Have you registered for the 2020 Connect-a-Thon yet? [closed]

Question

This is our second annual Connect-a-Thon. Our goal is to decrease the number of profiles that are not connected to our big tree by adding relatives to existing profiles.

The event will start on Friday, July 17, at 8 AM (EDT) and run until Monday, July 20, at 8 AM (EDT).

Will you join us?

To register, just click the ANSWER button and say "Sign me up!" or whatever and include a few words about your location and/or genealogical interests. This will help us assign you to a team. If you already know what team you'd like to be on, say that. The current teams are listed here. There are a few new ones and some that aren't active for this marathon. Please double check before you post your answer!

Comments

This is the location to click in the original post. You should also either be signed in or give your WikiTree-ID in your answer and state team or area of preference.

This service reminder brought to you by your friendly Nor'Easters team.

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Join Team Twisted Thistles! Check out our page by clicking the link here or click on the image! 

Riaghailtean na h-Alba!  

Scotland Rules! 

- Sarah and Bobbie, Co-Captains of Team Twisted Thistles

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Can someone sign me up into a group please I'd love to do this.I'm researching both side of my family tree Huson and Ingle is my dad's side Collette and Houston on mother's side

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Dear Chief Forest Elf whose new name I'm still trying to get used to and don't recognize at first glance...   Do we know the registration deadline yet? If my last four months are any indication, I won't know until a few days prior if I'll be able to play. Participated last year, and I gotta say it was my favorite Thon ever; no less sleepless, but it felt very productive.

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Edison, just go ahead and sign up now. There is no penalty if you wind up not being able to participate. If you sign up for the Mid-Atlantic Team, which I am leading, I guarantee you will not ruffle my feathers if something comes up.

Tammie and Faye, you need to scroll up and "answer" the first post, not "comment."

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I agree with Lucy, Ed. Go ahead and register. But registration ends the Wednesday (at midnight EST) of the week of the thon. So July 15th. I really hope you can make it. Miss you!

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Join the Wizards of Aus — aka Team Australia.  There's no pressure to do x number of profiles.  We're generally pretty laid back and in it for the fun!

Every member Wizard is eligible for their very own personalised Wizard hat!

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Many, many thanks, Lucy and Melanie. Back in 2017, the team captain (who also replied to this conversation but who will remain anonymous) told me, in order to participate, a prerequisite was that all team members get the team tattoo.

I quickly learned I'd fallen victim to a practical joke. I've never forgiven that captain, and now Team Roses is forever stuck with me as the team low-producer, resident (and perennial) distraction, and class clown. I show up to annoy them, because now I'm stuck with this:

(Edit: tat is back!)

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Yes, count me in with cornbread catchers again.

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Interested in adding to the profiles of people who inhabited the states created from the old Northwest Territory? If you have people in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin or Michigan, who have a life-event in one of those states, let’s get them in the tree! Join the Northwest Terriers and connect away!

This is a new group, and your fearless leader (that’d be me) will likely stumble around. But it’ll be fun and productive!

https://www.wikitree.com/index.php?title=Space:Northwest_Terriers&public=1

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OMG. Thank you for the chuckle, Ed. You've been missed!

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For everyone still looking for a team and who loves to 'rock the boat', you're very welcome to join the Flying Dutchmen -Vliegende Hollanders ! (click image for the teampage) and here's our teamchat ! 

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I am very tempted to jump ship and join you, Bea, since I very much like rocking the boat 

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Hahaha we sure would love to have you Emma !  And here's, to get everyone really in the mood..my 'favo' thon song ! 

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Perfect theme song, Bea! And what a fun video!!

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Don't forget the official WikiTree Thon Spotify Playlist. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/26VNy0fwtDvE3Ft4oDKzT1?si=w0xPEzSvTUSJWGDWBFUzNg

LOL

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Yes I want to participate! Sign me up!

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Do not reply, do not comment. Go back to the original post above and chose ANSWER and then answer with the team you want to be on or at least the area you want to cover.

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Anyone know why this particular thread seems to attract so many spammers? I don't get these from any other G2G questions/comments, but man.... even the Russians are here!

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I would love to be a member of the Twisted Thistle.

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I have a question - about the issue of "neglecting to add "collateral" relatives that members neglected to add when adding their family tree".  I have don this many time, simply because I do not have information about them other than what my grandmother provided usually birthdates.  That what she provide is accurate is irrelevant when we need primary source documentation.
So my question . . . is it o.k. to add these collateral folks without sourcing other than family information, given that there are so many unsourced people who have been added through gedcoms?
I don't intend to suggest that two wrongs make a right, but I could also understand that adding folks might result in connections that would draw the attention of someone who may be their direct ancestor that might be able to provide better sources.  Mary

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Hi, Arthur --

Could you please go up under the original post and click on the "answer" link and add your request to join there, please? It helps us keep things organized and makes sure we don't miss anyone

Thanks!

