Progress: Archiving Photos and VHS Tapes

Well, I am still progressing, ever so slowly, with my archiving project. I am rather proud of myself because I am very much a "starter". I have loads of enthusiasm and motivation when I begin a project and generally find that I don't like to finish up what I've started because the "newness" of it has worn off! To date I have endured watching a total of 17 tapes! Mind you that some of these are probably 8 hour tapes! Here's the breakdown:

5 - Christopher Lowell
2 - Room by Room
2 - History Channel
4 - HGTV
1 - Football
1 - Blank tape
1 - Cheerleading competitions
1 - Sci-Fi Channel

So far, I haven't found any of the home movies or televised video of my family to actually capture from the tapes. In other words, I am not recording all of these shows to DVD. I'm only playing all of them to search for those key pieces I wish to record. Also, I learned of a neighbor's elderly mother who still records her TV shows on VHS and I was happy to donate my old ones after I viewed them! LOVE THAT! ReCyClInG at it's best!

My stepdaughter's mother also gave her a box of VHS home movies and I started converting those to DVD for her. So far, I've converted four.

Not bad, I'd say, as my pile is getting noticeably smaller! The downside to this, which turned out to be a good thing in the end, is that I find myself anchored to my desktop computer. I did manage to get quite a few tasks caught up at the beginning and then ran out of things to do. So, also part of my archiving project (which is why it turned out to be good), I started scanning photos to digital. I have a bookshelf of many photo albums which I attempted to archive many years ago.  These are those chunky mini albums about 4" x 6" in size but thick.

After educating myself on the "proper" way to do this since then, I realized my first attempt was ALL WRONG! The books themselves were not archival quality. Although they are labeled, there is no index to speak of for quick retrieval. And I really would like a uniform look to all my photo books so they don't appear to have been bought at different periods of time.

The solution? Start scanning photos to digital! After learning I could "gang scan" photos, which I'll cover in another post, I started whizzing through the pictures. I already have one and a half albums completed! I also purchased archival page protectors and books from Light Impressions.

I'll try to write more about my process and hopefully that will inspire you to get started archiving your own photos and videos. Also if you have any questions I might be able to answer, just leave me a comment.

Copyright © 2010 Joanne Schleier

Converting VHS Tapes to DVD

Do you have shelves or boxes full of VHS Tapes? Are they labeled or indexed so that you even know what's recorded on them?

Here's my stash of VHS tapes in my closet...


Yes, they have been there for YEARS...and I don't know what's on them. This is Phase II of the project because I already separated the Purchased Tapes from the Recorded Tapes. This stash is only the tapes I recorded. I do know that there are some tapes within the stash that have some precious recordings on them that I will want to preserve by converting them to another type of media.

This has been one of those PROJECTS that is going to take a lot of preparation and a lot of time to complete. I call anything that requires more than one action or task a "project". This has been on my list of things-to-do for a very long time.

So, it was time to tackle this - as VHS tapes are prone to deteriorate over time. I did keep them in a controlled environment away from direct sunlight, temperature controlled and with low humidity, i.e. my office closet.

I pulled our old VCR from the living room, the only one left in the house, into my office and researched how to connect the cables from it to my computer. Now, I already have a program installed on the computer which will copy and burn to DVD. You will also need some kind of conversion device as VHS is ANALOG and it needs to be converted to DIGITAL.

That was all finished and the first test run was done. The result? The old VCR ate my tape! I tried another and it didn't play either - therefore, it wasn't the tape, but the machine.

So, it went in the garbage and I found myself purchasing a new VCR! I know, at this day and age they are almost obsolete and I am buying a new one! But it's needed. I bought one from Wal-Mart with a VCR and DVD player combination. They had a machine that plays a tape and burns to disc all-in-one. But I saved the money knowing that I already have the software needed to do it on my computer. You could pay the extra few bucks and save yourself the trouble of the computer software and conversion device.

So, here is the new VCR in my office attached to my computer. I also pulled out the old "rewinder" machine. It is exclusively used to rewind your tapes and save the wear and tear on the VCR.

Now, when I am sitting at my desk, I play a tape with the volume up loud enough to hear the content but not distract from my task at hand. I am playing an old HGTV episode of "Room by Room" as I write this.

I know that I mostly have HGTV and DIY recorded as well as some History Channel programs. But, I am mostly interested in finding an old image of my grandmother. She was a model in New York and always told me about how she was a "Chesterfield Girl" on a billboard. She described being a platinum blond with big white teeth holding her cigarette in a red convertible with a red scarf blowing in the wind. She was 5'9" and beautiful.

