Carnival of Genealogy 82: Breaking Into Society

Welcome to the 82nd Edition of the Carnival of Genealogy - Breaking Into Society.

 Poster courtesy of the footnoteMaven.

What's your favorite genealogical society?
Do you belong to a society?
Tell us why!

Or if not, why not?

It's probably obvious that my favorite society is the California Genealogical Society and Library in Oakland, California. I've been blogging here since November 2007 so it's about time for me to host an edition of the carnival.

Special thanks and acknowledgment to Jasia of Creative Gene for allowing me to use this edition of the COG to introduce a new carnival devoted exclusively to genealogical (and historical) societies which will start in January 2010.

More and more societies are starting blogs (Genealogy Blog Finder lists 77) and a carnival will be a great way for societies to share ideas and participate in some theme blogging. It's often difficult for society bloggers to join in the carnival fun - topics such as "ponies" or "bathing suit" aren't really society material!

I invite any suggestions about the new venture. Please feel free to email me or leave a comment below.

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This is actually the second time that societies have been a COG theme. Number 6 – Genealogical Societies – was one of the earliest topics in August 2006. Just three short years ago Jasia had to comb the web to collect enough blog material for a carnival. How things have changed! Today we have blog posts written by nineteen twenty genea-bloggers with their thoughts on gen-society membership from all parts of the U.S. and a view from Canada and the U.K.

Janet Iles starts things off by sharing some very specific reasons why she is a member of three branches of the Ontario Genealogical Society. Why did I join our genealogical society? - Carnival of Genealogy is posted at Janet the researcher.

Dorene from Ohio tells what the Ohio Genealogical Society can offer you if you are looking for ancestors who lived in Ohio. Read My Favorite Genealogical Society: OGS at Graveyard Rabbit of Sandusky Bay.

Jasia of Creative Gene invites us to read about her experiences with two Polish genealogical societies in PGS1 and PGS2, What They Mean to Me and You. She recommends that anyone researching their roots in Poland join a Polish genealogical society: "The help they can give you is invaluable."

Charles Hansen is one of the team who writes the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society blog. He wonders "Will local genealogical societies change with the internet? Will they continue to attract new members? or die?" His answer to both questions – education. Read My Favorite Genealogical Society for the COG at his personal blog Mikkel's Hus. 
 

Apple hasn't had much success with her local society so she's considering branching out. She cites her recent experiences and tells all in Apple's Tree: Society Gal? posted at Apple's Tree.

John Gasson thinks much of his research would still be "struggling to get off the ground" without the resources of his local group. Read Why I couldn't live without the Sussex Family History Group at The Wandering Genealogist.

Greta Koehl of Greta's Genealogy Bog proclaims "The Fairfax Genealogical Society is one of the outstanding local genealogical societies in the United States – great both for newbies and for experienced and professional genealogists. It has played a major role in my genealogical education." Read why in My Favorite Genealogical Society.

Miriam Robbins Midkiff's started blogging for her favorite Eastern Washington Genealogical Society in July 2007. Since she has no ancestors from Eastern Washington, My Favorite Genealogical Society at AnceStories: The Stories of My Ancestors tells why a local society can have advantages over the ones in your ancestral locations.

Thomas MacEntee declares (as only Thomas can) "Just like Lays potato chips, with genealogical societies, you can't have just one!" I do believe he takes the prize for most society memberships. Tally them up at Destination: Austin Family: My Favorite Genealogical Society - Must There Be Just One?

GrannyPam says she doesn't consider herself to be a "joiner." Actions speak louder than words and Pam has shared plenty of both over the threatened closure of the Library of Michigan at Granny's Genealogy. See why she is active in her local society at What?s Your Favorite Genealogy Society?

Jessica Oswalt shares her reasons for not being a member of a genealogy society in Genealogy Societies - My Thoughts at Jessica's Genejournal. Elyse has a suggestion (below) that may fit the bill for Jessica!

Donna Pointkouski is another member of the Polish Genealogical Society of America and notes that this edition of the CoG coincides with Polish-American Heritage Month. Donna tells why she has held membership for almost twenty years in High on Societies: Genealogical Societies! posted at What's Past is Prologue.

Randy Seaver has been blogging the Chula Vista Genealogy Café since April 2007. He has lots to say on his favorite topic in Genealogical Societies - Socialization Networks posted at Genea-Musings.

For Susan C Pentico, "Sharing is what makes societies so special." Read her thoughts Favorite Genealogical Society's Winning Praise posted at Susi's Chatty Performances on Genealogy.

Bill West has let his society membership lapse (horrors!). He explains in WHY I'M NOT IN A GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY posted at West in New England.

Sheri Fenley is an active member of several organizations. It's not surprising that The Educated Genealogist lists "journals" and "educational opportunities" among her reasons for societal membership. She also discusses "schmoozing" in her post Genealogical and Historical Society Membership.

Twice this summer Elyse Doerflinger of Elyse's Genealogy Blog gave some great advice to genealogical societies. Now she is back with more wisdom beyond her years with COG 82: A Youngster's View of Genealogy Societies.

Elizabeth O'Neal of Little Bytes of Life calls herself A Genealogical Joiner and shares more of her quest to join a local society.

And last, but by no means least, the footnoteMaven submitted A Member of Society. fM provides a definition and some self-analysis. With the latter, my dear fM, I respectfully disagree!

Addendum! A late entry has been added from M. Diane Rogers at CanadaGenealogy, or, 'Jane's Your Aunt'. In Why I Belong Diane dons her red hat (which one are you?) and answers a pertinent question "Why should I visit a genealogical society library when there are plenty of libraries around?"

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That concludes this edition of the Carnival of Genealogy.

Call for Submissions!
The topic for the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy will be: Musical Instruments! Do you play a musical instrument or did one of your family members? What instrument did you or they play? If no one in the family played an instrument, tell what is your favorite instrument or band and what is your least favorite one. The deadline for submissions is November 1st. This edition of the COG will be guest hosted by Janet Iles who authors the blog, Janet the Researcher.

Submit your blog article to the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy using the carnival submission form. Please use a descriptive phrase in the title of any articles you plan to submit and/or write a brief description/introduction to your articles in the "comment" box of the blog carnival submission form. This will give readers an idea of what you've written about and hopefully interest them in clicking on your link.

Past posts and future hosts can be found on the blog carnival index page.