I'm Back From My Genealogy Conference

@BelleStarr (61050)
United States
April 7, 2019 7:13am CST
Well, that was a jam-packed five days. My friend Kathy and I drove up to Manchester, NH for a NERGC conference. We started on Wednesday with a DNA Day. Very interesting. Thursday we didn't attend a class in every session, we were just dog tired. We went out to dinner with a friend from High School who lives in the area, it was a wonderful time. Friday again we opted not to take a class every session. We walked out in the evening for a delicious Italian meal of eggplant parm. Saturday we had to check out by noon so we took a morning class and then checked out and left. We decided we would rather be home than taking a class. lol I have been going to this conference since 1997 so to say that it is hard for me to find talks on topics that I have not already heard 10 times is putting it mildly. I do however always manage to get at least one new idea from every talk. I took mostly DNA talks. For some of my brickwalls this will be the only way to ever break it down. While I was there of course, I was writing articles for clients in the evening. I can't seem to stop myself from working even when I am away. I talked to my son in law this morning and one of my doggie grandchildren died over night. He was the son of my dog Brie and my dog who died almost 2 years ago Beau. I helped to deliver my sweet Boru, he will be missed by all of us. Jack is very upset.. Boru was at my house the last week while I was gone, my grandson Chris always takes the dogs with him when he comes over and he stayed with Al while I was away. Anyway, I have a heavy heart this morning. But one of our granddogs is still alive, her name is Ginger The dog the farthest away in this picture is Boru last fall when he was visiting our house.
17 people like this
15 responses
@Juliaacv (48236)
• Canada
7 Apr 19
I am so sorry for your family's loss of Boro. He looked like quite a cutie. Its ironic that you dug a little deeper to learn a little bit more about genealogy, of course for us people, and then you can trace back your relationship to Boro. But pets really are an extension of our family aren't they?
3 people like this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
8 Apr 19
I love that little boy, I helped deliver him so have known him since his moment of birth, it is so sad, I am just glad he didn't suffer and was always well loved.
2 people like this
@Juliaacv (48236)
• Canada
8 Apr 19
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109865)
• Los Angeles, California
7 Apr 19
My mother is genealogy crazy.
3 people like this
@JWMILLER (3280)
• Westmoreland, Tennessee
7 Apr 19
My family has an association, but I have stayed clear of the subject
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
7 Apr 19
I wouldn't say I'm crazy about it but I do enjoy solving the mysteries.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
7 Apr 19
Losing pets is very sad. Before his dementia set in Dad had done a lot of genealogy stuff. Unfortunately a large part of it is in a program on his computer, and he does not have the computer and no one knows how the program works, etc. In fact, I would probably be the only one in the family who would really be interested. I would love to take one of the DNA tests, which one is better, do you have an opinion?
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
8 Apr 19
I usually suggest ancestry because they don't allow you to transfer DNA into their site. My Heritage and Family Tree DNA do allow transfers. Ancestry doesn't allow you to manipulate it like some of the other sites do so that is why I usually say do that first and then move it everywhere you can. It isn't hard to transfer. It really depends on what you want to find. If you are hoping for matches in Europe, Living DNA is the best. 23 and Me is more about your medical DNA. I did Ancestry, moved it to Gedmatch, My Heritage and Family Tree DNA. I tried yesterday to move it to Living DNA and it wouldn't except the zip file. While I was at the conference I tested with Family Tree so when I get those results I will move them to Living DNA. (for Irish and ENglsih this is the best right now) Sorry, this is so long but it important to make the right decision. I can help you later when it comes to transferring.
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
12 Apr 19
I think it would be fun to attend the seminars but then again, I've never been. I'm so sorry about your granddog. What happened?
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
13 Apr 19
He just stopped eating and he had gotten very listless. I am not sure but he didn’t suffer
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
13 Apr 19
@simone10 he was 11 3/4 so oldish but not that old.
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@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
13 Apr 19
@BelleStarr that's so sad. Was he old?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323675)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Apr 19
That is so sad. They look lovely little dogs. It's awful when you lost a pet.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
7 Apr 19
They really are lovely little dogs and I am quite gutted.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129095)
• Israel
8 Apr 19
@BelleStarr I am so sorry you lost one of the dogs. I can understand why you have a heavy heart. It is so hard to lose a furry one. They are so so much a part of our lives. I have never knew there was a conference. That is very interesting. I know you have been going to years now but in the beginning did it help you find lost relatives?
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
13 Apr 19
@Hannihar Then you will do traditional research, it is a slow process but it can be done. They always offer several discussion on Jewish genealogy and how it differs, what methodologies to use etc.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
12 Apr 19
Yes it did, but not as much and as easily as DNA can do it now.
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@Hannihar (129095)
• Israel
12 Apr 19
@BelleStarr Thanks for sharing that with us. You may be right about DNA being the route but I am not going to do it.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (110776)
• El Paso, Texas
7 Apr 19
My condolences to all of you, it's so hard to lose them.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (110776)
• El Paso, Texas
8 Apr 19
It always hurts when we lose one @BelleStarr I know the feeling.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
7 Apr 19
I am so sad, he was just the sweetest little guy. A real lover boy.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (48855)
• United States
10 Apr 19
So sorry to hear about your fur baby
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
11 Apr 19
It is so sad, his sister is mourning, she cries and can't be left alone it is just awful.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
7 Apr 19
We get so attached to our pets that it is heartbreaking when they go to doggie heaven!
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
8 Apr 19
I know, I really hope that he is with his sister Honey and his dad Beau, we loved all these dogs very much.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
7 Apr 19
I'm so sorry, Iz. It always hurts to lose a pet. They are our sweet, furry family members. Hugs to you all.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
11 Apr 19
@DianneN Amen to that.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
8 Apr 19
@BelleStarr It will take a long time to get over your loss. My son and I still cry over his cat, Kuma, who has been gone since October. My brother lost his dog days after. It's never easy. May they all rest in peace.
1 person likes this
@just4him (303392)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
13 Apr 19
I'm sorry one of the granddogs passed while you were at the conference. I'm glad you had a good conference and learned something about the DNA you need to know.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
13 Apr 19
What I learned is more about interpreting the results which is the harder part but thank you.
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@just4him (303392)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
13 Apr 19
@BelleStarr Every little bit helps. You're welcome.
@JWMILLER (3280)
• Westmoreland, Tennessee
7 Apr 19
Really sorry for the oss
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
7 Apr 19
Thank you, he will be much missed.
@HazySue (39269)
• Gouverneur, New York
7 Apr 19
I am so sorry for the loss of Boro. It is always hard to lose a pet. I have often thought about learning some about genealogy.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
8 Apr 19
Genealogy can become an addiction but it is a fascinating one.
1 person likes this
@HazySue (39269)
• Gouverneur, New York
9 Apr 19
@BelleStarr I can see how it could become an addiction.
1 person likes this
@Elizaby (6901)
• Pensacola, Florida
9 Apr 19
Sad to hear of your loss. At least you made it home from Florida to enjoy him one more time
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@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
11 Apr 19
Thank you, yes I really was glad I got to see him while he was still with us.
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@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
11 Apr 19
So sorry about Boru, it hurts so much when our pets go. Glad you enjoyed your conference even if you didn't learn much new.
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
11 Apr 19
I always manage to at least get a new angle or two, sometimes that is enough. We are all so sad about Boru and his sister Ginger is beside herself, she has always been with him.
1 person likes this