Opening Ceremonies of the Summer 2008 Genea-Blogging Group Games: The Parade of Delegates

(please turn on your speakers)

Welcome to the Opening Ceremonies of the Summer 2008 Genea-Blogging Group Games



In the Spirit of

Unity

Friendly Competition

Quality Standards

and Achievement

we present to you the participants of

the Summer 2008 Genea-Blogger Group Games.





Delegates are listed in alphabetical order by blog title. Blog titles are linked so that you can easily return to your favorite blogs during the Games to check on the bloggers' progress. A link to each blogger's post describing the categories they are competing in is listed as "Categories Entered."







100 Years in America
A Light that Shines Again
Small-leaved Shamrock
by Lisa
Categories Entered: 1, 2, 3
(posting on all three blogs)

Lisa's flag represents her Irish, Croatian, and Hungarian heritage.







All My Branches Genealogy
by Wendy Littrell
Categories Entered

Her American, British, and German heritage are represented in this flag.







Amy's Genealogy, etc. Blog
by Amy Johnson Crow
Categories Entered

The flag represents being an American of Scottish and Irish heritage. The blue in the lower left is from the Union Jack and represents Scotland.







Ancestor Search Blog
by
Kathi Reid
Categories Entered

Kathi's flag meshes the elements of the flags of the United States, France and Romania to represent how these different ethnic groups have come together in her family. France and Romania were chosen to honor her two grandmothers who were born there.







AnceStories: The Stories of My Ancestors
by Miriam Robbins Midkiff
Categories Entered

The colors and stripes of Miriam's flag symbolize her current residence and ancestral heritage: The United States, the Netherlands, Friesland, England, Scotland, Canada and France.







Bluebonnet Country Genealogy
by Ruth Stephens
Categories Entered

Ruth's flag symbolizes the United States, where she resides; Ireland, her heritage; and Israel, where she hopes to visit. Our Lone Star blogger is also proud of her Texas heritage!







CanadaGenealogy, or "Jane's Your Aunt"
by M. Diane Rogers
Categories Entered

The Canadian maple leaf flag represents Diane's Canadian heritage, the Canadian Red Ensign represents her own English, Irish and Scottish ancestors, while the Swedish flag represents her husband's ancestors.







The Cheek that Doth Not Fade
by Richard Cheek
Categories Entered

Richard's flag combines the US flag and the Malaysian flag which represent the two countries where his children were born.







DearMYRTLE: Your Friend in Genealogy
by Pat Richley
Categories Entered

The banner of Ol' Myrt represents her Irish, American, and German roots.







Destination: Austin Family
by Thomas MacEntee
Categories Entered

Thomas' banner displays his Dutch, American, and British roots.







The Educated Genealogist
by Sheri Fenley
Categories Entered

German, Irish, and American heritage are symbolized in Sheri's flag.







Elyse's Genealogy Blog
by Elyse Doerflinger
Categories Entered

Elyse said: "I chose the flags of America (Born and raised!), Germany, and Wales. Since I am Welsh and German it really fits me rather well - don't ya think?"







The Family Curator
by Denise Levenick
Categories Entered

British and German heritage can be seen, along with proud American roots in Denise's banner.







footnoteMaven
by the footnoteMaven
Categories Entered

Can you see the flag of Scotland in the lower left corner of fM's banner? The Campbells are coming...to the Games!







Genea-Musings
by Randy Seaver
Categories Entered

Randy describes his flag: "England is the 'mother country' for almost all of my colonial ancestors and the mother country of the USA and Canada. I have a few Canadian ancestors, and many colonial American ancestors and USA-born ancestors."






GenBlog
by Julie Cahill Tarr
Categories Entered

Julie says: "My flag represents the American, German, and Irish sides of my heritage."







George Geder Genealogy~Photography~Restoration
by George Geder
Categories Entered

It has been suggested that George's ancestors hail from the Ivory Coast and Ghana. These elements are merged with those of the United States on a richly textured background in this beautiful banner.







