Year to Date - 2016

It's hard to believe we are already well into the second month of 2016. I had meant to start out the year with some fresh goals and ideas for what I planned to do this year with regard to my research but I've been busy so far this year. Although, I've not been working on my research, per say, I've been busy with the activities of the African-American Heritage Ministry at the church that I attend.

Last weekend, we sponsored an event to kick off our Black History Month activities. Although there weren't many young people in attendance, one of the goals of our ministry is to help the younger generation know of the sacrifices of earlier generations. While everyone knows of the noted historical African-American firsts, etc., the goal of the event was to make the congregation aware of those notable firsts within our own congregation. We started out by having people fill out a survey. From there there were some members of the ministry  that called the respondents to get some answers to follow-up questions.

One of the people that I got to interview was Don Hudson, who now resides here in Charlotte, NC. In 1971, Mr. Hudson became the first African-American football coach at a predominately white university when he became the coach at Macalester College in St. Paul, MN. You can read more about Mr. Hudson here.

Today, our ministry gave a Beginning Genealogy presentation.I was one of the presenters and this marked the first time I did a presentation to someone other than family. While I was up to the 11th hour working on my portion of the presentation, I had fun preparing and giving the presentation. I'm thinking perhaps this may have marked the beginning of my next chapter in my genealogy journey.

The ministry has more events planned for the remainder of the month such as a visit to The International Civil Rights Museum in Greensboro, NC. However, I'm not involved in any more activities until the end of the month where I'll be leading a viewing and discussion of the movie Selma.

So, as you can see, while I've not been busy with my own research and history, I have been busy with other genealogical and historical activities so far this year.

Hopefully, after I get through this some what hectic month, I can get back to working on my research.

So, until next time.

Motivation Monday - June 29, 2015

The 6th month of 2015 is drawing to a close and even though I completely missed the mark on most of my goals (yes it means you'll see the same ones again next month), I am proud of myself for the dent I've made into the overall organization of my office.  You know if I didn't have to have a day job, I'm thinking this project would have been finished by now but knowing me, it probably still would not be done.

I think that is one of the reasons I'm contemplating an early retirement in say 5 1/2 years is that I want to have more time to focus on other things like my genealogy research, crafts, etc.

Anyway, back to the subject at hand.

While doing the office clean-up, I came across something that I know I didn't talk about last year. I guess I was a little disappointed when I received it. You see, last year, I had to give another presentation during the Hosch-Pierce family reunion, so I decided to splurge and do the PatriClan Analysis from African Ancestry for my maternal grandfather's line.

Several years ago, my first cousin, Larry Hosch, had done the yDNA test for me through Family Tree DNA (FTDNA). So, when I decided to splurge on the PatriClan Analysis, I ordered African Ancestry's Paternal Analysis Only, then emailed them the results from FTDNA.

I waited ever so patiently for the results to arrive. Checked with several online genealogy buds who I knew had already used African Ancestry, who all stated that the receipt of their results didn't take the amount of time that mine were taken. They all suggested that I contact the company, which I did. At this point in time I forget the reason why they were running behind schedule but they were behind schedule. So, I waited, and waited some more. Finally, the long awaited results arrived during the last week of August.

I vaguely remember being interested when they arrived but not jump up and down excited as I've been in the past when I received ancestral DNA results but I'm making up for that now.

So, I'm proud to announce that my maternal grandfather's paternal line descends from the Ibo people in present day Nigeria and the Ewondo people in present day Cameroon.

The letter that was received with the certificate states that the Sequence Similarity Score is 100%, which means that they are 100% confident in the result.

Obviously, I now have much research to do on these two groups of people, since we don't know anything past my great grandfather, Barto Hosch, for my grandfather's direct male ancestors.

I'm sure you are wondering why initially I was disappointed when I received the results. Trust me when I say it had nothing to to do with the actual results. The disappointment was the time frame in which I received the results. Based on the time frame given at the time of ordering when I would receive the results, I thought I would have the results in plenty of time to use in my presentation at the family reunion. Sadly, I didn't receive the results until several weeks (nearly two months) past the scheduled date of receipt, which was one month past the family reunion, hence, the major disappointment. However, I do have to give kudos to African Ancestry in that they provided me with two additional certificates, for free, to make up for the extended time in getting the results.

