Roots Television | Og Blog

Og's been having a lot of fun this week - chatting with a few old friends, paying homage to the Sockish, and bopping along to his favorite genealogy tunes. But school's back in session, and it's time to learn! This week we're featuring some of our favorite educational lectures from the past year, starting with Alan Mann's "New Technologies and Trends". And if you're thirsting for even more knowledge, never fear. We have a few brand new lectures to release in the coming weeks. So sharpen your pencils, and get ready to learn!

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First of all, thanks to all of our friends for the many birthday well-wishes! Building Roots Television from the ground up over the last year has been just about as grueling as inventing the wheel!

We've had a great time pouring over all of your entries in the first ever RTV Scavenger Hunt, and as usual, Og has a bit of free advice. Although we would love for you to spend countless hours digging through our extensive video archive for the answers to our latest quiz, don't forget that you can also search our Program Guide. Look carefully at the Scavenger Hunt clues, use your genealogy skills to sleuth out the keywords, plug those into the search box, and you'll be amazed at how quickly you can unravel the mystery. The search function is also a great way to keep an eye on your favorite genealogy topics, track down that conference clip your friend was telling you all about, or find the latest how-to demonstration.

So, Happy Hunting!
Og from Roots Television

Ever wished you could have your own personal genealogy assistant? You know, somebody to keep track of your stacks of research data, or organize your next genealogy trip - maybe even help you publish your family history? The Master Genealogist project management software from Wholly Genes might be for you. In fact, the latest version will do just about everything for you but carry your books. In our latest interview hosted by Dick Eastman, learn more about Bob Velke, the man behind Wholly Genes, Archive CD Books, and many other genealogical ventures.

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Og has just about recovered from the family history fiesta at the 2007 FGS Conference in Fort Wayne. And even though Og's feet are still a little sore, and his eyes a little bleary, he can't help but look forward to even more genealogical joy at FGS 2008 in Philadelphia! Dick Eastman managed to catch up with Jim Beidler, co-chair of the 2008 FGS Conference. So if you, too, are already ready for another FGS fix, take a peek at our conversation with Jim.

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What would you do if you lost it all? No, not your house or your car - but your digital records! Want to know more about digital versus analog preservation, what causes digital data loss, what formats to use, the life expectancy of digital data, and media storage in general? Rick Laxman covers all of these topics and more in his lecture, "Preserving Digital Information", at the BYU 2007 Computerized Genealogy Conference. In Og's humble opinion, nothing beats a chisel and some good hard stone. But if you insist upon using these new-fangled computer thingys, you'd better listen to Rick!

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There are just a few days left in our Happy Birthday contest. If you missed the first announcement, we're holding the first ever Roots TV Scavenger Hunt. Og has come up with six very tricky questions, listed below. Email Og your answers to enter for your chance to win a fabulous RTV t-shirt. And don't forget the shortcut - you can use our handy-dandy searchable Program Guide to find your way to the answers in record time. Remember, all entries are due by October 15th!

Roots Television Happy Birthday Scavenger Hunt

1. What song did Chris Haley sing at the 2007 FGS Conference?
2. Was the man who raised Bob Zins his real father?
3. Name three famous descendants of the Sockish.
4. What was author Victor Villasenor’s grandfather’s claim to fame?
5. What six required tools of the genealogist does Dick Eastman mention in
his lecture "Putting the Genes in Genealogy"?
6. Name any of Flat Stanley’s ancestors.

Og from Roots Television

In our latest interview, professional librarian Victoria Guagliardo talks about her passion for researching her Choctaw roots. As she delved into her family history, she learned that some of the family habits that she grew up with, like picking wild onions and having scrambled eggs at Easter, are actually Choctaw traditions.

Victoria gives several tips for anyone researching Native American ancestry. First, she recommends journeying to the actual sites of the graves, since some Native Americans adopted the European custom of erecting headstones. She also strongly recommends that you invest in a very good historical map of your ancestor's region. You can also contact the local governing body, for example the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, for resources. Finally, and perhaps most important of all, if you go cemetery sleauthing in the South, watch out for chiggers!

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If you're interested in genetic genealogy, or if you're researching Jewish roots, you won't want to miss this lecture given by Jon Entine at the 2007 IAJGS Conference. Jon is the author of Abraham's Children: Race, Identity, and the DNA of the Chosen People. In his lecture, he addresses the human migration of the Y-chromosome, three major genetic groupings of Jews, the origins of Ethiopian Jews, and the migration of mtDNA. For more information, you can also visit the official Abraham's Children website.