Granite in My Blood
by Midge Frazel
Categories Entered

Midge's flag highlights her American and British ancestry, as well as her Stanton and Denison lines.







HomeTown Edition - Kratochvil & Secor
by Brenda K. Wolfgram Moore
Categories Entered

The stripes on Brenda's flag show Freedom of the United States. The Maple Leaf represents Canada and the solid red is for Austria.







I Dream of Genea(logy)
by Amir Dekel (abba-dad)
Categories Entered

Amir's flag symbolizes Israel, where he was born and lived most of his life; Nigeria, where he spent five years of his childhood; and the United States, which he calls home these days.






Island Routes
by Melody Lasalle
Categories Entered

Melody's flag represents that she was born in the United States. Her ancestry hails from several countries but she mostly identifies with her French and Portuguese heritage.







Janet the Researcher
by Janet Iles
Categories Entered

Janet's banner represent her maternal Scottish--and from way back--her maternal Germanic roots. It also shows her paternal English roots and her Canadian nationality. She enlarged the symbols for England and Scotland to represent their greater influence.







Jessica's Genejournal
by Jessica Oswalt
Categories Entered

British and German heritage are displayed, along with her American residence, in Jessica's banner.







kinexxions
by Becky Wiseman
Categories Entered

Becky's rich symbolism of her flag has been described in her post here.







Life at the Home20
by Laura Womack
Categories Entered

Laura used the colors from the flags of the US, UK and Ireland in her own flag. Red means patriotism. Blue means freedom. Green means unity. Gold means wealth. White means hope.







Little Bytes of Life
by Elizabeth O'Neal
Categories Entered

Elizabeth explains her flag: "Mine is a combination of USA, France, and UK (Scotland, Ireland) heritage. The USA portion is the greatest since my (paternal) ancestors have been in the U.S. since before the Mayflower." We think it's fitting for a member of the DAR!







looking4ancestors
by Kathryn Lake Hogan
Categories Entered

This is the flag of Walengada, representing Kathryn's Welsh, English, and Canadian heritage.







The Oracle of OMcHodoy
by Colleen McHugh
Categories Entered

Colleen's heritage from the United States, Ireland, and the Czech Republic are reflected in her banner.







Slekt og slikt!
by Laila Normann Christiansen
Categories Entered

Laila is Norwegian with Swedish ancestry (three of her great-grandparents immigrated from Sweden to Norway late 1800s). The American flag represents how she loves to visit the US and stay in her condo in Florida.







Steve's Genealogy Blog
by Stephen Danko
Categories Entered

Steve's flag shows the flags of Lithuania and Poland, the countries in which his ancestors lived, as a background for the flag of the United States where his family has lived for the past 100 years.







Transylvanian Dutch
by John Newmark
Categories Entered

On John's flag we see his American, Dutch, Jewish, and Transylvanian heritage. Yes, that IS a vampire, representing John's Transylvanian ancestry! It is from a painting by Edward Munsch, most famous for The Scream.







Twig Talk
by Sheri Bush
Categories Entered

British, French and American roots are represented in Sheri's banner. She's also proud of her German ancestry!







Vidar's Slektsblogg
by Vidar Øverlie
Categories Entered

This is Vidar's design of a merged Norwegian and Danish flag representing his own heritage.







West in New England
by Bill West
Categories Entered

Bill used England and Ireland's flags' colors because they represent both sides of his family: the colonists who came from England in the 17th century on the Mayflower and other ships, who were his father's ancestors, and the Irish immigrants of the 19th century who were his mother's grandparents.







What's Past is Prologue
by Donna Pointkouski
Categories Entered

On Donna's banner, we see her American, Polish, and Bavarian heritage, as well as the symbol of the Vatican, representing her strong Catholic ancestral roots.





Our bloggers represent a diversity of ethnicity, culture, and heritage, and reside in three actual nations:



Canada







Norway







The United States





We thank all those who have promoted these Games. We appreciate the encouragement and support of those who cannot participate due to work and family commitments or time constraints. You are our fans, cheering us from the stands, and we salute you!





