I must say, I've encountered one of the two worst technoligical nightmares a genealogy junkie could. It was always either a computer breakdown or computer virus. 

Yesterday morning one of those nightmares came true.  I didn't just get a virus, it was a trojan.  And worse yet, I didn't get it by downloading anything or opening any files.  I was using the BING search engine and simply clicked on the link which took forever to open.  After being frustrated with what I thought was simply AGAIN , microsoft "hung application" and doing my ctrl, alt, del and being asked to end the program, I did so.  My computer then had been commanded by some evil force and shut off.  It turned itself back on and all of a sudden the program that comes bundled with your microsoft program that is in your control panel that is called the security system had been hijacked by a trojan.  This program ran like it was the regular security scan but then tried to force me to input a credit card number into it's malicious "save your computer" screen which mirrored enough like Microsoft's security website asking you to update your virus program.  I did not do that thankfully.  I tried then to go into any program on my computer and was locked out of everything.  From my internet to text pad to trying to open documents or even look at photos I'd saved.  I was devastated.  I then promptly shut my violated machine off, packed it up and ran to my nearest Best Buy.

I then sulked into my local Best Buy, computer in hand and muttered to the head of the "Geek Squad" my dilemma, noting that my computer appears to had been violated and caught some kind of internet VD.  As soon as he turned on the computer and saw what this malicious trojan had done, his only reply to me was start over.  He indicated that this was a NEW virus and there is nothing to be done than to erase the hard drive and restart from scratch.  My only comfort is knowing that they can, for a substantial sum of money, recover data and photos saved on my computer, but not programs.  For an additional sum of money I could let them reinstall everything, but since I've got the discs from when I purchased the program, I decided I would do that.  Now I await my computers return and my data and my return to working on my genealogy.  I certainly hope that my gedcom is also recovered.  Otherwise, I've lost a years worth of work. 

I have learned from this lesson, first, backup, backup, backup regularly to discs or, removable drives.  I vow to do it every two weeks at the least going forward.  I also learned that even having a save point, doesn't make a difference when something like this happens.  Neither did a virus scan or virus program.  Sometimes, bad things just happens to computers and unfortunately it was to me this time. 

So please my genealogy friends, practice safe surfing and save yourself the heartache I've just been through.

I've been researching one line of my family, my gr-gr grandmothers sister for what seems like forever to no avail.  No birth records, only one census, no marriage records and family legend had it that they were a bit of nomads. 

Well, a week and a half ago, I received an email from my brick wall!  Yes, my brick wall is an outstanding 81 years old and the grandchild of my gr-gr grandmothers sister!  I can't believe how much she knows about the family and has shared with me.  I'm so excited!  I always now look forward to her emails, and we have began talking on the phone. 

I literally feel like I've phoned the past....and it's amazing to me that I feel as though I've known her almost my whole life.  What she is sharing with me is nearly one of the best gifts I've ever received.  I just cherish her!  So much so, that she invited me to visit next year, but I'm hoping have a new job in the next week, so I hope to plan that vacation alot sooner!  I'm so excited about sharing what I have with her too!

What a treat and a blessing!