Roots Television | Og Blog

Don't miss the video tour of WeRelate, the largest genealogy wiki in world. Don't know what a wiki is? This video is for you.

WeRelate is a free public-service wiki for genealogy sponsored by the Foundation for On-Line Genealogy, Inc. in partnership with the Allen County Public Library. With pages for over 350,000 people, WeRelate lets you connect with other researchers and cooperatively work on web pages for your ancestors. Your research can be documented completely online. You can upload GEDCOM files, upload and annotate scanned documents and photos, include family stories and biographies, and even generate maps of your ancestors' life events.

Og from Roots Television

Gosh, Og wishes that he had a cool job title like Else Churchill of the Society of Genealogists. With the title of “The Genealogist” she’s responsible for education, outreach, publications, and representing genealogists in the community. In new programming Dick Eastman conducts an informal but informative interview with Ms. Churchill at the 2007 Who Do You Think You Are? Live! And National History Show in London. Take a few minutes to learn about this year’s show, which had grown by a factor of three to four times, and about the Society and its multitude of resources. And if you’re interested in joining them, or seeking help on a sticking point, check out their web site at sog.org.uk.

Og from Roots Television

Ok, when Og was 11 years old, he was maybe writing on cave walls with sticks, possibly wandering around a bit, and if he got really adventurous he’d hunt up some dinner. But in new programming we’ve added to the site, Deportation, you’ll find a great treat in watching the combined efforts of 30 children from the 5th class of Scoil Oilibhéirs. The film Deportation is based on the true story of Michael Griffin and Ellen Healy, who were deported from Cork to Australia in 1827 for stealing clothes and furniture from Ellen’s Employer. Michael’s younger sister Mary was persuaded to plead guilty to a crime she did not commit so that Ellen would have a companion on the way to Australia.

The children researched, scripted, lit, and shot the documentary as part of their school term curriculum. For this story they learned a lot about Ireland in the 1800's; what it was like to live there, what happened to people those days, and where they ended up. The epilogue to the film is a documentary which tells the story of what happened to Michael and Ellen during their time in Australia and some of their descendants right down to June 9th 2006 when the latest Griffiths was born.

Three of the children in this film won Best Actor awards at the Cork International Youth Film Festival, and the film was also awarded a diploma in an Estonian Amateur Film Festival. Enjoy – and try not to feel too inferior to these inspiring kids!

Og from Roots Television

Og thought he was related to some very special people in history, but in a new interview Dick Eastman conducted with Roy Stockdill, you can learn how to purchase a pedigree that is guaranteed to include such famous ancestors as not only Mary Queen of Scots, but also Kermit the Frog, Cyril the Incontinent of Babylon, Frederic the Flatulent, etc. OK, OK, so it’s a wink-wink-nudge-nudge proposition that was written very tongue-in-cheek by Roy Stockdill a few years ago in 2000. Watch today’s new program to see this and more – including beginners’ tips from this very distinguished British genealogist.

Og from Roots Television

OK, everyone break out your high school French! Pardonnez-moi? You say your memory may have lapsed somewhat? Aucun probleme (not to worry)! We’ve done all the work for you by adding subtitles to this lighthearted interview of Michel Sémentery, president of the French Federation of Genealogy. During the course of his discussion with Christophe Becker, the manager of GeneaNet.org, listen for Sémentery’s prediction for the quality of the wine in Touraine for the 2007 harvest as compared to the genealogy harvest in Touraine for 2007. His water metaphor is also one that genies everywhere need to take to heart. Nous espérons que vous appréciez l'entretien! Enjoy the show!!!

Og from Roots Television

Take a few minutes to watch a terrific short interview that we’ve added today featuring David Nicholson, Founder of DNA Worldwide. Interviewed at the National History Show in London, you’ll soon learn that his operative words are genealogy and DNA. These simple, non-invasive (think cheek swab, not blood drawn) tests are becoming a very popular way for genealogists to determine their ancient ancestry. And by ancient ancestry, he means just that – 140,000 - 170,000 years ago. He discusses three basic tests: the first is an autosomal DNA test, which determines your ethnic percentage breakdowns and traces your ancestors’ migration patterns; next comes the Y chromosome test, which traces the paternal line; and finally the MtDNA (mitochondrial DNA) test, which traces the maternal line. Have fun tracing your roots with DNA!