I never saw the image. Or any of her other modeling images because they were destroyed in a flood in the basement. That only added to my desire to see one. I also found in the 1930 census that she was 21 and a "saleswoman for ladies wear". Then one day, I was watching TV (and can you imagine that I happened to be recording?) when her image flashed up on the screen! I was beside myself in shock! It was one of those spiraling images that flashed up large and then disappeared for another to follow just behind it. I couldn't believe my eyes! I played it over and over, paused it and watched it in slow motion! It was her! Exactly as she had described it. Sadly, I couldn't tell her about finally seeing it as she had passed away.

I also have some TV commercial I was in and other TV shows. Nothing big - no voice, just an extra in most of them. I'll be sure to post some images once I find them.

It has been a week and I have gone through four tapes. I only recorded one segment off of "The Christopher Lowell Show" of a beautiful room redo that I had not forgotten about. The rest went into the trash. BOY DOES THAT FEEL GOOD! Finally started the project and finally cleaning out the closet to capture the memories I want to keep and discard the junk!

If you have VHS tapes that you wish to preserve, I highly suggest that you convert them now to a newer media. Don't procrastinate, get started now.

Copyright © 2010 Joanne Schleier

Are You A Genealogy Geek?

You might be a genealogy geek if:

1. You'd rather go to a genealogy conference than a tropical summer vacation destination.
2. You'd rather visit a cemetery than people who are living.
3. You spend more time on your computer after midnight than during the day.
4. You're daily "newspaper" reading consists of genealogy related blogs in your RSS feed reader.
5. The friends you choose have the same addiction to genealogy passion for doing research on their ancestors.
6. Snow days make you grin from ear to ear as you relish in the thought of a "genealogy day".
7. Most of your photos are black and white or sepia toned.
8. Eating and sleeping are not priorities anymore.
9. Regardless of how the conversation starts, it ends with you discussing your ancestors.
10. The cabinets are bare, the laundry is not done, the bills are not paid, you have not bathed, but genealogy RSS feeds are all read.
11. Your annual tax return is already spent on this year's conferences, online database subscriptions and memberships to more than one genealogy society.
12. You walk around with a magnifying glass in your purse.
    

Copyright © 2010 Joanne Schleier

Ancestor Approved Award - April 4, 2010

These three blog authors have awarded me the Ancestor Approved Award! They also write family history related blogs. Be sure to visit their sites.

Michelle at The Turning of Generations
Carol from Reflections From the Fence
Bonnie/Valentinoswife over at Amore E Sapore di Famiglia

Sometimes you wonder if anyone is even reading what you post! This is confirmation that people are reading my blog and some consider it award worthy - so a big THANK YOU to them!

With the acceptance of this award comes the obligation to "list ten things you have learned about any of your ancestors that has surprised, humbled, or enlightened you” and also to “pass the award along to ten other bloggers who you feel are doing their ancestors proud.”

I really took a long time to tackle this one. Not that I was procrastinating, but because I had house guests last week! Thanks for your patience. So here goes...

1. The first thing that comes to mind are all of those ancestors of mine who have served in the military, especially during wartime. I am humbled by their service to country, flag, and freedom.
   
2. Next I think about all the farmers! I know these first two are somewhat broad, but I can't seem to get anything to grow - did not inherit the green thumb. Everytime I go to the grocery store I am humbled by farmers who grow the food that keeps me and my family alive. I had a lot of ancestors who were general farmers.
3. My 3rd great grand-uncle, Judge Allen Baskin, was accidentally struck by lightening and died.
4. Immigrant ancestors come to mind. Specifically, my 9th great grandfather, Col. Thomas Pettus, from Norwich, England. He was the youngest of 12 children - almost certain not to inherit anything from his father. Believed to be a widower (not proven yet) he came to Jamestowne in 1638.
5. I'm surprised to have many Jamestowne ancestors! Love reading about this time in history and the "starving time", Indian attacks, and other calamities that occurred which people continued to endure to gain freedom and become land owners in their own right.
   
