[00:50] When is it? [02:58] Nov. 3&4 according to the prospectus [02:58] how are you, @tsimonq2? [04:52] Aw man, I'll be in Riga for the Ubuntu Summit or I'd totally join you [04:52] I'm okay valorie :) how are you and yours? [04:53] very good! Just very busy [04:53] If I wasn't busy it wouldn't feel right :) [04:53] I'm pres. of my genealogy society & VP of two others [04:53] for sure [04:54] Nice! I've considered doing a test or something like that but am concerned about data mining. [04:54] DNA test you mean? [04:54] How do you like it? Learn anything particularly interestingly? [04:54] Yeah :) [04:55] well, I learn LOTS from DNA but I get the doubts about data mining [04:55] otoh what I do is data mining [04:55] doing research towards a book I'm starting [04:55] I guess, where do you draw the line? I'd rather not have it end up in a government database :P [04:56] Nice! [04:56] you are IN gov. databases [04:56] It's always fascinated me how many descendents of Ghengis Khan there are... [04:56] oh I'm sure they're watching XD [04:56] after going to India, they now have my iris scans [04:56] creepy [04:56] ohhhhh that's right [04:57] I almost forgot about the near-instant facial recognition :P [04:57] not sure which is worse - the gov. having the DNA, or the big corporations [04:58] but I'm all in anyway [04:59] Is it mostly just categorization? How low-level does it go? Or is it mostly historical records and accounts? [04:59] well, I've been researching the records for many years, and finding cousins with whom I can collaborate [05:00] DNA gives evidence that we're barking up the right tree, so to speak [05:00] but people locate unknown parents etc. as well [05:01] I'd imagine some of those records can be quite difficult to obtain [05:01] it's quite fascinating science [05:01] sure, what's online is a drop in the bucket [05:01] but the more ya research, the more you find [05:01] and there are lots of great archives, etc. [05:02] My mom has a large book full of The Family Tree, I wonder if that's ever been digitized/recorded elsewhere [05:02] possibly yes [05:02] Wisconsin has an amazing collection [05:03] We need to catch up one of these times at LFNW (or similar) :) [05:03] we had the head archivist speak to our society in June [05:03] Oh wow! [05:03] Early American stuff - it's called the Draper Collection [05:05] zoom etc makes everyone accessible to everyone now [05:05] we have a member who attends from Aus. [05:05] Certainly - interesting stuff. Austin? [05:05] pretty damn cool [05:05] Whoops, probably Australia, heh [05:05] no, Australia [05:05] lol [05:06] I don't think we have an Texans who attend regularly, but all around the country [05:06] including Wis. [05:08] How many members usually? [05:08] I'd imagine more than a few at that rate [05:08] lower in the summer -- about 20 to 30 [05:09] up to 50 for the almost weekly meetings, and more than that for speakers every month [05:09] That's pretty cool - lots of experts? [05:09] I lead a lot of the meets, which is why I'm so busy [05:09] everybody has their own expertise and experience [05:09] just like here... [05:10] I've always wanted to make sense of my family which is what draws me to it [05:10] plus the solve the mystery aspect [05:13] plus it's super cool to see how the family is part of history [05:14] it's lovely to talk with you again [05:14] * valorie heads back to yo-yo ma on the TV machine [05:45] For sure :) take care valorie, keep me posted