised their hand. "Come on now _______. "

So here is the pledge we repeated
"I am determined to solve my problems; therefore, I do hereby promise Elizabeth, in front of all these witnesses, that every time I write down a source, I will add an appraisal of that source."

I have printed out these words to post in my office as a reminder.

I know I need to slow down to take the time to look at the first frames of the microfilm that contain the title, author, etc. or to look at the description of a database on an online source or to get all the necessary details from other types of sources, and to write down all the important information and as promised an appraisal of the source.

More in an upcoming post.


© 2011 Janet Iles

Advanced Genealogical Skills: A Seminar with Elizabeth Shown Mills - 1 week and counting

 I am excited. One week from now at this time, Elizabeth Shown Mills will be presenting her first lecture at the Advanced Genealogical Skills: A Seminar with Elizabeth Shown Mills. The first lecture is "Genealogical Problem Solving: Professional Techniques for Everyday Success".

The Ontario Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists' website provides all the details.
http://ocapg.org/shown_mills.html. You do not have to be a member to attend.

I know I am going to learn so much that I can apply to my own research.

© 2011 Janet Iles

Advanced Genealogical Skills: A Seminar with Elizabeth Shown Mills - 4 weeks and counting

It is just four weeks until Advanced Genealogical Skills: A Seminar with Elizabeth Shown Mills (2nd of April in Toronto, Ontario). I am excited!  Details can be found on the Ontario Chapter of Professional Genealogist's website.

Yes, Elizabeth Shown Mills is going to talk about citations but I am really interested in learning from her, techniques that will improve my problem solving skills. It is going to be a full day and I know that I am going to learn so much. I am sure my head will be swimming with all the information that she shares with those in attendance. I hear that she provides wonderful handouts so that will be helpful for reviewing after that day.

The Ontario Chapter Association of Professional Genealogists (OCAPG) still has spaces for the all-day Seminar with Elizabeth Shown Mills on Saturday, April 2nd. Ms Mills has been called "the person with the greatest impact on genealogy in the post-Roots era." She is a dynamic and entertaining speaker who is making a rare Canadian appearance.

What a bargain for $45.00! This includes detailed handouts. (lunch not included.) Details and registration are available online at http://ocapg.org/, or you can pay by cheque by contacting Marg Meldrum, marg@genealogyresults.com. You can advance-order books by the speaker and other authors.


I hope to see some of you there.




© 2011 Janet Iles

Elizabeth Shown Mills Seminar - Registration now open for April 2 event in Toronto

I am very excited. Elizabeth Shown Mills is coming to Toronto, Ontario on April 2, 201! I had hoped to hear her speak in 2005 at the FGS conference in Salt Lake City but Hurricane Katrina happened. This is my chance to hear her without leaving Canada. It is going to be a full day with four presentations and a question and answer time. The price is very reasonable $45.00 Canadian for public admission and $20.00 Canadian for OCAPG members. The cost does not include lunch but does include refreshments.  Registration is now open. Space is limited so don't delay. I hope to see you there.

For my readers who don't know who Elizabeth Shown Mills is, here is some background information.

Advanced Genealogical Skills: A Seminar with Elizabeth Shown Mills

One of North America=s most honoured and influential genealogists is visiting Toronto on 2 April 2011. The Ontario Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the Canadiana Department, North York Central Library [Toronto Public Library] proudly present a day-long seminar of advanced genealogical techniques and research methodology for experienced genealogists and committed family historians.

Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL, FASG, FNGS, FUGA, has been a leader in genealogical education for a quarter century, pushing the cutting edge of research methodology, standards, and quality, having served as president of both the Board for Certification of Genealogists and The American Society of Genealogists, and as an officer or trustee of other major organizations. During her 16 years as editor of the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Elizabeth made that journal into the leading forum for the teaching of research methods and principles. For even longer, her Advanced Methodology Track at the Samford University Institute of Genealogy & Historical Research has been a rite of passage for serious family historians.

Among Elizabeth=s countless publications are the award-winning Evidence_ Citation & Analysis for the Family Historian and Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers, and Librarians. They are considered Aabsolute essentials@ for both personal and professional genealogists. Her latest book, Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace, earned Library Journal=s Best Reference designation in 2007.

A popular lecturer much in demand, Elizabeth is a featured speaker at major North American genealogical conferences. She also appears at academic, library, and archives events, and in media interviews. Her remarkable 2004 historical novel, Isle of Canes, Aa gripping tale of cultural and racial conflict, economic triumph and ruin, and unyielding family pride told against the backdrop of colonial and antebellum Louisiana,@ involved years of archival research.

At the seminar, Elizabeth will speak about professional techniques for dissecting and solving research problems, simplifying source citations, and finding female ancestors. Heralded by her peers as Athe genealogist who had the most impact in the post-Roots era,@ she offers a unique opportunity for sharpening your skills.

Advanced Genealogical Skills: A Seminar with Elizabeth Shown Mills

Date:   Saturday, 2 April 2011

Place:  Auditorium, 2nd Floor of the North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge St., Toronto

Time:  The program begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m.

            Doors open at 8:30 a.m.

Cost:   $45 public admission; $20 OCAPG members

Registration: Online at http://ocapg.org beginning 15 January 2011

(secure online credit card registration or payment by cheque/check.)

© 2010 Janet Iles