Some Genealogical Valentine Treats

Mrs. Harders, unknown location, to Rena Lerfald, postcard, c. 1909 - 1913, unpostmarked; Lerfald-Westaby Postcard Collection; privately held by Troy Midkiff, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Vancouver, Washington, 2010.

Happy Valentine's Day! I'm a little late getting out my greeting and news, because as you all well know, sometimes making family history gets in the way of blogging about it. Yesterday evening, I made a little more family history spending time with my three young nephews while my sister was at work. After baths and cuddles and tucking the boys into bed, I powered up my new netbook with the intention of getting some blogging done in time to post early this morning; however, the wireless signal in the apartment complex was weak and inconsistent. So my posts (including my State Archives Series) will be published a bit later today or tomorrow.

However you're spending Valentine's Day, you won't want to miss the following Valentine treats that have been put together by the genealogical community! The first one is the Valentine's edition of Shades of the Departed, the beautiful and incomparable genealogy, history, and photography e-magazine! Oh, and I did I mention, it's free?

True to their quality standards, the writing and editorial team headed by the footnoteMaven have put together a fabulous issue featuring vintage African-American photos (this is African-American history month, after all!), a sweet fiction piece, an article on what the archival process involves, and much, much more! Plus, it's just so fun to actually turn the pages of this online magazine--go check it out, if you haven't done so--and you can download it for reading again later!

The next treat is from another one of my favorite people, Lisa Louise Cooke. She recently had the privilege of interviewing Lisa Kudrow, with whom you will be familiar from the television show, Friends. If you haven't already heard, Ms. Kudrow is the executive producer of a new genealogy show airing on NBC March 5th, Who Do You Think You Are? Lisa C. interviewed Lisa K. in her latest episode of the Genealogy Gems podcast, which is available to listen to today.

Now if you've never listened to a podcast, don't be intimidated! You don't need an iPod, an MP3 player or any fancy technological equipment. All you need is the computer you're using right now to read this, and either speakers or headphones. Go to this link and look at the little white podcast player in the right-hand column. Click on the play button ( > ) and listen to this fascinating and exclusive interview!

A genealogical Valentine magazine and radio show...or at least the modern versions of such...it doesn't get any better than this!  Happy Valentine's Day!