Gopher Genealogy by Susan LeBlanc provides information about research, lectures, published articles and book reviews, and Serendipity Moments that are the results of searching for ancestors both personally and for clients. The objective of the blog is for others to receive insight and inspiration in doing their family history research. It is an evolving method of communication and input from reviewers is welcome.
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
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.
Friday, August 7, 2020
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.....
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.....
Tuesday, August 4, 2020
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!
Sunday, July 26, 2020
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.
Friday, July 24, 2020
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!
Thursday, June 25, 2020
Revolutionary War Books
I did it, I finished the 776 page book, The British are Coming by Rick Atkinson. It is like the never ending book 564 pages and for me it will be the end as I am going to skip reading the notes 135 pages and sources 42 pages. The print in these two sections is way too small for my eyes. Then there is the index 22 pages. The best part of the book are the maps 24 pages. If these numbers don't add up to the total pages it's okay. I also recently read books by Nathaniel Philbrick and David Hackett Fischer about the Revolutionary War. Do you have any favorite books about this war?
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
An Angel Came to Visit 2020
An angel came to visit me yesterday
and stayed to clean our house.
She swept, vacuumed and mopped the floors,
cleaned the bathrooms, removed the trash.
It was lovely getting to know her and refreshing
to watch as she went about her work.
Our house now is amazing to view
as we stay at home and guard from Covid19.
I will look forward to her coming again.
There have been others, our daughters, and a lovely lady
with
her young one from church who came as they could.
They are each truly appreciated and bring peace to my
heart.
Our kitchen is a busy place often filled with guests.
The stove and oven shine and look brand new.
I will think of her as we prepare our meals.
Even the patio looks lovely as we entertain outside.
Angels come in all types, but the ones who serve others
are certainly heaven sent to encourage us in our
struggles.
Now I work more peacefully and feel such joy as I look
around
and see our home clean and sparkling for all to enjoy.
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