Update: K.C. Schwitzgebels database

I've regenerated the online database for the Kansas City branch from our research data current as of 11 October, 2006. You can view the online database here.

Update: Master Research Database

I've re-generated the master research database. This brings the data current with updates through 15 January, 2009.

The give and take of genealogy

I don't mean to be a buzz kill, but I have a bone to pick.

Over the years that I've been doing genealogy research, I've corresponded by postal and electronic mail with hundreds of my fellow genealogists. Some of these exchanges have been very beneficial to my family's research. Many have been short, due to a lack of common ancestry. Most have been pleasant. But I'm finding that the number of impolite, demanding, selfish researchers appears to be on the rise.

I don't know whether people are so used to dealing with an opportunistic juggernaut like Ancestry.com that they forget to say "please" and "thank you", or if they never learned in the first place. I get these excited notes from people who think we have ancestors in common, saying how they're really eager to share information. That's what it's all about, right? Right.

The problem is that, increasingly, I spend my time and thought putting together the details and sources that pertain to our common ancestors, only to find that once I've given this subset of my fellow researchers what they want... I never hear from them again. No shared source documents. Not even a thank you.

I think that's wrong.

Remodeled

For more than five years, I've been mildly distressed about the design of the schwitzgebel.org site - in particular the javascript-based drop-down menu system. It looked reasonably good and provided a convenient way to drill down to the various content areas, but only if one happened to have javascript turned on. The smallish number of visitors who had javascript turned off - as well as users of older versions of the Safari browser and users of any version of Opera - would find themselves up the proverbial creek without a clickable link.

I found myself with a bit of time recently. It's so hot right now (over 100 °F) that going out for a bike ride is uncomfortable, if not dangerous; so I stayed inside and started working on the web site. I think I've solved the navigation issues, and I hope you find getting around the new structure to be intuitive.

Never content to leave well enough alone, I also made some changes to the color scheme and typography of the site. One of the first visitors to see the redesigned site remarked, “It has a simple and inviting look to it and navigation is easy.” I hope you agree.

Herman Griggy

Another of my digital constructions, this is based on a small photo Grandpa took of himself sometime in the 1970s at one of those automated photo booths you see at the mall. The pocket watch is one that he bought used around 1931, passed down to me when I was in college, and which still runs and keeps perfect time. The smaller blended image is Herman on his wedding day, in 1936.

Gilbert Schwitzgebel artifacts

Just a little something I've been playing with in PaintShop Pro.

The image combines a photograph of Gilbert; a pocket watch his father (Nick Schwitzgebel) gave him when he was 11; Gilbert's handwritten note describing the watch; Gilbert's monogrammed tie clasp; and a wallet card bearing information about the birth of his first-born son, Bernard. The small "coin" is a trolley token which, although not actually from Gilbert (it belonged to Gilbert's father-in-law, Charles Phillippi), could easily have been something rattling around in his pockets at the time.

Update: Master Research Database

It was a couple years overdue, but I finally got around to re-generating the master research database. The process is a bit involved and typically takes me a couple hours, but a lot of that is due to my not doing it very often.

This update brings the web site current through 5 May, 2007. It probably doesn't contain any major breakthroughs (unless that one new person happens to be one of your brick walls), but Dad has been busy making corrections, recording the passing of a few relatives, and adding snippets he receives from his various correspondents. All this while I've been spending a lot of time occupied with non-genealogy activities. I know: blasphemy--but there you have it.