Organizing with Thoughtboxes

     Yesterday, my sister sent me a link to a new site that she thought I might like: ThoughtBoxes (www.thoughtbox.es). This website describes itself as "a simple tool that helps to organize your thoughts so you can make things happen" where, "You can keep track of just about anything, and share your thoughts with friends." After only using this website for less than an hour, I really like it.

     I signed up for the free account, which allows you to create two "trains of thought" (the paid version cost $25 and is unlimited). Within your "trains of thought" you create "boxes" and within those you create "thoughts." Pretty much, you're creating bulleted lists. I've just started to create one about a genealogy research trip I'm planning for this spring. You can click here to see it, or view the screenshot bellow:

     All of the boxes and thoughts can be edited or moved at any time. So if I wanted my Things to Take box to be in the left hand column, I could move it there. If I wanted to move St Michael's Church to the top of the Lexington County box, I could.  And, when I've completed the item, I can simply click the checkmark by each thought to indicate that it's complete.
     A great feature on this site is the ability to share my trains of thought. If you click on the link above, you'll be able to see the list, though you cannot edit it. And I can privatize individual boxes, while still sharing the majority of the train of thought.
     Now, this website is very new; according to their facebook page they went live on Dec 16th. I hope that as the site matures more features will be added. This is a great idea, but it's very basic right now. As it is, I don't see any reason to pay $25 a year for this site. However, if they added some of the following features, I'd highly consider it:

• Another Level of Thought. For example: above I have the Lexington County Library as a thought in my Places: Lexington County box. I would love to be able to add multiple thoughts under the library, such as an address and books I intend to look for. Maybe this level could be called details? I really think this is a necessary addition.
• More Characters. Right now there is a limit to how many characters you can type for the title of a train of thought or a box. I'd love to see this expanded.
• More Information. I'd love to be able to add a description or summery to each train of thought that wouldn't have to go into a box. This would sit right under the title of each train of thought.
• More Creativity. I'd love to be able to choose from a wider variety of colors or images when designing each train of thought. Right now I can't even upload my own avatar, let alone individual avatars for each train of thought or box. And could I pick my own background color or fonts?
• Updated: I discovered that I can add a photo to a thought using basic html code (img src="address"):
  
• More Socializing. I'd like to see multiple levels of shared lists. It would be nice if I could co-create a list with others and have anther option where people could add comments to my list. Also, team up with facebook and twitter so that I can share my thoughts with friends. Can I add photos from Flickr or Picasa? Maps from Google?

     Even without these improvements, I think the folks behind Thoughtbox have a great idea. I'll continue to work on my trip itinerary and hope to see the site flourish in the future. 

Frank's Estate Sale, Pt 3

This is page three of my GGG-Grandfather, Frank E Leaphart, consisting of a wide range of household items. I find the sword to be rather interesting - I wonder what it looked like?

______________________

				D S
	Picher stand		P. H. Craps	1.05
	sundrees		Mariah Taylor	.25
	sword		J. W. Jumper	.55
	shot gun		W. T. Jumper	4.25
	bucket		H. L. Price	1.00
	Candlestick		Mariah Taylor	.25
	Pair scissors		J. E. Taylor	.15
	Piggin, +c		Sarah Je*fair	.30
	Copper ware, +c		John Shill	.20
	seive		John Shill	.30
	Churn		A. D. J. Hays	.45
	wool & basket		John Shill	.10
	Blanket		A. D. J. Hayes	10.25
	"		A. D. J. Hayes	8.50
	Blanket		A Wingard resold	6.00
	quilt		A. D. J. Hayes	1.50
	Cards		J. E. Leapheart	1.00
	Bed & Bedstead		J. W. Jumper	14.50
	Loom		Rebecca Seay	3.25
	Bed & Bedstead		Mariah Taylor	6.00
	Bed & Bedstead		Leonard Keisler	10.00
	" " " "		W. T. Jumper	7.00
	Cradle		J. E. Leapheart	.25
	Table Cloth		John Craps	.30
	Desk & Cloth		Lemule Keisler	1.10
	Table		Sarah Jumper	.50
	"		Capt Griffith	.50
	spinning wheel		Mariah Taylor	4.00
	Clock		J. W. Jumper	2.00
	Coffee Mill		J. E. Leapheart	.10
2	Jarrs		J. E. Leapheart	1.90
"	"		Mariah Taylor	1.25
"	"		J. E. Leapheart	1.50
5	Jugs		J. E. Leapheart	1.00
5	Chairs		P. H. Craps	2.00
"	"		L. Craut	2.50
	Sadle		John *	2.05
15	Wool	pr * 32 A	R. H. Leapheart	5.76
				97.86