Og from Roots Television

Hey everyone, if you’re lucky enough to live in Southern California, a great idea for your weekend would be to attend the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree and Family History Writers Conference at the Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel and Convention Center! And if you are spectacularly lucky enough to be attending, you might want to drop by Table 112, which is where you’ll find (TA-DA!) Roots Television! Tell them that Og sent you!!!! For more information about the weekend's offerings, check out this website: Southern California Genealogy Society.

If you’re like Og, however, and can’t get to Burbank this weekend, you might want to spend two quick minutes to watch a new show we’ve added in the Psychic Roots arena. In her very short narrative, Susan Lumas describes a connection with her great-grandfather that occurred a continent away from where she originally expected it – and an eerie moment when their long-separated paths crossed. Enjoy!

Og from Roots Television

Hey there! Did everyone hear that Og got a shout-out during the Tony Awards tonight? Several actors were breaking down the word “choreOGraphy” and – you guessed it – Og got identified as the first dancer. Enough of my celebrity … take a few minutes to watch our new short on Call of Story ’08, Connecting With Our Children. With our eagerness to educate our children, sometimes the basics get forgotten or inadvertently neglected. In this case, we’re talking about the family stories that get passed down from generation to generation. Our children are hungry for them, and they help fill a real cultural and behavioral void for them. For more info, watch -- then check out Call of Story.

Og from Roots Television

Og put on his favorite Aloha shirt, got himself a tasty plate lunch and some sweet malasadas, and sat down to watch our latest show – Genealogy in Hawaii – which recounts the recent Hawaii Plantation Village Genealogy Workshop, held on June 2, 2007. In this short video, Donna Hague Wendt tells us that the original strong population of native Hawaiians dwindled to as low as 56,000 due to disease imported by non-natives. This necessitated sugar plantations, and later pineapple plantations, recruiting and bringing in workers from a variety of countries. These contract laborers brought pieces of their cultures with them, thus making Hawaii a true melting pot. During their workshop, the Honolulu County Genealogy Society offered to help people of all these nationalities get started or progress further with their research. Og says “Mahalo for watching!”

Og from Roots Television

This contest just so exciting,
That its deadline was once extended,
But Roots Television Wild Roots! Contest,
Is about to be ended!

The prize is amazing,
And for your chance to win,
Show us the crazy things you did,
To locate your kin.

If your video is chosen as best,
$500 will be your reward,
And your whole family will be jealous,
Of the big bucks you’ve scored!

So submit your entry now,
Og strongly urges you to do it,
Because 12 midnight Pacific Time on Friday,
Will be our last chance to view it!

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!

Og from Roots Television

Og has a new hero!!!!! Matt Harding, you rock (literally!). Settle yourself in for a few very enjoyable minutes of watching Matt Dancing Around the World. Og wants to do this, too – but I don’t know whether my mad dancing skills would be as enticingly fun as Matt's. For another good giggle, after you’re done watching his video here, visit wherethehellismatt.com and watch his outtakes and their explanations. Get ready to giggle and sway along!

Og from Roots Television

Today’s new programming includes a very up-to-the-minute interview at the SCGS Jamboree earlier this month with Katherine Hope Borges, the Director of the International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG). Now you know Og is going to love this organization right off the bat because it’s got his name in it – but beyond this blindingly obvious fact, and much more importantly, it is an organization whose main mission is to promote and educate people about genetic genealogy.

Conceived after a Family Tree Conference in Texas in 2004 where she received and read Trace Your Roots With DNA, ISOGG officially launched in April of 2005, and currently has a membership of about 5,000 members from 46 countries. And here’s a real surprise – membership in this great organization is FREE! That’s right – they know you want to spend your money on DNA testing, not dues. Watch this interview, and then go to ISOGG.org to see such treats as speaker lists, info on various DNA interest groups, consultant lists, comparison charts for DNA testing companies, and famous DNA pages where you can see if your DNA matches up with that of famous folks.

