01 June 2012

Jamboree: Over $16,000 and more than 200

Over $16,000 and over 200 what?  Door Prizes!!

Our Door prize committee, headed by Alice Fairhurst, has done a phenomenal job of rounding up door prizes for Jamboree. And the prizes are simply fantastic.
  • A 7-night stay at the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel and $200 toward expenses
  • A 7-night stay at the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel and a research tour guided by AncestorSeekers
  • Annual World Explorer Subscription to Ancestry.com (one each day)
  • Gift Certificate for 9 courses for National Institute of Genealogy (University of Toronto) (one each day)
  • 7 hours of Research Assistance from Record Click
  • Family Portrait Sitting - Photography as an Art by Harvey Branma
  • $300 Gift Certificate Home History Book from Home History Book
  • 2 Night Stay, Deluxe Room, at Strawberry Creek Inn, Idyllwild
  • Civil War Newspaper from JustaJoy.com
    Flip Pal Mobile Scanner from Flip-Pal.com
That's just the beginning. Add to that books, society memberships, DVDs, research consultations, food gift certificates, and entertainment.

Each paid registrant will receive one door prize ticket in their name badge packet. Additional tickets will be available for sale throughout the weekend. Raffle Central is located in a kiosk in the Convention Center. Drawings will be held from demonstration kiosk, and winners' names will be posted nearby.  Watch the monitors for examples of the gifts and be sure to look at the door prize list you'll find in your registration bag.

Additional tickets can be purchased in the following amounts:

$1 each
6 tickets for $5
25 tickets for $20

Tickets can be purchased:
At the SCGS sales table
At the registration desk
At the Raffle Central booth
From strolling ticket sellers

Jamboree: Registration Details

We've made changes to our registration process in response to your suggestions and to provide a higher level of security at Jamboree. Please read this announcement in its entirety so you know what to expect.

There are three types of registrants:

Early Bird and Preregistered
-- Early Bird - registered before May 1
-- Preregistered - registered between May 1 and May 28
Walk-In - those who pay at the door

NOTE 1: No Walk-In registration sales will be accepted until 12:00 noon on Friday, June 8.

NOTE 2: For the safety of our volunteers and exhibitors, no registrants will be allowed in the Convention Center until 12:00 on Friday.
If you are attending any of the JamboFREE courses, rest rooms can be accessed through the far east door of the building.








Where and When Do I Pick Up Registration Materials?


The first thing you'll want to do is to locate the registration area and pick up your registration materials. Go to the registration area, find the line with the initial for your last name, and claim your registration package. By the way, if you ordered a ticket for a guest or if there are multiple people in your group, each person's ticket will be filed under his or her last name, not yours.

The schedule and locations are:

Thursday evening - Early bird and Preregistered Check-In only
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Convention Center, Northwest Corner. Follow signs

Friday morning - Early bird and Preregistered Check-In only
8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
On the Green (the lawn between the hotel and the Convention Center)

Friday afternoon - Walk-in Registration Sales
12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
At the Registration desk (in the Convention Center)

Saturday morning - Early bird and Preregistered Check-In only
7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
On the Green, (the lawn between the hotel and the Convention Center)

Saturday
7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Walk-in Registration Sales
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Early bird and Preregistered Check-In
At the Registration sales desk

Sunday - All registration
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
At the Registration sales desk


What Is In Your Registration Package?

Ticket Envelope. When you reach the front of the line, you'll give the volunteer your last name and he or she will find your ticket envelope. The envelope will include:

1. Name tag
2. Wrist Band claim ticket (You'll need this right away)
3. Print syllabus claim ticket (if eligible or ordered in advance)
3. Raffle ticket for door prize drawing
4. Optional tickets for Special Events you have purchased
  • Breakfast tickets for Saturday and Sunday
  • Hollywood GALA Red Carpet Reception
  • Saturday evening Banquet with Hank Z. Jones
Registration Bag.  You will be handed a registration bag (provided compliments of Geni.com - thank you!). In the bag you will find:
  • Name badge holder (provided compliments of RootsMagic - thank you!)
  • The Searcher Summer 2012 (SCGS quarterly journal)
  • Syllabus CD
  • Pen
  • Keyboard Calendar
  • Surname Wall brochure and label (more available)
  • Evaluation form
  • Goodies
  • Printed Materials
Wrist Band.  To improve security at Jamboree, we are implementing a wrist band system. After you have claimed your envelope and bag, you will proceed to the Wrist Band station. Wrist bands are made of vinyl and designed to be worn over several days. Your ticket envelope will have a claim ticket to assure that you get the correct type of wristband. A Jamboree volunteer will be available to help put the band on your wrist.

Pink Sheet.  Pick up your copy of the Pink Sheet at the Wrist Band station. The Pink Sheet is the most important document for making your way through the weekend.  It's legal-sized and printed on pink paper. The Pink Sheet gives you daily lecture schedules, maps of the facility, and notes about the many other activities at Jamboree.

Printed Syllabus.  The last stop in the registration process is to claim a print copy of the syllabus. If you have a Printed Syllabus Claim Ticket in your envelope, then you are eligible to receive a free copy of the printed syllabus.

Before leaving the registration area, please check to make sure you have all of the event tickets you are supposed to have. If you are missing a ticket or have a discrepancy, see the Registration Desk in the foyer of the Convention Center.


No attendee will be allowed inside lecture rooms or in the High-Tech Hallway without a wrist band.  JamboFREE events and the Exhibit Hall are open to the public and no band will be required. Wrist bands are required to use Ancestry scanning, Tech Zone, and Research Assistance.

Jamboree: Research Assistance

Guest Post by Jean Wilcox Hibben, PhD, MA, CG(sm)


Is it possible that we are down to counting DAYS instead of WEEKS before the 2012 Jamboree? Are you ready to hobnob with the Stars of Family History? One place for some serious hobnobbing is the Research Assistance room. This year the consultants will be able to assist folks in finding the hard-to-locate ancestors in a more private area than last year. But it is still convenient to conference goers as it is between the hotel and the convention center, in the "High-Tech Highway."

While many consultant “spots” are already reserved, there will also be the option of getting “walk-in” help. Sign up for a consultant’s services at the room. Many of the volunteers for the Research Assistance program will be sporting buttons inviting you to ask about the help offered . . . please don’t be shy in asking for directions, suggestions, etc. And if you don’t see a helper, check at the Southern California Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists (SCCAPG) table for directions.

SCCAPG, in conjunction with SCGS, is sponsoring the Research Assistance this year and would love to be instrumental in helping you cut through a knot in your family tree. Remember, it is easiest for that to be accomplished if you bring along your pedigree chart(s) and family group sheets.

