Journey Stories Comes to Alliance Nebraska for mini-conference

The Smithsonian Institution's traveling exhibit, Journey Stories, moves on to Alliance, Nebraska after its stay at the State Capitol in Lincoln. Along with the exhibit, the Knight Museum and Sandhills Center is sponsoring a two-day mini conference of interest to genealogists. The event will be held February 8-9, 2013.

Take a look at the variety of topics to be presented:

• Immigration to Nebraska - John Schleicher
• History of Nebraska's Mormon Trail: Path to Utah - Ruby Coleman
• Homesteads, the Promise of Free Land - Cheri Hopkins
• The Mexican People of the Panhandle - Jackie Guzman
• I'm So Lonesome I Could Die - Elaine Bleisch
• Early Japanese Settlers in Alliance and Western Nebraska - Julie Ushio
• A Journey Story: Swedish Settlement in Nebraska - Cheri Hopkins
• Czechs in Nebraska - Ruby Coleman
• A Prairie Invasion - Gloria Clark
• Germans From Russian in Nebraska - John Schleicher
• The Memoirs of Fr. Hiram Kano - Rev. William J. Graham
• Irish Celtic Fingerstyle Guitar - Jerry Barlow

That hardly seems like a "mini" conference to me! Registration is $25 each day, or $45 for two days.

Knight Museum and Sandhills Center

908 Yellowstone Avenue

Alliance, Nebraska

Download a conference brochure and registration information.

Thanks to Cheri Hopkins for passing along this information via the Nebraska Genea-Peeps group on Facebook.

The link to this post is http://longlostrelatives-smp.blogspot.com/2013/01/journey-stories-comes-to-alliance.html

Open Discussion Weekend: How Much Can We Preserve?

Yesterday's Lincoln (NE) Journal-Star newspaper ran a front page story about 33,000 boxes of Lancaster County documents in storage. Many of these documents are destined to be shredded for the plain and simple reason: there is no more space!

The boxes include court cases, personal correspondence, medical records, and more. You name it, it's probably here. If the rightful owners of the documents don't come forward within the next 10 days, these documents are headed for the shredder.

The topic of this article generated some discussion on my Facebook wall yesterday, so I thought it would be a good topic for Open Discussion Weekend.

How much information is too much information? How do we, as individuals and organizations, deal with the information overload from the 20th and 21st centuries?

My local society, Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society, has wrestled with the issue. As much as we want to preserve as much genealogical history as possible, we are certainly not equipped to have the heir of a deceased genealogist drop 15 boxes of files and photographs in our laps. No amount of volunteer genealogy armies could begin to sort and digitize the information that might be donated from one researcher, let alone from 30 or 40.

To address the issue, one of our upcoming society meetings will focus on what to do with all of this Stuff. What can we preserve and what format should it be in? Can we cull enough of our research into printed (or digital) format that we can leave behind something that can be managed by our libraries and societies? Do we share it all online? How can we be sure that sharing information in the Cloud will last over the next 100 years?

What are you or your local organization doing to deal with document overload? How can we preserve our research for future genealogists and family members without being on an episode of Hoarders? Or worse yet, having someone trash it all after we are gone.

Please discuss in the comments section below.

Nebraska Genealogy Events 2013

Once again, Nebraska groups and societies have shown their commitment to quality programming and events for genealogists. Here is my latest composite list. I can always add more events from other local genealogy and historical societies, so please email me your information! The events calendar is also always easily accessible from the Genealogy Events in Nebraska tab in the menu above.

Hope to see many of you around the state this year!

