Last newsletter I mentioned that many of the Mankelow clan appear on Bebo. James Ford suggested I also check out Facebook and guess what; there are plenty of you all there too! Maybe even more so than Bebo, which I since learned is more for the younger set. And yes, I am aware that social networking has been around for cyber years but I just never was motivated to check it out! Anyway, I am now a convert and have since found out stuff about my own brother that I never really knew before because of it. I also found there are at least three other Sarah Mankelows in the world profiled on Facebook – a humbling thought. I haven’t yet drummed up the courage to contact them yet to start our own Sarah Mankelow fan club but I will…maybe!
Connected to Facebook is Geni, a family-tree social networking site … Uncle Ray will tell you more about it further down this newsletter, but in the meantime, here’s the family stuff you need to take note of:
Important dates
Milestones
Congratulations on Caroline and July Hirama's 25th Wedding Anniversary 14 April.
Congratulations to Bob and Jocelyn on their 39th wedding anniversary on 27 June.
Chrissie Mankelow
We have had a suggestion of purchasing a rose put forward for the committee to consider. We would like feedback from as many family members as possible before our next committee meeting in November. There are two options and we want your opinions before making a decision. If you know of any families who do not get e-mails etc please pass this on.
Option oneWe pay $5000 for the right to trademark the name Sarah Mankelow for a new rose variety (if that is a name we are happy with). The breeder still owns the rose and gets all royalties. The breeder will find a grower for us who will provide 50 roses for Feb 2012.
Option two
We buy the rose for $5000; we own it and get the royalties. The breeder and us have to come up with name that we are both happy with - it would have to be a name that would sell the rose in the market place. The paper war is very time consuming for this. The name would most likely be something that would not mean much to the family. For that $5000.00 it would be NZ rights only. The rose would be available forever as each rose is put into a library.
While I have been writing this I have had another email from the Breeder and he has found us a grower – Sue. She tells us there is no problem to have the roses turn up in Ngaroma in Feb 2012. The fifty roses can be delivered to the venue to give out. Guests could also order more (for 2014 delivery) or more could be budded in 2011 for delivery in the winter of 2012. These could be sent direct to the homes of your relatives.
The budding for the variety will need to be done by Feb 2010, and the grower is sending us a list of all available roses to help us decide. The rose would be registered with the International Cultivar Registration Authority - Roses (ICRA).
Please send us your thoughts on this by 15 November: mankelow1@farmside.co.nz
Judy
Due to Caroline being sick, Melissa being called away at short notice to help on a local dairy farm I was left with the job of doing the minutes. Uncle Bert, Tim, Chrissie and I arrived at the same time, with Uncle Bert needing a cup of tea; Buster soon had the jug on, meeting underway a little bit later but all the better for the cuppa.
We really need 1 or 2 people from each branch Les, Girlie,
Tina Pizzini who lives at rural
Lisa had made lovely soup which Buster served to go with the shared lunch, it was a perfect
Hoping to see you at the next meeting to be at Tim Mankelow’s in November; the address is in the minutes (below).
Don’t forget to send back your indication of numbers, we know numbers will change but it will give planners a general idea of what facilities we are going to need. Thank you to those who have sent theirs back already.
Our next get together at Ngaroma should be fun with the auction if the last auction was anything to go on; we may need an extra auctioneer in case the original one gets hoarse. We changed the date to later in February away from any long weekends so I hope this change will be helpful keep the 20th of Feb free, look forward to seeing you then. Cheers!
Introducing Geni
Ray Mankelow
Geni is a Family Tree software programme that is great for visually displaying one's family connections.
Working over the internet and like Facebook, Geni is good for social networking - sending out reminders of birthdays and anniversaries.
My Barbara was first invited to use it by her first-cousin-once-removed in
After seeing the power of family members in different parts of the world, adding information and being able to see what your relative looks like with uploaded photos, I decided to import a *'Gedcom' from my Family Tree Maker programme; that gave me my tree all in one go without typing anything.
The statistics function of Geni tells I now have 1523 members; there are 689 family members with children. In the ‘Average Life Expectancy ‘box, males average 59 years and females 61 years. Longest lifespan on my side goes to Stanley Mankelow - 97 years (1906-2003) and on Barbara's side, her Grandmother Madge - 98 years (1909-2007). I also found my earliest relative listed took me back to 1658 and he shared the same birthday as me - something I hadn't noticed before!
The Geni statistics section has a sales pitch for buying the Pro version of Geni "to see even more statistics!" But the main programme is free to use and like a lot of free internet pages, you just have to put up with advertisements. These are not too intrusive (at this stage) and I just got an 'upgrade' offer that would only cost me US$3.96 a month for two years - yah!
By comparison, the Family Tree Maker programme I bought a number of years back is somewhat clunky to use (although I did use it to check on Jean Harris' maiden name to find her in the Geni search box). The Family Tree Programme has an internet function that you can go to, but invariably you find you need to buy into their subscription plan to see the information they've found on the internet based on your search. This subscription costs a couple of hundred dollars, at US$24.95 a month. The trick here is to join the library and access their subscription link.
With Geni, you can also see who is online and what information they have added or altered. Glenda Manklow/Nelson of
Prompted by an email from cousin Ian Kurth advising of an address change I thought I had better 'invite' Ian to join, knowing he has done a lot of research on his line of the family. Ian came back and said;
"Thanks for the e-mail. I have had a quick look at the family tree on the Geni site. I can fill in quite a lot of info about Dad’s and Barbara's family. You probably won't have much on Barb's family but you probably have quite a bit on Dads family? Don't want to duplicate things that we don't have to."