We are also still looking for folks who are willing to donate time to help others in the tree pruning experience; there is no need for assistants to have credentials or degrees in the field to give a little help. While assistants do not need to be registered for the Jamboree, those seeking help must be. The registration period has ended but walk-ins are welcome.

OK, tree pruners, get out your chain saws!

31 May 2012

Jamboree Social Media Policy


The Southern California Genealogical Society is an active supporter of the use of social media (such as Facebook, Twitter, and blogging) at its events, including the Society’s annual conference, the Genealogy Jamboree. Event attendees are allowed and encouraged to promote, critique, and review the conference, its exhibitors, speakers, and activities using these forms of media.

Use of smartphones, iPads and other tablets, net books, laptops, etc., shall not disrupt other attendees. Mobile device ringers must be set to silent or vibrate during lecture sessions.

Attendees are prohibited from recording the proceedings of any lecture or workshop session by any means, including but not limited to photography, audio recording, video recording, or verbatim transcription, without expressed written permission from both SCGS and the lecture speaker. Some sessions will be professionally audio- or video recorded and available for purchase after the event.

Social media may be used to summarize or extract lecture content provided: (1) the author is referenced and cited appropriately; and (2) material is not shared in full.

We fully respect the intellectual property rights of the authors of syllabus materials and lecture content. Copyright laws apply.

30 May 2012

Jamboree Stuffing Party This Saturday

Volunteers Needed!

It's officially one week away.  The Family History Writing Conference and Tech-trax Computer Workshop starts on Thursday morning, June 7 and Jamboree kicks off the next day. One week. It just doesn't seem possible.

The first official activity of Jamboree arrives this Saturday, June 2, with our annual stuffing party. And we can use all the help we can get!!

Show up at the SCGS Library on Saturday, June 2, at 10:00 and help us pack the hundreds of registration bags that will be distributed next weekend. You'll get an early look at the trinkets and information and enjoy the ramp-up to SCGS's busiest and best week.

Pizza and will be on the Jamboree Committee. Not literally of course, but you just never know. It could happen.

Bag Stuffing Party
Saturday, June 2, 10 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
417 Irving Drive
Burbank, CA 91504

Jamboree: Genealogy World Round Table Discussions

Are you looking for ancestors on the Continent or in the Colonies? Trying to find your Jewish or Scandinavian forebears? Wondering how to figure out whether those family stories are true?

Discuss your research successes or problem ancestors in an informal roundtable format at Genealogy World. Hosted tables will be available at which like-minded individuals can share and learn.

A JamboFREE activity, Genealogy World is scheduled on Friday morning, June 8. Two sessions will be held: one from 9:00-10:15 a.m. and the second from 10:45 a.m.-12:00 noon. Not all topics will be covered in both sessions. Here is a list of the currently scheduled topics:

Adoption Research
Denmark, Norway & Sweden Research
DNA
Chinese Research
English Research
Family Folklore
FamilySearch Wiki
French-Canadian
Genealogists in Second Life
Germanic Research
Virginia Research
Irish Research
Japanese Research
Jewish Research
Lineage Society Research
Midwest Research
New England Research
Organizing Your Research
Preserving Family Heirlooms
Portuguese Research
Scottish Research
Sharing Your Family Stories
Southern Research

Don’t see the topic you would like to discuss with other genealogists? Are you willing to serve as the table host? A few tables are available in the 9:00 a.m. session and, if you are willing to serve as host, we would be happy to reserve a table. You don’t need to be an expert to be a table host, but general knowledge of the topic is important to be able to keep the conversation going if required.

Just get in touch with jamboree@scgsgenealogy.com and put "Genealogy World" in the subject line.

GenealogyWorld is free and no registration is required. You'll find GenealogyWorld in Pavilion #1 at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank, 2500 Hollywood Way, Burbank CA 91504.

Also during JamboFREE on Friday morning you'll find beginning genealogy classes, Librarians' Genealogy Boot Camp, and the Society Development Workshop.

See you there!

(This is a guest post by Denise Spurlock, the Jamboree committee member in charge of putting together the Genealogy World event.  Didn't she do a great job?)

27 May 2012

Jamboree Survey Available Online

Those of you familiar with Jamboree will recall that use a questionnaire to help us make lecture room assignments. That survey has now been sent to everyone registered for Jamboree.

The invitation is addressed from phinkel@pacbell.net with a subject line [SCGS] Important Jamboree Update - Act Today!

We sometimes have difficulty breaking through spam filters.

If you have not yet received your invitation to the online questionnaire, please check your spam folders. If you still don't find it, please go ahead and click on the following link and you'll be taken to the survey.

http://Pre-Jamboree2012.surveyconsole.com

Every complete questionnaire helps us plan.

All seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis.
No guarantees can be made that there will be available room capacity.
All of Jamboree seating decisions will be made with safety in mind.
Jamboree adheres to the Los Angeles County Fire Marshal requirements.

Thank you for your cooperation and input.


24 May 2012

Jamboree: Register Now Before it's Too Late!


We'll keep this post short, sweet and to the point.

The Jamboree advance registration period closes on May 28.  After that day, you won't be able to reserve a spot at the fabulous Hollywood Gala that is scheduled for Friday. You won't be able to reserve a spot at the Jamboree Genealogy Idol competition breakfast, and you'll miss the great banquet with Hank Z. Jones, FASG.

You won't be able to pick up your registration materials ahead of time to prepare your weekend.

You won't enjoy the advance registration discount.

You will be sad.

Don't be sad.

Register today!

21 May 2012

Jamboree: "All I need is a little boost over the wall..."

Guest Post by Jean Wilcox Hibben, PhD, MA, CG(sm)


“I have hit another brick wall. Just when I think I am on the right track, I run out of ideas to find that elusive ancestor. All I need is a little boost over the wall, but where can I get that kind of help?”

I am sure many of us have uttered words just like that. But this time, instead of responding with “I know what you mean, it is a problem, for sure,” there’s a better answer: SCGS’s 2012 Jamboree! Besides registering for days of helpful classes, all of which offer solutions to various problems, registrants can get one-on-one help from an experienced genealogist. Now, not all the consultants have certifications or degrees, or are even “professional,” in the strict sense of the word, but they do have areas of experience and knowledge that are greater than what others have. They may have just the step-stool tool to boost you over that wall!

To sign up for a consultant, go to www.sccapg.org and click on the link for research assistance. The Southern California Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists (SCCAPG) is proud to sponsor (along with SCGS) this special room for the benefit of folks who need just a little help. “Guests” or “clients” may sign up for a 20-25 minute session with a consultant (only one session at a time; i.e., consecutive sessions are not permitted). Besides the consultants who have already signed up on the SCCAPG website, there will be on-the-spot volunteers for walk-in help (sign-up sheets for these folks will be available in the Research Assistance room throughout the weekend), so if no one who is currently available specializes in your area of need, check the room during the weekend.

