The year 2017 has not been particularly conducive to genealogical pursuits as entertaining a busy toddler and coordinating an out-of-state move definitely take their toll on one’s available research time! However, I’m glad that I’ve met my personal goal of sharing a dozen blog posts over the course of the year, including ten family history stories, and that I’ve made several exciting genealogical discoveries along the way. I’ve also enjoyed continued collaboration with a cousin on our research into a family of Danish immigrants, with plans to co-author a book (eventually!), and have connected with researchers located as far away as Germany and Denmark.

Beyond my own genealogical endeavors, I took on a couple of freelance projects and made time for a few activities within the genealogical community:

• In May, I took part in a moderated discussion about genealogical research prior to a performance of The House in Scarsdale at the Boston Court Performing Arts Center in Pasadena, California. As the autobiographical production included themes related to the playwright’s family history, it was an interesting discussion.
• Also in May, I was featured in a YouTube interview hosted by the NextGen Genealogy Network. Like all speaking engagements, this was out of my comfort zone, but it’s always a pleasure to chat with my friend and colleague Eric Wells.
• I made a brief appearance at the Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree in June, my fifth year attending this event. I moderated a discussion, “The Next Generation: Young Genealogists and Your Society,” with panelists Lisa Medina, Deborah Sweeney, Eric Wells, Randy Whited, and Paul Woodbury, all of whom helped to make my first conference speaking engagement go as smoothly as possible.
• While at the Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree, I co-hosted a meetup of the NextGen Genealogy Network where I enjoyed visiting with old friends and new.
• I continued to volunteer as Content Coordinator (and interim Treasurer) with the NextGen Genealogy Network through June, when I decided that after nearly four years with the organization, it was time to pass the torch to make way for fresh perspectives. The energetic young genealogists who make up its Leadership Team make me confident that the organization will continue to grow and thrive!

Now, having recently relocated from Southern California to the Pacific Northwest, I am eager to become acquainted with the local genealogical community through the Seattle Genealogical Society, the Puget Sound Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists, and the 2018 Northwest Genealogy Conference. I also look forward to connecting and reconnecting with relatives who have also made the Pacific Northwest their home—and, once the dust has settled and boxes are unpacked, setting up my genealogy work space once again!