Oh Clarissa, What Will We Do Without You?

by Nancy Maliwesky

Clarissa Stallknecht was already a fixture on the Central New York Genealogical Society board when I signed on in 2012. As President and Hospitality Committee Chair, she not only voted for my crazy idea to start a biennial New York State based family history conference in Syracuse, but she volunteered to be on the planning committee. She put together the Conference’s first budget, attended weekly meetings, kept me organized and focused, helped me navigate the event planning with the venue staff and handled all the registration materials and the fine details that often slip through the cracks. She then took on a larger role with the 2015 and 2016 Conferences, coordinating our vendors and exhibitors.

She did this while working full-time, volunteering for the Brewerton Fire Department, acting as treasurer for the New York State Council of Genealogical Organizations, acting as Historian for the Fort Brewerton Historical Society, pursuing her own genealogical research, being a hands-on mom and grandmother and caring for an elderly neighbor.

Clarissa lived her life. She put her money where her mouth was, and supported the many organizations and people that she cared about. She never let anything stop her from doing what she felt needed to be done. She had health issues, but she didn’t talk about them. She just kept on going.

She didn’t seek out accolades; in fact, I think she preferred working out of the spotlight. She gave her friends her time, her advice, her thoughtful concern and her great sense of humor. She would tell me when she thought I was biting off more than I could chew, and she was usually right. I always knew she had my back.

If I have learned anything from knowing Clarissa, it is to live your life. Live your life. Do what you can, do what you think you can’t. Surprise yourself and never settle. Move forward with no regrets. Live your life.

I will miss you, my friend, and I look forward to catching up one day. I know you will have some great stories to tell me. Until then, come down to Dover, it’s warmer here and the birdfeeders are full. I’ll be keeping an eye out for you.

So fly, on your impossible wings
Be true to who you are in everything
Don’t settle for what doesn’t seem right
And raise your fists to this beautiful fight

I see you, big as a bird’s heart
I see you, brave as the day’s start
I see you, true as the North Star
I see you, beautiful as you are
I see you, I see you, I see you.

©2016 Nancy Maliwesky

Nancy Maliwesky, past Central New York Genealogical Society Board Member and Chair of the New York State Family History Conference worked as a professional genealogist with the American Pomeroy Historic Genealogical Association for ten years. Recently retired, and now living with her husband in Dover, Delaware, she continues to pursue her passion for genealogical research and writing. She is also a singer/songwriter (the self proclaimed "Singing Genealogist") and an artist.

Practicing What You Preach: Podcasts, Social Media and Genetic Genealogy

by Nancy Maliwesky

I wrote a blogpost about podcasts a while back, and I have to admit, while initially obsessed with them, I've fallen off the habit lately. Yesterday morning, though, I checked my favorite genealogy podcasts again and found one by Jane Wilcox on the Forget-Me-Not Hour that caught my attention. This was an interview with Michelle Tucker Chubenko, and organizer of a Ukrainian Genealogy Facebook group Nashi Predky (Our Ancestors). My husband, Jerry, is Ukrainian and I've been trying to piece together his family, but have not been having much luck.

Just in case one of Jerry's relatives is reading this post, Jerry's grandparents were Cyril and Antoinette Kogut Maliwiacki and Theodor "Frank" and Helen Micho Hnotko. Both families came from Galicia and settled in Syracuse, New York in the early 20th century. Having done most of my family research long distance, it's been quite a treat to actually live in the same neighborhood that the people I am researching lived in, and I have found a lot of information about Jerry's grandparents in Onondaga County, but have found it very difficult to get any solid leads back to the old country.

My husband took the Ancestry.com autosomal DNA test a while back, and although he has many connections, I have not been able to figure out how he is related to all of these new cousins, and it's been somewhat frustrating as it seems the majority of people he's matching don't have family trees online. I check his and my DNA matches about every week or so, and was surprised, recently, to find that he had a match identified as a second cousin! That's pretty darn closely related, but still, the names weren't really matching up, so I contacted the administrator of the test and waited to hear back. I also decided to ask Jerry's cousin and aunt to take the autosomal DNA test, hoping that this would help us to identify which side of Jerry's family this second cousin match was on. I was excited to learn, from Blaine Bettinger's blog "The Genetic Genealogist", that Ancestry had added a new feature to their autosomal DNA results called Shared Matches. I checked Jerry's second cousin match and this tool identified two other matches that also connect to his second cousin.

I've also blogged about using social media as a genealogy tool. I've seen great success with surname groups on Facebook, but hadn't really used this much for my own research. After learning about Nashi Predky, though, I thought I'd give it a try. I asked to join and was promptly given access, I then started reading the posts and decided to add my own, concentrating on Jerry's paternal line. I posted the information I had and noted that I was currently living in Syracuse, but would be moving to Delaware in November.

Shortly after I added the post, a very nice member responded back, welcoming me to Delaware and telling me about the genealogical societies and Ukrainian community in Delaware. Another kind member added additional information about where we can find Ukrainian stores close to where we are living. I have to say, people from Delaware are some of the nicest people I've ever met! I can't wait to move!

As my conversation on the Nashi Predky Facebook page continued, the craziest thing happened. It turns out that the person who initially welcomed me to Delaware is the same person who is matching Jerry as a second cousin on Ancestry.com.