And for the readers of this blog who have an area of expertise (you need not be professional or certified) and are willing to help out, please sign up at www.sccapg.org or come by the room to volunteer a half-hour or more of your time. Thank you!

Just a reminder that research assistance is available to paid registrants of Jamboree.  Advance registration closes on May 28, but walk-ins will be welcome at the door.  Consultants need not be registered for Jamboree to assist.

Let’s shatter YOUR brick walls at Jamboree!!

Jamboree: #SCGS12 Mobile App is Alive and Growing

The #SCGS12 app is online and available for download at http://m.core-apps.com/scgs2012. It is available for Mac, Android, Blackberry and web-enabled smartphones.

At this time, the speakers are listed, as are the onsite and virtual exhibitors. The Twitter feed is buzzing and links to the SCGS Facebook and LinkedIn pages are active.

Nearly 100 syllabus articles are posted and available for download as well. THANK YOU to the speakers that are making this valuable material available on the app.

Exhibitors, you will receive an email with instructions on how to jazz up your listing with graphics, PDF downloads and other suggestions.

Enjoy and please help us pass the word.

15 May 2012

Jamboree Genealogy Idol - Register!

The big news is out -- it's the Return of Genealogy Idol!

The second-ever Genealogy Idol competition will be held Saturday, June 9, 2012. The competition starts at 8am PDT, 9am MDT, 10am CDT and 11am EDT.

The three participants have been chosen and the winner will be decided by YOU! All you have to do is register for the live event (free), watch the 1-hour competition from your computer, and vote.

In the three rounds of competition, the three contestants will demonstrate their gen-tech expertise and try to woo you with their favorite gen-tech secrets. Everyone will learn - but only one will leave with the title of "Jamboree Genealogy Idol 2012." Legacy Family Tree's Geoff Rasmussen will host the event which will be broadcast live via the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree in Burbank, California.

You need to register in order to participate.  Registration details and other Really, Really Important Information can be found on the Legacy blog:

Jamboree Genealogy Idol on the Legacy blog.

REMINDER: Webinar with Thomas MacEntee Wednesday, May 16


Join us for a Webinar on May 16

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/520924200

Join us for this FREE webinar sponsored by the Southern California Genealogical Society.

Are you overwhelmed with the number of online resources for genealogical research? Are you constantly working with unorganized bookmarks or favorites? Printing out lists of websites you use most? Learn how to build a research toolbox that is organized, easy-to-use, and can be accessed from almost anywhere.

Thomas MacEntee is a professional genealogist specializing in the use of technology and social media to improve genealogy research and as a way to connect with others in the family history community. Thomas writes and lectures on the many ways in which blogs, Facebook and Twitter can be leveraged to add new dimensions to the genealogy experience.

The Jamboree Extension Series allows genealogists from around the world to take advantage of the types of sessions that are offered at the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree in Burbank, CA. The series is offered as a service to the genealogical community. Webinars are scheduled on the first Saturday and third Wednesday of each month. The complete list of webinars can be found at http://www.scgsgenealogy.com/JamboreeExtensionSeries2012.htm. If you can't click the link, copy and paste the URL into your browser.

Jamboree Extension Sessions will be archived and available to SCGS members following the webinar. Membership information can be found at www.scgsgenealogy.com.

Title:
"Building a Research Toolbox" Webinar

Speaker:
Thomas MacEntee

Date:
Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Time:
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM PDT

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server

Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer

11 May 2012

Jamboree: Have You Entered the Photo Contest? Vote Today!

The photos posted in response for the 1000Memories photo contest are just great! If you haven't popped in to see them yet, take a few minutes to look and vote for your favorites.

And by the way... where are YOUR photos? You don't even have to be attending Jamboree to participate. The contest sponsor, 1000Memories, will be awarding three $220 prizes for professional scanning services.

Here’s how it works.
  • Visit 1000memories.com and register for a free account.
  • Email mike@1000memories.com for an invitation to the Jamboree community shoebox. Put "Jamboree Shoebox" in the subject line.
  • Add your favorite ancestor photos at http://bit.ly/HmnmaS and identify the category by adding it as the photo caption. 
  • Identify the person in the photo by adding a tag. Please include the name and other information as you wish: time period and location where the photo was taken.
  • You can upload as many photos as you like. 
  • Please email mike@1000memories.com for assistance using ShoeBox.

Read all the details in our earlier post.

09 May 2012

LAST CALL for Printed Jamboree Syllabus Orders

We just sent the Jamboree syllabus to Tom Underhill at Creative Continuum, who is printing the syllabus for us again this year. The speakers submitted informative, valuable material; and Dave Obee did a wonderful job of editing. It's a valuable resource.

As a reminder, only those Jamboree attendees who registered for the full three day weekend during the early-bird period (before April 30) will receive a print copy of the syllabus. Everyone will receive a copy on CD.

If you would like to order a print copy of the syllabus, we will take orders through May 16. Limited copies of the print version may be available for purchase at Jamboree.

Order your syllabus at http://www.scgsgenealogy.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=45. Both CD and print versions are available. Copies of prior syllabi may also be purchased online.

If you are unable to pick up your syllabus in person at Jamboree, it will be mailed out by the end of June. Shipping charges will apply.

04 May 2012

Jamboree: Photo Contest Reminder - Submit Your Photos Today

Have you posted your photos in the Jamboree photo contest? You don’t need to attend Jamboree to participate, and you have a chance to win one of three $220 prizes of professional scanning services offered by the contest sponsor, 1000Memories.

If you haven’t looked at the photos lately, you should. There are some really funny ancestors out there, as well as some who are dressed to the nines.

To catch up on the whole story, read the announcement on the Jamboree blog:

Jamboree: Marriott Room Update

We have word from the Marriott that the Jamboree block has been filled for Thursday only. Rooms may be available at a non-discounted rate - ask the reservation clerk.

Marriott rooms are still available at the discounted Jamboree rate for Friday through Sunday. But don't dawdle if you haven't made your reservations yet. The contract with the Marriott states that the room discount expires on May 9.

Remember that Jamboree offers a roommate service to help minimize cost and help you stay conveniently close by. If you are interested in being added to our roommate list, send an email to jamboree@scgsgenealogy.com and put "Roommate Wanted" in the subject line.

03 May 2012

FREE Webinar - "Building a Research Toolbox" with Thomas MacEntee - Wednesday 16 May 2012



Join us for a Webinar on May 16

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/520924200


Join us for this FREE webinar sponsored by the Southern California Genealogical Society.