Genea-Bloggers, are you prepared? May the light of our ancestors' lives shine before us, guiding us, motivating us, and leading us on to record their history for the generations to come.



Let the Games begin!


Personal flags created at WeAreMulticolored. National flags courtesy of 3DFlags.
"Bugler's Dream/Olympic Fanfare and Theme" composed and conducted by John Williams and performed by the Boston Symphony. Broadcast by Project Playlist.

Stay Tuned for Opening Ceremonies at 3:00 PM, PDT

I've just gone through several "dry runs" of the Opening Ceremonies, posting the HTML at a private blog to make sure I find and correct all the mistakes before the Real Deal is posted here at 3:00 PM, PDT.

The personal flags that each of the 34 delegates have created are so amazing in their beauty and symbolism. On my last dry run, I got chills up my back and tears in my eyes. I've read every one of the posts they have written describing the categories they will be competing in. I can tell you that you will not be disappointed!

There's one very important person who will not be participating in the Games...at least not in the way that everyone else will be. She has been there with Thomas and I every step of the way, but she has chosen not to compete because her blog is not a personal genealogy one, but a society blog. If you haven't guessed by now to whom I'm referring, it's Kathryn Doyle of the California Genealogical Society and Library blog. What Thomas and I have been doing is very visible, but Kathryn has been working just as hard behind the scenes, and she deserves so much credit in all of this! She didn't even flinch when we realized that both Thomas and I will be gone on vacation for a few days AT THE SAME TIME in the middle of the Games, and that all questions and responsibilities will be mainly on her shoulders.

You'll hear this again, but our many thanks to all who promoted the Games, especially those who because of family, work, or school responsibilities and time constraints could not participate. We view you as our fans and cheerleaders, rooting for us from the stands!

My Events for the Summer 2008 Genea-Bloggers Group Games

The Summer 2008 Genea-Blogger Group Games will begin with Opening Ceremonies here at AnceStories this afternoon, Pacific Daylight Time. I plan to participate and medal in all five categories. Each description and the corresponding qualifications are listed below, with my goal in bold red font.

1. Go Back and Cite Your Sources!
Create proper citations of sources for as many events possible using either Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace by Elizabeth Shown Mills or How to Cite Sources by John Wiley.

Qualifications for "Go Back and Cite Your Sources!":
10 Citations - Bronze Medal
20 Citations - Silver Medal
30 Citations - Gold Medal
40 Citations - Diamond Medal
50 Citations - Platinum Medal

My goal is to earn a platinum medal in this category, using Evidence Explained. This will be linked to entering data (Category 3).

2. Back Up Your Data!
Backup data to choice of formats (flash drives, CDs, DVDs, online) or storing hard copies properly (safety deposit box, safe, etc.).

A. Prepare a comprehensive backup plan for your digital research files and a security plan for your hard copies and photos

B. Secure your hard copies and photos in waterproof containers

C. Backup all your data using a flash drive, an external drive, CDs, DVDs, or an online resource

D. Have all your hard copies and photos scanned and secure them either in a fire-proof safe or offsite in a safety-deposit box/secure environment

E. All your data is backed up digitally and secured physically and you can recover from any disaster while losing only one month or less worth of research

Qualifications for "Back Up Your Data!":
Complete Task A - Bronze Medal
Complete Task B - Silver Medal
Complete Task C - Gold Medal
Complete Task D - Diamond Medal
Complete Task E - Platinum Medal

My goal is to earn a gold medal by achieving tasks A, C, and E. Due to the amount of genealogical records, photos, and items I've inherited in the last year (three large boxes), it is impossible for me to have everything secured in waterproof containers or stored in a safety deposit box, at this point. I will make an effort to place more items in my safety deposit box, however.

3. Organize Your Research!
So you have plenty of research - that's okay if you can find what you need when you need it, right? Take time to review your collection of documents and photos, both hard copy and digital, and work to organize those items for easy access.

