
I'M A COUSIN - 23 degrees of separation, through AJ Jacobs' mother and my father, we connect back to the early Welsh Quakers of Pennsylvania - the YEARSLEY family! As such I look forward to participating in AJ's Global Family Reunion this coming Saturday. Whilst this Ol' Myrt isn't up to traveling to the Big Apple, there are alternative locations including the Virtual Branch Party in Second Life.
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IMAGE: Photo of Cousins Russ Worthington, AJ Jacobs and Pat Richley-Erickson AKA DearMYRTLE (Clarise Beaumont in SL) taken at 2015 RootsTech Conference. |
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Press Release: Global Family Reunion Second Life Branch Party
WHEN: Saturday, June 6, 2015
TIME: 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. SLT (Pacific
Daylight Time)
What is the Global Family
Reunion?
Genealogy and family
history have received a big boost in the last decade from inexpensive DNA
testing, and the growth of online source databases and user-built family trees.
A. J. Jacobs, a writer and editor, plugged himself into several websites and
got excited, as many of us do, at the history and connections that opened up.
In honor of his new-found
cousins, Jacobs is sponsoring the Global
Family Reunion, a
day-long event in New York City, with "branch parties" in other locations, including Second Life. The NYC events
include education, famous speakers, and many, many cousins, near and far
removed.
Additionally, the Global
Family Reunion is a fundraiser for two organizations devoted to finding a cure
for Alzheimer's Disease: the Cure Alzheimer's Fund and the Alzheimer's
Association New York Chapter. Goals of the event are threefold: 1) to find cousins
through the new online, crowdsourced family trees, 2) to raise money for
Alzheimer's Disease research, and 3) to have fun!
- More information about the Global Family Reunion event
- A. J. Jacobs' 10-minute TED talk about the Reunion
- A. J. Jacobs' article from the New York Times, "Are You My Cousin?"
Second Life Branch Party
Can't make it to New York
City? Then join the Second Life Branch Party at Just Genealogy, a day
of "virtual" fun, music, dancing, educational presentations and
discussions, prizes and games... all in a carnival atmosphere. The New York City
event will be live-streamed on the big screen, and people will be available to
help with your family history research.
And PRIZES! Just a
few of the prizes to be given away are a 6-month subscription to Ancestry.com, as well as copies of the popular family tree
software FamilyTree
Maker and RootsMagic.
EVERY attendee will be eligible for prizes! Join the Global Family Reunion in
Second Life group and you will be automatically entered.
What is Just Genealogy?
Just Genealogy is the
enduring home for genealogy in Second
Life
. Originally founded by Krag Mariner, Just
Genealogy is now owned by Clarise Beaumont and Genie
Weezles. Barbara
Collazo joined Second Life
to "do" genealogy, and has been at Just Genealogy since
her first days in Second Life.

Just Genealogy hosts the Second Life Chapter of the Association of
Professional Genealogists (APG), whose members strive for the highest scholarly and ethical
standards in genealogy research. The group offers monthly continuing education
programs, and all genealogists - not just APG members - are welcome to attend
their meetings. The Second Life NGSQ
Study Group also holds monthly meetings
at Just Genealogy. Additionally, there are educational displays and
other scheduled discussions about genealogical topics.
Just Genealogy is a friendly community that understands
when you talk about your second cousins five-times-removed. Genealogists
of all skill levels, and from all walks of life, frequent Just Genealogy.
It is a great place for people who may be physically disabled or otherwise
isolated; for many, Second Life can be a lifeline where one can meet
like-minded individuals who share your interests.
Join the Just Genealogy in-world
group to be part of the
largest Second Life group devoted entirely to genealogy.
How to Participate in the Second Life Branch Party
If you are new to Second Life
,
download the free software, follow the instructions to create an avatar, and
enter the world. (Note: You must be 18 years of age to use Second Life.)

Search for Genie Weezles or Barbara Collazo in-world,
or teleport directly
to Just
Genealogy.
Newcomers to Second Life are most welcome to join the party. If
you are new to genealogy, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Or come and offer
help: in addition to genealogy, experienced Second Life users are needed to
help new users.
For more information, or to volunteer your time and talents,
please contact Tami Mize
or Genie Weezles (in-world).
---------------------------------
Happy family tree climbing!
Myrt :)
DearMYRTLE,
Your friend in genealogy.
Blog: http://blog.DearMYRTLE.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DearMYRTLE
G+ DearMYRTLE Community
Twitter: @DearMYRTLE
Second Life: Clarise Beaumont
http://www.youtube.com/user/DearMYRTLE
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