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Hi, Mary --

While it's not forbidden to add a post-1700 profile with a source of just "unsourced family tree," it would be even better if you could add a more reliable source like a census record.

I like to use FamilySearch when I create a new profile because it's usually pretty quick to find at least one source.

If you can do that, it's going to give the next person who encounters that profile a lot more to work with, and they won't have to wonder if the data you provide on the profile is accurate. Our goal is to add accurate, verifiable information.

Our 'thons are fun ways to improve our tree, and it's important that while we're trying to make a lot of progress, we also focus on quality research. :-)

(And I have no idea what your genealogical expertise is, but that was a great question, and it gives us an opportunity to share that info with everyone. Thanks!)

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This is the location to click in the original post. You should also either be signed in or give your WikiTree-ID in your answer and state team or area of preference.

This service reminder brought to you by your friendly Nor'Easters team covering New England and the Canadian Maritimes and Acadia.

Also for Mary and anyone having problems with sourcing, I have a tutorial page I put together a couple years ago.

Sourcing Primer

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Thanks for you response Julie.  I think I'm understanding the idea of Connect-A-Thon.  Get the connecting profiles started - and census is always good for at a few facts.

And thanks for the link Steven.  Good resource, excellent Sourcing Primer.
Mary

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I just pulled up "Unconnected People" but everyone I click on has at least one connected profile of a spouse or child or parents.  So exactly what profiles do we get credit for attaching people to?  Do they have to have zero connections before I add a relative's profile to get credit in the challenge?

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Carolyn, strange as it may seem, there is a difference between profiles that are connected to other profiles (a better term would be attached), and profiles that are Connected to the greater Tree (those that have the Connection anchor/s at the bottom of the profile).

For the purposes of the Connect-a-Thon, every profile we attach (connect) to an existing profile earns our Team a point.  The greater goal being that we will Connect those profiles to the Tree (unless the existing profile is already Connected).

So, no, the profiles you add a to new profile to do not have to have zero attachments already.  Just attaching a profile to an existing profile will do the trick.(You don't even have to create a profile to get the point/s, because finding the profile of a brother, sister, mother, father, spouse, child of an existing profile and attaching them is enough to get the point.)
I hope this is clearer than mud, because, although it makes sense to me it doesn't follow that it makes sense to the reader.

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Thanks, Melanie. That makes perfect sense.  Thanks for the clarification.

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I have to thank Caroline Martin for her question, and Melanie Paul for her response.

Like Carolyn I had no idea what we are supposed to do so that our work contributes credit to the team - the actual nuts and bolts of process.  Guidance I requested sort went off on a sourcing tangent which or course was valuable information.

Melanie provided information that I need before next weekend which more or less confirms what I thought was the purpose.  But it is good to have it explicitly stated.

I really do not want to belabor a point that wikitree folks who have been around for a while all know . . . however <smile> . . . in the spirit of no question is foolish . . .  I am still unsure about how contributing to team credit works.  Is there somewhere we are supposed to report the work we do?  And how do we know if we have actually been added to a team?

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@ Mary -- If you have registered by posting an answer to this question, then your answer should have had a response.  If you did not ask for a specific Team, one is usually assigned to you.

Regards the points -- it is automatic.  The wonderful Aleš Trtnik has made it so just the act of connecting (aka attaching) one profile to another will trigger the recording "device". (I have no idea exactly what he did, or how it works, so "device" works well enough for me.   I do recall he explained it at some time, but would have to hunt it down.) 

EDIT TO ADD -- Mary, you are signed up with the Northwest Terriers team. 

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Hi, Mary! 

The scoring for the Connect-a-thon is done automatically. Aleš has written a program that picks up statements on your contributions that say "You added <insert name> as a <relationship> to <existing profile ID>."

e.g., 17:42: You added Mary Cathrine (Davis) Rickett (1884-1933) as spouse for James Franklin Lee Rickett (1872-1950).

We also have a list of everyone and which team they're registered with, and Aleš's program will use that list to make sure your contributions are accumulated for the correct team.

You are registered with the Northwest Terriers, and I confirmed your registration here: https://www.wikitree.com/g2g/1054269/have-you-registered-for-the-2020-connect-a-thon-yet?show=1069444#a1069444

You can always find your G2G posts by going to My WikiTree > G2G Profile and clicking the tabs right above your name to find your "Recent Activity," "All Questions," and "All Answers." There's also a tab there for "Favorites," and you can add to that list by clicking the Plus sign (+) in the upper right corner of any question.