So, I had a certificate made up for one of my 2nd cousins, who's probably the better historian / researcher on this branch of my family tree, and also had one made up for my mother. And because I was initially disappointed, I've yet to forward any of the certificates to my family members and that includes my mother. But since I'm trying to get back on the genealogical research bandwagon, my goal is to rectify that this week. My mother will be receiving hers on Friday. I contacted my second cousin today via e-mail, so that I could get his address to mail him his. And hopefully, I'll see my first cousin sometime this week and present his copy to him.

Even with the delay, I'm hoping to do another splurge this year with African Ancestry, but on the paternal side of the family this time. If I can make it happen (I'm having some unexpected expenses this summer), you'll be able to read all about it over at Conversations With My Ancestors.

So once again, until the next post, whenever that may be.

Motivation Monday - Last week of June 2015

Another year is flying by. It's hard to believe there are only seven more days left in the month of June.

And with that comes the realization, I'm no where close to completing the bulk of my goals for the month of June.

I've not done any blogging like I had planned to do. For the most part, the only thing I've been working on is getting the office organized. I've made a big dent in this project but I've got a long way to go, still. What do you expect, I'm finding junk mail as well as other papers, some important and some not, dating back to 2005. So, it's doubtful that I will get this project completed by the end of the month as I had planned. But I can say I've made a lot of progress.

Although these items weren't among my goals. I am proud to say that

1. I registered my trusty assistant, that would be mom, and I for the 2015 Afro American Historical and Genealogical Conference in Richmond. I'm looking forward to attending and looking forward to reconnecting with some of my genealogy buds.
2. I'm gotten back involved with the African American History Ministry at the church that I attend.

So as you see, not a whole lot but I do feel that I'm finally heading in the direction to get back to the research.

So, until my next post, whenever that may be.

Motivation Monday, June 2015 Goals

It's hard to believe today is June 1st. I had promised myself to get back to my genealogy this year, and so far, it's been like every year since my father died. No activity on the research front, busy with tons of other things, and plenty of excuses.

But once again, I'm going to try to put forth some effort, starting today to get back to it. Time is running out. My connections to the past are dwindling, rapidly. The saga of my ancestors needs to be ferreted out and brought to light.

So what do I hope to get accomplished during the month of June as I try to get back to my research.

Organization

Organization or the lack thereof is probably one of the main reasons, I've struggled to get back to the research. And actually, I've finally started working on this this past week. This goal has been fairly consistent over the past, however many months years.

1. About 2 years ago, I began a redo of my office / craft room. I never completed it and things just kept piling up around me. So, this past week, I pulled most everything out of the room in hopes of completing this project. (Goal Date: 06/30/15)
2. Ensure the folders I created for individuals and families are accounted for and organized. During the past few years, I've taken folders out but not necessarily always put them back in the file cabinet or taken material out of a particular folder but not always put the material back in the folder (Goal Date: 06/20/15)

Blogging

1. Not including this post, my goal is to do at least one post per week, which means a minimum of four posts.

Research

1. I have no clue where to begin on this one. When everything came to a screeching halt, I had several irons in the fire. So the first thing will be to actually figure out where I was with the research or at least what topics I was working on. (Goal Date: 06/06/15)
2. Once I determine what I was actually doing the last time I actually worked on my research, determine a plan of attack to try to break down some of those brick walls.(Goal Date: 06/10/15)

So, once again, I'm trying to go with baby steps to get back into the flow of things. And hopefully, I pray, this will be the year that I return to my research in full force.

Until Next Time!

Goals for 2015

It's so hard to believe that another year has ended and new one has begun and I'm sure I'll be saying the same thing next year at this time. The older you get, the more time just seems to fly by.

Except for a few blog posts, I can honestly say I don't feel like I got much accomplished genealogically on the maternal side of my family.

So, I've got a few general goals to start out the new year. Later today or tomorrow, I'll list some specific goals for the remainder of the month.

So, here are a few goals for 2015. Many of these are similar to the ones posted on Conversations with my Ancestors.

