ThinkGenealogy

As 2008 closes, we stop to ponder what awaits genealogy in 2009.  In coming up with this list, I have no insider information.  I simply looked at the information publically available and tried to determine what is possible or likely for the upcoming year. 

So here is my list of 9 genealogy predictions for 2009:

(more…)

Here is another rebus for you to solve.  When you solve it, add your name and answer to the comments.

Earlier this month, BusinessWeek revealed its list of 10 best innovation and design books for 2008. Before I looked at the list, I wondered if I would recognize the titles of any of the books or by chance if I had read any.

 Well, I had only heard of one book on the list and I already read it:

The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures by Dan Roam

I really enjoyed the book.  Dan talks about visual thinking and explains how to solve business problems with pictures.  Speaking of pictures, the book is packed with them.  Most times no more than 2 pages go by before you encounter the next drawing.  But this is not just a book filled with pictures, the text supports the learning very well.  From this book, I gained better confidence so that I don’t worry so much how my pictures look as long as they keep the communication going.

Now I have to decide which of the other nine I will read next.

For those interested in innovation in general or those looking to innovate in the world of genealogy, check out the list.

If you familiar with the U.S. TV game show, Concentration (that aired on and off from 1958-1991), then you have already seen a rebus.  A rebus is a combination of pictures and letters that form a type of word puzzle.  Rebus is Latin and means “by things.”

I challenge you to solve this rebus.  When you do, add your answer and your name to the comments:

The winner of the first ThinkGenealogy Innovator award is Elizabeth Shown Mills and her book, Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace.

Ten years passed between the publication of Evidence Explained and its predecessor, Evidence! Citation & Analysis for the Family Historian.  Even with the passing of a decade, I consider Evidence Explained an incremental innovation that has caused some beneficial side effects. 

Incremental Innovation

Whereas Evidence! simply gave citation examples for primary, subsequent, and bibliographic entries, Evidence Explained gives citation examples, explanation of record types, and QuickCheck Models:

(more…)

Do you truly want to be an effective presenter?  There is more to it than adding bullet-pointed slides in your preferred presentation software.  I am a presenter at work and at genealogy conferences and I am excited about a new book:

slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations by Nancy Duarte

This book has beautiful graphics and practical advice for improving your presentations.  The topics covered are:

(more…)