Internet Magic Fridays

Jane Booras is the Editor of numerous newsletters including our Campus Times. She will be sharing how you can find whatever you need - photos, clipart, information, maps, phone numbers - on the Internet.

Roots…

I’m in a time warp. Iowa is just gorgeous this time of year. And, yes, the corn is almost knee high. The rolling hills are green and lush and the air is clear and clean. I just spent a week in my home town.

I flew to Des Moines where Rosemary, my girlfriend since 3rd grade, hosted me overnight. The next day we drove 4 hours to Rock Rapids, the county seat of Lyon County – the northwestern-most county in the state. It’s nestled way up in the corner just 17 miles south of Minnesota and 30 miles east of South Dakota.

Here we stayed with Alice Marie and Arnold. Alice has been my friend since we were born within three months of each other, and Arnold since high school. They are truly the king and queen of hospitality and both have lived in Rock Rapids all their lives. We were also joined, happily, by my oldest son, David, his wife Grace, and my granddaughter Stephanie. My sister Mary and her husband Gary drove down from their Wisconsin home and lived in a camper outside the farm house. My dear husband stayed back home and took care of our pets and the house, but still it was really a wonderful family and friends reunion.

It was Heritage Days in Rock Rapids. It’s an annual event the 3rd weekend of June. This year was Mary’s 50th high school class reunion, but many other high school classes of the past reunited to celebrate. It was definitely a “meet and greet” weekend.   

My son is into serious family genealogy. He has studied and posted family history on the Internet for many years. His main purpose for making this trip was to hear stories and see, first hand, the old family homes and haunts in town and the burial plots at the cemetery (he’s big on visiting cemeteries). We spent one whole day shooting pictures around town.

Highlights of the hometown tour were a luncheon at the old Methodist church where his Dad and I were married, the annual Heritage Days parade, and, of course, the cemetery.

David shared information about how to trace ancestry and post family genealogy on the Internet. He recommends starting at http://familysearch.org. This is the well-known Mormon Church site that is thought to have the most complete and accurate records and links for this kind of information. Here you can download software to help you get started. It’s free and called PAF. Personal Ancestral File (PAF) is a free genealogy and family history program. PAF allows you to quickly and easily collect, organize and share your family history and genealogy information. Most of this site is free, however you can buy certain records and databases.

The other site he recommends is http://ancestry.com. This site has a membership fee, but if you’re serious about genealogy, this is a must. There are different levels of membership (monthly, 3-month and annual) and a free trial subscription, but the most it would cost is about $300 per year. But for lower levels of membership it’s much less. He believes this site contains the most legitimate, valuable and well-indexed information available.

Finally, for cemetery information, David suggests http://usgenweb.org. It is a free site and coordinated strictly by volunteers.

A few important hints:

· Patience and perseverance! That’s what it takes to search records and nose around for information. Eventually, no doubt, you’ll leave the Internet and end up poking around in old libraries and courthouses and slogging through cemeteries.

· Be wary if an Internet site asks for money, and be sure to give no personal information unless you are certain that you are on a secure site.

· Other places to search for old school classmates are http://www.facebook.com and http://www.reunion.com, and http://www.classmates.com.

· Consider misspellings and misinformation. When David had difficulty finding records, he learned to try other spellings of names. Down through the years, through bad handwriting, smudged papers and just plain mistakes, he found that many names are now spelled differently than the originals. He points out that it's common to find conflicting information. One source online may say John's parents were Fred and Wilma, and another may say they were Barney and Betty. Who's right? Maybe they both are, but one of them is talking about a different John... who unfortunately lived in the same town at the same time but isn't the one you're looking for. The lines get blurry fast, and some real detective work is usually required to prove things beyond a reasonable doubt.

· To document your lineage on some sites, you may need a certified birth certificate. This can be obtained on line, or scanned if you have the original. You only need certified birth certificates (for yourself and your ancestors) for membership into DAR/SAR (Daughters or Sons of the American Revolution) or other organizations requiring specific proof. However, finding and obtaining copies of vital records (birth/marriage/death) is an important part of the research process, because these are primary sources. They “prove” something. Finding info on the Internet is great, but it's all unproven until you have paper records in your hand that corroborate your findings.