• Get back to blogging and researching
• Get the nearly 30 years of research I've done organized. One of these days I hope to hand all this off to  someone and I would like for them to be able to figure out what I've done.
• Plan a research trip to Greene County, GA to try to find more information on my Pierce line.
• If time and funds allow, attend a genealogical conference, seminar, or class.
• And most importantly, because life is so fragile and so short, do a better job of staying in touch with my family. 

I'm looking forward to 2015 and hope that you are too.

Motivation Monday - October 2014

You know, even though I came no where close to meeting my September goals, and we are already almost half way through October, overall, I feel okay about my Genealogy activities during the month of September. I will say that most of those activities were performed on the paternal side of my family and you will be able to read about them, once I get them posted, on Conversations With My Ancestors.

So, the only goal that I seem to have gotten accomplished is I got back to blogging even if all my blogging was done using memes. But hey, it's a start to finally be seeming to get back into the groove.

Blogging wise, my goal was to do a minimum of 2 posts, not including Motivation Monday, for the month of September and I actually got 2 posts done. So, for the month of October, I hope to expand upon that and get three posts done, outside of Motivation Monday posts. But folks, I'm warning you ahead of time that most of these will probably be memes but like I said earlier, it's a way to begin again.

And yes, I still have those other two goals that have been hanging around for over a year and maybe I will get them done during the next month and a half.

In case you have forgot what they were.

In the area of Organization

1. Get the Office / Craft room back in order
2. Start organizing and making sure my citations are in order for my individual files

BTW, since we are already half way through October and I have tons on my plate, I'm giving myself until the end of November to get both of these accomplished, but hopefully, I will at least have made some progress by the end of October.

And in the area of actually getting back to the Research

1. Read Slave Genealogy: A Research Guide with Case Studies by David H. Streets.

It occurred to me last month that I might have already read this but since I don't remember anything about it, I think even if I did already read it that it wouldn't hurt to go through it again.

Motivation Monday - September 2014 Goals

You know, since my father died in 2011, I've found myself on several occasions declaring I was ready to get back to my research. I can't guarantee that this time will be any different than those previous attempts to find my way back to the research and blogging but it feels like something is finally happening.

For one, while attending the funeral of my Aunt Dorothy this past weekend, I actually grabbed my camera and took it with me to photograph the tombstones of relatives that I knew were buried in this particular cemetery. So, I'm praying, hopping and taking that as a sign that I'm finally back.

So, let's try once again, to set a few monthly goals and yes most all of these are the same ones from back in April.

Blogging

1. Write a minimum of two posts for the month.

Organization

1.  Get Office / Craft Room back in order. Unlike back in April, I can at least move around in the room, and I have done some decluttering / organization since April but there is still a lot to do to get the room back in order. Goal Date: September 6, 2014
2. Organize and make sure citations are in order for the individual folders that I have for myself and my parents. Goal Date: September 27, 2014

Reading

1. Read Slave Genealogy: A Research Guide with Case Studies by David H. Streets. I purchased this book last year but can't remember if I ever got around to reading it. Since I'm back to this time period on most of my lines, I'm hoping that this reading will help me develop other approaches in finding my enslaved ancestors. Goal Date: September 20, 2014

I should add that I did get part of one goal from my April Goals accomplished, which was doing the Patriclan Test from African Ancestry on my Maternal Grandfather's line. I received the results this past week and will hopefully reveal them during the upcoming week.

Motivation Monday - Goals for April 2014

Things have finally seemed to settle down some in my life, so once again, I'm making an attempt to get back to my research and my blogs.

I thought I would revive trying to set monthly goals for myself. I'll admit some of the goals have been around for a long time but hopefully, I can finally make some progress on them this month.

Blogging

1. Write a minimum of 1 post per week.

Organization

1. Organize and makes sure that citations are in order for my folder, mom's folder, and dad's folder. As state in previous posts I keep folders for individuals as well as families but I need to better organize these and make sure that that citations are done correctly, etc. Goal Date: April 19, 2014
2. Get office / craft room back in order. This room has been in a upheaval since last year when I had new flooring installed. I can barely move around in this room much less get things out to do research. Goal Date: April 26, 2014

Research

1. Write a research plan for determining / confirming the last owner of my 2nd great grandparents, Jasper and Jane Pierce. Goal Date: April 12, 2014
2. Submit request for latest DNA testing. I've finally decided to do testing with African Ancestry DNA. My goal is to get maternal grandfather's yDNA and maternal grandmother mtDNA. Hopefully, I'll have the funds to do this this month. If I can't get both done, I'll at the least get granddad's done. Goal Date: April 30, 2014

Motivation Monday - Update on End of Year Goals

Seems like every time I try to get back to my research, something happens. I've been having a few health issues going on, so I've not been able to get back to my research like I had hoped. That being said, I did manage to get a few things accomplished on My End of Year Goals.

