Bow Ties and Chickens: Friday at NGS

On Friday at my first genealogy conference, I attended 5 sessions and visited almost every vendor I wanted to see during the lunch break.  Got the Blogger Beads.  Got the lanyard of credentials including a special ribbon for first time attendees.  It was a good day.

What I learned today:

• It’s best to be early.  I got an aisle seat every time – I’d rather have people crawl over me than for me to crawl over them.
• If a presenter is wearing a bow tie, the presentation is going to be a lot of fun.  Craig Scott is THE man for all things Militia.  I didn’t even know I was interested in the Militia, but I sure am now.
• I shouldn’t skim over parts of land records.  There are lots of clues to family history once you understand how to read them.
• There are more parts to a probate record than I realized.  Now I need to get back to the Library of Virginia and see if I can find the rest.
• Judy Russell sees Chickens.  (Jacqi Stevens would call them “Ooh Shiny.”)  But Judy embraces the Chicken because therein lies our family’s story.

I met 1 of my goals:  I connected with Colleen Pasquale of Leaves and Branches and Cheri Hudson Passey of Carolina Girl Genealogy. 

Colleen of Leaves & Branches
Moi of Jollett Etc

Colleen and I planned some time ago to look for one another and save a seat at the Militia program.  I recognized her immediately FROM THE BACK.  It’s her hair.

I didn’t realize Cheri and I had a session together but I spied her.  I’m not usually brave, but I made myself be brave and introduced myself.  We ended up sitting together for that hour.    

Cheri of Carolina Girl Genealogy
Moi still of Jollett Etc.

I must have reached my bravery quota for the day.  I just couldn’t get up the nerve to ask Judy Russell to join me in a Selfie, so Goal #2 FAIL.  I have one more shot tomorrow.

Can I just say right now I LOVE JUDY RUSSELL.  What a Geek!  What a Comedienne!  What a dynamic speaker!  What an inspiration!