May 06, 2014

Off to the National Genealogical Society Conference: the joy of the butterflies

May 06, 2014/ Karen Thornton

Now that the National Genealogical Society Conference quickly becomes a reality, I have to admit the butterflies are starting. I cannot wait to attend the lectures (especially the ones on North Carolina and Appalachian history), but the fact is I'm relatively new to all this and truly don't know what to expect.

But as my anticipation grows, I find the National Genealogical Society has done an amazing job communicating with beginners like me, even creating a page to provide information for first time attendees. And I can relax, allow my research and knowledge to expand, and hopefully make some new friends.

I'll be posting while I'm there, and I cannot wait to share all the fabulous information I learn. And now I have to run. I have a train to catch!

May 05, 2014

The Amazing App for the National Genealogical Society Conference

May 05, 2014/ Karen Thornton

I can hardly quiet my mind on a daily basis. Driving, errands, Target, cooking, the gym, Target, kids' homework: by the time I settle down at night, I can hardly believe my day has past.

Which explains my lateness in downloading the conference app for the National Genealogical Society Conference this coming week. Finally I've had a chance to wrap my head around all the awesomeness that awaits. And finally I downloaded the app to my phone.

Holy 1890 census is this thing incredible.

I have never been to a conference of this scale before. I read an article on the National Genealogical Society Conference blog that gives the top 10 reasons to use the app, and I discovered the app has everything on it I need for the entire time I'm there. For instance, a map of the conference center to see exactly where I'm going. A list of attendees and speakers I can familiarize myself with before it all begins. A list of exhibitors. Conference news. It also has a calendar so I can see exactly all the lectures I can go to. And I'm going to every single one I can humanly get into. Even if they happen at the same time. And there's a lunch I want to attend called The Pitfalls of Visiting Jamestown in Jammies, but I replied too late, and now it's full. Maybe they'll let me in if I promise not to eat anything....

Only two more days!

May 02, 2014

National Genealogical Society 2014 Conference in Richmond, VA

May 02, 2014/ Karen Thornton

St. Thomas. North Carolina. California. And now Richmond, VA.

In the past few months, I've done more traveling than since the time before I had children. And while tiring--it's been awesome.

On Tuesday, I'm leaving to spend four days at the National Genealogical Society Conference in Richmond, VA. And I can't wait. I've never been to a genealogy/family history conference, and next week I'll be around so many genealogists and family historians. And go to lectures. And attend a Family Search blogger dinner. And talk with other people who love to do exactly what I love.

It's like I've just entered Willy Wonka's chocolate factory.

I just renewed my membership for another year to the National Genealogical Society. I haven't even begun to scratch the surface of all the wonderful things they offer. Not only do they offer the conference, but they also offer online educational courses, periodicals, and discounts on other memberships like Fold3.

I get the privilege of being an official blogger at the conference this year. And I'll be writing articles throughout my stay. The speakers are top notch, and I hope I can absorb all the wonderful information that will be shared.

So off I go. And I will share with you the wealth of what is to come.

April 29, 2014

Circling back: my trip to Broughton Hospital, April 2014

April 29, 2014/ Karen Thornton

Record at Broughton signifying Hannah died while a patient there.

My husband is a champ. When I suggested we take the entire family to Western North Carolina for a week long spring break, he agreed without reservation. I wanted to show him the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, explore Asheville, and share with him Spruce Pine and Bakersville in Mitchell County. I also wanted to return to Broughton Hospital to show him where Hannah died.

But then I had an idea. When I began my research on Hannah, I contacted Broughton (formerly known as Morganton State Hospital) for information regarding Hannah's time there. I filled out some forms and soon received some information (albeit very little) via mail about Hannah's stay. I didn't learn much, but what I did learn was incredibly valuable to me.

But I still longed to see more. So I contacted the librarian at Broughton, and she agreed to let me visit during our spring break in North Carolina.

Let me say that from the time I arrived at the check-in desk for visitors and throughout my visit, I was treated with the utmost kindness and hospitality. All the people I came into contact with showed me a great deal of empathy regarding Hannah, and even though I didn't discover much more, I was able to look through various record books and ledgers to see Hannah's information, diagnosis, and even some photos that allowed me to put a clearer picture with her time in Morganton. The librarian allowed me to photograph freely as long as I respected the patients' confidentiality, past and present.

Although I didn't discover more than I already knew, I feel like the photos I captured speak much louder than anything I could write. So I'll allow them to exist on their own.