So here are the things I managed to get accomplished for health issues side-tracked me.

1. Finish Organization of the Office / Craft Room

• I did get the shelving installed in the closet of my office / craft room. However, I think I may eventually have to add more shelving elsewhere in the room.

• Did not get the bookcase organized; therefore, I'm revising my goal date for getting this accomplished to November 29, 2013.

• Haven't even begun on spiffing up the file cabinet.

2. Haven't even begun on the organization of my file folders.

3. So far, I've not managed to get at least one blog post per week written. Hopefully, I can make up for that this coming week.

4. I realized after writing my post that I had ordered a different book, Slave Genealogy: A Research Guide with Case Studies by David H. Streets. I've almost finished the book but have gotten side tracked reading some other books, historical / genealogy related and some not related to family research.

5. I've not began to write a research plan to try to determine / confirm the last slave owner of my 2nd great grandparents, Jasper and Jane Pierce.

Given my health issues of late, I actually feel like I've made a small dent into my list. I'm still not back to 100%  and have more testing coming up but still feeling confident that I can accomplish my end of year genealogical goals.

Motivation Monday - The Remainder of 2013

Since it's been awhile since I've done any real research or blogging, I thought that I would finally get back into the swing of things by setting some goals for myself for the remainder of 2013.

So here goes,

1. Finish the reorganization of the Office / Craft Room. Goal Date: December 14, 2013
• Put shelving in the closet. Goal Date: October 31, 2013
• Clean and Spiff up the File Cabinet. Yes this was a goal over 3 years ago. You can read about it here. Goal Date: November 23, 2013
• Organize Bookcase. Goal Date: November 2, 2013
2. Organize at least 5 Individual Folders (I keep folders for individuals as well as families) and make sure citations are up to snuff. The citations issues is the most important part of this goal. When I returned to the genealogy a few years ago, I didn't always do a real good job with my citations. Goal Date: November 28, 2013
3. Write a minimum of one blog post per week. 
4. Read Slave Ancestral Research: It's Something Else by Mary L. Jackson Fears. I've had this book on my wish list for awhile and finally decided to order it this past weekend through Half.com (my favorite book store along with Amazon). I'm at the 1870 Brick Wall on most of my lines. While I think, I've thought clearly in how to break through the wall, so far I've been unsuccessful. Therefore, I'm always looking for ideas that I've not thought of. Hopefully, this will get the wheels turning, again. Goal Date: November 28, 2013
5. Write a research plan for determining / confirming the last owner of my 2nd great grandparents, Jasper and Jane Pierce. Goal Date: December 21, 2013

Since there were only 2 1/2 months left in the year, I didn't want to do a laundry list of things. I think these are attainable goals in the time frame that I've given myself to get them accomplished. I will get them done. I just need to keep telling myself that every day.

Genealogy Goals for 2012

It's the beginning of another year, and like many I find myself reflecting on the past year and contemplating the future.

I didn't get a lot of genealogical work accomplished in 2011. After dad's death, I struggled to get back on track in so many areas of my life. Every time I felt like I was ready to get back at it, I soon realized that I wasn't and needed more time to morn and deal with this huge void left in my life.

But as the year drew to a close, it was like the petals of the flowers feeling the warmth of the spring sun and little by little the petals are opening back up and leading me to rejoin this game called life. So, I find myself tentatively setting goals for the year.

2012 Goals 

1. Attend 2012 African American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS) National conference. The conference is being held in my state this year, so how can I not attend. Looking forward to meeting old friends and making new ones.
2. Work with my Hosch cousins and relatives toward having a family blowout in 2013. Much to be done.
3. Hope to finally get everything organized and make sure citations are up to date, etc.
4. Meet some of my new to me cousins, discovered during the past 3 years. Goals are to meet my cousins "Little" Irene, great granddaughter of Grand Aunt, Mattie Henyard Martin, in July and if things work out, maybe meeting my Perkins cousins, descendants of Great Grand Aunt Penny Rome Perkins.  