Og from Roots Television

Og had a really fun time watching our latest new video taken from the 16th National Family Reunion Conference. In its keynote address, famed song writer Kenneth Gamble, writer of such famous songs as “Family Reunion” and “Me and Mrs. Jones”, tells us of the importance that we should place on building our communities and families. And he’s a gentleman who puts his money where his mouth is. He began purchasing properties in South Philly in 1978, moved with his wife back to South Philly, and got backing from local politicians, the banking community, charter schools, etc. to begin the daunting process of physically rebuilding a community. In this program he asks us to not wait for someone else to do something, but instead to look in the mirror and get going. We can improve the quality of life for our next generation!

Og from Roots Television

Og just hates to toot his own horn, but I bet you can hear it blasting away no matter where you live. Check out a really nice review of Roots Television at Stay Cool: Tune in to Roots TV. Awww, it just makes Og blush! A big thanks to Kevin Shue for the shout-out!

Og from Roots Television

OK, normally Og just loves a scandal, but folks, not this one! Take a few minutes to watch our new show Tennessee Tears, an interview with author George John Curtis, who describes his youth in the center of a black market baby scandal. He began his life in Memphis as a child in the Tennessee Children’s Home Society, which was organized by Georgia Tann, supposedly as an initiative to remove children from less fortunate beginnings and place them with more affluent families. Unfortunately, Tann’s greed became her undoing, leading to a huge scandal where over 5,000 babies were sold from one orphanage alone. Mr. Curtis’ book recounts the history of the scandal, his own youth, his search for his birth parents (and family), and his victory over many obstacles in his life. For more information on the scandal, or to find out more about his book, go to Tennessee Tears.

Og from Roots Television

Og has soooo many genie friends, and I’ve just figured out what I’m going to get everyone for their next birthday, Christmas, Mother’s and Father’s Day presents! Take a few minutes to watch a short new interview with Larry Proctor of Light Impressions, the largest supplier of archival supplies. When you think about it, what genealogy enthusiast you know wouldn’t just LOVE to have all their documents, prints, negatives, and artifacts preserved for generations to come?! Light Impressions has been dealing with museums for 38 years now, and their very impressive customer base attests to the quality of their products. To safeguard and protect your family’s information, visit their website at Light Impressions, then call, email or fax in your order! Og is feeling better preserved already!

Og from Roots Television

Og wants to know what you do with your spare time. It doesn’t have to be much time – maybe even as little as half an hour. The reason Og asks is that our new program features an interview with Paul G. Nauta of Family Search, who shares a fantastic volunteering opportunity for every genealogist out there. Work when you want to, commit to half hour increments, work from home at your convenience, and help other genealogists, too! Watch our short show, and to find out more, check out Family Search Indexing to discover more info on how you or your society can help index records.

Og from Roots Television

Today’s new programming is an interview with the President of World Vital Records, David Lifferth, who heads an innovative new genealogical website (World Vital Records) that contains nearly 1,000 genealogical databases and has a very aggressive rollout schedule for thousands more database launches. Its other aim is to provide a networking opportunity to link genies with others of the same interests through Family Link. Watch this short interview to see just what these sites can offer you!

Og from Roots Television

And the winner is……OK, Og is playing with you a little. I’m not quite ready to reveal the winner of our Wild Roots Contest…but I am ready to reveal our Runner Up, who entered a truly fun and captivating video, “Our Summer Vacation”. L. L. Cooke, from California, shares her family’s vacation that morphed at its end into a research blitz at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. Watch how everyone had tasking, and how an encounter with a sweet old lady really opened Cooke’s eyes!

Stay tuned for tomorrow -- Friday -- when we'll reveal the $500 winner of our Wild Roots Contest!

Og from Roots Television

Enough messing around…Og is thrilled to announce the first place winner of our Wild Roots contest. As some famous game show says, “Brad Jencks, come on down!” Everyone needs to take a few minutes to watch the video this young man produced, entitled “Connecting Families Across the World”, covering his quest to photograph, identify and upload to online websites the information from the relatively neglected Bingham City Cemetery. Brad, his family, and other volunteers expended a ton of effort – and by a ton Og means over 5,000 hours! But, in this case, both an Eagle Scout Award, as well as our big and tasty $500 Grand Prize rewarded Brad’s efforts!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Og from Roots Television