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ABCs of Genealogy Research

Alphabet Soup. Helpful hints and resources to help you with your research.

Starting at A and ending at Z, this presentation takes a thoughtful and sometimes humorous look at some of the words and terms used in Genealogy, one letter at a time.

Brick Wall Busters

Two 20 year old Brick Walls and how I found a way to tear them down.

Where, Oh Where did great-great-grandmother go? One of the largest bricks in this particular wall was her great-great-grandmother’s name.

Where did her grandparents come from? They are from Holland, but which Holland?

Documents of the Deceased

Searching for papers of yesterday and planning for tomorrow.

Begin with a checklist, start your search. Basically start filling in the blanks and keeping track of your paper-trail. Acquire your papers and preserve them. Then look at what you need to do to have your documents in order when the time comes.

Genealogy Road Trip Tips – Did you forget these items?

Don’t Forget to…

Research is not always as simple as just a trip to the Library to find information that you seek. This presentation discusses items you may not think about until you realize that your research trip would be more successful, or even more comfortable, with them.

Genealogy Toolbox – Quick DIY Projects

What you need to start your Heritage Hunt.

This lecture presents a list of items compiled from the experience of many genealogists that you will want to obtain as you begin your ancestral research. These items will help to make your heritage journey a successful one.

Glancing at Glamorgan

We’re going HOME!

This presentation gives an eye opening look at what our ancestors loved and where they lived. Why did they leave? What did they leave behind? And why they always said they were going home when they lived here in the USA. A story of emigration and immigration – two vastly different words.

Going Gravin’- A Genealogists Guide to Graveyards

Hunting for headstones?

So you want to find the final resting place of your ancestor. How you can do it? Tips and clues about how to find them and what to take when you visit.

Hodgepodge – Questions From The Crowd

Things you want to know, but maybe were afraid to ask.

This presentation is developed from many questions asked of me over the years. I have chosen many topics of interest that leave you now knowing the answers when researching your history.

Hopping Through History

Making Sense Of The Census

For most people doing genealogical research, one of their first “stops” is searching the U.S. Census. Find a Year, Search for a Name, and either be happy or sad. Ah, but don’t stop there, because there are many things to search for that could reveal more about your ancestor and help you understand what was happening in their world at that time. Finding Extra Census Forms and reading between the lines often leads to success.

If It’s Free, It’s For Me

Resources for your genealogical research that won’t break the bank.

Are you are a researcher who does not want to spend a lot of money, or any money at all? Well, this presentation is for you! This presentation will introduce you to some of the hundreds of free resources including Apps, websites, libraries, databases and more. But wait, there’s more! This presentation also includes a free handout that lists the information presented, and more, for your use.

Jumpstart Your Genealogy – Part 1

First set of the Jumpstart series of presentations, for those just starting genealogical research or who just want a Jumpstart to get going again.

Operation Spring Cleaning – Organize Your Stuff
Vital Records And Where To Find Them
If It’s Free It’s For Me

Jumpstart Your Genealogy – Part 2

Second set of the Jumpstart series.

Hopping Through History: Finding, reading and understanding Census Records
Obituaries – The Final Word
Parks to Plots

Jumpstart Your Genealogy – Part 3

Third set of the Jumpstart series.

Road Trip Trips
Family, Facts and Fur
Where is Holland and Research Resources,

Jumpstart Your Genealogy – Part 4

Fourth set of the Jumpstart series.

Genealogy Toolbox
Google Earth and Backing Up Your Data
Hodgepodge

Obituaries – The Final Word

What To Look For And How To Know What You Are Reading.

“There’s Gold in Them Thar Hills!” This presentation offers examples where reading and interpreting words written in Obituaries and Death Notices can allow you to mine a wealth of information often contained in these often under-appreciated resources.

Operation Spring Cleaning – Organize Your Stuff

Everything is perfectly organized, said no genealogist ever!

How to organize everything, from photos, papers, and paraphernalia. What to keep and what to toss. This presentation also discusses the aspects of digital organization.