Reflecting on 2010 Genealogical Goals

Where has 2010 gone? Wasn’t it just yesterday that we were welcoming in the year?


Looking back on my goals for 2010, I didn’t get nearly enough accomplished. In some areas, I did better than I thought I had done or at least I think I did. And in other areas, as with everything in life, there are things I need to improve on.

Accomplishments for 2010 include:

1. I did manage to get to a couple of conferences. Both happened to be in the state of Georgia. I attended the Southeast Family History Expo in February and the Atlanta Family History Expo in November.
2. In February, I attended my first genealogy workshop. The workshop was given by a local group, Comprehensive Genealogical Services.
3. After all these years, I went on my first research trip. It was a great experience and while I think I had great preparation, there were a few things I forgot like taking snacks to keep your stamina up. I will be better prepared for my next research trip.
4. Even though some months I struggled with what to say, but, at least on this blog, I stayed on an even keel, more or less, with my posts. Now, Conversations with My Ancestors, the blog about my paternal ancestors, is a totally different story.
5. I feel that I did manage to get in a bit more quality time with the folks although most of the dad quality time revolved around hospitals and doctors.

So, what do I hope to accomplish in 2011? Everything I didn’t manage to get accomplished in 2010 and then some. I’ll list specifics next week or at the beginning of 2011.

Review of Genealogical Goals for September / October 2010

While I still have several goals from September / October that need to be started on and / or completed, I actually managed to get a few things accomplished.

Goals I attained are as follows:

Research

1. As I will be doing my first research trip this month to ancestral counties, I decided not to resubmit my request to RAOGK to obtain a transcription / photograph of my great grandfather's, Cornelius Pierce, probate records. One of my goals while on the research trip is to obtain this myself.
2. I did order and receive microfilm through the Family History Center. Films ordered were: Index to records, 1790 - 1942, Greene County, GA and Original Wills, ca 1663 - 1978. Unfortunately, there was no apparent documentation to assist me in the continued search for my Pierce Ancestors prior to 1870.

Blogging / Writing

1. While only 2 of the posts during the month of October actually had anything to do with my research, I did manage to get seven posts in during October.

Miscellaneous

1. I did decide on a location to hold the reunion for the descendants of my grandfather, LC Hosch, my great Uncle, Will Hosch, and their cousin, Eli Hush. (Now I just need to put down a deposit and get to the real planning part).
2. I did help my friend Leonard with the genealogy part of his grad school project. Given the short time frame in which I had to work and the fact that I didn't have a lot to go off of, I think we got a lot accomplished. He at least now has names of some great grandparents and all of his grandparents.

Reveiw of September Goals and Setting October Goals

For as productive as I was the first month that I posted monthly goals, I was equally unproductive during my 2nd month of posting goals. Looks like the only thing I managed to get accomplished was blogging / writing goals. I acutally had 8 posts (doesn't include goal setting and review posts) and half of those were written posts.

September was a more hectic month than usual with dad's continued health issues and me working practically every weekend so I would have time off during the week to ferry him to various doctor appointments. Hopefully, October will return to normal, whatever that is these days.

So, my goals for October 2010 are just going to be a rehash of my September 2010 goals.

September 2010 Genealogical Goals - Maternal Lineage

As noted on Sunday, I think I did a good job in accomplishing most of my Genealogical Goals for the month of August. I would like to thank Tonia of Tonia Roots  for this excellent idea.

Now on to matrilineal genealogy goals for September 2010.

Research

1. Resubmit request to RAOGK regarding probate records for my great grandfather, Cornelius Pierce. If I remember correctly, there is a second volunteer for Walton County, GA.
2. Order next round of microfilm from Family History Center.
3. Complete scan of cemeteries, via Walton County, Georgia Cemeteries by East Georgia Genealogical Society.
4. Contact Green County, GA to determine if there are any tax records for Jesse F. Pierce, suspected slave owner of my 2nd great grandparents.