What are the chances? My jaw is still hanging open. I can't wait to meet Jerry's new cousin when we move to Dover in the fall. I am sure that together we will figure out this connection, and I am thrilled that my mother-in-law, who is moving with us, will have a kind and welcoming Ukrainian community to welcome her to her new home.

And because we really are all connected, don't miss your opportunity to see Jane Wilcox and Blaine Bettinger at the upcoming 2015 New York State Family History Conference held Sept 17-19 in Syracuse. I'll be there, at the NYSFHC booth, and would love to meet you!

©2015 Nancy Maliwesky

Nancy Maliwesky, past Central New York Genealogical Society Board Member and Chair of the New York State Family History Conference worked as a professional genealogist with the American Pomeroy Historic Genealogical Association for ten years. Recently retired, she continues to pursue her passion for genealogical research and writing. She is also a singer/songwriter (the self proclaimed "Singing Genealogist") and an artist.

Showcasing the 2015 New York State Family History Conference

NYSFHC Featured Speaker: D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS

“Crossing the Pond: Finding Those Elusive English Origins”

This Saturday luncheon talk is sure to be a sell out with such a fabulous speaker.

Josh Taylor is a professional genealogist and current president of the Federation of Genealogical Societies. A co-host of the popular PBS series, Genealogy Roadshow, Joshua has also been seen on Who Do You Think You Are? (NBC and TLC) and at family history events across the globe.

Josh will be giving four lectures during the FGS Focus on Societies Day and three general lectures at the New York State Family History Conference. Sign up today!

Sue Miller is the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society's Director of Education and a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. She has been working on her family's genealogy for more than twenty years.

Showcasing the 2015 New York State Family History Conference

by Sue Miller

NYSFHC Featured Speaker: Karen Mauer Jones, CG, FGBS

“The Records of Institutions and Local Governments in New York State”

Local-level records are filled with information of genealogical value: town court records, supervisor’s minutes, overseers of the poor, police and fire departments, and much more.

Karen Mauer Jones, CG, FGBS, of Monroe, New York, is an editor, author, lecturer and professional genealogist. She is currently the editor of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Record. Karen is a member of the NYG&B Education Committee and has served on the boards of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the Federation of Genealogical Societies.

Karen will be giving two lectures at the New York State Family History Conference. Sign up today!

Sue Miller is the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society's Director of Education and a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. She has been working on her family's genealogy for more than twenty years.

Showcasing the 2015 New York State Family History Conference

by Sue Miller

NYSFHC Featured Speaker: D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS

“Bridging the Gap: Finding Ancestors in the United States between 1780 and 1830”

Have you lost an ancestor between 1780 and 1830? Come learn key records and strategies for finding your lost ancestors during this time period, including resources found in archives, the DAR, and other locations.

Josh Taylor is a professional genealogist and current president of the Federation of Genealogical Societies. A co-host of the popular PBS series, Genealogy Roadshow, Joshua has also been seen on Who Do You Think You Are? (NBC and TLC) and at family history events across the globe.

Josh will be giving four lectures during the FGS Focus on Societies Day, one lecture and a luncheon talk at the New York State Family History Conference. Sign up today!

Showcasing the 2015 New York State Family History Conference

by Sue Miller

NYSFHC Featured Speaker: Henry B. Hoff, CG, FASG, FGBS

“Research Strategies for Upstate New York”

Learn some of the best strategies and techniques for researching in Upstate New York from an acknowledged New York expert. Henry will review five key strategies and discuss critical tactics for researching in this region.

Henry B. Hoff is editor of The New England Historical and Genealogical Register and former trustee editor of The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record. His genealogical interests include New York and the West Indies.

Henry will be giving two lectures at the New York State Family History Conference, both sponsored by the New England Historic Genealogical Society. Sign up today!

Sue Miller is the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society's Director of Education and a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. She has been working on her family's genealogy for more than twenty years.

Showcasing the 2015 New York State Family History Conference

by Sue Miller

NYSFHC Featured Speaker: Dr. Thomas. W. Jones, CG, FASG, FUGS, FNGS

“Will Your Family History Have Lasting Value?”

Most genealogists want to prepare family histories that future generations will cherish. Not all succeed. Many genealogies contain only “harvested” information, which our descendants will be able obtain themselves (perhaps more easily than we can today). Some of that information likely is wrong. We begin to create worthwhile and accurate family histories by collecting and sharing family stories and DNA test results—information that might soon disappear. Our research progresses from that starting point toward the goal of a printed, computerized, or online family history. If we pay attention to four factors—biography, accuracy, documentation, and explanation—our history will be irreplaceable.

Tom will be giving three lectures at the New York State Family History Conference. Sign up today!

Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA, FNGS, has edited the National Genealogical Society Quarterly since 2002. He is author of Mastering Genealogical Proof, a popular textbook on genealogical assessment and reasoning. Tom also is a trustee and a past president of the Board for Certification of Genealogists. Tom works full time as a genealogical researcher, writer, editor, and educator. He coordinates courses at the British Institute, Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh, the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, and Samford University’s Institute on Genealogy and Historical Research; and he teaches in Boston University’s Genealogical Certificate Program.

Sue Miller is the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society's Director of Education and a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. She has been working on her family's genealogy for more than twenty years.