A. Organize at least 20 hard files or ancestral items (books, fabrics, inherited items) into file folders, boxes, envelopes, containers, etc.; archival-quality where appropriate.

B. Organize at least 20 digital files into folders, label, add metadata, add descriptions, add tags, etc.

C. Organize at least 20 photos into photo albums, scrapbooks, collages, protective holders, boxes, etc.

D. Organize at least 20 digital photos into folders, label, add metadata, add descriptions, add tags, etc.

E. Create at least 20 data entries in your database, or scan 20 photos, or scan 20 documents.

F. Create a master list of your files and notify your family members of where it is stored.

Qualifications for "Organize Your Research!":
Complete any one task - Bronze Medal
Complete any two tasks - Silver Medal
Complete any three tasks - Gold Medal
Complete any four tasks - Diamond Medal
Complete five or more tasks - Platinum Medal

I will attempt to achieve a platinum medal by completing at least the minimum of each of the six tasks. My focus will be on my husband's family lines, although I will probably do some work on my own as well.

4. Write, Write, Write!
Do you find birth dates, death dates and all the data boring if there's no narrative behind it? Don't you find the stories about ancestors more attractive than cut and dried census data? It takes time to be able to write about your family history and the more you write and the more often you write, the easier it is to bring your family to life for others to see.

A. Write a summary of what your blog is about and post it on your blog – you may not have done this since you started the blog and it is a great way to have new readers learn more about your site.

B. Participate in a genealogy or family history related blog carnival.

C. Prepare several posts in draft mode (if possible with your blog platform) and pre-publish.

D. Write a brief biographical sketch on one of your ancestors.

E. Sign up to host a future carnival.

Qualifications for "Write, Write, Write!":
Complete any one task - Bronze Medal
Complete any two tasks - Silver Medal
Complete any three tasks - Gold Medal
Complete any four tasks - Diamond Medal
Complete all 5 tasks - Platinum Medal

I've done Task A before these Games began, so I don't feel I qualify for it now, and I don't feel prepared to host a carnival at this time (Task E; I know carnival hosting requires a lot of work, and I'm short on time right now). That leaves me with Tasks B through D, to earn a gold medal.

5. Reach Out & Perform Genealogical Acts of Kindness!

A. Comment on a new (to you) genea-blog.

B. Join another genea-blogger’s blog network on Facebook Blog Networks.

C. Invite other genealogists to join Facebook.

D. Assist another researcher with a research request or lookup. See AnceStories' "Random Acts of Kindness Week" posts for ideas for this item and Item E.

E. Participate in an indexing project.

F. Join a genealogical, historical, heritage or lineage society.

Qualifications for "Reach Out & Perform Genealogical Acts of Kindness!":
Complete any one task - Bronze Medal
Complete any two tasks - Silver Medal
Complete any three tasks - Gold Medal
Complete any four tasks - Diamond Medal
Complete five or more tasks - Platinum Medal

This will be the easiest event for me to medal in, so I'm going for platinum!

1881 Canadian Census Images and Index Launched Online at the Library of Canada

courtesy 3DFlags

In all the excitement of preparing for the Summer 2008 Genea-Blogger Group Games, I noticed a few blog announcements that the Library of Canada has launched the 1881 Canadian Census with index AND images!

With numerous ancestors and relatives appearing in this census, it's taking a lot of self-control not to wander over there while I'm trying to finish up the Opening Ceremonies post! :-)

John William "Chet" VALK (1914 - 1944), Recipient of the Purple Heart

Source: John W. Valk Badge of Military Merit; owned by Miriam Robbins Midkiff, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Spokane, Washington, 2008.

Today is Purple Heart Day.

The official name of a Purple Heart is the Badge of Military Merit. According to Wikipedia, it "is considered to be the first official military combat badge of the United States Armed Forces. It is the second oldest United States military award in existence, the oldest being the Fidelity Medallion. The Badge of Military Merit was first announced in General George Washington's general orders to the Continental Army issued on 7 August 1782 at the Headquarters in Newburgh. Designed by Washington in the form of a purple heart, it was intended as a military order for soldiers who displayed unusual gallantry in battle, or extraordinary fidelity and essential service."