Blogging / Writing

1. A minimum of four additional posts to the blog, two of which must be written posts.

Miscellaneous

1. Declutter and rearrange office.
2. Clean and repaint the "new to me" legal-size file cabinet. Purchased from the Habitat ReStore almost 2 months ago for my genealogical research files.
3. Now that a date has been selected to hold a Hosch family reunion, hope to narrow down places.
4. Begin and complete transcription project I volunteered to help out on for for LowCountry Africana.
5. Complete the genealogy part of a Genogram that I'm doing for a friend, which is part of an assignment for their recently started PhD program. This will probably be ongoing but will forward what I've found so far as the assignment is due in 2 weeks.
6. Take pictures for two FindaGrave photo requests. The cemetery is located in my hometown and is where my grandparents are interred.

A Look Back at August Goals - Maternal Lineage

I think I did good in attaining most of my August genealogical goals.

A look back-

Research Goals

1. Follow-up letters and / or calls to the Walton County, GA Coroner, Walton County, GA Sheriff, and the City of Monroe, GA Police Department. If you recall, a few months back, I wrote each of these agencies trying to find more information on the murder of my 3rd cousin twice removed (my grandmother's first cousin), Nunna Pierce Jackson. To date, I've not heard from any of them. Hopefully, writing and / or calling will spur them into action if for nothing else than to state they were not able to locate any additional information.
2. Follow-up with volunteer, Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness, whom I had contacted about transcribing / taking a picture of the probate records for my great grandfather, Cornelius Pierce.
3. Request Probate records for Jesse F. Pierce, possible slave owner, of my 2nd great grandparents, Jasper and Jane Pierce. As with my Ewell Ancestors on the paternal side, Jesse F. Pierce did not die prior to the end slavery. However, I'm still hoping that records are available and that there may be some bit of information that will help in the research.

1. 
I did send follow-up letters to City of Monroe Police Department and the Walton County Sherieff and Coronor's offices. I received a reply back from the Sherieff / Coronor. They don't have any further information on Cousin Nunna's death. So, I guess I'm left to pondor what were the circumstances surround her death. Maybe one day I'll come across something by accident.

2.
I wrote a follow-up e-mail to the volunteer from RAOGK but to date have not received a response.

3.
I did request probate records for Jesse F. Pierce. Unfortunately, there don't seem to be any. Interesting, given the fact that I've found him listed as executor, etc. on other's wills / probate records.

Blogging / Writing

1. A minimum of two posts to the blog, one of which must be a written post.

I actually surpassed this goal. I did 5 posts during the month of August (doesn't include my goals post) and all but 1 were a written post.

Miscellaneous

1. Take first steps in planning Hosch Descendants Family Reunion for 2011, i.e. come up with a date. It's been approximately 11 years since the last reunion of the descendants of my great grandparents, Barto Hosch and Sallie Rome Hosch, gathered together.
2. Declutter and rearrange office.
3. Clean and repaint the "new to me" legal-size file cabinet. Purchased from the Habitat ReStore a few weeks ago for my genealogical research files. 

1.
I did decide on a date but will run it by two of my cousins, also, to get their input. So for now, tentatively scheduled for August 6, 2011. Haven't quite decided on a possible location, yet but have 4 possible locations in mind.

Did not get anything accomplished on Items 2 and 3.


When I initially posted the August Goals, they were supposed to be for that week but I ended up making them for the remainder of the month. So, after one month of posting Goals, I've decided that a monthly list is probably the best with progress reports mid-month and at the end of the month or beginning of the next month.

So September goals will be posted later today or early tomorrow.

Goals for the Month of August (Maternal Ancestors) - Week 2

No, you didn't miss the Week 1 post because there was no Week 1 post. I can't believe we are starting the second week of August. Where did those first seven months, plus one week, of 2010 go?  For the last 1/3 of the year, I've decided to revamp some of my strategies for hopefully attaining some of my genealogical goals for the year.

I've seen some of my geneabuds state their monthly and / or weekly genealogical goals on their blogs. I'm not one to follow the crowd but when I come across a great idea, I do try to run with it.

Earlier in the year, I had been doing monthly and weekly goals, but did not post them on my blogs. Hopefully by stating them here, I will get most accomplished.


There are three full weeks left in the month so I'm hoping to start small and have a head a steam build up by the end of the month to get back into the research and blogging, at least until the next busy season, which should occur some time around Thanksgiving.