Good questions!! :-)

Also, once we get rolling, there will be links you can use to see how the scores are adding up. Please also come by and visit us on the video updates!

You can find links to the scores and the video schedule on this page: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Help:Connect-a-Thon

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And now I see that Melanie has said the same thing much more compactly. 

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Ah, but YOU gave the info I couldn't remember about Aleš's program (that I called a "device").  Between us we got the info out there!

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This confusion is why I initially suggested it as a "Profile-a-thon" but the powers that be wanted a CoAT instead of a PAT. It credits ANY profile connected to any other profile through child, parent, sibling, or spouse. The one rule is if you add a brand new profile, have at least one source. Linking pre-existing profiles to each other also counts if you find a father and son both already on wikitree and you link them.

In cases where you use the "Needs Profiles Created" list, often it will mention children, parents, spouse, etc in an existing source. Your job is to take that source and invert it to be the source on a new profile.

If the source you have is "Father" and the source is for his daughter's birth, go to the source, click the daughter's name, and copy the NEW source into the profile of the daughter. (same for a census)

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Now I understand!  Thank you both, Melanie and Julie.  Great explanations.

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Where is the connection ''anchor'' on a profile?

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Hiya, Chris --

Depending on the privacy setting and whether or not a profile is connected into the "big tree," you'll see a paragraph on the bottom that indicates how many degrees a person is from the current profiles that are highlighted in the Connection Finder.

Here's one of my ancestors as an example: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Fulk-37

Right below the Merges and Matches information, you'll see her connections to our current Connection Finder profiles.

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I was actually looking for an 'anchor'  symbol !!!

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Perfectly understandable! 

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About any profile that connects into the big tree . . .

Good to know what the connection anchor is.  Thank you Julie.  And thank you Chris, for asking
I have wondered why Henry VIII was selected as what seems like a permanent anchor.  Other rotating anchors make sense.  But Henry VIII has such an evil reputation for using death and destruction to first target those closest to him to serve his narcissistic purposes (e.g. the fate of his consecutive wives demonstrate he is absolutely an abuser of women - thus probably an abuser of everyone), that he seems an odd choice as the permanent anchor to the big tree!

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Mary, et al ...

I was just asking Eowyn about the choice of King Henry because I couldn't remember why he was chosen. 

Turns out it was basically a matter of convenience. We used to have Queen Elizabeth, but since she's still living, we had to take her out. So, since many, many people want to see how they're connected to royalty, AND we found a pretty cool cut-out of Henry VIII to use at RootsTech (seen here with the king of data, Aleš), he seemed like the next logical choice.

I'm sure he'll be switched out at some point, but for now, he's our "anchor."

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See? Aleš looks much smarter and friendlier than Henry VIII.  

While we're on the subject Connect-a-Thon rules, I thought I remembered something specific from last year, but can't find it offhand. I assume disallowed is uploading a GEDCOM and simply marching through GEDCOMpare to add profiles in that semi-automated fashion?

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Hi, Edison --

You're correct: GEDCOMs aren't allowed because -- from what I understand -- it's too hard to differentiate the change log entries from the GEDCOMs.

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Merci beaucoup, Ms. J.    Seems only fair, anyway, regardless of the log entry situation.

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I would like to add the little information I have added. I am in the process of trying to figure out how to duplicate the family tree I have on Ancestry and put it on this site to add to the big picture so to speak.  Should I wait amd not participate this time or is it enough to add the information I presently have and add more later?

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Deborah,  I think you should participate. It's good fun and practice. There is no minimum expectation regarding  participation, everone is different.

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Thanks for your assistance.  I really appreciate your kindness

Thanks, Deborah McDaniel Shannon,

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Hi, Deborah!

I just deleted your email address out of your post so that spammers don't pick it up. 

If you have decided to participate in the Connect-a-thon, just go up to Eowyn's original post at the top of these comments, click "answer," and let me know which team you'd like to join. 

Once you're on a team, your teammates will be able to help you figure out the best way to approach adding your information from Ancestry.

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please sign me up for the legacy heirs

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Yes I would like to help.

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Drat, I wanted to take part and didn't think I could - we were meant to be doing a child swap meaning 6 hour drive on Saturday. Find out now our plans are having to change due to illness and I could do Connect-a-thon but I'm too late to register!! so DRAT!!! Catch you next time. Have a good time everyone! Add heaps!

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Sarah you can still participate but you'll be doing it on your own and not with a team. I see that alot during the "thons". Don't not participate because you didn't register. You can still have some fun with it.