Og from Roots Television

If you want to watch real live science in the making, or are just ready for a chuckle, check out our latest video. In it, Chris Haley, nephew of Roots author Alex Haley, takes a DNA test with DNA Ancestry. To enjoy more of Chris' musical talents, take a look at his welcome to this year's FGS Conference.

Og from Roots Television

Roots Television is live on location today at the Hispanic Research Series presented by the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, UT. You can already view interviews from Friday's session, and we will be on location again capturing several of Saturday's lectures. The Hispanic Research series covers basic, intermediate, and advanced research techniques, with some lectures presented in both English and Spanish. Whether you're interested in Hungarian, Czech, Swedish, Hispanic, or any other genealogical topic, the FHL probably has a class that will interest you. Plus, the classes are absolutely free (Og's favorite price)! Check back on our Hispanic Roots Channel as we begin to post more content from this lecture series.

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By now, you have probably heard about the new partnership between the New England Historic Genealogical Society and Ancestry.com. If not, you can learn more about it here. Og and Dick Eastman caught up with both D. Brenton Simons, of NEHGS, and Loretto "Lou" Szucs, of Ancestry, at FGS 2007, where they shared more about their collaboration.

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There is just one week left in our Societies and Libraries Contest. It's time to dig deep and make a dash for the finish line. Og has noticed some increased activity from a few of our friends. Best of luck to you all!

The Ancestral Irish Research Association

Weld County Genealogical Society

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In case you were worried, the future of family history research is in good hands. In our latest video, Chris Haley interviews the rising generation of genealogists at the 2007 FGS conference in Fort Wayne. Kids all over the county are getting in touch with their past, and they could even teach a few of us old dogs some new tricks. For other youth-oriented videos, check out our Roots Kids Channel.

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Congratulations to our Birthday Contest Winners -- Mary, Barbara, and Shannon!!!!

Although many of you entered, and several of you answered all of the questions correctly, these three lovely ladies are the lucky winners of some fantastic RTV gear. Still searching for the answers to our first-ever scavenger hunt?

Here you go:

1. What song did Chris Haley sing at the 2007 FGS Conference? "Banana Boat Song", a.k.a Day-O

2. Was the man who raised Bob Zins his real father? Yes!

3. Name three famous descendants of the Sockish. Emmanuel Sockenberyg (Edward G. Robinson), Julius Henry "Groucho" Sox, Lambchop, and the Pets.com puppet

4. What was author Victor Villasenor’s grandfather’s claim to fame? He killed the legendary Bushmaster serpent that was terrorizing his village, a snake that was so aggressive it would attack a man on horseback and charge a train.

5. What six required tools of the genealogist does Dick Eastman mention in
his lecture "Putting the Genes in Genealogy"? pencils, paper, 3-ring binders, computer, internet connection, and bug repellent

6. Name any of Flat Stanley’s ancestors. Rolf Pancake, Charlotte Squeezed, Stacy Squashed, Tom Flat, Hal Flat, George Squashed, Seton Squished

If you missed out on this scavenger hunt, never fear. Keep your eye on the Og Blog for future contest fun.

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Okay, you knew that you should have brought out the old photographs at your last family get-together. But you missed your chance, and now you have no idea why great-grandma Clothilde is wearing that ridiculous hat in her wedding portrait. Need help dating an old family photograph? Want to know where your mum and dad are standing in their honeymoon snapshot? Even if no one in your family has the foggiest idea, all is not lost. Watch as Maureen Taylor, the Photo Detective, leads you through three photo identification examples, showing what you can learn from your family photographs.

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Digital airbrushing isn't just for super models anymore. In the latest video from our Roots Lecture Series, Rick Laxman shows what photo editing software can do for your most precious family photos. We all have a few old photos that are a little worse for wear - a little mildew here or a torn corner there. Not only does Rick talk about common document problems, he demonstrates what renaming and organizing software can do for your digital image collection. With enough practice, you might even be able to airbrush away those pesky lovehandles!

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Happy Halloween! Og has put the finishing touches on his mammoth costume, and he's getting ready for one of the greatest genealogy days of the year! With all of the costumes, parties, and treats, it's easy to forget that the holidays surrounding Halloween, All Souls Day, The Day of the Dead, and others originated as festivals to celebrate and reconnect with our ancestors. Around the world, people are turning to their ancestors and showing their respect by visiting cemeteries, repairing gravesites, sharing family stories, and even writing mock epitaphs for their still-living friends.

If you just can't find a spare moment to visit your favorite cemetery this Halloween season, feel free to take a look at a few of ours. And remember, there's nothing that says you can't do census research while dressed up as Princess Leia. So put that sugar rush to good use and get back to work!!

Og from Roots Television