The Circle of Family History

I started "poking around" in my family history back in high school, which was over 40 years ago! As you all know, that was before personal computers, online resources, WDYTYA, Google+ and, need we say, any degree of collaboration and sharing. There were all those retirees, with all the time in the world, filling in charts in longhand, and guarding their findings like the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Today, the landscape of genealogy has completely transformed itself. Indeed, it could be said, we are in the age of GENEALOGY INFORMATION OVERLOAD. Working at (sometimes) two jobs, living up to my obligations as a member of the Sandwich Generation, I sometimes find it difficult to simply keep up.

As I inched my toe back into the water a few years ago, how wonderful it was to find the community of  genealogy bloggers out there, so welcoming and supportive. I can safely say that, in other areas of my life, I have not found a similar embracing network.

I could salute the most prolific New England geneabloggers, but you know who you are. You have been my "parents," and I cherish all of you. So you can imagine how humbled I was to be mentioned and recognized today with the following award badge.  Thanks Heather!

Having just participated in a blog-growing event in the needlework community over the weekend, I appreciate the promotional benefits of these award post-chains.  I'm going to "keep it going," by mentioning 3 bloggers who have been especially helpful to me, with the understanding that it's up to them how they respond. You can benefit from these links, and "The Circle Is Unbroken."

Scott Leonard's Old Blue Genes - Scott's writing and research is very extensive and thorough. I am particularly enamored of his posts about his Portland, Maine, ancestors.

Pam Beveridge's Heirlooms Reunited - I love looking through this treasure trove of photos, programs, and diaries. Some day she's going to find something from one of my lines. Loads of fun.

Linda McCauley's Documenting the Details - I met Linda at NGS in Cincinnati last spring. She is also one of my favorites in the genealogy Twitter-verse. She's been so helpful with techie questions.

If my selectees choose to participate, here are the rules and a link to the original post.
The originator of the award and the rules
1. Select the blogs you think deserve the Blog of the Year 2012 Award
2. Write a blog post and tell us about the blogs you have chosen - no minimum or maximum number
3. Include a link back to this page
4. Let the blogs you have chosen know that you have given them this award and share the rules with them
5. Join the Facebook group - click on this page "Blog of the Year 2012" Award Facebook group and share you blog with an even wider audience
6. Proudly display the award on your blog and/or sidebar and start collecting stars!