NGS Vendor Spotlight - "JustaJoy"

    

      I know I’ve said before that this is my first NGS conference but I have attended a couple FGS conference. One common connection that both of these conferences have to offer is the large exhibit halls full of vendors. Wither you are new to genealogy research or have been doing it for some time you can always find a vendor or two that will catch your attention.  You will find information about different societies, educational connections to sharpen your research skills, companies and organizations that have web sites to assist you in your searches.  

     While walking through this exhibit hall there was a vendor that caught my attention and held it for some time. I’m talking about “JustaJoy” they can be found at booths 511 and 614. This is such a unique and wonderful company and the owners are just as unique, Joy and George Shivar. I spent some time with both of them finding out more about them and what their company was all about. They have the largest source of indexed heirlooms that are waiting to meet their families. I love how they refer to these heirlooms as “orphaned heirlooms” that is such a sweet and truthful way of putting it. 

Joy Shivar

     While speaking with Joy I discover they have an amazing history with stories of matching some of these “orphaned heirlooms” with their families. Imagine searching their site, you type in your families surname and up pops a photograph of your grandfather in his military uniform. You’ve never seen him in this uniform and there he is starring back at you and you are filled with so much excitement and joy that you have now located this photograph. Thanks to “JustaJoy” you can now experience something like that and then have the opportunity to obtain that heirloom.   

I encourage you to stop by their booth and look around, if you aren’t able to stop by visit them at justajoy.com and look through their site.  

Treasure Chest Thursday - "Our" Rodesky Family Crest

     When I first started on this adventure into the world of genealogy I kept getting these search prompts, on my computer, to "find your family crest" or "find your family shield". So yes, I decided to see if I could find the Rodesky family crest. No such luck. So it was during my husband's deployment that I decided the kids and I could make this a welcome home project, a family project. We sat around the living room and I asked each of them what it meant to be a member of this family, what it meant to be a Rodesky. We then took that list and searched to find symbols that would match what we had written down, or come close to matching. Then voilà we had “Our” one of a kind family crest. The next task at hand I had was how we can  display it. I’m not an artist by any means, so drawing it or even painting it was out of the question.

     I had seen some items painted by Renate Michler from Ochsenfurt/Gossm. in other military homes and at many of the military craft bazaars, so I decide that she had to be the one. I drove out to her house, with a friend of mine. All I had was a paper in hand with some pictures printed on it. She had hundreds of wine barrels, whisky barrels, wash tubs and so much more. All of which clients would pick from and choose to have something painted on. I chose this oval top off of a 1905 wine barrel to have the Rodesky family crest painted on. It was finished four days before he came back from Iraq and the kids and I couldn't wait to show him. He loved it just as much as we did, it means so much to all of us, and Renate did a fantastic job. We always have it displayed in the perfect spot in our home where everyone can enjoy it. 

Even if we were to find a Rodesky family crest now I know it wouldn't mean as much as this

 “Rodesky Family Treasure” does.

Red color – Warrior Military Strength (military families like ours are strong)

Blue color – Strength and Loyalty (we support each other, have each other's backs)

White color – Sincerity and Peace (we get along with each other, at least try)

Chevron Shield represents the roof of house signifies protection faithful service (no matter where we are we always have a home)

Design on the bottom of the roof represents clouds and air (we spend time flying, traveling from one post to another)

Eagle protector person of action noble nature power and strength (we all have the power and strength to protect each other)

Escallop Shell represents successful commander who has made long journeys (sometime dad travels far and for a long time)

Buck on back legs represents love of harmony skillful (no matter how bad things get we always love each other)

Heart represents love and family (we are a family that loves each other)

Flowers (Cinquefoil) in the roof mean hope and joy (we try to always be happy and keep hope alive)

     Now as for the vine of grapes surrounding the crest, well it's painted on a wine barrel and we do love our German wine.