· Sooner or later, you will want to (or have to) learn to scan pictures and document and store and organize them on line.

Gee, that’s enough for today. And I haven’t even told you yet about the fresh strawberries, my long-lost 2nd cousin in South Dakota, the $9.95 rib eye, the 1939 tractor in the railroad depot museum or the Tipsy House and old wooden roller coaster at Arnolds Park at Lake Okoboji!

If you’re really interested in the whole story, feel free to look at my Iowa pictures on Flickr at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10138122@N02/sets/72157620415630559/

Internet Magic Fridays

Jane Booras is the Editor of numerous newsletters including our Campus Times. She will be sharing how you can find whatever you need - photos, clipart, information, maps, phone numbers - on the Internet.

You Can Go Home Again

I’ve been thinking a lot about Northwest Iowa this week. That’s because I will be going there next week – to my old home town. I can hardly wait!

I have been known to say that I had a “Leave it to Beaver” childhood. By the way, when you click on the link below, you’ll see that Jerry Mathers, child star of that old TV show, is listed by Wikipedia as a “Notable Resident” of Rock Rapids, Iowa.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Rapids,_Iowa

Jerry’s dad, Norm Mathers, was a coach at the local high school in the early 1950’s before moving the family to California.

I did have an ideal childhood in Rock Rapids. My mother went there to teach high school in the early ‘30’s . When she first went to interview for the position, she was invited to the home of the then school board president, Alpheus Hezekiah Lockwood. She was sitting for the interview in his living room when “Alphy’s” son Dewitt came bounding down the stairs in tennis attire ready for a game. The rest is history, as they say. My dad, Dewitt, used to say he later sat behind my mother in church and admired the long brown braids wrapped around her head, wondering what it would be like to unbraid her hair…well, you get the idea. He asked her for a date and Dewitt and “Tucky” were married in 1934 – smack in the middle of the depression.

But by the late 40’s and early to mid 50’s, when I was at my most impressionable age, life was good. We never locked our doors, we played outside all over town and came home at night when the 6:00 whistle blew, we walked on the railroad tracks downtown to the local movie (10 cents up to age 12, then 25 cents age 12 and up). We “goofed around” (as opposed to “hanging out” which kids do today).

My dad was the local undertaker. Well, actually my grandfather (Alphy) was a licensed mortician. My dad was the “funeral director.” They had a furniture store and funeral home on Main Street.

So, what’s all this got to do with the Internet, and what would interest YOU about this story? Well, everything has something to do with the Internet sooner or later. In preparing for my trip, gathering information, and connecting with my friends, I have used the Internet many times:

1. Travel arrangements. To book my airline ticket. I am flying to Des Moines to stay one night with Rosemary, my dear friend since 3rd grade (when her dad moved their family to Rock Rapids from Milwaukee, Wisconsin). From the first day I met Rosemary at school, we became fast friends. She was the Homecoming Queen, and I will love her forever. The next day, Rosemary and I will drive to Rock Rapids for Heritage Days (the all-high school reunion).

2. Information. I keep up with Heritage Days activities at the Rock Rapids website.

http://75.125.252.100/~rockra1/site/

For the Heritage Days Events Schedule, click on the link on the left hand side.

In Rock Rapids, we will stay with Alice Marie, another lifelong friend. Alice Marie’s mother and my mother taught together in Rock Rapids, married our dads, and had to resign their positions because married teachers could not teach! Alice Marie and I were born a few years later, and have been friends ever since. She married her high school sweetheart, Arnold, and they have lived and farmed near Rock Rapids all these years. She are Arnold are the best hosts in the world. They open their hearts and their home every year for returning high school alumni.

3. Connections. Through email. Of course we all keep up with each other’s travel schedules (and lives, for that matter) through email – the ultimate Internet activity. My sister is celebrating her 50th high school class reunion this year, and she and her husband will be “camping” down from Wisconsin for that celebration. She and I worked on her high school memory book together – you guessed it, by email!

And Facebook! By keeping track of each other’s posts and pictures, we “see” the activities of family and friends on a routine basis.

So you see? You can go home again, and you need the Internet to get the trip together.

