More MCGG Genealogy TV Show BINGO: Version 2 Cards -- Try It!

It is just over six hours until the third episode of the Who Do You Think You Are? TV series on NBC.

Last week, we experimented creating our own MCGG Genealogy TV Show Bingo cards. As we said it was our first attempt, Version 1.

We've played with the cards some more to make them more adaptable to whichever genealogy TV show is airing. By condensing some items like vital record types and ethnicity, more spaces are available for items that could apply to all subjects of the show. Give these Version 2 cards a try.

There might be a third version -- the two main genealogy TV shows have different formats though both feature celebrities as the subject of each show. In one show the subject is presented a book and given a narrative of what was discovered and almost always covers DNA. In the other show the subject essentially goes on a journey discovering/revealing a narrative and rarely covers on DNA. Striking a balance between the two situations and yet adding in some quirks genealogy-aware viewers experience (Uses/Doesn't Use Gloves! not to mention Puts On/Takes Off Reading Glasses) while watching is the challenge in developing a generic card to use for most genealogy TV shows.

Remember, these are for personal use and not for commercial resale.

The image on this post is just for looks, use this link to download our version 2 PDF.

See you someday soon at our favorite library!
LE

MCGG Genealogy TV Show BINGO -- Try It!

It is a little over one hour away from the second episode of the Who Do You Think You? TV series on NBC.

As an experiment we've created our own MCGG Genealogy TV Show Bingo cards. These should work for any of the various genealogy TV shows out there. It is our first attempt thus the version 1. Give them a try.

Remember, these are for personal use and not for commercial resale.

The image at right is just for looks, use this link to download our PDF.

See you someday soon at our favorite library!
LE

New Hours Announced for Bloomfield Hills Family History Center

Our friends over at the Bloomfield Hills Family History Center in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, have informed us that they have new operating hours.

New Operating hours are:

• Wednesday 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Thursday    6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Friday        10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Saturday    10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Bloomfield Hills Family History Center as seen from Google Maps

 

The Bloomfield Hills Family History Center is located at 37425 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304-5002. The phone number is 1-248-647-5671. Remember, though the phone does have an answering machine, the phone is only answered when staff volunteers are present.

The Family History Center is located in the red brick church in the northeast corner. The entrance door is on the northwest side so use the parking lot in the back near that door. Upon entry, follow the hall straight ahead to the end and then turn right. The door to the FHC room is on the left about the second or third one down the hall. Look for the signs.

So gather those lists of to-dos you have been collecting (you have been doing that right?) and determine a day that works for you to check those items off your list. Don't forget your USB drive so you can save/download those new finds.

See you someday soon at our favorite library!
LE 

Take Inventory: It's Restock Your Genealogy Supply Sales Time aka Back-to-School Sales!

 It's time for our annual reminder ...
Back-to-School Sales on school supplies are not just for kids! These sales are for genealogists too!

Just a few of the many supplies a genealogist would use.

It has been a busy week but we have seen Back-to-School sales starting and TODAY is the Second Day of Amazon Prime Day 2022! Anyone who uses a lot of common office supplies should keep their eyes and ears open for some extreme savings that are only around this time year for certain supplies. So be smart and pay attention to those Back-to-School Sales going on for the next couple months so you can partake in the savings too. 

What would interest a genealogist? The first things that come to mind are USB drives (large sizes at great prices and small sizes at even better prices); printer/copier paper; pens and pencils; pencil lead (for those mechanical pencils); highlighters; file folders or pocket folders; paper and binder clips; index cards for those that like old school ways; plastic file boxes (keep that water damage away); sticky notes; binders; paper; computer accessories (like mice, computer bags, external hard drives, printers, software, large monitors, and more); etc. Even office desks and chairs can be found on sale. 

Yes, for some things it is best to make sure you get acid-free versions, but that can get expensive and sometimes compromises must be made. Note acid-free copier/printer paper is easier to find nowadays. 

Also, at about this time of year (July/August/September) computer manufacturers are about to release their new models so good to great prices can often be found on this past year's models. (If your computer is really old and can not upgrade to Windows 10 11 because of old hardware or low-memory issues consider these sales. Also if your computer is more than five years old consider the changes currently taking place in Windows 10  11 updates that will not account for older hardware.) Just remember to get as large of hard drive and as much memory as you are able to afford, and keep an eye on processor speed/power. There are other factors to consider when buying a computer -- these are three key ones. While desktop computers are a little less expensive, laptops have the advantage of portability meaning you can take them with you to the library or researching. Laptops with DVD/CD readers/burners are getting harder to find but you can find them though it may mean a larger laptop. Or consider getting a stand-alone DVD/CD drive to go with the laptop. Chrome books and tablet/laptop conversions can be cheaper but may not run your programs/applications. Make sure the device you are considering can handle your must-have program/applications. And, lastly do not forget about those external hard drives for additional storage space AND for backing up all your data.

And for those who shop Amazon. Hopefully, you see this before the second day of 2022 Prime day end tonight. If not you might want to wait for Black Friday/Cyber Monday.  Put what you are eyeing in a shopping list and watch it for a while to see how the price drops or rises. Great deals can be found so keep an eye out for those short term deals but remember to do your due diligence and make sure your sale price is indeed a good one.

May you find the deals on what you need, not on what you don't need. 

See you someday soon at our favorite library! 
LE

Rendezvous with Death: The Ryder Brothers at Gettysburg, presented July 5, 2022, at 7 p.m. Registration Required

It is that time of year where American's celebrate this country's Independence. We also remember those who served defending this country -- both surviving veterans and those who lost their lives in service.

On July 5, 2022, at 7 p.m., the Plymouth District Library is hosting at presentation titled, Rendezvous with Death: The Ryder Brothers at Gettysburg. 

Presented by Don Batkins. The Ryder Brothers of Plymouth, Alfred and John, served in the 1st Michigan Calvary, the Michigan Lancers, and the 24th Michigan Regiment during the Civil War. They died at Gettysburg in 1863. (159 years ago.)

The brothers grew up on the family farm, located on Plymouth Road at the site of the current Ford plant. The land was purchased from the Government in 1827 and 1831 after the family moved from New York via the Erie Canal in 1826. This talk uses period illustrations, comments from the brothers' letters, descriptions of camp life and other interesting observations to describe events of this period. The talk ends with a short overview of what could be called a cottage industry as some locals disinterred dead soldiers and sent their bodies back home for reburial.

Though the presentation is free, registration is required because there is a limited number of virtual seats. Registration closes at 7 p.m. on July 5, just before the presentation begins.

See you someday soon at our favorite library.
LE