Are you overwhelmed with the number of online resources for genealogical research? Are you constantly working with unorganized bookmarks or favorites? Printing out lists of websites you use most? Learn how to build a research toolbox that is organized, easy-to-use, and can be accessed from almost anywhere.

Thomas MacEntee is a professional genealogist specializing in the use of technology and social media to improve genealogy research and as a way to connect with others in the family history community. Thomas writes and lectures on the many ways in which blogs, Facebook and Twitter can be leveraged to add new dimensions to the genealogy experience.

The Jamboree Extension Series allows genealogists from around the world to take advantage of the types of sessions that are offered at the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree in Burbank, CA. The series is offered as a service to the genealogical community. Webinars are scheduled on the first Saturday and third Wednesday of each month. The complete list of webinars can be found at http://www.scgsgenealogy.com/JamboreeExtensionSeries2012.htm. If you can't click the link, copy and paste the URL into your browser.

Jamboree Extension Sessions will be archived and available to SCGS members following the webinar. Membership information can be found at www.scgsgenealogy.com.

Title:
"Building a Research Toolbox" Webinar

Speaker:
Thomas MacEntee

Date:
Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Time:
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM PDT

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server

Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer








Webinar May 5: "The Effect of the Founders: Why It's Useful to DNA Test People Living Outside the USA" with Chris Pomery



Join us for this FREE webinar sponsored by the Southern California Genealogical Society.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Space is limited.

Reserve your Webinar Seat Now

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/707433704


Only a small percentage of the bearers of any surname ever emigrated to the USA. Yet today there are often more name bearers alive in the US than in the original host country. If you want to identify the origin of a surname, you need to DNA test name bearers outside the USA.

Chris Pomery is a writer and historian with a special interest in the way historians are developing their uses of DNA testing. Since 2000, he has written two books regarding the use of DNA in genealogy, lectured to more than fifty family history groups around England, written two academic papers and dozens of articles for family history magazines, and been interviewed by many national and local radio stations. Chris maintains a consulting arrangement with Family Tree DNA. He teaches online courses on the topic of DNA testing.

The Jamboree Extension Series allows genealogists from around the world to take advantage of the types of sessions that are offered at the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree in Burbank, CA. The series is offered as a service to the genealogical community. Webinar presentations are scheduled on the first Saturday and third Wednesday of each month. The complete list of webinars can be found at
http://www.scgsgenealogy.com/JamboreeExtensionSeries2012.htm.

Jamboree Extension Sessions will be archived and available to SCGS members following the webinar. Membership information can be found at www.scgsgenealogy.com.

Title:
FREE Webinar
"The Effect of the Founders: Why It's Useful to DNA Test People Living Outside the USA"

Speaker:
Chris Pomery

Date:
Saturday, May 5, 2012

Time:
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM PDT

System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server
Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer

Jamboree: Sign Up for Face-to-Face Research Assistance

Members of the Southern California Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists will provide one-on-one consultation to help you hurdle over your brick walls. Consultations are free for paid registrants of Jamboree.

If You Need Help
If you are interested in receiving future information about the Research Assistance service, sign up at  http://sccapg.org/jamboree.php.

30 April 2012

Jamboree Weekend Activity. Whoa. This is So Cool!

We are lucky to have family members who willingly (or maybe begrudgingly) tag along to genealogy events like Jamboree. They aren't interested in genealogy but they support our never-ending search for "just one more" one document, photo or web search.

This year may be the year to reward them with something special that is uniquely Southern Californian.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA, is holding an open house the weekend of Jamboree. Open house hours are Saturday and Sunday, June 9 and 10, from 9am to 4pm.

Quoting from the website, "The annual Open House at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., welcomes over 38,000 visitors. This year's theme is "Great Journeys," inviting visitors to share in the wonders of space through high-definition and 3-D videos, live demonstrations, interactions with scientists and engineers, and a first look at JPL's new Earth Science Center."

JPL is an easy 20 to 30-minute drive from the Marriott.  Information on the Open House is here.

Is someone in your party interested in visiting JPL? Post a reply to this blog post and maybe we can help you put together an informal side trip for the "genealogically tolerant."

Thanks to Susan Kitchens for tweeting this!

27 April 2012

Jamboree - Wanted: Research Assistance Consultants


Do you have some expertise that might help someone break through a brick wall? If so, please consider signing up as a consultant in the Research Assistance room at Jamboree. The Research Assistance activity is sponsored by the Southern Calif. Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists. 
  • Important note: you need not be certified, accredited, be a member of APG, or any other specific organization to assist people - just a desire to help is all that is required.
To do this, simply go to the home page of the sponsoring group (www.sccapg.org) and sign up in one or more of the available slots. Once you, as an assistant/consultant, have signed up, a spot for the person needing your help will open up. 

Consultant slots are listed in half-hour increments but we ask that you limit your consulting time to 20-25 minutes in order for people to move out and in. 

As a consultant, you will also receive prior notice of the people who have signed up for your slots so, if you choose, you may contact them in advance (this is completely up to you, however). 

Please note: you need not be certified, accredited, be a member of APG, or any other specific organization to assist people - just a desire to help is all that is required. 

Thank you for donating your time. Who knows, you may end up with a client or two from the experience.

 Questions/concerns: Jean Wilcox Hibben, SCCAPG president,

Jamboree: Early-Bird Registration Deadline is Just Around the Corner



Do you see it... right up there ahead?  It's the deadline for the early-bird registration discounts for Jamboree. Save $20 on a three-day registration and $10 on a one-day registration. SCGS members enjoy an additional $20 savings over the non-member rate. And that's not all. You'll enjoy discounts on other Jamboree activities as well.

Do the math. You can almost save enough Jamboree registration to pay for the $35 one-year single membership. Members receive many other benefits in addition to discounts.
  • Free at-home use of AccessNewspaperARCHIVE. Pajama research! Yay!
  • Free 24/7 viewing of the archived versions of all of SCGS's series of webinars. The live webinars are free but members get the added benefit of convenience.
  • Discounts on research team assistance. 
  • Copy of the quarterly journal, The Searcher.
You can purchase your membership at the same time you register for Jamboree.  Even if you're not coming to Jamboree, consider purchasing a membership in the Southern California Genealogical Society.

Tick. Tick. Tick.  Time's awastin'.  Scoot!  Go register.

26 April 2012

Jamboree: Scooter Rental

Do you need to rent a scooter while you're at Jamboree? Here is contact information for you, provided by the Marriott.

A Scooter for you, Inc.   
Toll Free   877.697.7725
His name Gerry.

24 April 2012

Genealogy Jamboree: There's Another App for That!

Thanks to the support of the conference Diamond Sponsor, Ancestry.com, Jamboree will again offer a mobile app for the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree, which will be held June 8-10, 2012 in Burbank, California.

