Good Morning, Keith and all others. Thank you for sending me the invite. I am more about "profiles", sources, etc. and admit I've never been invited/involved in a weekend chat. So thx!
We are currently in our summer, weather pattern of rain daily. While FL needs the rain (we are behind, as always) my husband/I just wish it would do it when we're inside/in the night! We are downtown city dwellers, in our retirement condo, and walk to everything! That being said, we do live in the Lightning Capital.
While I have been on WikiTree for over 2 yrs, I am still learning the ins/outs and continue to be surprised!
I am lucky enough to have "lived" a lot of our family "history" and w/ a lot of our family members/ancestors. Grew up in Upstate NY . . . and had both paternal (next door) and maternal (less than a mile up the road) grandparents, as well as aunts/uncles/cousins ALL my life surrounding me w/ love/support/family info.
I also was blessed enough to have known 2 gr grandmothers, their siblings, cousins, and their families.
I guess that's why I get frustrated when someone tries to "merge" and/or "change" any info that I know for a fact because I lived it!
I have found/discovered/connected w/ several "third cousins" and continue to find that one of the BEST sources. It seems we "third cousins" have our family photos/docs, etc.
I've also learned, since retiring in 2014 and turning to "on line" genealogy to help 2 cousins (sisters) that did not grow up in our home town . . . but have inherited our gr grandmother, grandmother and their mother's photos . . . that FindAGrave.com can often provide you a "lead" and/or "hint"! But caution is needed, because often the dates/info is incorrect.
I have also discovered, when doing a "search" whether on Ancestry.com, FamilySearch, or even WikiTree . . . it is BEST to purposely mis-spell the "surname". Often, transcribers of census, will probates, etc. could not read the persons handwriting . . . hence, "mis-spelled" surnames, or even first names.
I am busy in retirement . . . volunteering! I currently serve on the Board of Directors of our HOA as well as Chair our Signature Ambassadors program. I volunteer on Thursdays for CASA (Community Action Stops Abuse) a domestic violence organization. Volunteer for "special events" for Pet Pal Rescue as well as serve on the BOD for MusicTampaBay (a relatively new radio station for local musicians).
My husband and I celebrated our 45th wedding anniv over Memorial Wkend; and my aunt/uncle will celebrate their 72nd this coming New Years Eve. She is my mother's only living sibling and continues to amaze me w/ her instant recall memory whenever I have a genealogy brick wall/question.
Again, Keith, thank you for the invite to join in on the wkend chat . . . I would never have, otherwise!
Everyone, enjoy your weekend . . . wherever you live . . . and enjoy life!! WE ARE!!