Family Tree Maker for Mac

Hurray! I've been waiting for this for a long time.

Family Tree Maker for Mac - Pre-Sale 20% Off

© 2010, copyright Chris Odom

Census 2010

I was so excited today when I opened my mailbox and discovered that my Census 2010 form was inside!

I can fondly remember taking my time to fill out my first census in 2000 as I knew a researcher down the road might, in fact, look me up and see what my answers were. And since I only received the "Short Form" in the mail, I also printed the "Long Form" from the Census Bureau, filled that out, and filed it in my own personal genealogy files.

I was somewhat disappointed to learn today that the 2010 census is only going to be offered on the "Short Form." For the first time in history, there is no "Long Form." Instead, it's been replaced by the American Community Survey which is continuously and randomly sent out to American citizens. So...now I'd like to figure out how to download this form so I can fill it out for my own genealogy files.

I laugh at myself at how excited I get about this bit of government bureaucracy. And you better believe I will once again sit down and take my time filling out my form. I just enjoy taking part in something that has occurred every 10 years since 1790 when Thomas Jefferson himself was the chief administrator. How cool is that?

© 2010, copyright Chris Odom

Back to Blogging

Looking back over the last year, I never was able to really get going on genealogy blogging. I was using a PC prior to June, so I was able to use Windows Live Writer, but when I got my Mac, I lost that ability.

Up until today, I've been trying to figure out the best way to blog on the Mac. But because of a GREAT online deal, I discovered Blogo the other day. This is my first official post with it and I LOVE it!

Now that I have this in place, I'm renewing my vow to use this medium to work on my genealogy, just in time for my first blogiversary this month. Does anyone have any tips for someone trying to really get in a habit of blogging about genealogy?

Tombstone Tuesday - Robert Herman Odom

Robert Herman Odom (a nephew of my 2nd great-grandfather) was born 2 February 1888 in Arkansas (probably Johnson County), and died 27 March 1909 in Checotah, McIntosh County, Oklahoma.

Burial: Indian Territory (original) Cemetery, Checotah, McIntosh County, Oklahoma

Herman was the son of the first sheriff of McIntosh County, OK (William "Doc" Odom) and was a resident deputy at Checotah. Herman was killed in the "Crazy Snake War/Smoked Meat Rebellion" during an exchange of gunfire that lasted 10 minutes as officers attempted to arrest Crazy Snake. Herman's name is also inscribed on a Washington, D.C. memorial to fallen law enforcement officers.

Another Update

After updating the look of my blog last month, I kept returning to the site to find myself not happy with the cleanliness of it. So, I started over again tonight and am very pleased! It's simple, easy-to-read, and not cluttered.

Now I have to find a good way to post using the Mac. Windows Live Writer was so nice so I'm on the hunt for a good replacement.

Done

Well, I think I've just about finished the new layout for the blog. I wish the body were a bit wider, so I may still tinker with that, but I'm quite please so far! Even modified my own header.

Now...if I can just figure out a good piece of blogging software for a Mac...

Layout Update

Well, after getting some good shut-eye last night, I came at the layout problem from a different route and am making good progress! Now ... to tinker with the header image later tonight.

New Layout

Well I'm trying out a new layout for the site. I like it better, but for some reason the background image keeps "disappearing" so you don't see the yellow/tan image you should.

I've been fighting with it for nearly an hour and a half and I think maybe it's time to call it quits for the day...

Posting lapse and new laptop

Well, it's been a very long time since I've posted. Lots of things going on between work, home, and rental houses!!

BUT...the cool news is that I have made the leap into the Mac pool. I am the proud owner of a new MacBook Pro laptop and a 24" cinema display! Think of the genealogy work I can do now! I still have some more work to get all my files transferred from the old PC to the new one, but after that, I'm hoping to post much more frequently. Any Mac users out there that have blogging software they'd recommend? I used to use Windows Live Writer, but alas it doesn't work on Mac.

I'm also trying to decide if I should attend parts of the FGS conference being held in Little Rock this September. I probably won't ever have another chance to attend a major genealogy conference so close to me! Any thoughts?

Tombstone Tuesday – Ray V. Odom

Ray Vance Odom (my grandfather) was born 27 February 1908 in Checotah, McIntosh County, Oklahoma, and died 24 June 1988 in Muskogee, Muskogee County, Oklahoma.

Burial: Greenlawn Cemetery, Muskogee, Muskogee County, Oklahoma

Ray was an optometrist, amateur photographer, and an excellent vegetable gardener.