Great research resource

[Cross posting from Digital Cemetery Walk]

Family Tree Magazine DVD 2000-2009

Our genealogical society board met recently to plan our 2012 monthly programs. Instead of pulling out back-issues, of which I only have half, I opened my laptop and searched by keyword for topic ideas. Now, we don't violate copyright by copying the article, but rather use it to create our own program content. Sometimes the topic is the hardest thing to come up with. Many articles include other / online resources that we can share with our members or use in our planning.

The DVD covers 2000 - 2009. I have the 2010 DVD on my birthday list, even though I have the paper issues. I downloaded the issues on my iPad using Dropbox. I love having access at my fingertips.

I got mine at a great price but you can get it for a better price:

accessed 10/26

Disclosure: I have not received any compensation or products based on my sharing this. I just love Family Tree Magazine.

The other half

In 2008 I wanted to learn to quilt. The first thing I did was buy some fabric and learn to cut using a rotary cutter. I ended up with a lot of squares that I sewed together - see below.

This was bigger than I desired so I cut it in half and made 2 lap size quilts. I knew I would give one to my older sister, Denise and keep the matching one. 


The day I took them to be quilted, [I only did the top piecing], we found out she had cancer. Sadly, she would leave us six months later. We spent those 6 months talking and reliving a lifetime.

I mailed her quilt to her once I had the binding finished. She kept it near.

What I did not know was that she had made a wish known and that was for the quilt to be buried with her. She entered eternal slumber covered with my love. I miss you, Denise.

Soon it will be 3 years since she said goodbye. The pain never dulls. The void never fills. I've just learned to live around it.


The other half? It's here. I plan to pass it down with memories I shared with Denise.

When I get sad I look at this photo. Left to right: Teresa, Denise & me. What was Mama thinking when she fixed our hair? 

Teresa, Denise and Mama are gone. I never imagined growing old alone. It's up to me to to pass on what I can for our family.