The Burial Plot Thickens: A Find a Grave Mystery

P. Domenici, 1932-2017, San Ignacio section, Row 9, Space 1 (Image added to Find a Grave by Hazel Thornton on 29 Oct 2018.) CLICK TO ENLARGE

 

From time to time I accept requests through Find a Grave from people who do not live locally and who would like a volunteer to go take a photo of their relative‘s resting place for them.

A few years ago I got a request for Pietro Domenici at Mount Calvary Cemetery here in Albuquerque. I found the marker, which you can see in the featured image. There’s nothing in the photo for scale except grass, but it’s the size of a common brick…that’s because it IS a common brick, with an engraved metal plate attached to it. The plate is maybe 2X4 inches.

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Six steps to getting unstuck on a project

I’ve been feeling stuck. For weeks and weeks. And not sure why.

Have you ever felt that way? Are you having trouble getting unstuck too?

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About the Photomyne scanning app

Let’s start with the fact that I am an emeritus (retired) member of The Photo Managers who never specialized in photo scanning. But the more popular it becomes, the more confused I see people getting. So, I’m hoping to clear things up a bit.

Instead of becoming a crackerjack photo manager like some of my colleagues, I combined my general professional organizing and genealogy experience into a book called What’s a Photo Without the Story? How to Create Your Family Legacy. It includes chapters on how to organize, preserve, and share your family photos. So I do have a vested interest — not so much in HOW people do it, but more THAT they do it, and making it seem do-able to them.

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Back to School for Adults 2022

Who else loved going back to school as a kid?

New school supplies! New clothes! Reuniting with old schoolmates! Mixed emotions about a new teacher (maybe a whole new school, even) and meeting new classmates.

I’ve been preoccupied with working on a new book and finishing up a couple of genealogy projects for clients. Plus, it’s still hot out and doesn’t feel like time to go back to school. Plus, oh yeah, I’m retired.

But I’m a lifelong learner and I can’t help but notice that educational opportunities abound!

A couple of these programs have already started. But IT’S NOT TOO LATE, since they are not the sort of classes that build on one another. You can pick and choose!

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How and when to find a common ancestor

Photo of Henry Clay by Mathew Benjamin Brady, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

 

I finally did it!

Did what?

I figured out my relationship to Henry Clay, the 19th century American statesman.

How?

By finding our common ancestor.

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Do you schedule questions?

scheduling questionsI was just scheduling a couple of questions on my calendar when I wondered:

Do other people do this?

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The Tale of Two Junk Drawers

Do you have a junk drawer?

Doesn’t everyone?

Most professional organizers will advise you not to have a junk drawer, or to at least organize the one you have.

But I’m here to propose that we all need TWO junk drawers!

Allow me to explain….

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DNA tests: The gift that keeps on giving

DNA Helix

Have you had your DNA tested?

How often do you revisit your results?

(This post is for people who have tested, or who want to test, their DNA for genealogy purposes. It’s not for those who don’t want to, or who are more interested in DNA for health purposes or traits.)

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How to Declutter Your Digital Photos

Click image to enlarge the chart.

Decluttering is a prominent theme in my book, What’s a Photo Without the Story? How to Create Your Family Legacy.

Decluttering, downsizing, and telling the stories of your favorite photos and prized possessions, will allow you to leave a legacy, not a burden, when you die.

But what about right now? Can you easily find your favorite digital photos, to enjoy and share?

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Gifts I Got from Mom

From Mom’s album: “Stopped in Albuq. 7-1959” There’s more to this story in my new book!

I grew up in a family of six, with my parents, three younger brothers, and few relatives. Certainly none who lived nearby.

My parents did not share family stories or photos. Not really. We enjoyed slide shows of our own family vacations, but nothing historical. I guess they were too busy working and raising us up.

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