Currently, "the Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after 5 April 1917, has been wounded or killed, or who has died after being wounded." [Wikipedia]

Here in the State of Washington, living Purple Heart recipients can obtain specialized license plates with an image of the award decorating the plates. This may be possible in other states as well.

---

The story of the Purple Heart recipient in my family begins on a cold winter day in the City of Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan on 7 February 1914. Agnes (TUINSTRA) VALK had just given birth to her fourth son and child within four years. What Agnes and her husband, William James VALK, decided to name this son is open to speculation. According to their third son--and my maternal grandfather--William "Bill" VALK, his younger brother was supposed to have been named William Thomas VALK. I think my grandfather was mistaken...why would you have two sons named William? I think my great-grandparents meant to name the boy Thomas William VALK. This makes sense because Thomas was the name of a younger brother of William Sr., who had died young, and was another translation--in addition to James--of the Frisian name Tjamme, William Sr.'s father's name. Having William as a middle name (as so many of these sons did) was a leftover Dutch tradition, where one's middle name was a patronym ("Willems").

Somehow, either "William Thomas" or "Thomas William" didn't go over, and the parents decided upon John Chester VALK, and nicknamed him "Chet." Whatever happened, Chet was registered on his offical birth record as "John William VALK"--by the doctor, according to my grandfather--and no one was the wiser until nearly 30 years later.

Chet's birth was followed by two more sons and a set of twins, one of whom was stillborn. By now, the United States was in the midst of World War I. Soon after, the Spanish Influenza Pandemic hit. I've written before about how Agnes was institutionalized after succumbing to the effects of influenza or perhaps encephalitis lethargica. When she died shortly before her 36th birthday, William Sr. was left with six sons and daughter, all under the age of 12. These children were farmed out to relatives and the city orphanage. Chet was one who lived at Blodgett Home for Children during the 1920 Census. After William Sr. married Iva Eva (LAMBRECHT) SCHADLER, a widow with a 10-year-old son, the family was reunited, and eight more children--five of whom survived infancy--were added to the household.

Chet attended Walker Township schools and grew up playing on the streets of what is now west Grand Rapids. In 1937, his 24-year-old brother Bill (my grandfather) married 17-year-old German immigrant Elfriede "Freda" LOMKER in South Bend, Indiana, a "Gretna Green" marriage location. A year an a half later, a son, James Frederick VALK, was born. Besides the obvious age difference between the couple, the marriage appeared to be doomed from the start. One morning, Bill left a dollar bill on the table with a note, and simply walked out. Freda and little Jimmy moved into her parents' home. This was Efriede's version, according to the 1941 court records of their divorce. According to my grandmother (Bill's second wife), Elfriede "ran off with Chet" (before the divorce? soon after?). However, I must remember that my grandmother heard Bill's version, and he may have been justifying his actions. Those who know the whole truth are long gone.

Source: Valk, James Frederick and Elfriede (Lomker). Photograph. C. 1941. Original in the possession of Robert Upton [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Queen Creek, Arizona. 2008.

Whatever happened, Chet and Elfriede did fall in love and marry. She called him "Johnny" and he called her "Freda." Chet looked upon little Jimmy as his own, and was obviously devoted to both his own family and his in-laws. He had served in the regular U.S. Army from 1936 through 1939 and was recalled in February 1941. It was during his enlistment that the discovery was made that his legal name, according to his birth record, was John William VALK. According to my grandfather, Chet served with the 101st Airborne, but I am not sure as to the accuracy of that statement.

Source: Valk, John William "Johnny" (Fort Benning, Georgia) to "Dear Margaret" [possibly Margaret Lomker]. Letter. Undated. Privately held by Robert Upton [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Queen Creek, Arizona. 2008.
(click on any thumbnail to enlarge)

From Fort Benning, Georgia, in this undated letter, Chet writes to a friend, or perhaps his sister-in-law, Margaret:

Dear Margaret,

I received your card and letter both this morning and was glad to hear from you. After reading the card I thought I'd better not wait so long this time. That sure was a good thrashing you gave me. I had it coming I guess.

