Lilian's Tree

 15 years ago I started my blogging journey, wow! I'm not a weekly blogger, sometimes I don't even blog in a month and sometimes it's almost daily. My posts number 870, including this one. So what have I blogged about;  Well I've done four A-Z Blogging challenges, these are every April and not just for genealogists. Once I did mine in June, because April was to busy for me. While I like doing them I do get 'blogged out' by the end. I've written about going to RootsTech and THE Genealogy Show, state conferences and the 2018 Congress, here in Sydney. There has been Trove Tuesdays, when you find an article that is of interest to you and write a post about it. Some do a challenge 52 Ancestors in 52 weeks, I did 12 Ancestors in 12 months.  In 2019 I did 12 genealogy books in 12 months. There were dozens of posts during the Covid-19 lockdowns, including several on Accentuating the Positive. Every December, Jill Ball invites us to  Accentuate the Positive   (you ca...

 I am thrilled to be part of   THE Genealogy Show   as a speaker. Held over 48 hours from April 1st to 3rd 2022.  This is part of what your your ticket gets you Tune into THE Genealogy Show: Spring Event! Our HUGE virtual event includes: World-renowned keynote speaker line up! Industry-leading exhibitors! 30 days access to all talks and content! Live chat with speakers! Articles, games, competitions + much more… This is the  Speakers Link , so checkout who else is speaking.

 The next two months see two events happen, virtually for the third year running. Firstly is RootsTech, which is usually held in Salt Lake City and is the biggest genealogy show in the world. Below is the link for you to register for this year's virtual show and if last years numbers are anything to go by, this year will be just as big. Talks are available any time, for ease of access, there is a virtual Vendor Hall and so much more. The BEST bit is that it is FREE! So why don't you join me and 1,000's of others, this 3rd -5th March, (adjust for your time zone) and discover this wonderful show. RootsTech The first THE Genealogy Show was held in Birmingham, in June 2019 and I made the long journey from Australia to attend and Kirsty Gray and her wonderful band of helpers pulled off an amazing show, that had us wanting more. 2020 and Covid hit and THE Genealogy Show went virtual, now in 2022 it is again virtual and on from the 1st April to 3rd April, (adjust for your time zon...

Friday dawned cool and cloudy and after breakfast Jennie Fairs, Sylvia Valentine and I wandered over to the NEC, Birmingham. A small crowd was there so we joined the queue. It was lovely to chat with those waiting and people were surprised that we had come so far. As my first talk was at 11.30, I caught up with friends, collected hugs and ribbons and gave out the gifts.  They were tea cosies and scarfs. Nathan Dylan Goodwin, talking on how he writes his Morton Farrier, series. Very interesting and useful. Alison Spring, was my next talk on Finding Scottish Ancestors, before 1855.  As this was my time period,  I found it helpful and it also re-enforced that I was on the right track. Lisa Louise Cooke, gave a fabulous talk on Time Travel with Google Earth. I had missed her speak at Congress 2018, so was thrilled to hear this talk. During the talks, it sounded like there was a large number of people talking. No it was very heavy rain and Jennie and I c...

Today is the 25th May and in two weeks it will be the Saturday of THE Genealogy Show!!! I still have 10 more busy days to go. The past 10 days have held a mixed bag of things to do. My library day at the Botany Bay Research Centre, was great, until the internet went down. It was late in the day and we had several happy researchers in before then. I've had to replace two fitted bottom sheets, for our bed, so shopping has been on the agenda. Hubby has had blood tests and a scan, before he sees the professor, next week. I sorted out the house insurance, phone bill and did a massive, (for us) grocery shop. The pantry is stocked and the freezer is organised, so he won't go hungry. My 'To Do" list is getting less, with just doctors visits and organising my research, to do. This week I picked up my travel documents and cash. I've checked them and gone through my things that I have arranged and everything is in order. I really have to get serio...

I suppose this post should have been the first one but I realise that some of you might not know what it takes to organise a trip to Birmingham. First I can't just get in my car and drive as I am in Australia, some 17,030km, (or 10,582miles) away. Air travel is required and this involves a stop-over, somewhere. So on Tuesday 4 June 2019, I'll leave my home at around 11.00am, so I can take a train to the airport, around a 20min fast train trip. Then at 15.55, (3.55pm) my flight leaves, for Singapore, according to my ticket  a journey of some 3,907 miles, taking 8hs20mins, arriving 22.15, (10.15pm) Singapore time.  Singapore is 2 hours behind Sydney. At 23.55, (11.55pm) Singapore time, the next leg starts, to London, 13hrs 30mins away, according to my ticket, 6,764 miles. We arrive bright and early at 6.25am, London time, Wednesday 5 June.  Some 25hrs, since I left home! From London I have to get to Birmingham, which I don't expect to make until lunchtime, even gett...

Tuesday 4 June I fly to England to attend The Genealogy Show and am now starting to feel that I haven't got enough days left to do all that I need to. So, what, you are thinking, just pack your suitecase and go! Well it isn't that simple because life is still happening and it is ONLY 62 days away! I've been cooking meals for Paul, as he is blind and can't see to cook. Yep, 42 meals have to be done. 30 down 12 to go.  Feeling good about that. Two speciatist appointments, one ultrasound and three blood tests haved to be done. Two short trips are also in that mix. Bills have to be paid, that are due while I'm away. Outlines for the Writing Discussion Group have to be done and submitted. You know what, the above will be sorted out, I will leave on the day, life will still happen and I'm going to England! I'm going to do odd blogs about getting to the 62nd day, so watch this space. Bye, Lilian.

Reflecting on a great year. 1  1)  An elusive ancestor I found was, none this year. I mostly added new information, to the ones I have. 2   2)     A great newspaper article I found was a small piece that commented on the passing of my uncle Thomas J Abberton, in World War 2. It was in the Forbes paper and said that he could yodel. 3    3)  A geneajourney I took was a road trip to Ballarat, Victoria. While I was there I searched rate notice books, tramped the cemetery and wandered the street where they lived. 4    4)  An important record I found was the Scottish 1841 census, for Samuel Galbraith. Inching back further in time. 5     5)  A newly found family member shared ,  he is an old family member but we had lost touch. He shared trial information about our mutual ancestor, Simon Grant.     6       6)  A geneasurprise I received was ...

On a grey, wet and coolish day in Sydney I am writing my Christmas Post early. I have soooooo much to do before we head of to be with family, at Christmas, so,  I would like to wish all my loyal readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you for your support, throughout the year. Now 2019, what will it bring??? The Society of Australian Genealogists will start 2019, with a new President. Melissa Hulbert will take over from Martyn Killion. The FIRST female president in the Society's 85 years. Congratulations! [Not a member, well join.   www.sag.org.au  ] 2019 also see me heading to the United Kingdom, in June to attend The Genealogy Show,    https://www.thegenealogyshow.uk/      Kirsty Grey, of Family Wise, Jill Ball, our own Genieaus and Pat Richley-Erickson, aka Dear Myrtle are the main organisers, of what is promising to be a great conference. From there I am heading to Ireland, Scotland and the ba...