6. Having read a lot of accounts about migrations westward, I am truly amazed at what people endured to make a new life for themselves in an often unknown place. Similar to emigrants, I am humbled by their courage.
7. My great grandfather, Henry Ermon McVicker, lost both his first wife and young twin children during the 1918 flu epidemic.
8. Hugh Baskin was one of my Revolutionary War patriot ancestors. He rode a horse 394 days from May 12, 1780 to July 12, 1783.
9. Three of my female relatives married their husband's twice (married, divorced them, then married them again).
10. I am still astounded that I was able to walk into the Abbeville, SC Courthouse and put my hands on Hugh Baskin's original will from 1790!

1. Gen Wish List
2. We Tree
3. Patten: Genealogy
4. Mississippi Memories
5. Kathy's Genealogy Blog
6. The Graveyard Rabbit Student
7. Clue Wagon
8. Discovering Latvian Roots
9. Family Forest
10. Olive Tree Genealogy

Thanks again to those who recognized my blog with this award! It's my pleasure to pass it on to bloggers I follow!

Joanne

Copyright © 2010 Joanne Schleier

Splendid Genealogy Course at the John C. Campbell Folk School

What could possibly be better than talking genealogy for an entire week? How about doing it at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina during their Scandinavian week? Yes, I am still recovering from what was to become colossal proportions of motivation and inspiration that I left with. But there's more...

One quickly becomes acquainted with how the bell tolls before mealtimes and enjoying delectable Scandinavian cuisine while mingling with other attendees, each one eager to discuss the handicraft they're learning in their course. These include ceramics, paper cutting, blacksmithing, woodworking, wood turning, felting, weaving and much more.

Someone asked me which course I was in, quickly followed by "do you have any Scandinavian ancestors?" Well, I didn't think I did. So my answer was "no". However, that answer left me unsettled until I was able to access my database to do a search for any Scandinavian roots. Sure enough, my fourth great grandfather, James Wood Headstream, immigrated from Sweden and finally settled in Monroe County, Arkansas! (Meatballs with gravy! I AM Swedish!) Needless to say, I changed my answer to THAT question for the rest of the week!

My course was taught by genealogist, Ann Mohr Osisek, from Florida. She was a delight - keeping the atmosphere very relaxed and encouraging conversation. She brought with her a whole library of books, some of which she liberally distributed to purge her collection. I acquired enough books and periodicals to keep my nightly reading regime "genealogy-focused" for at least a decade!

One of the highlights of my week turned out to be totally unexpected. You may recall reading an earlier post on my third great-grandfather, Pleasant Nelson Simpson. While doing research on Ancestry.com, I met a cousin who also happens to live in Georgia. Well, that was several months ago and we've been communicating via e-mail but have been unable to meet face-to-face.

On the first day of the course, I tried wrapping up my e-mails. I sent my cousin a note explaining where I was and that I would have limited internet access to check my mail. That evening I checked my mail to find her reply. She told me she was coming to see me there at the school! (Cruising Viking Ships! Are you kidding me?) She was only 20 minutes away via winding road! I called her right away and she arranged to come to the school the next night.

My third cousin once removed arrived and like two long lost friends we embarked on a two-hour non-stop yack-fest exchanging details about ourselves and our common ancestor. She loaned me two ginormous books and promised to return the next day to retrieve them.

It keeps getting better...

She came to the class, welcomed by all of my classmates who heard the story of our reunion meeting and made an announcement. See, we'd been unable to prove Pleasant's third (or fourth) marriage. Didn't even know the wife's name, but had read about it in a book. He was 70 years old at the time! She originally inquired about their marriage record via phone to the county in Texas that held the records. They told her they had the license and that it had "expired" written across it. The clerk was going to investigate and call her back.

She had received the call with the news that Pleasant Nelson Simpson and his third wife, Emeline Frances (Wilson) Williams, never picked up their marriage certificate which she found in the basement! She was sending the original to my cousin! (Great Gotlanders - I think I'm going to faint!)

I am still recovering from all the excitement at the Folk School's Scandinavian Week. I spent a lot of class time on-line doing research and brought a file folder of data to enter into my database while I listened in on the lessons. Here are the results:

Before:
Individuals: 4747
Families: 1650
Sources: 286

After:
Individuals: 4917
Families: 1716
Sources: 300

The difference concludes that I added the following:
Individuals: 170
Families: 66
Sources: 14

I brought home a smile, as sense of wonderment and accomplishment, new friends, a new cousin and the John C. Campbell Scandinavian Recipes book! I always knew that the Swedish Chef was my favorite Muppet for a reason!

Copyright © 2010 Joanne Schleier