Wherever you are from, you can go home again by keeping in touch through the Internet. Just Google your local newspaper and catch up on the “news.”

http://www.smalltownpapers.com/ShowImage.htm?images/LYC.gif/p01.gif

Come back next Friday, and I’ll tell you more about my trip!

Jane Booras is Editor of the Campus Times Newsletter for Computer School for Seniors (http://www.cs4seniors.com/)

Internet Magic Friday

Jane Booras is the Editor of numerous newsletters including our Campus Times. She will be sharing how you can find whatever you need - photos, clipart, information, maps, phone numbers - on the Internet.

I’m sitting here at the computer, twitchy fingers poised over the keys, thinking, “If I didn’t have a computer, what would I be doing right now?” Hmmmmmm.

Well, what would my life be like with no computer (or no computer skills)?

Of course, I’d still “boot up” every morning. Swing my legs over the side of the bed and be thankful to God that when my feet hit the floor I can stand, walk and make it to the bathroom.

After a nice cup of tea, I’d probably think about exercising. Mind you, I do this anyway on my “days off.” But I’d probably do it more often. Maybe even walk outside on nice days or go the YMCA and take advantage of their “Silver Sneakers®” free exercise classes for seniors.

After exercising, I’d shower and put on a little makeup (about 10:30, vanity kicks in). Then, suppose I had no appointments (doctor, manicure, hair, pedicure, massage, lunch etc.)? Seems my options would be to clean house, do a little patio gardening, call a friend for lunch or launch one of those “projects” I’ve been vowing to do for years. Probably get out the “family pictures” box from the closet and start to organize them to put into scrapbooks for the kids and grandkids, or clean out my sock drawer.

Then I’d have some lunch. But then what? Back to the pictures? Maybe. At some point, I would definitely volunteer to do something meaningful with my life. I could volunteer to answer the phone at church. They have an old-fashioned phone system that is easy to operate and the Sunday School coordinator always has little craft tasks to do for the kids while I wait for phone calls. I’ve often thought I’d like to volunteer at the Animal Shelter. Don’t care much for dogs, but I’d love to feed and cuddle the cats and kittens there that don’t have homes. They look so forlorn in those cages. Oh, right, the cages. Part of the job is to clean them. It goes with the territory. Ugh.

But now I’m wondering how the kids are doing and what’s going on with some of my friends. To find out, I’d use the telephone and call them (probably getting voice mail in the bargain). As my husband says, “No news is no news.” Maybe I should actually sit down with pen and paper and write a letter!

Of course there’s always washing, shopping, and errands. Since I’ve been thinking of what we’re going to have for dinner since I swung my legs over the side of the bed this morning, I might as well think about doing some preparation.

I wonder what’s on TV tonight? If there’s nothing good on the tube, Alex and I will probably play Rummy. We have a perpetual card game going to see who wins the most games every year. Right now, he’s a year ahead. While we play Rummy, we listen to Greek music on tapes. It’s motivating.

Eeee Gad. I’m driving myself nuts! I need a computer! I need the Internet! I need email! I need Facebook!

Jane Booras is Editor of the Campus Times Newsletter for Computer School for Seniors (www.cs4seniors.com)

Internet Magic Friday

Jane Booras is the Editor of numerous newsletters including our Campus Times. She will be sharing how you can find whatever you need - photos, clipart, information, maps, phone numbers - on the Internet.

Why not do a little social networking on Facebook. It’s reported as being one of the cleanest, safest and easiest on the web. And, no, it’s not just for kids. Now if you prefer, there are a number of good social networking sites just for seniors. AARP has an online community, and one I recently discovered is http://www.notoverthehill.com/ Go ahead and check them out. Google “social networking sites for seniors,” and of course one click leads to another – you’re off and running. If you have the time and inclination, you can join more than one.

Most of the other networking sites present you with their entire “membership,” then leave it to you to decide (pick and choose) the people you want to communicate and connect with. The thing I like about Facebook is that as soon as you join (and remember, it’s free at the present time, as are most of the others), you actually know or have known these people in real life and have, or have had, a relationship with them.

So before you click around on Facebook, here are a few essential terms and tools:

Friend: Someone whose friendship you accept on request via the site. The term “friend” can include anyone – your family (kids, grandkids, siblings, etc.), a childhood pal, high school or college friend, co-workers, even a local political candidate you support. The point is, it’s up to YOU whether you add them to your “friends” list or not. Once you join Facebook, you can Find Friends (search Facebook) and send out electronic invitations for people to become friends with you. You will be invited to become friends with others who know you when they see you are registered on the site.