Orphan Trains

Charitable organizations efforts to help orphaned and homeless children.

Between 1853 and 1929 the Orphan Train Movement, a supervised welfare program, transported about 250,000 orphaned and homeless children from crowded eastern cities of the United States the foster homes in the midwest. This presentation includes viewing of a PBS video on this topic.

Parks to Plots

How to Find Their Final Resting Place.

This presentation offers tips, some learned the hard way, to help you locate your ancestor’s final resting place. We discuss many terms related to burials, hints on how search a cemetery, what is involved in a burial, discovery of documents, headstones, and the occasional oddity you will discover.

Plagiarism Police

Plagiarism, Copyright, and Citing your Sources.

Learn the proper way to cite your sources, what is primary and secondary, facts vs. myths, what you can and can not use, and where you can and can not use this information or item.

Reminiscing, Reunions and Recipes

Remember your Family History, one bite and story at a time!

We explore less familiar ways to record your family history using recipes passed down through generations, recalling family lore, and attending school, work, career and family reunions.

Records – And They’re Not Vinyl

Legal Documents – the game of hide and seek

It takes more than one document or Vital Record to find the facts about your family members. This presentation covers the paper-trail on a local, state, and national level. Your eyes will be opened as to the vast records you can research to get details on your ancestors.

Research Resources – Follow The Yellow Brick Road

You’re not in Kansas anymore Dorothy. Lets look around and find your facts!

Are you are trying to find all the details of your ancestor’s life, but are not sure where to find these documents? This presentation offers suggestions of finding and using local and statewide repositories along with other places and resources you should not miss.

Road Trip Tips

When going on a field trip, don’t forget to…

Suggestions to make your genealogical road trip a success

Say Cheese – Photos and Films, Oh My!

Smile! Now what to do with all those photos!

You have a box of photos and films. They all look different. What are they and how to make sense of the mess. Organizing and Preserving your treasures are discussed.

Successful Searching Online & Offline

Taking a trip? Near or Far, how to get ready for the document dig.

Have you ever gone someplace to find that your access is DENIED? Well timing is everything – and so is knowing about the big and little things that can ruin your research. Researching from the comforts of your own home can be rewarding too, just be sure to wear your bunny slippers. Becoming familiar with SOUNDEX is also discussed.

Timelines – Putting Your Life On The Line

Putting YOUR life on the line – and why it is important.

The Story of You – we explore your timeline, the basic bare bones of you – then we start to dress the skeleton and build your story. Now compare your story to your ancestor’s and understand why they did what they did.

Toddlers To Tweens

Who Doesn’t Like Climbing Trees?

Genealogy explained to young people. Includes some ‘homework’ and starts with building their family tree.

Wales – No Fins, Just Family

Yes, the words sound the same but couldn’t be more different in meaning.

Oh the looks you get when you tell someone that you are researching Wales. This presentation explains the differences in the British Isles countries, terminology commonly used but often not understood, and lots of fun facts to give you a taste of the British Isles.

Where Is Holland – Resource References

Congratulations! The vital record said they were in Holland.

So the record states the event happened in Holland. But which Holland? This presentation is a light hearted look at the landscape of the world. Never assume that you know where a place is… you’ll be sure to end up lost, confused, without a map, and asking for directions.

Windmills To Wooden Shoes

Tiptoe – Through the Tulips With Me!

Got Dutch? This presentation will direct you to learn many things about the Dutch Heritage, especially from someone who landed in the middle of a Dutch community. Discover so many avenues and resources that by the time this event is over, you’ll be klomping your way to find facts on your family.

WWII Bracelet – Lost and Found

Lost in the woods during battle in France, then found and returned to the family

During a WWII battle in France, a U.S. Army soldier lost his ID bracelet. It lay buried in the ground, in a forest, for over 75 years before it was found and returned to the soldier’s family.

Vital Records And Where To Find Them

There is more to Vital Records than Birth, Marriage and Death records

Additional sources to go beyond just the basics.