It is still hotter than blazes down here and not much breeze. The little breeze we do get sure feels good. We are all feeling fine inspite [sic] of the weather.

Freda has gone back up to Rockford [Michigan, near Grand Rapids] to dispose of some [of] the things we are not taking with us. We have all ready [sic] sold the house and got our down payment back out of it. She expects to be gone only a week then she's driving down in the car with Jimmy.

Gee, I really miss that kid something awful. I wonder if he'll still remember me after those long months. Bet he'll like our new house as there will be plenty of open space to play in.

Just before Freda left we went out to look how they were coming on the house and they hadn't hardly did anything to it except installing the plumbing and electrical fixtures. I can hardly wait to move in.

I think you should give Freda a calling down. I've been trying to get her to write for ages but she doesn't seem to find time. It's touch that Cliff is gone and wish him the best of everything wherever he goes and a hasty arrival back home. I think of you two a lot and sure miss seeing you every so often. Maybe after this war is over we'll be able to pay you a visit. Freda has already told me she'd like to move to Califonria, and you know Freda when she wants something. Well Margie I guess I'll close as there really isn't much news any way. So goodbye for now. We'll try to be more prompt hereafter.

Love
Johnny.

Source: Valk, John William "Johnny" (unknown location in Europe) to "Dear Folks" [Fred and Anna (Kirchdyke) Lomker]. Letter. 9 December 1944. Privately held by Robert Upton [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Queen Creek, Arizona. 2008.
(click on any thumbnail to enlarge)

Chet was sent overseas to serve. On Saturday, 9 December 1944, he wrote from Europe to Freda's parents, Fred LOMKER, Sr. and Anna KIRCHDYKE, who were probably living in Grand Rapids:

Saturday, Dec. 9th.

Dear Folks,

Just a few lines to say hell-o. I know you'll be surprised to hear from me as I haven't written before. I have been thinking of you though, often. How are all of you, anyway. I'm fine and hope this letter find you all in the best of health. I hear from Freda quite often but she seldom mentions you. Just finished writing Freda a few moments ago. I'd like it very much if she'd go home. I'm afraid she's working too hard. She says she [is] going home any day now. Just hope she makes it there before Christmas. It would be nice if she were home for Christmas. I sure would like to be there too. this is really a bad mess over here and I for one will be glad when it's over with.

[Censored] It was impossible [censored] Christmas, over here for [censored] anything. Hoping she gets home for Christmas [censored] this [censored] doesn't [illegible] if you can always [censored].

I received a letter from Margaret awhile back and it sure was nice hearing from her. I hear from home often too and naturally they generally write a few lines about you all. So I do hear about you occasionally. Dad Valk mentioned pa in his last letter saying you was over a short while ago.

The weather over here has been miserable but through it all we manage somehow. We have every thing we need, plenty of blankets, clothes, east, cigarettes and so forth. That's why I never ask Freda to send me anything. About the only thing I miss more than anything is my beer. Of course, I miss Freda and Jimmy the most.

Well, folks, I still have a few more letters to write besides this one so will close for now. Hoping you all the best. Give my regards to Fred [Jr.] and the kids. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Yours Truly,
Johnny

Johnny never saw the New Year, 1945. He was reported missing in Luxembourg on December 31st, and it was later determined he was killed in action on that date, another cold winter day like the one on which he had been born. At birth, he was welcomed by his loving parents and three older brothers. At death, he was surrounded by his Band of Brothers, some of whom may have joined him in crossing over.

Many years later, my grandfather later told me that he had heard his brother had been killed near Foy, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge, and that he may have been parachuting into the area at the time. His obituary was published nearly three months later in the Grand Rapids Press.

