We’re putting a few finishing touches on a new version of Genlighten, getting ready to head to RootsTech next week. Once again, we’ve reserved a space in the exhibit hall and we’re looking forward to talking to those of you who will stop by our booth.
We’ll have our usual offering of Dove® chocolate to go, but this year we’re adding something new. We’ve joined the Genealogy Business Alliance Colossal Giveaway.
Last we heard, there are sixteen businesses participating, offering prizes that include subscriptions and software and research consultations and DNA tests and more, with a total prize value of $2938.44. How’s that for preciseness?
And, word is, you can enter the drawing at every participating booth. You can even win more than one prize–if you happen to be particularly lucky.
We tossed around a few ideas for Genlighten’s prize offering and decided to create a gift basket we’re calling “Readers’ Favorites.”
Here’s how it came about:
Last year before I made the 700-mile drive to RootsTech, I logged into my local library website and downloaded a few audio books I thought might be interesting so I’d have something to stave off boredom during the trip.
I had the good fortune of picking Kelli Estes’ The Girl Who Wrote in Silk and I loved it. Absolutely loved it. It started me thinking about a time and a people I hadn’t considered before and I was delighted that genealogy research played a part in the story.
Sometime later, I made another long drive and that time I stumbled on Tara Conklin’s The House Girl: A Novel, a riveting book, again, with a genealogy research twist.
We realize that a great read to one person might be a so-so read to another, but we decided to take a risk and share some of our favorite books–and book related things–as our contribution to the giveaway. We’re looking forward to hearing who the winner will be.
By the way, if you’ve stumbled on a work of fiction where genealogy research makes a major contribution to the story, please leave a comment and let us know. We’re still looking for a few volumes to fill out or prize. 
Cyndy