My 500th Blog Post - Thank you, Thomas MacEntee!

It was back in December 2009 when I started blogging on LongLostRelatives.net. I had only intended to use the blog for queries in hopes of finding some long lost relatives. It didn't take long for the blog to take on a life of its own.

I really hadn't thought about Post Number 500 being anything special until earlier this week. I read on Bill West's West in New England blog that he had achieved his 1,000th blog post. Then Derek Jeter hit his 3,000th hit - and a home run, at that! Number 500 took on a significant meaning.

So, it seems rather fitting that I pay tribute to my blogging mentor, my friend, the head Geneablogger himself, Thomas MacEntee.

Midwest Family History Expo, July 2010
Diana Ritchie, Thomas MacEntee, yours truly, Jenna Mills
photo copyright Jenna Mills 2010
used with permission

When I first discovered Geneabloggers.com early in 2010, Thomas welcomed me to the geneablogging community with open arms, support and advice. When I think of how Thomas gives of himself to the blogger community, it's easy to see that he is one busy man.

When I met Thomas at the Midwest Family History Expo in Kansas City last summer, I really felt as though I already knew him. If you've not met Thomas, he's just the same in person as he is on the 'net.

I mentioned to Thomas that I was interested in doing some public speaking on genealogy at some time in the future. Thomas was very encouraging and I'll never forget his words, "There's room at the table for everyone."

That simple piece of advice has guided me as I've started to dip my toes in the water of genealogy speaking. I have done hundreds of workshops and training sessions for my day-job, but I admit I was a wee bit nervous the first time I spoke in front of a group about genealogy. It went fine and I really enjoyed myself.

This coming weekend, I have the privilege of speaking at the Land Records and Genealogy Symposium in Beatrice, Nebraska. The symposium is sponsored by the Homestead National Monument and Southeast Community College. I'm going to be sharing the podium with several noted speakers, including the one and only Thomas MacEntee. Since my presentation topic is genealogy blogging, do you think I'm a wee bit nervous about Thomas being in the audience? Maybe a little bit, but not really - because I know that Thomas will be there to support me and encourage me, as he always has.

And I am REALLY looking forward to being Thomas' chauffeur and personal Nebraska tour guide next weekend. I know we'll have a great time, visiting about genealogy and blogging.

If Thomas has provided some inspiration, encouragement or support to your blogging activities or if you have attended one of the many free webinars he has conducted, I encourage you to show your support by visiting the Geneabloggers web site and make a donation as a way of saying "thank you" to Thomas for all he does for geneabloggers and genealogists around the world. And, no, Thomas did NOT ask me to make this pitch!

Can't wait until next weekend, my friend!