Source: Walsh, Roland, Brigadier General, USA, Commanding (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) to "Mrs. Elfriede Valk" [Elfriede (Lomker) Valk]. Letter. Undated. Privately held by Robert Upton [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Queen Creek, Arizona. 2008.

Let us remember on Purple Heart Day the sacrifices that our military men and women have made to preserve our freedoms.

Freda later moved to Louisiana and became the second female certified public accountant in that state. She married another war veteran, and had two more children, but according to her son, she was very sad about many things in her life. I suspect Chet's death affected her greatly. In addition, little Jimmy had to be institutionalized because he was--or became--disabled. He lived in the state institution at Kalamazoo, Michigan, and died at the age of 19. This must have been very grievous to bear. At that time in society, there was no physical, financial, medical or emotional support for families with disabled children, leaving them little choice but the anguish of basically abandoning them to the mercy of the state. Freda herself passed away in 1983 after a battle with melanoma.

It is through the great generosity of Freda's children that the Badge of Military Merit awarded to John William "Chet" VALK, as well as copies of his letters and the above photograph, have been returned to and shared with the descendants of the Valk family. We are exceedingly grateful.

These Aren't the Olympics

Just a quick note: If you blog about the Genea-Blogger Group Games, please don't refer to them as the "Olympics." This is a word that is protected either by copyright or a similar legal process by the International Olympic Committee, who has only ever authorized the usage of their name in one instance, the Special Olympics.

As family historians and genealogists, we strive to respect and uphold copyright and fair use laws. Therefore, the Genea-Blogger Group administrators request that the term "Genea-Blogger Group Games" or "the Games" for short be used in place of the word "Olympics."

Some Deadlines Extended for Genea-Blogger Group Games Entries

First of all, Thomas, Kathryn and I want to say a huge "thank you" to FamilyTreeMagazine for publicizing the Summer 2008 Genea-Blogger Group Games in both their blog and their e-newsletter. We've received such a overwhelming onslaught of requests from people wanting to sign up, that we are extending a couple of deadlines (these deadlines will be changed on our official rules of participation post). The changes have been made below and are listed in bold red font:

1. Sign up at the Facebook Genea-Blogger Group page by RSVPing to the Genea-Blogger Group Games that will be listed in the Events menu on that page. Submission deadline is 9:00 AM, Pacific Daylight Time on August 8, 2008. Only participants who have signed up in advance will be listed in the Opening Ceremonies. If you are not yet a Facebook and Genea-Blogger Group member, you must sign up for these immediately. Administrators can also participate.

E-mail Miriam Midkiff by 9:00 AM, Pacific Daylight Time on August 8 with the following information which will be used during the Opening Ceremonies:

A. The name of the country in which you now reside.

B. An attached graphic of a flag you create yourself at WeAreMulticolored representing your ancestry, heritage, or personal expression. Please explain the heritage or special meaning behind your flag.

C. The URL (web address) of your blog.

Please note that the following deadline remains in place:

2. Participate in Opening Ceremonies by publishing a post on your blog on August 8, 2008, by 12:00 noon, PDT describing the categories in which you will compete. Describe your goals for achievement. Look for the Official List of Competitors at AnceStories: The Stories of My Ancestors to be posted later that day. These are our Opening Ceremonies.

The obvious factor is, if you don't have a blog, you won't be able to participate. If you want a quick tutorial on creating one, please visit Robert Ragan's easy tutorial here.

Addendum to Genea-Bloggers Group Games Competition Categories

Midge Frazel pointed out that there were a couple of events in the Genea-Bloggers Group Games that had six tasks, but the qualifications for the corresponding medals only listed completing five tasks. I've reworded the qualifications for the "Organize Your Research!" and "Reach Out & Perform Acts of Kindness" to clarify that in order to obtain a platinum medal in these events, you must complete five or more of the six tasks.

Thank you for your patience with these Addendums. We did our best to revise and edit the wording, but some things slipped through.

Remember, if you have any questions, please list them on the appropriate discussion boards on the Genea-Bloggers Group page at Facebook.