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Thank you for your input and encouragement.  McDaniel6503

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Thanks to you Julie and all the others regarding your input about the thon.' You're great!   Deborah

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I know this question shows my “Wiki-ignorance,” but... What does the column labeled “Normalized (sum)” on the score tally sheet mean? I’ve sort of deduced that it means the number of different “connected” profiles that you’ve added a new profile to, but I can be totally wrong. Yup! Been known to happen!

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Hi, Carole --

The team normalized sum is just an average of the total connections made divided by the number of team members who have actively participated.

The individual normalized sums, I believe, are the percentage a person has contributed to the team total -- apparently rounded up to the next whole number. I'm not positive about this, but the math kinda makes sense.

p.s. No "wiki-ignorance" involved. lol ... it's not spelled out anywhere that I'm aware of, and we never did say there would be math. ;-)

p.p.s. We do have a thread going for Connect-a-thon questions if anything else comes to mind. :-) ... just go here

Answer 1

Registration is now closed. Thanks to everyone who is participating!

Comments

i know you closed it but can i possibly get registered with the legacy heirs? I worked late and thought i had until the end of the night and it is still the 15th where I am

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I am so sorry to have to ask this which requires posting an e-mail that was sent from  WikiTree G2G <noreply@wikitree.com>  (Very clearly I am still asking questions that "new" Wikitreers have, so I hope that is understood.)  Why am I gets spam  e-mail (see below):  Very clearly it is spam but I don't see it showing up here (thank goodness).  However, I need to know why is it being sent to me through WikiTree G2G <noreply@wikitree.com>.  Is there something I can do to prevent this?  Clearly it is originating at Wikitree. .I have received several e-mails like this throughout several weeks time. Below is the latest spam in today's e-mail sent from WikiTree G2G <noreply@wikitree.com>:

Gossage-102,
A new comment by vksgzbvu has been added after your comment on WikiTree G2G:
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The discussion is following:
Have you registered for the 2020 Connect-a-Thon yet?
 

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Mary, that problem will mostly stop now that only registered members can post to g2g.

Did you see that only members can now post in G2G?

The other thing you can do (especially in long threads with lots of answers) is toggle off the "Email me" box on your posts before you add your comment, answer, or reply.

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Thank you Melanie.  Will be sure to keep "e-mail me" unchecked!  And thanks for the link too, about the problem and plan to minimize it.  If spammers do register it might be easier to identify them . . .
Still haven't figured out how I should be using g2g.  I think if I initiate a message, then when starting to type a topic, discussion about the topic comes up to first investigate.  So will do that if anything needs to be reported. Mary

Answer 2

I'm participating again as the Tree Nuts co-captain! :) Can't wait!

Comments

Thanks, Eowyn! You have the badge now.

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Eowyn thanked Eowyn? Has her personality finally split? Is she now truly "Nuts?!?!?!"

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LOL. You are so funny, Eowyn 

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I am joining you.

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Lol, thats funny

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Eowyn, I think your group sounds like it fits me.  Sign me up!

Answer 3

Me me me me!!!!

Tree Nuts here, too.

Comments

Woohoo!!!

Answer 4

I missed last one, but I'll be participating this time! Sign me up with the Tree Nuts again :)

Comments

Awesome! Thanks, Jayme!

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Yay, Jayme!!! Glad you're able to join in this time!

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Answer 5

Looking forward to joining the Tree Nuts again for this one!

Comments

Cool! Thanks, Emily!

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Welcome back, Emily! So happy you're joining us again. 

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Answer 6

Sign me up for the Super Sweepers representing the Bayou state.

Comments

Great! Thanks, Tommy!

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Nice job Tommy, you were # 5 to sign up, already have your badge... and the first to join the Super Sweepers!!! Glad to have you aboard

Answer 7

Please sign me up with the Tree Nuts again.  You're such a fun group too work with.  Looking forward to it.

Comments

Super! Thanks Robin!! :)

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Hooray, Robin!! We had fun hanging out with you, too!!

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Answer 8

Sign me up to Team England please.

Comments

Great! Thanks, Corinne!

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Thanks Corrinne, We will let you have the links to the new Team page shortly

Joan and Janet Co-Captains

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  Hi Corrinne, thanks for joining us

The following are the links you need

Mighty Oaks team page

Mighty Oaks Chat Page

We'll be using the same Discord server as always. If you're not already on Discord, just send Joan a Private Message, and she will add you. 

Janet & Joan

Answer 9

SA Springboks please

Comments

Wonderful, thanks Louis!

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I made a new page here SA Springboks Connect-a-Thon

Answer 10

I'm in for the new England team (name not decided yet)! :)

Comments

Great! Thanks, Fran!