See an image of this page here, reproduced from microfilm in South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia, S. C. Lexington County Estate, Box 17, Pg 3, FR 273-368. Estate File of F. E. Leaphart, E1965.

Frank's Estate Sale, Pt 2

Here's the second page of inventory from my GGG-Grandfather Frank E Leaphart's estate sale. This page contained a lot of kitchen ware, as well as the contents of the family library. It looks like the family owned multiple bibles, as well as some educational book. These inventories really are providing great insight into the Leaphart family. 

______________________

Inventory of the sale of the goods and chattles of F. E. Leaphart Deceased

				D S
	Watch		Bereleon Price	21.50
6	Plates crochery ware		Chesly Price	4.00
6	" " "		P. H. Crapes	1.75
6	" " "		Lemuel Keisler	.40
3	" " "		P. H. Crapes	.80
4	Tin plates		John Sheall	.35
2	" "		Sarah Jumper	.25
	strainer		J. E. Taylor	.25
Large	Bowl		A. D. J. Hayes	2.00
	cups & saucer		P. H. Craps	.35
	" "		P. H. Craps	.50
	" "		Lemuel Keisler	.40
	Bowl & Marg.		Sarah Jumper	.35
	Pitcher		P. H. Craps	.50
	Coffee pot & pitcher		Mariah Taylor	.30
	Tin Britchet		Sarah Jumper	.30
	Knives & forks		Isaac Alawine	.55
	" "		P. H. Craps	.95
	spoons		P. H. Craps	.50
	Knife & fork		Lemul Keiser	.40
	Family Bible		J. W. Jumper	1.25
	Bible & History		Calvin Price	1.15
	Geography & atlas		Calvin Price	.50
	Bible Reader		H. L. Price	.55
	Books		John Price	.65
2	Flask		Godfrey Keeley	.15
2	Mugs stone ware		P. H. Craps	.50
2	small Bottles		W. F. Wingard	.10
	" "		Sarah Jumper	.05
	Bottles & flash		Mariah Taylor	.05
	Bottles		J. W. Jumper	.12
5	Glazes		H. L. Price	1.00
	Bottle & salce		Jasper Taylor	.10
	Bottles		John Hull	.75
	Looking glass		P. H. Craps	1.10
	Bottle & pitcher		H. L. Price	.10
	Razor		P. H. Craps	2.15
				46.22

See an image of this page here, reproduced from microfilm in South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia, S. C. Lexington County Estate, Box 17, Pg 3, FR 273-368. Estate File of F. E. Leaphart, E1965.

Frank's Estate Sale, Pt 1

One of the most interesting parts of the estate records I received for my GGG-Grandfather, Frank E Leaphart, are the records from the sale of his estate in 1856. I'm really starting to get a picture for what life was like for this family by looking at these records. On the first page, we have mostly farm animals and crops (a male cow?), which is a good indication of how this family made a living. I'll continue to transcribe these pages - it only gets more interesting!

