Bubble Stream

Bubble Stream
Originally uploaded by mdavidford

I really enjoyed playing with the mapping feature on Flickr as an alternative approach to searching. While a keyword search might get me to photos of an area I want to explore for my genealogical research, the mapping feature points to sets of photos that just happen to have been taken in the vicinity of the area I am searching. For instance, I was searching Kilrea because my great grandmother emigrated from a farm outside that town. The search retrieved lots of photos of the town. But by using the mapping feature, I ran across a set of photos from a fairly recent wedding that took place in the county chapel where she was christened in the mid 1850s. What a kick.

McLean Lyons Plot Calvary Cemetery

McLean Lyons Plot Calvary Cemetery
Originally uploaded by jbacino7

Here is a photo taken of the plot where most of the members of the Edward Lyons family (Edward, Mary, John, Mary, Nellie) who immigrated to the United States from Dunnington met their final rest.

This is the marker from the McLean Lyons Plot in Calvary Cemetery, Evanston, Illinois. The stone was probably originally on the curbing that surrounded the plot. Curbing was removed throughout the cemetery in the mid 20th century in a remodel of the cemetery.

BrianLyonsDeath Certificate

BrianLyonsDeath Certificate
Originally uploaded by jbacino7

This image is a certificate of death received from the General Records Office in England, certifying the death of my great, great, great grandfather Bryan Lyons. Bryan was born in Mayo, Ireland and emigrated to England sometime before the mid nineteenth century. His son Edward married Mary Connery of Tipperary and then had at least 7 children who were born in Dunnington, York, England between 1858 and 1875. The eldest was my great grandfather, John Lyons.

I found the RSS feed exercise clear and easy to complete, at least on the most basic level. Of course the challenge will be learning how to quickly browse the information that is pushed to me, selecting what to ignore, and what to focus on.

I was disappointed that the Feedster site was not operational at the time I tried it. I think that would be immensely helpful in keeping abreast of a particular topic, or so I understand, but have not been able to try it to judge the usefulness.

Really glad I have finally jumped into this arena.

Just wanted to see if I could remember what to do!

Habits of Successful Learners

I decided to do this online learning session to become a participant in some of the technological tools I have used, but not produced. I guess that is the whole idea of 2.0.

I feel I am very much a lifelong learner, but I know my strengths and weaknesses. I do not always view problems as challenges and I often let the obstacle of time keep me from learning. However, I have confidence in myself as an effective learner and I enjoy mentoring others. I know I need to PLAY more with technology.

Beginnings

Saturday I sent 7 packets of family history information out to members of the McLean (Lyons) family, people I have never even met, and by Monday was surprised to already have two email responses. What a wonderful experience. Today I sent 6 more packets.