And that is the beauty of Geni, you can see and compare information and like a lot of Family Tree computer programmes you can 'merge' the information to get what you want and know is correct.
So sign up and share the buzz! But be wary this programme can be addictive, as some new Geni users have noted.
On the Air with Ray
Ray Mankelow
I have been busy this week broadcasting into Taupo on a new radio station that has a 'Local Commercial' licence. This has involved conjuring up stories off the internet for the 'local content' aspect of the stations compliance requirements. This station is undercapitalised and so there is no fat wallet to buy all of what is desired.
It is an interesting challenge and hopefully we can beat the odds and build an audience and then, the advertisers, so we can earn some dollars in these difficult times. Radio is a bit like free internet programmes where your audience have to put up with advertisements, but hopefully you offer what people want.
There has been a lot of preparatory work from unpaid helpers with technical knowledge leading up to this week. Since compliance date 1st July, I've been getting up at
So if you're in Taupo, tune in to 106.4 FM. Luckily for the week starting July 6, when I'm covering for the breakfast announcer on Coast, I don't have to try to do two programmes at once.
In the news…
Maths-mad basketball twins have same goals
By NICOLA BRENNAN - Waikato Times
Mum Natalie wasn't surprised her eldest boys, aged 18, both wanted to do a Bachelor of Computing and Mathematical Science degree at
"It's probably strange for others, but not for us," Mrs Dix said. "They are the best of friends and both really enjoy maths. They have always done the same things."
Mrs Dix said identical twins Joe and Josh were so similar that they often dressed the same without even noticing.
Read more online at: http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/2397294/Maths-mad-basketball-twins-have-same-goals
This is your life - Jessica Mankelow
Branch of family tree where do you fit in?
Great grand-daughter of Hector and Mabel, eldest grandchild of Royce and Chrissie, Daughter of Caroline and July.
Current employment / study / motherhood etc:
Full-time mum to Nathan Brown (7 months) and also working full-time as Administration Manager for Jasco Distributing Ltd, a wholesale/distribution company based in Whakatane.
What keeps you busy? Interests?
Between work and Nathan I don’t get much spare time, but when I do I like to spend it with family and friends. I’m also currently trying to put a scrapbook together for Nathan.
Most memorable life moment:
It would have to be the birth of Nathan.
My favourite part of NZ and why...
Who/what would you be for a day?
Someone who could afford to hire out an entire paradise island for all my family and friends to enjoy.
Currently in my CD player...
I’m one of those people who puts on a CD only to listen to one or two songs then change CD’s, so I’m currently flipping between, Disturbed, Korn and Metallica
Where will you find me at
Most Saturday night’s if I’m not in bed then I’m still on the computer working, but once in a while we go out and socialise.
Favourite quote?
You can't be afraid of what people think...a well behaved woman never made history!
I am inspired by...
My Mummy, my Nanny, my Granny and all the other hard working women out there.
If I could give you just one tip, it would be...
Finding the humour in situations can also lead to happiness. While there are times that require you to be serious, when it is appropriate, find a way to make light of a situation that would otherwise make you unhappy.
P.S. Jessica has profiles on both Facebook and Bebo so find out more online!
Minutes of Family Meeting Held at Buster Carters
Meeting opened
Present: Buster Carter, Bert Mankelow, Tim Mankelow, Ray Mankelow, Delwyn & Warren Connolly, Chrissie Mankelow, Natasha Connolly, Alan Thomas-Rose, and Judy Ford.
Apologies: Daniel & Melissa Ford, Caroline
Minutes read from meeting held at uncle Bert’s
Matters arising: Changing meeting days to have some on Sundays so those working on Saturdays can attend.
Getting more family representation there is 11 branches 1 or 2 representatives are needed from each branch to coordinate funding and correspondence.
Address and e-mails need constant updating many newsletters are coming back please contact Sarah or Caroline to update addresses.
Woodchopping is looking positive to go ahead on the Sunday.
Car parking is sorted at this stage will be in Mike Johnstone’s paddock, parking volunteers will be arranged near the time.
Toilets, showers & skip hire will be looked into later on as all hire will need to be known 12 months ahead of the reunion and hire everything from one firm.
Catering BBQ lunch for Sunday; a charge to apply to cover cost of food etc.
Saturday night dinner to be discussed further into 2010.
Photos sharing of digital sticks 1 or 2 people to coordinate putting them together. A continual screening in the hall of early photos which Chrissie has collected in the course or her book.
Funding still aiming for $1000 per branch some branches has achieved this target. E.g. Hector’s branch 4 children $ 250 each. Royce – 4 children & 9 working grandchildren = $17 each per year.
Attendance: to get families to fill in the indication of attendance form which will be in the newsletters.
Entertainment: A heritage trail of the district to be looked into, along with games suggested at the last meeting e.g. tug o war
Finance: Our bank balance stands at $609.68, $ 5000 out at 8% and $5000 out at 4%. One matures end of July and the other beginning of August 2009.
An auction or donated items to be held at the next family get together at Ngaroma Hall to be held on
The next meeting to be hosted by Tim Mankelow at Morton Estate Winery Cafeteria on November 15th
Meeting closed at
