BARB'S GENEALOGY TIDBITS- OLD OR NEW METHODS??

Doing genealogy for over 34 years means I have lots of information. I tried using a computer database at one time and could not figure it out. I have the binder system with lots of ancestors and organized the descendants in each binder. So I have bookmarked a site WikiTree with one line of mine. The Parkin/Keeler line from Derbyshire England. I love the way one can go between the generations with a click. I did attend a seminar on Family Tree Maker and am still pondering to buy the database or not.
I still have to upload my Family Tree online somewhere. Probably will put it on Find My Past as I have a subscription to it. Why? Gives the United Kingdom and Europe information.
With Family Search still free, enough ways to search. We also have the Canadian and provincial archives for searching Canadian information. I have done my DNA and some contacts have written me. Yes the paper trail shows we are related. Now DNA proves it.
So some modern methods.
Now why do I still like the Pedigree and Family Group Charts. Well it is a visual. The lines are right there on one page. No I did not need to see every sibling and lines of every ancestor cousin. I really want to see my direct lines. For the modern family sure it is good to know how we are all related. But to try to follow those cousins from gggggrandparents is rather cumbersome and can be tedious. Especially if the first names are the same.
Those new to genealogy often want to hunt down everyone. I have lots of everyone. One ggrandmother's brother had 10 children and the duatang folder of his descendants is rather large. A contact sent it all to me years ago.
I have enjoyed the pursuit over the years. But as said in earlier Barb's Genealogy Tidbits I want to write shortened versions for my grandchildren. What would they really want to know?? I know they have been interested in the war stories. They like to know about Adolph's Italian roots. It is easy to identify their Canadian roots because those places are easy to reach. Like Toronto. I was born there. My mother was born there. My children were born there.  3 generations!
So I still like my visuals. The charts. The photos. The documents that are not just filed on the computer. But can be accessed. I have uploaded many to the Evernote site for safe keeping. Perhaps one day the grandchildren will appreciate the computer files more than Nana's visuals.
Today I have enjoyed filling in several spots on my pedigree chart however from the computer clicking. Sure there are some brickwalls. No matter how far back one goes the wall will be there. Searching those female lines is always the challenge.
So old or new methods. For this genealogist, well I use both. Why not?
#genealogy#barb'sgenealogytidbits#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#parkin/keelerlines#pedigreecharts#familygroupcharts#borninToronto#canyouhavetoomuchgenealogicalinformation#huntingdownthosefeamalelinesistough

NANA SAYS ENJOY WINTER WITH CHILDREN

When I had grandchildren, I rediscovered winter fun. My first grandchild and I would  play in the snow. Make a snowman and snow angels. It is amazing that children really love the snow. So walking to work and home in winter was very doable and rather enjoyable. Even on cold days now I can be out in winter.
Sledding can be fun. Just walking or taking a hike. Check out the hike post on the House of Kerrs website. 
My daughter and family enjoyed a winter walk. It was a favourite for my grandchildren over the Christmas Break.
Letting some winter fresh air into the house is a good thing too. Think about the winter colds and flu bugs. The stale air in your home. So I try every day to keep the door open a little longer than it needs to be. The fresh air is welcome. 
Back to activities. Skiing for some families is huge. Skating outside or on indoor rinks is always a fun Canadian winter sport.
My main winter sport is shoveling the driveway and salting. Good workout for the arms. If only it would snow on a day when the grandchildren are here, it would be even better. Put them to work.

#winterfun#outdooractivities#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#nanasays#trytoletthefreshairinthehome

HAVE YOU KEPT YOUR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS?