Last year's App was a big hit among attendees, exhibitors and speakers. "The 2011 Jamboree app introduced a completely new aspect to genealogy conferences. It provided advanced communication and scheduling capabilities and added to the overall experience," explained Leo Myers, Jamboree chair. "We were honored that other conferences followed Jamboree's lead and rolled out their own conference apps."

The App offers many useful features to the attendees

  • Interactive show schedule - review the schedule in advance and add the sessions to your calendar in just one click.
  • Exhibitor listings and product searches - Find out which exhibitors are there to help solve your research problems.
  • Exhibit hall floor map - use the map to plot your shopping strategy.
  • Speaker bios and information - search for your favorite speakers' sessions and then add them to your schedule
  • Show alerts - get instant updates of room changes, reminders of special events, unconference sessions, etc.
  • Twitter and Blog updates - Follow #scgs12 tweets and post yours from within the app.
  • Exhibitor e-brochures and product information available for download.
  • Syllabus articles will be available for download before Jamboree. View them in your iPad, print them, or move them onto your Kindle, Nook or other e-reader.

The App is available for iPhone / iPod Touch, Blackberry and Android users, and is available as a web-based application for all other smartphone users. Users do not need to be connected to the Internet to be able to use the schedules and other static information. It will be available for download soon from www.scgsgenealogy.com.

More information about the app can be found on the Jamboree website.

About Jamboree and SCGS:

The 43rd Annual Southern California Genealogy Jamboree will be held at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel on Friday through Sunday, June 8th to 10th, 2012. Separate events, the full-day Family History Writers Conference and Tech Track computer classes, will be held on Thursday. Jamboree is one of the most popular genealogical events in the United States. The conference features over 100 lecture classes, 70+ commercial vendors, societies and heritage groups and other organizations in the exhibit floor, and several special events and opportunities to socialize and relax. Free sessions will be held for beginning genealogists, librarians, and genealogical society leaders.

Jamboree is produced by the Southern California Genealogical Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is managed entirely by volunteer members. The Society operates a 40,000 volume genealogical library at 417 Irving Drive in Burbank. More information can be found at www.scgsgenealogy.com.

Advertise your Business on the Jamboree App

Jamboree's mobile app is returning for 2012. In addition to keeping the attendees informed, the Jamboree App also provides genealogy-related businesses and organizations an opportunity to reach an eager audience. Genealogists from around the globe are able to access information contained on the Jamboree app.

The 2011 edition of the app was very successful for our business partners, and we are inviting your participation this year. Take advantage of the exposure to help publicize your business for a nominal fee.
  • Onsite exhibitors receive a free "green" listing (contact information, your logo, and downloadable marketing documents.)
    • Core-Apps will be in touch with you directly to obtain your logo and materials.
  • If you can't attend Jamboree in person, our "Virtual Exhibitor" program provides the purchase a green listing for a nominal fee.
    • Professional genealogists - post your resume, specialties, examples of your reports, or other marketing information online.
    • Authors - link to online purchase for your book 
    • Societies - post your application forms, catalog, documents for sale, or research team contact information. 
  • Other types of advertising are available for purchase, including banner ad / landing page; multimedia; and text alerts. All the details are online here

Deadlines:  
Print ads - April 30
App ads - June 1















The 43rd Annual Southern California Genealogy Jamboree will be held at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel on Friday through Sunday, June 8th to 10th, 2012. Separate events, the full-day Family History Writers Conference and Tech Track computer classes, will be held on Thursday. Jamboree is one of the most popular genealogical events in the United States. The conference features over 100 lecture classes, 70+ commercial vendors, societies and heritage groups and other organizations in the exhibit floor, and several special events and opportunities to socialize and relax. Free sessions will be held for beginning genealogists, librarians, and genealogical society leaders.

Jamboree is produced by the Southern California Genealogical Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is managed entirely by volunteer members. The Society operates a 40,000 volume genealogical library at 417 Irving Drive in Burbank. More information can be found at www.scgsgenealogy.com.


23 April 2012

Jamboree: Exhibit Hall Free and Open to the Public in 2012

Jamboree's Exhibit Hall is one of the favorite destinations for our attendees. Whether you're looking for software, or books, or you want to purchase a subscription or membership, you'll find the help you need in the Exhibit Hall.

This year, the exhibit hall will be open to the public at no charge throughout the weekend.  Anyone wishing to stay only in the Exhibit area, and not attend classes or any other Jamboree activity, can c'mon in and pay no registration fee.

"We expect that this will be a real benefit to our SCGS members and others who want to volunteer, but are not interested in attending classes," said Leo Myers, Jamboree chair. "This is an experiment for us, to be sure, and if it works out, we'll repeat it in the future."

To help room monitors easily identify the Jamboree guests who are authorized to attend classes, all  attendees will receive vinyl identification bracelets that will be worn throughout the weekend. We appreciate the cooperation of everyone as we try this experiment.

To volunteer to work at Jamboree, even for an hour or two, fill out the volunteer application at http://2012JamboreeVolunteers.surveyconsole.com. That will help our volunteer coordinator, Jane Van Tour, find the spot that best suits you.

By the way, if your spouse or other family member is accompanying you to Jamboree, even though they are not particularly interested in family history, they are welcome to pitch in and help out too.

20 April 2012

Jamboree: Ancestry to Provide Free Scanning

The Scanners are Coming! 

T

We have a great announcement on behalf of our Diamond Sponsor, Ancestry.com. 

Southern California Genealogy Jamboree registered attendees can sign up for 30-minute scanning sessions on Friday, June 8, through Sunday, June 10, to be held during the exhibit hall hours. This is especially exciting for us because it's the only time this year, other than NGS in Cincinnati, that scanning is planned at a conference. Scanning was offered in 2010, and it turned out to be one of the most popular aspects of Jamboree that year! You won't want to miss this opportunity.

Sign Up Today for Scanning
Scanning-session signs-ups will open each morning—sign up Friday morning for a Friday time slot, Saturday morning for a Saturday time slot.

Will you be bringing items to scan? Please help us plan accordingly by registering here and letting us know how much and what you’ll be bringing. 