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Hi Fran

Thanks for signing up. we will let you have page and G2G links asap

Joan and Janet Co-Captains

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  Hi Fran, thanks for joining us

The following are the links you need

Mighty Oaks team page

Mighty Oaks Chat Page

We'll be using the same Discord server as always. If you're not already on Discord, just send Joan a Private Message, and she will add you. 

Janet & Joan

Answer 11

Sign me up please. The new England Team (whatever we decide to call it) .

Comments

Super! Thanks, Joan!

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And I was about to go crazy adding everyone to the New England team. Then I noticed lower case n in new. :(

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Sorry Steven.  We have not decided on a name for the England team yet.  But it will be just one team for England. And we have a lot of people who just cannot wait to get started, so you might get of lot of these.  Sorry, we will try to get a name sorted out quickly.

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Steven and Eowyn.  We have just had a quick discussion and the team name will be "Mighty Oaks"

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new English team might be less confusing considering Nor'Easters covers New England. You had me going for a minute.

I would have thought Yews would have been more apt. But just don't get in a fight with Western Red Cedars or we will have bark and sawdust everywhere. (btw are the tree nuts the acorns in the mighty oaks???)

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Yews might be in Church yards where we spend our time, but there are a few Oaks there as well LOL.

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Hi Steven

Yes Acorns are the seeds of the Mighty Oak, I have three in the garden and some seasons weeding is needed as one by the house is enough.

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More Oaks around where I live than Yews and all the great old ships of England were built of fine English oak.

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  Hi Joan, thanks for joining us

The following are the links you need

Mighty Oaks team page

Mighty Oaks Chat Page

We'll be using the same Discord server as always. If you're not already on Discord, just send Joan a Private Message, and she will add you. 

Janet & Joan

Answer 12

I'd like to join the Tree Nuts again for the upcoming 2020 Connect-a-Thon.

Comments

Great, thanks Greg!

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And we'd love to have you back, Greg!

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Answer 13

Im in for the new England team

Comments

Awesome, thanks Steph!

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Thanks Steph, We will let you have the links to the new Team page shortly

Joan and Janet Co-Captains

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  Hi Steph, thanks for joining us

The following are the links you need

Mighty Oaks team page

Mighty Oaks Chat Page

We'll be using the same Discord server as always. If you're not already on Discord, just send Joan a Private Message, and she will add you. 

Janet & Joan

Answer 14

Please sign me up on team Rose.

Comments

Great, thanks Jennifer!

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Yay, Jennifer! Got you added. 

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:Team:_A_Rose_by_Any_Other_Name_-_Connect-A-Thon

Go Roses! 

Answer 15

I’m in again as Captain of Team Massachusetts.

Comments

Awesome, thanks Bob!

Answer 16

Sign me up for the England team (name  to be confirmed)

Comments

Great! Thanks, Hilary!

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Thanks for signing up Hilary for the Mighty Oaks

 We will let you have the links to the new Team page shortly

Joan and Janet Co-Captains

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  Hi Hilary, thanks for joining us

The following are the links you need

Mighty Oaks team page

Mighty Oaks Chat Page

We'll be using the same Discord server as always. If you're not already on Discord, just send Joan a Private Message, and she will add you. 

Janet & Joan

Answer 17

The Nor'Easters have entered the harbour. Let's load up and do this thing. I'm at the helm.

Home Page

Chat post

Spreadsheet

Comments

Great, thanks Steven!

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Thank you for leading again, Steven!

Answer 18

I'm in, leading Team Virginia 

Comments

I'm ready to do this again w/Team Virginia! I don't see an "answer" button, though,  to sign up?

Thanks!

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See Steven Tibbetts comment at the top below the question.  He has a screen image showing where to click to answer.

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Yay, thanks Mindy!

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Hi Michelle,

If you can scroll up to Eowyn's post and click on "answer" I can get you added to the Team!

Answer 19

Hi I am up for it again.  No longer the Strollers now the Mighty English Oaks (England Team)

Jackie

Comments

Awesome, thanks Jackie!

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Thanks Jackie for signing up for the Mighty Oaks

 We will let you have the links to the new Team page shortly

Joan and Janet Co-Captains

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  Hi Jackie, thanks for joining us

The following are the links you need

Mighty Oaks team page

Mighty Oaks Chat Page

We'll be using the same Discord server as always. If you're not already on Discord, just send Joan a Private Message, and she will add you. 

Janet & Joan

Answer 20

Another Tree Nut here, please and thank you!

Comments

Yay! Thanks, Richard!

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Alright, Richard!! Welcome back!

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