Friend Request: A notification that someone has asked for your friendship. You can confirm or ignore the request. You can also remove a friend at any time.

Status Update: At the top of your Profile (Home Page), you are prompted (What’s on your mind?) to type in up to 160 characters to let people know what you’re doing, thinking, or feeling. These posts by you and others are those wonderful little moments and insights into others’ lives (or your life) that we so seldom get (or send) on a daily basis. To me, this is the best part of Facebook.

You and your friends can also post photos and videos for others to enjoy. Just remember, these are visible to all your “friends.”

You start by setting up your Profile page (and uploading a picture of yourself). Thereafter, when you go to the site (www.Facebook.com and sign in), your News Page comes up first. This is a stream of posts from your “friends” on a real-time basis that shows the short Status Update messages they have written to you or to each other about what is on their minds (remember, they are all 160 characters or less). For longer messages, you write directly on their Wall, or they on yours.

From your News Page you can go to your Profile Page (which shows only the posts directly sent to you). This is also what is referred to as your Wall (meaning, a friend can go to your Profile Page and write directly on your Wall). By the way, only friends that you have confirmed can go to your Wall or Profile Page.

Anyway, don’t be daunted by all this rhetoric. Just go to www.facebook.com and click around for yourself. As with most everything on the Internet, you can always “opt out.” Happy Networking!

Jane Booras is Editor of the Campus Times Newsletter for Computer School for Seniors (www.cs4seniors.com)

Internet Magic Friday

Jane Booras is the Editor of numerous newsletters including our Campus Times. She will be sharing how you can find whatever you need - photos, clipart, information, maps, phone numbers - on the Internet.

Social Networking. Should You?

For years we’ve heard the word “networking.” It’s a computer-age word that I first remember hearing in the 80’s, and related to computers themselves. Wikipedia defines “networking” as, “the act of using a computer network (computers that are connected so they can communicate either by a wired or wireless network); the act of meeting new people in a business or social context.”

So, we initially heard the “networking” word related to computers themselves, then in a business sense such as “networking” to find a job, leads or prospects for a business, babysitters, or the best auto dealer. But in recent years, we have begun to hear more about Social Networking – connecting with people with like interests. Why? Because networking is effective. People find it useful and meaningful in their lives.

Thus the “springing up” of Social Networking sites on the Internet like My Space, Utube, Facebook, Twitter and the dating sites. At first, I sort of turned up my nose at all of them. After all, I’m not looking for a date, and I don’t want to post a video of anyone I know dancing on tables or playing air guitar.

But there is one social networking site that is different, and you may want to check out – and that’s Facebook. Facebook is different. For one thing I have not found it to be provocative or in bad taste as I’ve found other sites to be - and it’s not just for kids. You find people of all ages there. Not just businesses or celebrities either - just plain everyday folks. And Facebook is free – so far!

Giving people the power to share and make the world more open and connected. That’s Facebook’s stated motto. Since joining Facebook, I have made contact with several (long-lost) relatives, former classmates, and my kids’ friends from grade and high school.

But the real magic of Facebook for me is that in just a few minutes of surfing each day, I learn what my children, grandchildren and friends are thinking about today, what they are planning for the weekend, what movies they’re raving about, if they are sick or blue or happy – little “snippets” of their lives that I would never have known. And I can, in turn, share my thoughts and opinions with them. The “posts” are always short, and they are like personal glimpses into their lives, a special moment that might never have happened because I won’t see them in person or talk to them today. It’s like getting “face time” with special people in your life - even far flung family and relatives that you almost never see in person or even talk to on the phone.

I get to see the pictures they took on their cell phones, what my former classmates and kids’ friends look like now. Can you believe George in now a doctor? Imagine that my niece is now a college professor!

Well, that’s the WHY. Next, we’ll discuss HOW TO. First, though, just go to www.facebook.com, then the menu, and click “about.” This will give you an overview of the site.

Here’s my Facebook page. If you want to join, set up your own profile page and start communicating with friends and family, come back next Friday.