Scanning Details You’ll Want to Know
Document types accepted
  • We can scan any document type, but the maximum size supported is 22" by 15". Any type of photograph, including tintypes, is accepted. Unfortunately we can not scan slides.
  • More recent photographs or stable documents can be scanned at a much quicker rate on our high-speed scanner – meaning that you can have more documents scanned during your scanning session. Fragile or historical documents, photographs, bound books or albums and similar will be photographed.
  • Copyright and re-publishing rights for the material are strictly the responsibility of patrons, but we reserve the right to reject any document for any reason.
  • There is always a possibility that damage to older, more fragile documents may occur during the scanning process. Ancestry.com urges patrons to use their best judgment when choosing documents to be scanned.
Document preparation
  • Before your scanning session, please remove all staples, pins, and fasteners as well as any tape or sticky material from your photos and documents. These items can harm the scanning equipment.
  • Please sort all of your documents and pictures by size, largest to smallest, before entering your session. This will enable our scanners to more effectively finish your documents in the time allotted.
  • Photos mounted in an album will be digitized as a single image. Bound books do not need to be disassembled, but can be quite slow to digitize. Material stored in sleeves should be removed prior to the scanning session; materials remaining in sleeves will be digitized with the sleeves in place.
Scheduling
  • You will be able to sign up for a 30-minute time slot, on a first come, first served basis. This time slot will include any document preparation not completed prior to the scanning session, so proper document preparation is crucial (see above). 
  • Generally we can scan about 50 documents per person in a 30-minute slot, more if documents and photos are newer and/or not fragile.
  • Due to demand, we can accommodate only one scanning session per person during the conference.
  • The scanned files will be saved to a thumb drive (provided by Ancestry.com) and given to attendees for their own use.


Scanning will take place in the Producer A and B room, which is located directly across the hallway from the Tech Zone, at the end of the High-Tech Highway.  Signs will point the way.

19 April 2012

JamboFREE: Genealogy Society Leader Workshop

One of the Friday JamboFREE activities on June 8, 2012, is the Genealogy Society Leader Workshop. Meet the outstanding speakers and topics for that session:

8:00 a.m.
“PROJECTS!!!”
with Cath Trindle, CG
Energize your society. Draw in new blood. Work with FamilySearch, Adopt a Wiki, develop a designer project just for your society or work with other societies and government agencies.


9:10 a.m.
“Publicity is the Society’s Friend”
with Schelly Talalay Dardashti
Using all aspects of publicity (print/online) can make or break your society. Learn about the possibilities and how to use them properly to give your society the 'edge.' Publicity used in the right way means success for an event, brings in new members and gets out the word on your society.

10:20 a.m.
“How to Develop and Implement Affordable Membership Benefits”
with George G. Morgan
Genealogical and historical societies are struggling to attract and retain members while striving to stay solvent. It is essential to offer tangible benefits year-round. This session discusses best practices that can be put in place to provide affordable benefits to members. Whether your society is big or small, local, regional or national, a successful website is a necessity! Come learn how to create a website that will fit your society’s needs, and will be beneficial to current and prospective members of your society.

11:30 a.m.
“Creating a Website for your Society”
with Josh Taylor
Whether your society is big or small, local, regional or national, a successful website is a necessity! Come learn how to create a website that will fit your society’s needs, and will be beneficial to current and prospective members of your society.

Jamboree: Special Offers for Societies

Attention Organization and Society Leaders,

We Want You!  The Southern California Genealogy Jamboree offers many opportunities to participate in one of North America's largest genealogical conferences at little or no cost.

I can hear you asking, "Why would a genealogical society from [insert your location] be interested in having a presence at the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree?" Because in California, "everybody came from someplace else." That's not exactly true, of course, but native Californians proudly announce that they are "Nth generation Californian." You just don't hear that from people from Pennsylvania or Iowa. 

What does that mean for you? It means that California genealogists are searching elsewhere for their family. They're looking for answers that your society can provide.     

How can your Society participate in Jamboree in person?

  • Encourage your members to attend. Your members can return to your society meeting and share the valuable information they get during the informative sessions as well as networking with other attendees.  We would be very grateful if you would help promote Jamboree in your announcements, publications and Internet presence (website, blog or other).
  • Attend the JamboFREE - Society Leadership Workshop. Strengthen the leadership of your organization by learning techniques and skills. You don't need to be a society leader to attend these sessions. But don't miss this chance to breathe new energy into your society. Read more about it.
  • Organize a Group Trip to Jamboree -  Have you thought about putting together a bus trip or group activity for your organization's members?  We'll work with you to help organize the trip. If your society is at least 100 miles from Burbank, we'll give you one free basic registration for every 10 people in your group. The San Diego Genealogical Society has organized such an event for the past few years. They take the Coastliner train to and from San Diego and they have a great time. If you're interested in putting together a group, contact us at SCGSJamboree@gmail.com and we'll help. Put "Group Tour" in the subject line.
  • Staff a free exhibit table for one day. We are offering a one-day exhibit table to genealogical societies, historical societies, and other nonprofit organizations. Speak one-on-one with our ~1700 guests and spread your word. Free. If you're interested, send an email to leo.myers44@gmail.com and he'll help you out.

How can your Society participate in Jamboree from a distance?


  • Donate a one-year membership for a door prize.  Your society's name will be listed among our donors and people will learn about you.
  • Send your membership application, publication list or other material for FREE distribution.  We'll put it on our freebie table for our guests to find. Send them by June 1 to:  Jamboree Freebie Table, SCGS, 417 Irving Drive, Burbank, CA 91504.
  • Purchase an ad in the syllabus and/or mobile app. A business-card sized ad is just $25. You can purchase an electronic "green" listing on the Jamboree app for just $50. The "green" listing is your contact information, downloadable PDFs such as your membership application, and your logo.  If you order both print and digital ads, you'll save $5. You'll reach 1700 people onsite at Jamboree plus others who access the app online.
 Please join us at Jamboree!

17 April 2012

Free Webinar April 25 - "Saving Cherished Memorabilia: Preservation Tips For Family Historians"

We are passing this information along for the benefit of our members and friends. Please note that this webinar is not sponsored by the Southern California Genealogical Society

FREE WEBINAR
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, APRIL 25TH 2012
3:00 til 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time
12:00 noon til 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time

"Saving Cherished Memorabilia: 
Preservation Tips For Family Historians"

Learn from Library of Congress preservation staff how to store your photographs and documents, what archival supplies to purchase, and more. This webinar is free in honor of Preservation Week and is co-sponsored by The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, Library of Congress Genealogy and Local History Reading Room, and the LOC Preservation Team.


TO PARTICIPATE - 
Email Mark Wilson at mwilson@loc.gov  
BEFORE SUNDAY APRIL 22nd 2012

Spaces are limited and will be filled in the order in which requests are received

About the Webinar:

Join the Library of Congress Preservation Directorate and Local History & Genealogy Reading Room staff for a webinar on tips and recommendations for preserving family memorabilia.

This one-hour webinar will offer participants practical advice on caring for personal documents, books, digital materials, and other family keepsakes. Topics covered will include how to safely handle and store memorabilia to prevent the most commons types of damage and deterioration, what to look for when purchasing preservation-quality storage supplies, and what to do when items are damaged.

