new.familysearch.org

I decided to test out the new Family Search site today, and it wasn't so bad, once I got to the right place. I inquired about my lack of success and discovered, along with the new features came a new address. Funny how that works.
A minor downfall is that you can't just start this stuff on a whim. First off, you have to create an account. In order to accomplish that, you'll have to have your Record Number and the date of your confermation. Luckily, I saved my info from something else. Once I got started, I was very pleased. I love the new system! No more driving to the Family History Library with your antique floppy discs (Remeber two of them! One for back up, cuz we know how dependable the floppys are!), gathering your work, undoubtabley leaving an important paper at home, sitting in front of a monotor that flickers, and having anchient people (as kind, and helpful as they are, bless them), tell you, how computers work. Thanks grandma, but I can manage and no you don't have to do it that way, and don't keep clicking that, it's working.....stop! ...you gotta love them, they are trying so hard.
What I'm trying to say is, I love being able to work from home, wearing what I desire, working when I desire, and I LOVE technollogy! This new system ROCKS! And you should get to work, I have!

Shockley Family Photos part 2

We recently got back from our trip to MT and ID. When we were gone we made a stop at Grandma Mary's house. She gave a little insight into some of the photos. She will be writing on the backs of the ones she knows. After she gets that done she will request the help of family to fill in the other blanks. I am very excited to get them back! Hopefully it wont be too long of a wait! Thanks Grandma!!

Getting Temple Ready

I took the name of my great grandma to the family history center last Tuesday to get her temple ready. I took only one name to see how it would go. I thought Grandma Elaine was good to go but I was missing a few things or didn't have them written right so it was a good thing I took a trial name I felt comfortable with. I have her already to go now and I just need to take her through the temple. I really wanna do this one all by myself for some reason. I wanna do all the ordinances for her. Maybe it's because it's my first one or maybe it's because I am selfish but whatever the reason I need to get over it, I can't do all the ordinances for everyone by myself. My plan is to hopefully get started on that this week and also fixing the other names I've got so it will be easier to get them temple ready.

Frank Eugene Shockley, 1911

I found a few things tonight...

First the King County Library System is AWESOME! They let you look at their databases from home as long as you have your library card number. At the Missoula Public Library you had to physically go in and look at the news papers on old micro film and they usually didn't have what I needed. It was a lot of effort without much reward.

I've been looking off and on for some answers to my Great Grandfather's death. I haven't found exactly what I've been searching for but I think I'm getting closer. I actually may never learn the things I wish I knew about it.

Here is what I know...My Grandpa told me stories of walking down a dirt road with one of his friends and hearing an explosion. They turned around and the house that their fathers were in was what had exploded. The boys started running back up the road but by the time they reached the house it had already burnt down to the ground. My Grandpa was just 13 and it was really hard on him. He didn't like to talk about it much and he got chocked up when he did. I was always curious about the fire. How did it happen? Why would a house explode? Apparently the men were in the house drinking and there was speculation of suicide but my Grandpa would turn red even at the slightest suggestion of that. Which probably piqued my interest more.

While I lived in Montana I sent in some paperwork to get his death certificate from WA state and they sent me my money back and said they couldn't find it. I had tried to find things online but my efforts never produced anything. I kept thinking now that I actually live in this state it might be easier to find something about it. Today I had no problem! I logged into KCLS and typed in my search criteria and found these...

Shockley Family Photos

There are so many reasons why I love old photography. I remember as a child sitting in my grandpa's dining room with many of these pictures on different walls and shelves and I always wanted them. Several years ago Neal and I took our laptop and scanner up to my Grandpa Franks house and scanned some of his pictures. Neal and I both thought the pictures had gotten lost. (the laptop we used has been dead for quite awhile now) I found them while I was doing my last project. I was VERY happy! There is a problem though...I don't know who is in the pictures. I am going to copy them and send them to my Grandma and see if she will write down as much as she can about them. I look forward to getting them back from her and being able to add them to my files, to personalize them, to learn a little something about each one of them.

I have decided to reopen my box of genealogy and get back to work. I will add all the fascinating things I find here and hopefully you will be encouraged to find some of your own stories.

~Michelle