There's been so much going on lately that I have been remiss in actually chronicling it on this blog. Cousins met! Visits planned! Photos acquired! Information gleaned! Trees expanded! Speeches given! Family history is all the rage these days.
I've now given presentations at the Tama County Historical Society and the Central Iowa Genealogical Society on using the Internet in family history. One of the focuses has been this blog, or mores generally the benefits of family history blogging. I think people are weary of blogs, but they don't realize how much you can uncover and the connections you can make.
Case in point: Just last week I received two emails through the contact form in this blog saying "Hello! We're related!" Now I'm corresponding with two Shaffer relatives and sharing information and (hopefully) soon planning to get together. I've also planned visits to relatives in Omaha, Neb., and Wilton, Iowa, this summer and will be attending the Elgin Homecoming festivities next month.
Like I said, so much happening!
I hope soon to have a spare moment to sit down and write more detail about some of the work I've been doing and some of the newest discoveries. I also hope to have another "Family History Summer" like last year. So far it's looking like it will be very possible.
That's all for now - just to say I'm alive and well, and so is my research!
