Illuminating Blogger Award - Thankful Thursday.

I am over the moon that Pauleen at  http://cassmob.wordpress.com/ has nominated my blog for the Illuminating Blogger Award, initiated by the FoodStories blog.  Thank you for this accolade.

I have had tremendous pleasure in writing my blog - now coming up to my second anniversary - but even more amazing is  the knowledge that people are reading it and the encouraging comments received from all over the world. It is also a great learning experience.  Geneabloggers (www.geneabloggers.com)  is the best social network I could ask for.  


The rules of the award are straightforward:

1. The nominee should visit the award site (http://foodstoriesblog.com/illuminating-blogger-award/) and leave a comment indicating that they have been nominated and by whom. (This step is so important because it’s the only way that we can create a blogroll of award winners).
   
2. The Nominee should thank the person that nominated them by posting & including a link to their blog.
   
3. The Nominee should include a courtesy link back to the official award site (http://foodstoriesblog.com/illuminating-blogger-award/) in their blog post.
   
4. Share one random thing about yourself in your blog post.
   
5. Select at least five other bloggers that you enjoy reading their illuminating, informative posts and nominate them for the award. Many people indicate that they wish they could nominate more so please feel free to nominate all your favorites.
   
6. Notify your nominees by leaving a comment on their blog, including a link to the award site (http://foodstoriesblog.com/illuminating-blogger-award/).

One small fact about me: I love opera, operetta and musicals and have very fond memories of my time in the Edinburgh University Savoy Opera Group  singing Gilbert & Sullivan. My wildest dream was to take part in a London West End show - strictly as an all singing/dancing  chorus member.   I have now "retired" my voice from choir activities, but Music remains my main hobby, after Family History.

Five other blogs that I enjoy following are:

1. Family History Across the Seas for the depth of coverage of Irish, Scottish, Bavarian and Australian family history, the helpful  postings on research tools and the insightful comments given to other bloggers.
   
2. Seeking Susan - Meeting  Marie - Finding Family  http://caiteile.com/ for extending my knowledge of all things Australian and for imaginative titles that capture my attention.
   
3. Jana's Genealogy & Family History for tales of her ancestors' travels, the accompanying family archives featured and the weekly Fab. Finds in drawing my attention to a wider range of blogs.
   
4. British Genes for keeping me up to date with all British genealogical news.
   
5. Finding Forgotten Stories for its emphasis on going beyond the collection of data to bring ancestors to life in a way that is appealing to others with no family connection.
   
   Happy blogging!

Thankful Thursday is one of many blogging prompts from www.geneabloggers.com