Why are YOU interested in genealogy?

Something occurred to me right after I decided to become a blogger on the topic of genealogy. I realized that it has been a long, long time since I did any genealogical research. I think the last time I conducted research about my family history was in middle school when my mom helped me make a family tree as part of a school project. A lot has changed since then, and while I have not yet acquainted myself with the modern tools of genealogical research like these free web resources, I am eager to see how far back in time … Continue reading

Sex Education is a Heated Topic for Romney and Obama

I for one do not follow the politicians or political news. My husband remains much more interested in campaigns and elections than I do. However, the battle over sex education between Romney and Obama has enticed me to take on a more active political role. Senator Obama has suggested that all grade school children (beginning in kindergarten) be instructed through a science-based sex education program. He suggests that each grade have an age appropriate sex education program. Romney, on the other hand, feels that there is no age appropriate program when it comes to young children learning about sex. Obama … Continue reading

Three Common Breastfeeding Myths Explained

Part of getting yourself ready for the day when you welcome your new baby into the world involves thinking about how you plan to feed your baby. As is the case with many of the decisions that you will make regarding your baby, the best way to prepare yourself is with information. The more you know about infant feeding and nutrition in advance, the better prepared you will be to navigate the ins and outs of feeding your baby once he or she is born. One helpful type of information to have at the ready if you plan to breastfeed … Continue reading

Downtown Disney to Expand into Disney Springs

A few years after it announced and then scrapped plans to reformat Pleasure Island, the official Disney Parks blog has revealed that Downtown Disney is getting an upgrade.  A years-long project will transform Downtown Disney into Disney Springs, an even larger shopping and entertainment district. Downtown Disney is so popular with Florida residents and Disney World guests alike that it was time to expand.  Don’t worry about suddenly needing a ticket to get into the area: just like before, Disney Springs will be open to the public (though individual entertainment venues still might require tickets for entrance). Tom Staggs, the … Continue reading

Upcoming Genealogy Events – Week of July 15, 2012

Each and every week, there are plenty of genealogy courses, workshops, conferences, and events happening. All you have to do is find one, and figure out what you need to do in order to attend it. Here is a quick list of some of the genealogy events that are going on this week. There could be one near you! On July 16, 2012, the Ela Area Public Library, which is located in Lake Zurich, Illinois, will have a meeting of the library’s Genealogy Interest Group (GIG). It will begin at 3:00 in the afternoon, and will end at 5:00 in … Continue reading

My Best Advice for Blogging

Content is still king: No matter how the winds blow or the tides change the most important factor in writing is content. You must put out quality content to gain and keep readers. What is quality content? Content that effects a reader. Does your content encourage, enlighten, or engage? Are you teaching something, informing, or making your readers laugh? Readers are probably not interested in your last trip to the grocery store unless you demonstrate extreme couponing or have some antidote that is worth mentioning a trip to the grocery story. A blog post is a gift to your readers. … Continue reading

Does Elizabeth Warren Really Have Cherokee Ancestry?

The ancestry of Democrat Elizabeth Warren is still a topic that is raising questions. A few months ago, a genealogist determined that Warren did, really, have Cherokee ancestry. Shortly after that, there were blogs that stated that there wasn’t any credible evidence that this was so. Now, another genealogist says that Elizabeth Warren really doesn’t have Cherokee ancestry. In Massachusetts, the current Senator is Scott Brown, who is a Republican. Elizabeth Warren, who is a Democrat, is running against him for the Senate seat he currently holds. The winner will be decided in the 2012 election. It has become common … Continue reading

Family History Stories Are A Good Read

As I looked for an interesting topic to write about for today, I came across a wonderful story that was posted on a genealogy blog. The story was about how the blogger’s grandmother and grandfather met – a friend had given a young woman’s address to a young man, they began writing letters to each other, and eventually met and got married. I really enjoyed reading that story, and it reminded me of just how wonderful real life family history stories can be. Whether the story is a romantic story, a funny story, a story of a brave hero, or … Continue reading

Insurance Podcast Roundup – Week of January 23, 2012

Each and every week, you can check out the Insurance Podcast Roundup in order to find brand new episodes of podcasts that discuss insurance related topics. This is a good way to stay informed about any new changes that could affect your insurance policies. NPR has an episode of “All Things Considered” that was released on January 20, 2012. This episode is called “Administration Stands Firm on Birth Control Coverage”. This episode mentions that the Obama administration did not back down to a lobbying effort by the Catholic Church, in regards to the requirement that all health insurance plans must … Continue reading

The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World

Can you see the hidden Mickey in the ceiling of this Epcot store? The last of my books about Disney World, “The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World,” is for the park’s devotees. Its subtitle is, “Over 600 secrets of the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom,” and author Susan Veness makes good on that promise. If you’re a fan of Disney World, not just of its rides but of its whole experience, this is the book for you. If you’ve been to the park so many times that now you’re starting to notice all of its … Continue reading