My First Webinar – I’m the Presenter (You Can Do This Too!)

Are you a local genealogy speaker?  Have you considered presenting via a webinar? A webinar (short for “web seminar”) is a presentation, lecture, or workshop that is transmitted over the web using video conferencing software. A key feature of a webinar is that it is interactive.  The presenter and the audience have the ability to give, receive and discuss information.[1]

Every year, I make a resolution to stretch myself in my genealogy. My 2014 goal was to make a presentation outside of my home state of Illinois. I sent several applications and surprise! Was accepted by all of them!  Here’s the story of my first webinar and maybe what I learned will help you.

The Application I admit it. I love webinars. I read Julie Cahill Tarr’s blog, Julie’s Genealogy and History Hub, where she lists links for free upcoming webinars, in her Friday Finds. One week her blog included a Florida State Genealogical Society notice, calling for webinar presenters for their Poolside Chats.  Wow!  What an opportunity! The application included a bio, and a description of the presentation. I included descriptions of three of my most popular presentations and crossed my fingers. Soon after, an email came stating it would be several months before a decision would be made. 

The Acceptance and Preparation Mid-2014, another email arrived!  My “Guide to Overseas Genealogy” was selected for February. Yes! Soon a contract and tax paperwork arrived. In the contract, they ask permission to keep copy of the presentation for their members use only.  Interesting option to consider.

 My normal presentation is 75 minutes long, which was edited to 55 minutes. I practiced my new shorter PowerPoint and used a new handout for a genealogy meeting in October.  It went well, so the presentation was ready.  I also purchased an inexpensive Logitech headset (headphone/microphone combination) for about $30.

One Month Before Late January, I realized that the presentation would improve by adding more images.  Speaking in person, these are not as important, because there is a live person for the audience to focus on.  When it was completed, I sent a PDF copy to the society, as a backup to replace the streamed PowerPoint, if needed.  (It doesn’t happen often.) I also sent the PDFs of the handouts.  The FSGS opens the webinar to non-members, but only members receive the handout link.

Only my PowerPoint would be on the screen, not my face, but that is an option. I also learned a tip that helps any speaker.  I put a little icon in the bottom right side of the pages at the quarter, half and three quarters mark.  It was easy see if I was running fast or slow and make the adjustment.

One Week Before The society suggested a practice session. At my appointed time, I went to the gotowebinar website using the link the society provided.  I could hear members talking and my screen looked correct, but they could not hear me. I heard one lady say that she would call me and surprise!  My phone rang. She helped correct my headset connection issue and we were ready to practice. 

First there would be an introduction, then I clicked a button on the screen, the webinar shifted to my computer and the presentation would begin.  In the upper right corner of my screen was a box where they could text me, such things as needing to speak louder etc. 

They also explained that about 75 people had signed up.  The webinar could seat 100.  It was not uncommon for only about 50% of those who signed up, to actually attend so they take more than 100 reservations.  The FSGS had one more email blast to send.  If they received a large response, they could open up the webinar to 150 seats. 

On the night of the webinar, people may start “filling seats” about 30 minutes in advance although most link in 5-10 minutes before.  It is first-come, first-serve.  If more people link in after the seats are filled, they receive a message that the webinar is not available.  Good to know!

Webinar Night To prepare, I unplugged the telephone in the room so it would not ring. We have no animals, my family was out, but I still closed the door to the room.  I put a glass of water and an easy-to- read clock by the computer and opened the “Guide to Overseas Genealogy” PowerPoint. I linked in about 25 minutes before the start time.  Talked to FSGS members and saw the seats filling in.  The little box on my screen indicated how many.  One member said that more than 200 people signed up so 50 more seats were added.  While the seats were filling, the FSGS member announced where they were signing in from.  Attendees were from all over the United States and even Canada. 

Everything went as planned.  I could see and hear the introductory PowerPoints, including my bio and introduction. I clicked on the button, gave my thanks and started the presentation.

Making a presentation in an empty room, to a computer screen is an interesting experience.  You do not have the reaction of the audience to relate and make adjustments.  You must keep your voice “perky” and excited and remember that people are listening and enjoying what you are saying.  It also goes a bit faster because you do not react to the audience or answer questions until the end. 

After I spoke, the moderator asked me questions that she was receiving via email.  Those were great questions.  Apparently some of the simpler ones, she answered by email. 

Following the Webinar They asked me to stay on as the attendees signed off.  The room of 150 had been full.  They were pleased with the response and based how the audience liked it by the number of people who stayed until the end.  In my case, most everyone stayed, which was great.  I hope to be able to do this again.

You can find lists of upcoming genealogical webinars at these websites:

http://blog.geneawebinars.com/

http://www.cyndislist.com/education/online-courses-and-webinars/

http://janasgenealogyandfamilyhistory.blogspot.com/

http://www.flsgs.org/  Florida State Genealogical Society

http://www.ilgensoc.org/cpage.php?pt=227    Illinois State Genealogical Society

http://www.scgsgenealogy.com/webinar/overview.html  Southern California Genealogical Society

Enjoy!

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[1] In contrast, a webcast is when the data transmission is one way and does not allow interaction.

George Smarsty (1896-1980) – Was Grandpa a High School Dropout?