A new year. New hope for change. New year resolutions are difficult because they occur at a low time of the year. The hoopla of Christmas is over. With the decorations put away and lights down the home, the outside, the street just looks like the cold of winter. Warm drinks and the safety of home makes us a bit lazy or does it. Do some of you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder so it is difficult to get going and doing anything? Exercise is a good resolution for many. But start small. Two hours at the gym is probably not doable but 20 minutes of anything- skipping, weights, a short walk outside or just around your house, your mall, your apartment building. Cleaning- again start small. One drawer. One closet. One bag of clothes to charity. Writing up those projects. Finishing those craft projects. Get up. Get started.
I do not make resolutions. I simply decide to carry on. Get to areas of my home. Connect with friends and acquaintances. Read and read some more. Everything magazines, books, articles!
By finding meaningful items in my life to keep active and interested!
So did you keep your resolutions or are you just carrying On??
#newyearresolutions#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#activitieswithmeaning#gettingstartedwithactivities#takingcareofyourself#SeasonalAffectiveDisroder#barbaradimambro

A POSTCARD FROM CASSINO ITALY BEFORE WORLD WAR TWO

Adolph bought these postcards from a shop in Cassino Italy on one of his trips to his home town. Cassino totally destroyed during the war was rebuilt. The modern town lacks the quaint and picturesque aspects of other communities in Italy. When reviewing these cards you will surmise why!

I love the trees and the streets and the plaza.

Too bad the people are so small in the postcards. Might be helpful for those doing their family history research.

This last postcard is so reflective of the devastation from the war.

Modern Cassino. Functional and populous. But not the same grandeur eh?
#cassinoitaly#prewarcassino#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#treesonbeautifulstreets#lookatthebeautyofasmallcommunity#lookwhatwardoestoaplace#adolph'shometown

ANNE WILSON- WHO IS THIS ARTIST?

I found this pretty note card with my cards. Someone gave it to me years ago but I do not recall who!!

It is a pretty watercolour. Anne has signed the card. There is nothing on the back.  So I researched Anne Wilson artist on the Internet. Several are there. But I do not think they are this Anne. Given to me by someone in Canada. Maybe my Mom. So I thought I would use my blog to try to find the artist. I like it as it is a country cottage. Something I would have loved to have in this lifetime. So Anne are you out there? Come on by and tell me about yourself!!
#AnneWilson#artist#watercolour#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#femaleartists#paintingwithwatercolours

WINTER WITH ITS DARK NIGHTS AND COLD DAYS

We all need some light to brighten our lives. The winter months can be long and foreboding if not embraced for what they are. Just months, not a reason to stop and do nothing. Indoors - cozy and warm can be a time to catch up on everything. To reorganize and declutter. Finish projects. Read books. Go to the movies. Visit friends. Phone friends. If lucky go south to a warmer climate for a break. If you know people who are isolated, go visit them. Connect. If mingling with people, make sure your flu shots are current. It helps not to get a winter cold or flu bug. How do you cope with the winter months? What keeps you sane?

#wintermonths#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#finishingprojects#findingtimetogetthingsdone#reorganizeanddeclutteryourstuffandyourlife

JANUARY BLUES- GET MOVING

No matter how hard we try the month of January does not meet the hoopla and fun of the Christmas season. Once the Christmas decorations are put away and the bills paid, January is here to stay. So get moving and doing. Get out and find places to see. Of course, if a trip south is warranted then by all means go. But one or two weeks is not going to change the January blahs. Getting all the boring stuff done. Like a linen closet. Tidy the basement. Take stuff to the donation bins. Sort and clean. Go out for a meal or order one to make some fun. Even cooking can be blah so try a new recipe. A roast in the own or sauce or soup in the slow cooker makes the house warm and inviting. If enough snow, then make a snowman with the children. Get outside and enjoy the winter sports. If not a skier or skater then a walk in the snow can be rewarding. A breath of fresh air cleanses the soul. For me there are birthday celebrations and one anniversary. So cake always helps. Those days when the sun shines through the window use it for those craft or other projects. My craft room has amazing light on a good day. When feeling down though, just getting up and walking around or doing some light weights or skipping or just jogging on the spot for a short time gets the mind in a better space. Find a way to enjoy the month. I plan on seeing so more movies. How about you? What do you do to get going and enjoying?
#januaryblues#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#getmovingtofeelbetter#findmeaningfulactivities#doingprojectsforfun#tidyyourhouse#januaryoutdooractivities#tryawintersport#goforawalk