In addition, staff from the Library's Local History & Genealogy Reading Room will provide an introduction to using the collections, one of the most extensive public resources for researching ancestry, African-American history, immigration, U.S. military history, and many other related topics. Participants will have the opportunity to submit questions through the webinar chat platform.

This webinar is one of a number of activities sponsored by the Library of Congress in celebration of

Preservation Week: Pass It On
http://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2012/12-069.html
April 22-28, 2012

to share preservation strategies that help people care for their personal materials and thereby pass them on-and is offered in conjunction with the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania. http://www.genpa.org

Speakers: Jeanne Drewes, Chief, Binding and Collections Care Division, Library of Congress Lindsey Hobbs, Technician, Collections Care Section, Library of Congress Ahmed Johnson, Reference Specialist, Local History & Genealogy Reading Room, Library of Congress.

This Information has been forwarded by:
Susan Hanks
Library Programs Consultant
Library Development Services, California State Library
900 N Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-653-0661 fax 916-653-8443
shanks@library.ca.gov

Jamboree Special Events - Saturday

Let's take a look at Saturday's special events at Jamboree. From morning to evening -- breakfast to banquet -- you'll find lots to keep you busy.

7:30 to 9:00 a.m.
Jamboree Genealogy Idol Breakfast
Geoff Rasmussen sponsored by Legacy Family Tree
Attend the first-ever Jamboree Genealogy Idol competition as four contestants - 2 live and 2 online - compete for your votes. In the three rounds of competition, contestants will demonstration their gen-tech expertise and try to woo you with their favorite gen-tech secrets. Everyone will learn - but only one will leave with the title of Jamboree Genealogy Idol. The competition will also be broadcast to a live webinar audience who will cast their votes live. $pecial registration required.

7:30 to 9:00 a.m.
War of 1812 Breakfast
Curt B. Witcher, MLS, FUGA, IGSF
“And the Rockets' Red Glare: Online Resources for War of 1812 Research”
 2012 marks the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. This presentation will explore the growing number of consequential websites for finding War of 1812 Resources, from the new fold3 website to more hidden sources in the Internet Archive and special collections. Strategies for finding and using these sites will also be explored. Curt will also update us on the status of the collaboration between NARA and the Federation of Genealogical Societies to digitize the pension files from the War of 1812, thus assuring our descendants access to these valuable records. $pecial registration required.

12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Lunch in the Tent
"The Story of Hollywood - An Illustrated History"
Gregory Paul Williams
Lunch on your own. Born and raised near the Hollywood sign, Greg’s interest in Hollywood’s history began when he wrote The Story of Hollywoodland, a book about the neighborhood where he grew up. His connection to Hollywood goes beyond an interest in its history, though. A puppeteer and a puppet designer in the entertainment industry for 25 years, Greg's credits include Men in Black and Men in Black II, Beakman’s World, Child’s Play 3, Mighty Joe Young, Pee-wee’s Playhouse, and The Showbiz Show with David Spade. He also wrote a series of children’s book with Jim Henson based on the Muppet characters. Greg has devoted many hours to the preservation of Hollywood’s Historic District and continues to be active in the community. You're welcome to eat during the presentation, but I'm sure that our speaker would appreciate your steering clear of potato chips and crunchy dill pickles. Free, seating is limited to 300. 

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Banquet - How Psychic Roots became an "Unsolved Mystery"
Hank Z Jones, FASG.
Hank shares his adventures behind the NBC-TV dramatization of his ground-breaking bestseller (now in its 6th printing) and relates even more amazing serendipitous experiences contributed by genealogists worldwide for his new sequel More Psychic Roots. $pecial registration required.

Current and New SCGS Members register here
Non-Members register here

REMINDER Webinar "Grandma's Flak Jacket" with Janet Hovorka - Wednesday, April 18, 2012


Join us for
"Grandma's Flak Jacket"
a FREE Webinar with Janet Hovorka
Wednesday, April 18, 2012

 

Space is limited, so reserve your Webinar seat now at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/811433176

Why would your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews want to know about their family’s heritage? And how do you share it with them so that they are interested?  The benefits illustrated in this class include emotional healing from understanding the past, inspiration from knowing the greatness in your heritage, the perspective of knowing what was sacrificed for you, and knowing you are part of a greater whole. You are going to want to sign off  and start sharing, and this class will show you how.

Janet Hovorka received a B.A. in Ancient History and a MLIS from BYU. She and her husband Kim Hovorka own Family ChartMasters (www.familychartmasters.com), a genealogy chart printing company. Janet writes (www.thechartchick.com) and teaches at SLCC. She is serving as President of UGA.

The Jamboree Extension Series allows genealogists from around the world to take advantage of the types of sessions that are offered at the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree in Burbank, CA. The series is offered as a service to the genealogical community. Webinar presentations are scheduled on the first Saturday and third Wednesday of each month.

The complete list of webinars can be found at on the SCGS website (http://www.scgsgenealogy.com/JamboreeExtensionSeries2012.htm).

Jamboree Extension Sessions will be archived and available to SCGS members following the webinar. Membership information can be found at www.scgsgenealogy.com.

Title: FREE Genealogy Webinar "Grandma's Flak Janet"
Presenter: Janet Hovorka
Date: Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Time: 60 minute class, 30 minute Question and Answer
6:00 p.m. - Pacific
7:00 p.m. - Mountain
8:00 p.m. - Central
9:00 p.m. - Eastern

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

System Requirements:

PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server

Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer

13 April 2012

Jamboree Tourist Idea: William H. Paley Center for Television

Have you ever wanted to see the alien head from V up close, or Tony Soprano’s robe? How about Daisy Duke’s actual “Daisy Dukes”? Now’s your chance!

Locals and visitors to Los Angeles will want to check out this fun activity.

"Television Out of the Box" is an interactive display sponsored by Warner Bros. and located at the William H. Paley Center for Television in Beverly Hills. This video will pique your interest:



Check out the webpage:

The exhibit is open from 12:00 noon till 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
465 North Beverly Drive
Beverly Hills, California
Wednesdays through Sundays 12:00 to 5:00 pm
Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Unfortunately, Friday through Sunday hours collide with Jamboree classes. However, you could go on Wednesday or Thursday.

If you have a youngster, spouse or other traveling partner who would like to do a little sight-seeing, think about this post a response to this blog post. We can give you some suggestions on putting together a car pool. As a card-carrying member of the television generation, I'm visiting this exhibit just as soon as the Jamboree lights go out.

Jamboree: How do I Sign Up for Classes?

Many of you have written to ask how you indicate which classes you want to attend.

If you used the printed registration form, just circle the session numbers on the back page and send in your registration form. It's a snap.

If you already sent in your form and did not indicate your classes, no worries. You'll do what the phone and online registrants do. Read on.