______________________

Inventory of the sale of the goods and chattles of F. E. Leaphart Deceased

				D S
	Wagon		George Hallman	15.50
	Red cow & calf		Eml Shealy	33.75
	Black cow & calf		H. L. Price	15.00
	old Red cow & calf		M. L. Kyzer	12.50
	Red *** & calf		Eml Shealy	20.00
	Male cow		M. L. Kyzer	15.00
	no horn yearling		H. L. Price	8.00
	cow & yearling in woods		M. L. Kyzer	18.50
	Helfer		R. H. Leaphart	12.00
	Hog 1st choice		J. E. Leaphart	12.00
	" 2nd "		M. L. Kyzer	12.00
	" 3rd "		J. E. Leaphart	12.00
	sow & guinea		M. L. Kyzer	18.00
2	spotted shoats	5 pr. Hd.	Daniel Jackson	10.00
	White shoat pig		J. E. Leaphart	4.00
2	Black pigs	2.50 per Hd	M. L. Kyger	5.50
2	goats	1.50 " "	G M. Caugh*	4.50
2	"	1.00 " "	J. E. Leaphart	2.00
1	"	1.25	A. D. J. Hayes	1.25
1st  2	choice sheep	1.75 per. Hd.	M. L. Kyzer	3.50
2nd  2	" "	2.05	M. L. Kyzer	4.10
3rd 3	" "	1.75	M. L. Kyzer	5.25
4th 3	" "	1.00	M. L. Kyzer	3.00
5th 2	" "	.80	R. H. Leaphart	1.40
6th 3	" "	1.55	J. E. Leaphart	4.65
	Wheat straw		W. T. Jumper	1.70
	Fodder by Bulk		J. E. Leapart	3.25
	Fouls	per Hed 28*	J. E. Leaphart	1.61
crop	East field		Abalam Jackson	19.00
	field by House		Abalam Jackson	8.50
	Wheat	per Bu 2.45	A. D. J. Hays	12.25
	"	" " 2.45	A. D. J. Hayes	12.25
	"	" " 2.50	J. E. Leaphart	12.50
Ballance	"	" " 2.50	J. E. Drafts	18.75
	Watch		Calvin Price	17.75
				355.66

See an image of this page here, reproduced from microfilm in South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia, S. C. Lexington County Estate, Box 17, Pg 3, FR 273-368. Estate File of F. E. Leaphart, E1965.

Ancestor Approved

     I was recently awarded the Ancestor Approved award from fellow genealogy bloggers, Mavis Jones of Georgia Black Crackers and TCasteel of Tangled Trees. Thanks to both of these bloggers for the award!  As part of receiving this award, I'm supposed to list 10 things that have surprised, humbled or enlightened me.  Here's my list:

1. My maternal Grandmother never knew who her father's family was. Being able to tell her the names of those grandparents was very humbling.  
2. But she knew absolutely everything about her mother's family - and had the documentation to prove it!
3. My direct ancestor, Willis Craft, served in the GA state House of Representatives.
4. I was very surprised at the musical ability of the maternal side of my family - and that their instruments are still around and in the possession of my "cousins."
5. Despite having been told that our family is Irish, German, English, etc, I can show all branches of my family were living in the US during the US Civil War and for many years prior. To me, that makes my family American.
6. It's both surprising, nice and frustrating that all of those families lived in GA, SC and FL throughout the generations and for their entire lives.
7. I have a "Rosie the Riveter" Aunt in my family tree.
8. My paternal Grandparents were survivors: Pawpaw survived WWII and together they survived both a tornado and a fire destroying their homes. 
9. The number of children that a single man could have is huge, especially when he had multiple wives. I'm looking at you and your 19 (proven) children Reuben Boatright!
10. There is a wonderful online community of genealogist just waiting to help anyone - you just have to ask!

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Top 10 Sites

Another Fun Saturday Night over at the Genea-Musings Blog. This week: Top Ten list of Favorite Genealogy Web Sites.

1. Ancestry.com
2. Footnote.com
3. FindAGrave.com
4. Georgia Virtual Vault
5. GA USGenWeb Archives Project
6. SC Dept. of Archives and History
7. FamilySearch.org
8. GenForum
9. GenealogyBank.com
10. Cyndi's List

Things I want/need to do

1. Go up to Elbert County and walk cemeteries
2. Go to the Fulton County Library Central Branch and look at their books and city directories
3. Check out a Family History Center
4. Break down a brick wall - any of them!
5. Organize loose family photos (Waters / Hyler)
6. Print more books on blurb.com