2020 Dynamic Changes

I have pivoted in very positive ways. I am much more focused on my personal research. My attendance at ten local special interest groups allows me to spend more time with genealogy friends. Anything free is my first option for webinars. I am learning to reach out to find facilities that have someone who can do onsite research. My membership in local societies has greatly paid off. Sometimes I have to rethink how I can resolve questions when other facilities are closed. Who knew 2020 would bring such dynamic changes. Even my medical concerns are mostly handled by phone or online and I then I have more time for genealogy!

Online Presentation - German Research for Neppl Family

 Yesterday I gave my first online presentation and it went well. It was on German Research and the attendance was great. For me it feels very awkward speaking into thin air, but I just kept going. Afterwards we had time for questions and comments and that was great. The main focus was on getting to know our ancestors and the culture they came from, their settlement in the United States.

This is a presentation that focuses on researching my Neppl ancestral line. I have been very blessed to receive many documents and records for this research. My favorite uncle Jim just turned 89. He is my mother's older brother. I am amazed at how young he is. Uncle Jim did DNA testing and provides a link to that heritage.

We might not come from the rich or famous, but we come from hard working, patriotic, family oriented, farmers who were grateful to be able to come to America. The Neppl family truly has a heritage to be proud of.

When did you start using a personal computer?

In response to Thomas McEntee post. Not sure what kind of computers we had, but my husband went to school in the field of computers, software and program development. He worked for the same company until retirement and they had to train someone to replace him. Now he is my tech support. Our first computer was in our very cramped bedroom and we had a houseful of children, in the 1980s. I only cared that it worked, would run my PAF database and let me do emails. The only computer class I took, with my mother, was on using Microsoft works programs at a high school. It certainly has paid off big time! Now I still have a tower, but I also have a wireless large monitor, mouse, keyboard, laptop and printer. I spend many hours in my crowded office with only things genealogy surrounding me and the children are grown and living elsewhere.

Things I Love

 

THINGS I LOVE....♥️💕♥️

Heavenly Father
Jesus
My family
My grandchildren
Memories of loved ones
Going places with family
A friend who listens
Temple
Scriptures
Music
Knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Genealogy and family history
Friends
Children laughing
Fairies that bring nice things
Missionaries
Quiet peaceful moments
Sun coming through the trees at sunset
Soft breeze
Smell of the ocean
Looking up at the night sky
Mountains, especially in the fall
Birds, especially hummingbirds
Animals
Flowering plant
Trees, especially flowering ones
All the seasons
Smell of early morning, especially after rain
Fluffy white clouds and blue sky
Chocolate especially See's Candies
Ice Cream especially chocolate
French Dip Sandwiches
Chinese Food
Smell of bread baking
and so much more.....

Homeschooling Our Children

I taught my older children for three years. Then my father had health issues and I needed to help with him. After they went to school I continued to volunteer in their classrooms. For my oldest daughter, who was bullied by some girls in school, I had her at home for her eighth grade year, the year my last child was born. After all six were in school I was asked to run for the school board. I did and served for eight years. In the meantime I served as Stake Primary President for four years and then taught Seminary for five years. In between I did child care for a few years. Time with my children was so precious to me. Now they are supporting and teaching us while we shift into retirement. They are all very close with each other. They are kind and thoughtful of others. Our health issues are concerning and I can feel a shift in our relationships which are very positive. They also supported and encouraged me through going back to college and getting a BA in family history. I wanted for them to know how important an education is for everyone. So far all have done some college work and they are gainfully employed. They each choose their own path and they are all very independent. So we all know what our limitations are. Life goes on and we must each choose our own path. Whatever you choose to do, do it well!

Feedback to Ancestry.com

If you use ancestry.com and are aware of current changes being made with the DNA matches you may be interested to provide feedback on those changes. The changes are related to filters one can use to make the review of matches easier. They are currently planning to cut the low range matches of 6 to 8 cMs. By creating groups one can preserve those matches and if done by surnames it is faster. And a new filter allow for searching just the 6 to 8 matches. In just the last few hours I found a match for one person and additional information on other lines. This transformation in filtering the matches being sought is crucial. You can submit a comment at https://www.ancestry.com/suggestions under the DNA link.

They say that they want to hear from us. Please send them some feedback.

Shopping and Walking

Well I did it! The clerk at the store could not believe I had not been to a store in about five months. For a woman who loves to shop this was a dramatic change in my life. Our daughter Anne has very graciously shopped for our groceries and other needs. By the end of June I quit tracking the days I stayed at home. Until recently we had not been to a restaurant. We did some takeout meals and that helped.

Many organizations started doing online meetings and those have been a wonderful resource. A key part of the days were phone calls, messaging and face time with family and friends. The hardest time were the days David spent in the hospital after a trip by ambulance. We are grateful he did not test positive for Covid19 and neither did our two sons who were tested. Our lives slowed down. I read a lot, cleared through some clutter and worked on some genealogy projects.

Somehow I have to make time to get out and walk. That is what I enjoyed most today. People were respectful, it was not crowded at the $ store. What drove me in was getting birthday cards for our grandchildren and some things to send to them. I wore my mask, kept my distance. I also did curbside pickup at the library and we kept our distance. I was impressed that she wiped down my card before handing it back to me. For those who are being conscious of how to protect others a great big Thank You from me!