If you register online or by phone, you'll receive an email notice in about a month to complete an online survey. That survey is the method we use to gather information on the sessions that you want to attend.

It is very important that you complete that survey so our results are as accurate as possible. We evaluate the registration survey and make final room assignments based on the number of people who chose each session.  More people = bigger room. In the past, we have gotten answers from only about a third of our participants, which leaves a big margin of error.  Please, please participate.

When you fill out the survey, you'll be able to indicate, day by day and hour by hour, which sessions you plan to attend.

Regardless of how you indicate your selection, here are points to consider:
  1. You are not locked in to attending the sessions you list on the survey. You are welcome to change your mind at any time.
  2. We cannot guarantee that seats will be available for every session you wish to attend. Seats are filled on a first-come, first-seated basis. 
  3. Safety of our guests is our primary concern. We do not allow overflow seating on the floor, aisles, etc.
  4. If there are sessions that you are particularly interested in attending, we encourage you to volunteer to serve as room monitor for one or more sessions, which will assure that you will have a seat. 
Room monitors help to get people seated, distribute and collect evaluation forms, communicate with conference leaders when necessary, and assure compliance with fire marshal regulations. If you wish to help as a room monitor, volunteer at http://2012JamboreeVolunteers.surveyconsole.com.

07 April 2012

Jamboree: Share your Favorite Ancestor Photos for a Chance to Win


We are just two months from opening the doors to the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree. Let's kick-start the Jamboree season with a special announcement. It might not be a $640 million lottery, but it would be so much fun to win.

To celebrate the Jamboree theme of Lights, Camera, ANCESTORS, our partner, 1000memories, is sponsoring a photo contest, and you can win a prize valued at $220.


1000memories.com is the new shoebox for your old photos. 1000memories is a free site that lets you share and preserve the family photos that are sitting in your old albums and hard drives. 1000memories makes it easy to digitize, preserve, and share your family history with the right people.
Share your favorite ancestor photo for a chance to win one of THREE Scan Cafe scanning kits to digitize up to 1,000 photos, slides, and or negatives (a $220 value). The photo in each of these three categories with the most “likes” by the start of Jamboree wins!
  • The most humorous photo of an ancestor
  • Pre-1900 photos
  • Photo of the best-dressed ancestor
Here’s how it works.
  • Visit 1000memories.com and register for a free account.
  • Email mike@1000memories.com for an invitation to the Jamboree community shoebox. Put "Jamboree Shoebox" in the subject line.
  • Add your favorite ancestor photos at http://bit.ly/HmnmaS and identify the category by adding it as the photo caption. 
  • Identify the person in the photo by adding a tag. Please include the name and other information as you wish: time period and location where the photo was taken.
  • You can upload as many photos as you like. 
  • Please email mike@1000memories.com for assistance using ShoeBox.
Voting 
  • View the photos that have been uploaded. Feel free to check back often to see new photos as they are added.
  • Vote for the favorite photos by clicking on the photo, and then clicking on the small heart on the left side of the photo to “like” them. [UPDATE] It seems that the "like" feature has moved to the bottom right corner.
  • You may vote for any photo only once.
  • Voting closes at 12:00 noon Pacific Daylight Time on Friday, June 8, when the doors officially open for Jamboree.
  • Winners will be announced during the Social Hour at 5:00 on Saturday.
  • The contest is open to everyone. Need not be a Jamboree attendee to participate.
  • Only one prize will be issued per person.
Notes
  • Photos will be accessible to the public through Internet Archive "forever" and you may choose to remove them after Jamboree. Your call.
  • Photo slideshows will be displayed throughout Jamboree.
  • Officers of the Southern California Genealogical Society and the Jamboree Committee may participate but are not eligible to win.
Helpful Tips
If you don’t have digital copies of your photos, you can scan your photos using ShoeBox by 1000memories - a free photo-scanning app for iPhone and Android. If you don’t have a smartphone or scanner, simply take a photo of the photo with a digital camera and upload it to the Jamboree shoebox.

Prize Details
ScanCafe is the global leader in professional scanning services, having scanned over 65 million images. Scanning kits are specially designed packing boxes to send up to 1,000 photos, slides, and/or negatives to ScanCafe’s scanning facility. Each of your photos is scanned by hand by a trained technician, a digital copy is automatically added to a private shoebox on 1000memories, and your originals are returned to you along with a copy of your photos on DVD.

Remember

You can't win if you don't play!

05 April 2012

Jamboree: Marriott Hotel Update

We received notice today that the Marriott is already at 65% capacity for Jamboree, at this early date. We recommend that you make your reservations early to ensure that you receive the Jamboree discount.

Here is a link to the Marriott website: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/burap?groupCode=gggggga&app=resvlink&fromDate=6/5/12&toDate=6/11/12

You may also call 1-818-843-6000 and mention group code GGGGGGA.

04 April 2012

REMINDER: Webinar "Turn iGoogle into Your Homepage" with Lisa Louise Cooke April 7


Join us for
Turn iGoogle into Your Homepage
a FREE Webinar with Lisa Louise Cooke
Saturday, April 7, 2012

 

Space is limited, so reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/476905200

Join us for this FREE webinar sponsored by the Southern California Genealogical Society.

Google’s blank white page is very misleading.  In this session Lisa Louise Cooke, host of the Genealogy Gems Podcast, will show you how to covert Google.com into a rich, powerful genealogy research homepage that will keep you organized and moving forward online.

Lisa Louise Cooke is the owner of Genealogy Gems, a genealogy multimedia company. She is Producer and Host of the Genealogy Gems Podcast, the popular online genealogy audio show as well as the Family History: Genealogy Made Easy podcast, both available at www.GenealogyGems.com, in iTunes, and through the free Genealogy Gems Toolbar. Her podcasts bring genealogy news, research strategies, expert interviews and inspiration to genealogists around the world.

The Jamboree Extension Series allows genealogists from around the world to take advantage of the types of sessions that are offered at the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree in Burbank, CA. The series is offered as a service to the genealogical community. Webinar presentations are scheduled on the first Saturday and third Wednesday of each month.

The complete list of webinars can be found at on the SCGS website (http://www.scgsgenealogy.com/JamboreeExtensionSeries2012.htm).

Jamboree Extension Sessions will be archived and available to SCGS members following the webinar. Membership information can be found at www.scgsgenealogy.com.

Title: FREE Genealogy Webinar "Turn iGoogle into Your Homepage"
Presenter: Lisa Louise Cooke
Date: Saturday, April 7, 2012
Time: 60 minute class, 30 minute Q&A
10:00 AM - Pacific
11:00 AM - Mountain
12:00 PM - Central
1:00 PM - Eastern

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

System Requirements:

PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server

Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer