Is genealogy becoming obsolete? The latest discussion by members on my Virginia List has been the possibility that genealogy is obsolete. They do not think as many researchers are posting new information, queries, etc., as they have done in the past. My input to that discussion was that I had been a researcher for nearly 30 years and genealogy is not obsolete, but that we all need a break and a rest from it at various times during a given period of time.?

This summer my genealogy has been limited due to surgery on my right shoulder;? however, I have my doctor's approval to type at my computer as long as I keep my arm straight. With this capability I can still search for information on Web sites of interest. The FamilySearch site has been one of my most active pursuits recently, and even though my searches have not solved my brick walls, they have eliminated my search of some documentation.

Deborah Smith Klipperd, the daughter of Thomas and Eve Smith, was the last member of her family to die. She died Sept. 9, 1910, in Clinton County, Ohio, and I had great hopes that her death certificate would list the birthplace of her parents. I had searched for her death certificate in various places and tried to order it on Ancestry.com, but there was an error and I was not successful.?

When my niece sent me an e-mail and told me of all her success in finding death certificates on the FamilySearch site, I decided to search for Deborah's certificate. Not only did I find Deborah's, but several of her children's records. My disappointment was that the information cited on Deborah's death certificate was provided by a daughter-in-law, who listed her father as Thomas Smith with birth in Ohio and mother unknown. Actually, several of Deborah's siblings were also born in New York as well as their parents. Even though I did not learn where in New York the family had resided before moving to Ohio, I no longer have to search for Deborah Smith Klipperd's death certificate for that answer.??

Some members of my Virginia List may think genealogy is obsolete, but mine is not. I continue to research in my spare time and search for those many records that will answer my questions about my family history, and I continue to enjoy genealogy as much today as I did in the very beginning.?

Oklahoma Genealogical Society (OGS):

Genealogy Contest Guidelines -- Entries Due by Aug. 4 at the OGS General Meeting. Genealogy Contests will be judged in the following categories:

1. Five Generation Study (all ancestors of one individual through their great-great-grandparents)

2. Photograph Genealogy (at least four generations)

3. Family Line Traced to an Immigrant

4. My Oklahoma Pioneer (story)

5. My Favorite Ancestor (story)

6. A Soldier's Story (any time period or war)

7. Open Class

Judging Criteria: 1. Source citations for all statements of fact; 2. Thoroughness of research; 3. Degree of completion of the task for the category; 4. Attention to grammar, spelling and capturing the reader's interest (for the three story categories)

Please bring your entry to the OGS general meeting or, prior to the meeting, bring it to the Oklahoma Historical Society Research Library. Please attach to your entry your name, address, phone and/or e-mail and category that you are entering. Please do not attach originals or one-of-a-kind family heirlooms to your entry, as we are not responsible for loss or damage.

Entries may be picked up between 3 and 4 p.m. at the Ancestor Fair or later by special arrangement. (Note: Those wishing to mail their entries to OGS, P.O. Box 12986, Oklahoma City, OK 73157 do so at their own risk --?it must be received by Aug. 4. Please include postage for returning your entry or plan to reclaim in person.)

Entries will be displayed 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 9 at the Ancestor Fair.

When sharing information or sending in queries write to:? Relatively Speaking, P. O. Drawer, Norman, OK 73070 or email Darlene Shawn at Djshawn636@aol.com.