Born in Dubuque, Iowa, George Joseph Smarsty lived most of his 83 years in Moline, Illinois a life which included 2 wives, 5 children, and 18 grandchildren. With so many grandchildren, I feel fortunate that he and Grandma let me and my sister spend summers and school holiday breaks with them.  These long vacations included staying up late (10:00 PM) and eating ice cream just before going to bed.  Warm and happy memories.  He would talk about his high school class reunions where he always won for most children and most grandchildren.  They lasted into his 80’s.  As an adult, I realized that I knew little about his early life so decided to try to find information about his high school years.

Some clues to start.  My mother told me that he had dropped out of high school to work. Railroad retirement record showed that he worked on and off for the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad starting in the summer of 1912. While working, George recognized that promoted employees were high school graduates, so he returned to high school to finish.  Was this true?  He loved football and told us stories of his playing days. Was there a photo? Maybe a high school yearbook that would help.   What could I find? 

Although the building is different, the Moline High School still exists today.  My mom and her siblings and some of my cousins attended there.  My aunt worked there.  Mom proudly taught me the high school fight song at a young age. I called the school and asked if there was a yearbook for the 1915 time period. The woman who answered said that the high school did not have a copy.

However she offered something even better. She had his original permanent record card. In Illinois, the student’s permanent record card, by law, must be saved by the school for 60 years.  Moline High School had saved it longer than necessary, but soon it would be thrown out.  Did I want it?  Yikes!  Sure!  Better than a yearbook!  She said it would be mailed to me.

What else might I find? I checked newspapers and found some articles.  Grandpa played running back in high school. His coach nicknamed him Agony, because his arms hurt from sores and scrapes by his sliding. Grandpa (or Agony) was not thrilled about sliding during practice, so the coach nicknamed him.  I found these football articles in a 1915 (undated) Rockford Register newspaper.

My cousin kindly sent me a photo of his high school football team, the Marooners.  George (or Agony) is sitting, first on the left, hands crossed. 

The elusive 1916 yearbook, The M was located at Classmates.com.  George graduated the same year as his younger sister, Martha. Here is the page, which describes his track and surprisingly, his stage career. His sister Martha is also listed.

 

The photo in the yearbook looks similar to one I had in my collection:

Lastly, the permanent record card arrived in the mail.  It gives birthdate, and dates he entered high school (January 1912[1]) and graduated (June 2, 1916). It shows his grades and that he attended high school 8 semesters.  If he had attended eight consecutive semesters, he would have graduated in December 1915.  So he did take a semester off, and return, graduating with his younger sister.  His best grade was in mechanical drawing which he used at work. He also took short hand!  Looks like he was a good student.

In researching this article I found something interesting.  When he entered high school in 1912, he attended in the building that was affectionately known as the castle, because of its two turrets.  He would have attended there until the “new” high school on the same property was finished in 1915. The same building his children attended in the 1940’s.  The third high school in use today was built in 1958.  Here are the photos.

I tried to find the lyrics to the Moline High School Fight song, but was unsuccessful. Instead I’ll give you the Jacquie version, which I learned at about 5 years old:

We are Moliners

We’re from Moline

We are the best team

You’ve ever seen

You do your best boys

We’ll do the rest boys

Cheer on for old Moline!

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[1] Until the early 1950’s Moline had two classes every school year, the fall class and the spring class, which depended on your birthdate.  So it was not unusual to enter high school in January.

My Memorable Monthly Mentions (AKA My Favorite Blogs this Month)

I admit, I love reading genealogy blogs...daily. AND...I keep a list of my favorites. Each month, I am happy to share my favorites with you. I'll be calling them my monthly mentions. I hope you enjoy them too. Blogs I've liked in the past month are:

This author is correct when she says that DNA is going to be a big topic in genealogy. Here are some great ideas when working with DNA: http://rootsrevealed.blogspot.com/2015/01/20-dos-and-donts-of-dna.html.

For a list of the top 100 Genealogical Websites for 2014: http://www.genealogyintime.com/articles/top-100-genealogy-websites-of-2015-page01.html.

Randy Seaver, author of Geneamusings, writes several blogs a DAY! He is so good. Here is a list of his favorites in 2014: http://www.geneamusings.com/2015/01/best-of-genea-musings-for-2014.html.

A Find a Grave story: http://youngandsavvygenealogists.blogspot.com/2015/01/does-this-couple-in-missouri-own-your.html.

Do you ever plan to visit the Netherlands? Here are some travel and genealogical research ideas: http://www.dutchgenealogy.nl/11-things-to-know-if-you-plan-a-trip-to-the-netherlands/.

Here is a DNA story with a very surprising twist:  https://strangepilgrimage.wordpress.com/2015/01/22/and-who-wouldve-thought-it-figures/.

Life before cellphones? Here are some interesting and funny thoughts:

http://stephenslighthouse.com/2015/02/20/friday-fun-20-questions-i-have-for-people-who-were-in-their-20s-before-cell-phones-internet-see-more-at-httpforevertwentysomethings-com2015012720-questions-i-have-for-people-who-were-in-t/.

 What start up company was the winner of the Innovator Showdown prize of $25,000 at Rootstech 2015? Find out here: http://genealogysstar.blogspot.com/2015/02/storyworth-winner-of-innovator-showdown.html.

Did you wish you could go to Rootstech 2015 and see the great presentations? Thank goodness (and Rootstech) for allowing us to see some of them online at: http://www.rootstech.org/video/4050134760001. And here is the link to the handouts in the syllabus: https://rootstech.org/About/syllabus?lang=eng.