So, goals for this week for research, etc. on the maternal side of my family are

Research

1. Follow-up letters and / or calls to the Walton County, GA Coroner, Walton County, GA Sheriff, and the City of Monroe, GA Police Department. If you recall, a few months back, I wrote each of these agencies trying to find more information on the murder of my 3rd cousin twice removed (my grandmother's first cousin), Nunna Pierce Jackson. To date, I've not heard from any of them. Hopefully, writing and / or calling will spur them into action if for nothing else than to state they were not able to locate any additional information.
2. Follow-up with volunteer, Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness, whom I had contacted about transcribing / taking a picture of the probate records for my great grandfather, Cornelius Pierce.
3. Request Probate records for Jesse F. Pierce, possible slave owner, of my 2nd great grandparents, Jasper and Jane Pierce. As with my Ewell Ancestors on the paternal side, Jesse F. Pierce did not die prior to the end slavery. However, I'm still hoping that records are available and that there may be some bit of information that will help in the research.

Blogging / Writing

1. A minimum of two posts to the blog, one of which must be a written post.

Miscellaneous

1. Take first steps in planning Hosch Descendants Family Reunion for 2011, i.e. come up with a date. It's been approximately 11 years since the last reunion of the descendants of my great grandparents, Barto Hosch and Sallie Rome Hosch, gathered together.
2. Declutter and rearrange office
3. Clean and repaint the "new to me" legal-size file cabinet. Purchased from the Habitat ReStore a few weeks ago for my genealogical research files.

Winter 2010 GeneaBloggers Games

Have you heard? The Winter 2010 GeneaBloggers Games are beginning. This will be my first opportunity to participate in the GeneaBloggers Games. I'm excited and happy to be participating and hope that I do a good job for my ancestors.

The flag I will be carrying to honor my ancestors represents the United States, Mozambique, and Mali. My family has been in the United States for 200+ years. I chose Mozambique and Mali because ancestral DNA results obtained thus far lead me to believe that my ancestors could have possibly come from these regions.

The colors of the flag represent many things to me. The black represents Africa, from whence most of my ancestral lines evolved. The red represents the struggle for independence in both the motherland and in the "new" world. Green represents the richness of the land. Yellow represents wealth. Blue is for preseverance. White is peace, and the stars are for all those who have gone before me, whether direct, collateral, or the village that it takes to raise a child.

As far as the games are concerned, I plan to compete in all six categories

1. 
   
   Go Back and Cite Your Sources
2. 
   
   Back up Your Data
3. 
   
   Organize Your Research
4. 
   
   Expand Your Knowledge
5. 
   
   Write, Write, Write
6. 
   
   Reach Out and Perform Genealogical Acts of Kindness

Why am I competing in all 6 categories

• 
  
  When I first started researching, I was very good about citing all my sources. Sources are worth their weight in gold. It's how you build a case for your ancestors. When I renewed my research last year, the one thing I did not do religiously was cite all my findings. So, during the next two weeks, I will back track and hopefully get all my documentation up to snuff, or at least well on its way, so that if need be, my genealogical findings can stand up in a genealogy court.
• 
  
  Seems I never think about backing up data until it's possibly lost. So, to back up anything would be a major accomplishment. My goal is to put this on a weekly schedule and hopefully, the games will be the start.
• 
  
  Due to a Genealogy Workshop I'm taking, I've actually already begun on the reorganization of my records and amazingly got a lot accomplished in one night. Goal during the Geneablogger games is to complete the task. Hopefully, the remainder of the organization - pictures, artifacts, etc. will follow soon afterwards.
• 
  
   I've played around with things such as Google Maps, etc. but haven't fully incorporated them into my genealogical activities, which means I've not fully learned how to use them. I'm not sure how many I will get done but think it will be fun to learn new tasks.
• 
  
  It's the middle of February, and I'm already behind on my goal for 2010 to be more consistent in my blog posts. No guarantees but am recommitting to try to do at least 2 posts per week.
• 
  
  Although I feel that I contribute when I can in the Acts of Kindness arena, I will continue to search out ways to get more involved.

I think I should be able to deliver at least one gold medal to the ancestors but would like one in all 6 categories. If I'm really good, it's even possible that I could bring home some Platinum.