Date & Location	Description
January 7 – 18, 2013 M-F 8-4 Sat 10-5 Sun 1-5 Nebraska State Capitol 1445 K St Lincoln	Journey Stories – traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution
January 13, 2013 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Walt Branch Library 6701 S. 14th St. Lincoln, NE	LLCGS – Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society Microsoft Word for Genealogists Presented by Phyllis Ericson
January 13, 2013 5:30 p.m. St. Andrews Lutheran Church 1015 Lancaster Lane Lincoln, NE	German American Heritage Society of Lincoln Potluck meal at 5:30 p.m. Program at 7:00 p.m.
January 16-23, 2013 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Wednesday evenings Southeast Community College Continuing Education Center 301 S. 68th St Place Lincoln, NE	Beginning Genealogy: Where to Start with Your Family History Instructors: Marcia Stewart, Cynthia Monroe $49
January 16, 2013 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Great Room Chatelaine 6201 Normal Blvd Lincoln, NE	LLCGS – Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society Discussion group facilitated by Lila Garner
January 16, 2013 7:00 p.m. Nebraska Methodist College 87th and Burt Omaha, NE	GOGS – Greater Omaha Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting: Sons of Norway
January 15 – Feb 6, 2013 Wednesday evenings 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Lefler Middle School 1100 S 48th St Lincoln, NE	History of Lincoln, Part 1 Offered by Southeast Community College Presented by Jim McKee $39
January 17 – Feb 7, 2013 Thursday evenings 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Lefler Middle School 1100 S 48th St Lincoln, NE	Lincoln’s Suburbs: University Place, Bethany, College View, Havelock, West Lincoln, Yankee Hill and Normal Offered by Southeast Community College Presented by Jim McKee $39
January 19, 2013 9:15 a.m. – Noon Mormon Trail Center 3215 State St Omaha, NE	GOGS – Greater Omaha Genealogical Society Tell Me About My Family – Getting Started with Family History.
January 20, 2013 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Walt Branch Library 6701 S. 14th St Lincoln, NE	LLCGS – Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society DNA Genealogy Interest Group – comparison of three autosomal DNA results for the same person. Facilitated by Tom McFarland
January 27, 2013 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Walt Branch Library 6701 S. 14th St Lincoln, NE	LLCGS – Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society Help Session for new and experienced genealogists
February 1, 2013 7:00 p.m. LDS Family History Center 11027 Martha St Omaha, NE	GO-PAF Meeting Program to be announced
February 3, 2013 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Walt Branch Library 6701 S. 14th St Lincoln, NE	LLCGS – Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society Technology Interest Group Turn Your Tablet Into a Lean, Mean Genealogy Machine Presented by Susan Petersen
February 9, 16, 23, 2013 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Home Economics Building Univ of Nebraska 1650 N. 35th St Lincoln, NE	Course: The Life and Times of Your Ancestors Sponsored by Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) $15 for OLLI member
February 10, 2013 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. Walt Branch Library 6701 S. 14th St Lincoln, NE	LLCGS – Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society Genealogy and One Book One Lincoln: Destiny of the Republic Topics: Making Sense of the Census, Database, Historic Maps, Timelines and Newspapers, Civil War Resources 2:30 – 4:00: Personal research with a genealogist Download a brochure
February 10, 2013 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Walt Branch Library 6701 S. 14th St Lincoln, NE	LLCGS – Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society Help Session for new and experienced genealogists
February 12, 2013 7:15 p.m. Eastridge Presbyterian Church 1135 Eastridge Dr Lincoln, NE	LLCGS – Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society Monthly Program What will happen to your genealogy research when you can no longer take care of it. Information and suggestions and steps to take to preserve your family history. Presented by Loel Brooks, Lincoln attorney
February 13 – March 6, 2013 Wednesday evenings 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Lefler Middle School 1100 S 48th St Lincoln, N	History of Lincoln, Part 2 Offered by Southeast Community College Presented by Jim McKee $39
February 14, 2013 6:30 p.m. Unadilla Community Library Unadilla, NE	Otoe County Genealogical Society U.S. Land Records and the Homestead Act of 1862 Presented by Blake Bell, Homestead National Monument of America
February 16, 2013 9:15 a.m. – Noon Mormon Trail Center 3215 State St Omaha, NE	GOGS – Greater Omaha Genealogical Society Part I: Vital Records of Their Lives – Birth, Marriage and Death Records; Part II: Substitutes for Vital Records
February 17, 2013 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. Eiseley Branch Library 1530 Superior St Lincoln, NE	LLCGS – Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society Genealogy and One Book One Lincoln: Destiny of the Republic Topics: Making Sense of the Census, Database, Historic Maps, Timelines and Newspapers, Civil War Resources 2:30 – 4:00: Personal research with a genealogist Download a brochure
February 17, 2013 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Walt Branch Library 6701 S. 14th St Lincoln, NE	LLCGS – Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society Help Session for new and experienced genealogists
February 20, 2013 7:00 p.m. Nebraska Methodist College 87th and Burt Omaha, NE	GOGS – Greater Omaha Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting: Searching the Omaha Library catalog Presented by Martha Grenzeback
February 24, 2013 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. South Branch Library 27th and South Streets Lincoln, Ne	LLCGS – Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society Genealogy and One Book One Lincoln: Destiny of the Republic Topics: Making Sense of the Census, Database, Historic Maps, Timelines and Newspapers, Civil War Resources 2:30 – 4:00: Personal research with a genealogist Download a brochure
