FamilySearch Indexing

Based on a lot of the blogs I read, I checked into the FamilySearch Indexing site because I really wanted to start giving back to the genealogical community.  I just have to say that I LOVE doing this volunteer work...it's so much fun and is rewarding too!  I've only done about 3 sessions and I'm already up to 152 points!

Have any of you volunteered your time to transcribe the records for FamilySearch?  Have you enjoyed it as much as me?  Would you recommend it to others?

© 2011, copyright Chris Odom

Backing Up Your Genealogy Data Webinar

I am really looking forward to attending the Backup Up Your Genealogy Data webinar with presenter Thomas MacEntee tomorrow.  I've decided I'll just use my lunch break to attend; it'll by my first "live" webinar as the previous ones I attended were done via the archive.

I have no doubt the info Thomas presents will be outstanding and very useful.  And what could be more important than learning the best ways to back up your precious, important data!!

If you haven't registered, you should!  It will be well worth it, and best of all, it's FREE!

© 2011, copyright Chris Odom

Random Act of Kindness

This post doesn't directly relate to genealogy, but I think it does speak to the wider attitude that I've experienced throughout the genealogical community.

This afternoon I was on my way home for lunch and decided to stop at one of my favorite (tastes great, but probably isn't the best for my waist) restaurants.  I was in the drive-thru line and when I got to the window to pay, I was informed that the lady (whom I did not know) in the car ahead of me had actually paid for my lunch!  She left a card which didn't give her name, but rather a note to "pay it forward."

Wow!  How cool was that?  This small act gave me a renewed spirit for the rest of the day!  As I reflected on it this evening, I realized that this sort of random act does seem to happen all the time in the genealogical community.  I can't wait until I have a chance to pay this act, feeling, and excitement forward!

© 2011, copyright Chris Odom

An Award!

I was quite surprised when I checked my email yesterday morning to find that Betty from Betty's Boneyard Genealogy Blog had nominated my blog for the "One Lovely Blog Award!"  I am truly honored and I appreciate the thought Betty!  Having just recently added several "new" blogs to my Google Reader, I have enjoyed getting to read so many different, informative, and fun blogs, Betty's of course being one!!

The "rules" for this award suggest that I should nominate 15 other blogs and to be honest, it appears that everyone I'm following in Google Reader has already received this award at least once, so...I thought I'd just list the blogs I'm reading daily as they are all very deserving!!

A Tale of Two Ancestors - Amanda Perrine

AnceStories:  The Stories of My Ancestors - Miriam

Betty's Boneyard Genealogy Blog - Betty

Climbing My Family Tree - Jen

DearMYRTLE's Genealogy Blog - Myrt

Destination:  Austin Family - Thomas MacEntee

Digital Cemetery Walk - Gale Wall

Family Stories - Caroline Pointer

Genealogy by Ginger's Blog - Ginger Smith

GeneaWebinars - various

Ginisology - Gini

Greta's Genealogy Bog - Greta Koehl

Leaves for Trees - Heather Kuhn Roelker

Shaking Leaves:  My Adventures in Genealogy

Sharon's Family and Other Stuff - Sharon

West in New England - Bill West

If you're not reading these blogs, you should be in my opinion.  They are all just wonderful!

Happy first day of Spring everyone!


© 2011, copyright Chris Odom

Geneabloggers Radio: Irish Roots - A St. Patrick's Day Celebration

I'm currently listening to the weekly Geneabloggers Radio with Thomas MacEntee. This episode is all about Ireland...a great topic for me to learn about since I have little knowledge about how to find, search, and use Irish records.