So, opening ceremony is over, let the games begin!

Late Thursday Night Thoughts

Holding Pattern and My First Genealogy Workshop

Right now, it feels like I’m in some type of holding pattern with my research. It’s not like I’ve done nothing to start out the year but when I am waiting on the arrival of requested materials it sure feels like I’m not doing a darn thing. Ahh, I must try to learn an attribute which I’ve never had, patience.

As I await the arrival of microfilms and fiches, death certificates, and DNA results, I’m actually trying to work on some of my New Year’s goals, both in genealogy and in other areas of my life.

One of my genealogy goals for 2010 was to go to one training seminar, because I was feeling like I needed formal training in addition to all the knowledge I’ve acquired from various books. So, I signed up for and have started my first genealogy workshop. The workshop is being giving by Comprehensive Genealogical Services, a non-profit organization, which is based in Charlotte, NC.

I must admit that my first two weeks of the workshop have not faired well. First by the time I found out about the workshop, I had already scheduled another event for the first night of the workshop, so I missed week one. I signed up for the intermediate class and left a note with my PayPal payment that I would not be able to make the first class. The instructor received my payment but somehow didn’t get the note that I wouldn’t be at the first class. For various reasons, the remainder of last week was hectic. Therefore, I didn’t think to call and ask if there was anything I needed to bring to week 2 of the class, so this past Tuesday, the instructor and I just sat and chatted for 2 ½ hours. (Yes, I’m the only one that signed up for the intermediate workshop.)

This upcoming week, week 3, will provide me with an opportunity to work on another one of my genealogical goals, that of reorganizing my older records and organizing my newer material, as the instructor requested that I bring in everything I have. Now, while this is forcing me to organize / reorganize records, something I very much needed to do, I have to be honest and say that maybe I’m much further along as a family researcher than I give myself credit for. (I’m basing this on my conversation with her.) This brings me personal joy but is a bit of a disappointment also as I was hoping for something a bit more advanced, workshopwise. I’m not going to totally write things off, yet as 1. We haven’t had a true workshop session, yet and 2. The workshop has provided me an opportunity to connect with fellow researchers in real life, as well as given me an opportunity to learn about an organization here in Charlotte.


Until Next Time!

Genea Wish List

Reflections, Goals, and Wishes

Part III - My Wish List

1. 
   
   No Brick Walls - for as much as they have helped and continue to help me hone my research skills, they are very frustrating, especially the ones that have been with me almost since Day 1 and 20 years later, they are no closer to crumbling than they were on the first day.
   
   
   
2. 
   
   That request for Vital Records, SS5 Applications and various other documents were cheaper. No one ever said that this pursuit was cheap, but those $10, $15, and $27 per document costs add up.
   
   
   
3. 
   
   That I lived closer to my geographical research areas. It would be so much easier to take a day here and there and run over to the next county and poke around for documents, burial sites, old home places, etc. Besides the convenience, the cost savings would be tremendous (no hotel stays, travel cost would be minimal, etc.)
   
   
   
4. 
   
   That lost lines had not been lost, that almost lost lines do not become lost, and that I can some how reconnect with both.
   
   
   
5. 
   
   That there are photos of all my direct line ancestors lurking in photo album(s) somewhere and that each and every one of them has the ancestor's name written somewhere on them for easy identification.
   
   
   
6. 
   
   That there were no misspellings, misidentifications, etc. on the census, etc.
   
   
   
7. 
   
   That Grandma Mary Pierce Hosch had conveyed to her daughter, my mother, exactly how all of her "People" were related to us, especially Aunt Mattie, her half sister.
   
   
   
8. 
   
   That the destruction of the 1890 census via fire and water had not occurred.
   
   
   
9. 
   
   That I can identify my other slave-owning families and that the descendants of those families will be as kind and helpful as the descendants of the Hosch slave owners have been and continue to be. Thank you so much Pat and Millie.
   
   
   
10. 
    
    That my mother had had an opportunity to meet her grandparents. All four were gone by the time my mother arrived into the world. As a child she longed for a grandmother.
    
    
    
11. 
    
    That the tape mom and I made of granddaddy Hosch had not been lost / destroyed (taped over). 30+ years later, and yes I sometimes still hunt for it.
    
    
    

Until Next Time!