February 27- March 6, 2013 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Wednesday evenings Southeast Community College Continuing Education Center 301 S. 68th St Place Lincoln, NE	Intermediate Genealogy: Research Your Family Tree Instructors: Marcia Stewart, Cynthia Monroe $29
March 1, 2013 7:00 p.m. LDS Family History Center 11027 Martha St Omaha, NE	GO-PAF meeting Program to be announced
March 10, 2013 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Walt Branch Library 6701 S. 14th st Lincoln, Ne	LLCGS – Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society Display Your Family Tree with Charts and Posters Presented by Phyllis Ericson
March 12, 2013 7:15 p.m. Eastridge Presbyterian Church 1135 Eastridge Dr Lincoln, NE	LLCGS – Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society Monthly Program Hiring a Professional Genealogist
March 16, 2013 9:15 a.m. – Noon Mormon Trail Center 3215 State St Omaha, NE	GOGS – Greater Omaha Genealogical Society Making Sense of the Census – Using U.S. and International Censuses
March 20, 2013 7:00 p.m. Nebraska Methodist College 87th and Burt Sts Omaha, NE	GOGS – Greater Omaha Genealogical Society Monthly program to be announced
April 5, 2013 7:00 p.m. LDS Family History Center 11027 Martha St Omaha, NE	GO-PAF meeting Program to be announced
April 9, 2013 7:15 p.m. Eastridge Presbyterian Church 1135 Eastridge Dr Lincoln, NE	LLCGS – Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society Monthly Program: Census Substitutes: Tax Records and City Directories
April 13, 2013 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Nebraska Community Blood Bank 100 N. 84th St Lincoln, NE	LLCGS – Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society Part 1 of 2 Putting the Pieces Together genealogy workshop Presented by Phyllis Ericson Fee
April 13, 2013 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Nebraska Community Blood Bank 100 N. 84th St Lincoln, NE	LLCGS – Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society Part 2 of 2 Putting the Pieces Together genealogy workshop Presented by Phyllis Ericson Fee
April 17, 2013 7:00 p.m. Nebraska Methodist College 87th and Burt Omaha, NE	GOGS – Greater Omaha Genealogical Society Monthly program to be announced
April 20, 2013 9:15 a.m. – Noon Mormon Trail Center 3215 State St Omaha, NE	GOGS – Greater Omaha Genealogical Society Part I: Searching the World’s Records – using Family History centers; Part II: The Name Game – Learn Tips to Help with Your Family History Search
April 27, 2013 Nebraska Methodist College 720 N. 87th st Omaha, NE	GOGS – Greater Omaha Genealogical Society Spring Conference: Paul Milner, Irish Research Registration fee to be announced
May 3-4, 2013 Midtown Holiday Inn 2503 S Locust Ave Grand Island, NE	Nebraska State Genealogical Society Annual Conference Featuring Beth Foulk Registration fee to be announced
May 3, 2012 LDS Family History Center 11027 Martha St Omaha, NE	GO-PAF meeting Program to be announced
May 14, 2013 7:15 p.m. Eastridge Presbyterian Church 1135 Eastridge Dr Lincoln, NE	LLCGS – Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society Monthly Program Regional Libraries as Genealogical Resources Resources from: Lincoln Public Libraries, LLCGS Library, Germans from Russian Library, Nebraska State Historical Library, LDS Family Search Library, Nebraska Library Commission, UNL Libraries, Nebraska State Genealogical Society collection in Beatrice
May 15, 2013 7:00 p.m. Nebraska Methodist College 87th and Burt Omaha, NE	GOGS – Greater Omaha Genealogical Society Monthly program to be announced
May 18, 2013 9:15 a.m. – Noon Mormon Trail Center 3215 State St Omaha, NE	GOGS – Greater Omaha Genealogical Society Part I: Where’s the Dirt? Overview of Land Records Part II: What’s Black and White and Read All Over: Newspaper research
June 2, 2013 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Walt Branch Library 6701 S. 14th St Lincoln, NE	LLCGS – Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society 4-H Activities and Exhibits Related to Genealogy and Photography
June 7, 2013 LDS Family History Center 11027 Martha St Omaha, NE	GO-PAF Meeting Program to be announced
June 9, 2013 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Walt Branch Library 6701 S. 14th St Lincoln, NE	LLCGS – Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society Earning a Boy Scout Genealogy Badge
June 11, 2013 7:15 p.m. Eastridge Presbyterian Church 1135 Eastridge Dr Lincoln, NE	LLCGS – Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society Monthly Program Finding Your Ancestor’s European Origin Presented by Phyllis Ericson
June 15, 2013 9:15 a.m. – Noon Mormon Trail Center 3215 State St Omaha, NE	GOGS – Greater Omaha Genealogical Society Part I: Genealogy Problem Solving Part II: Internet Genealogy
June 19, 2013 7:00 p.m. Nebraska Methodist College 87th and Burt Omaha, NE	GOGS – Greater Omaha Genealogical Society Monthly program to be announced
June 30, 2013 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Walt Branch Library 6701 S. 14th St Lincoln, NE	LLCGS – Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society Earning Girl Scout Badges Related to Family History
July 9, 2013 7:15 p.m. Eastridge Presbyterian Church 1135 Eastridge Dr Lincoln, NE	LLCGS – Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society Monthly Program Creating Useful Ancestor Timelines Presented by Phyllis Ericson and Susan Petersen
July 12-13, 2013 Homestead National Monument of America Beatrice, Ne	Land Records and Genealogy Symposium Details TBA fee
July 20, 2013 11:00 a.m. W Dale Clark Library 215 S 15th St Omaha, NE	Omaha Public Library summer reading program My Ancestor Was an Axe Murderer – dealing with skeletons in your ancestor’s closet Presented by Susan Petersen
August 13, 2013 7:15 p.m. Eastridge Presbyterian Church 1135 Eastridge Dr Lincoln, NE	LLCGS – Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society Monthly Program Ghost Towns of Families Past Presented by Bob Hanna
September 6-7,2013 Holiday Inn Convention Center 110 S. Second Ave Kearney, NE 68848	Midwest Family History Expo
Information is based on each organization’s online information. Information and classes subject to change without notice. Email additions or corrections to me.	List compiled and maintained by Susan Petersen, LongLostRelatives.net. To add or update your listing, please email me sooznebr@gmail.com