Irish Roots - A St. Patricks Day Celebration 3/18/2011 - GeneaBloggers | Internet Radio | Blog Talk Radio

© 2011, copyright Chris Odom

Tombstone Tuesday - Mary (Molly) E. and Olah Odom

Mary E. and Olah Odom headstones - Brush Hill Cemetery, McIntosh County, Oklahoma

Mary (Molly) E. LENNING was born 18 March 1863 in Pickens County, Georgia to James Monroe LENNING and Margaret Elizabeth SOSEBEE.  Mary married William "Doc" Lenthicum ODOM, my 2nd great-grand uncle, on 25 February 1886 in Sebastian County, Arkansas.  Mary died 14 April 1898 in McIntosh County, Indian Territory and is buried in Brush Hill Cemetery.

Olah ODOM was born 28 December 1886 in Arkansas to William and Mary.  She was their first child and the sister of Herman Robert ODOM (whom I previously blogged about).  Tragically, Olah died 11 March 1897 in McIntosh County, Indian Territory after her dress caught fire in the family home. She too is buried in Brush Hill Cemetery.

After Mary's passing, William went on to marry Ida Ruth CLEVELAND to which a son, Martin ODOM, was born.  Martin was the only child to live into full adulthood.  His half-brother, Herman, tragically died at age 21, during the Crazy Snake Uprising in McIntosh County.  Herman was a deputy trying to apprehend Crazy Snake/Chitto HARJO; William was the sheriff at the time.

© 2011, copyright Chris Odom

2 Year Blogiversary

It's hard to believe I set this blog up 2 years ago!  I had great expectations for it then, but as sometimes happens, my day-to-day life took me away from genealogy for a while.

For this next year, my goals and renewed spirit are pushing me forward and I've committed to blogging more.  And I have to say, I'm excited about the prospect!  In the last week, I've already listened to some archived webinars, signed up to attend more, picked up two followers, and added numerous blogs to Google Reader!  The genealogy community is such an amazing and addictive one.  It's always a treat to interact with others out there who may or may not have shared ancestral lines, but who always have a shared interest!

Has anyone else gotten away from their family tree for a bit, but is now taking up the challenge again?  Any tips or pointers?

It's with much excitement that I look forward to breaking down some genealogical brick walls in 2011; and reconnecting with a great community along the way!

© 2011, copyright Chris Odom

Great News for Northeast Arkansas

While going over all the great articles in Google Reader this morning, I found the following.  Thanks to Dick Eastman at Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter for this bit of info that I'm sharing.  If you haven't subscribed to his blog, you should...it's terrific!

This is great news for anyone who has relatives and ancestors in Northeast Arkansas!  I've been to the Powhatan Historic State Park and it's a beautiful area.

March 10, 2011

Grand Opening Held at new Northeast Arkansas Regional Archives

The grand opening of the Northeast Arkansas Regional Archives was held Thursday in Powhatan. Located on the grounds of the Powhatan Historic State Park, the facility came to be through a collaboration between Arkansas State Parks and the Arkansas History Commission, with assistance from the Lawrence County Historical Society.

For members of the Lawrence County Historical Society, it represented a long-awaited homecoming for records that have been in the society's care for many years.

You can read more in an article by Gretchen Hunt  in the Lawrence County, Arkansas, Times Dispatch at http://www.thetd.com/freepages/2011-03-09/news/story1.php

Posted by Dick Eastman on March 10, 2011 in Current Affairs | 

© 2011, copyright Chris Odom

Legacy Family Tree Webinars

It's been a long time since I posted anything, but I've gotten excited again about blogging having just attended 2 recent webinars (via the archive) over at Legacy Family Tree Webinars.  DearMyrtle taught both:  Blogging for Beginners and More Blogging for Beginners.  I can't say enough great things about these webinars!  They were fantastic.

Even though I wasn't really a beginner, I learned a lot of useful, easy tips, particularly in the More... webinar.  As you can see, I've added a disclosure page and a Google search bar...all due to the webinar!  And the tips on Google Reader were outstanding!

Thanks so much DearMyrtle and Legacy Family Tree for this great series.  I've already registered for the next 3 webinars with Thomas MacEntee (geneabloggers.com) and can't wait.  Hopefully I'll be able to attend these live.

© 2011, copyright Chris Odom