How Research Plans Can Up Your Genealogical Game

How Research Plans Can Up Your Genealogical Game

Research is more effective and productive if we make a plan before we dive in. Without planning, we run the risk of overlooking or misunderstanding important records. Learn the steps and techniques of research planning that will save time and frustration and can even help break down brick walls.
Traveling the US Marine Highway

Traveling the US Marine Highway

All states have navigable waterways. These include rivers like the Mississippi, bays like Chesapeake, canals like the Miami, or lakes that link an area to other states or even the ocean. Across the United States, there are 250,000 rivers and canals that create the inland waterway system. For our ancestors, marine travel was an integral part of their lives. While many researchers have river ancestors, they have no idea where to start to look for records. Discover the various avenue of research for our ancestors who lived by or used the waterways for their livelihood and transportation.

Pat is a professional researcher with over 30 years of experience. Besides lecturing across the country, she is a course coordinator at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR) and teaches at St. Louis Community College. She served as the Education Manager of the National Genealogical Society till March 2018.

The Great War: Researching Your World War 1 Ancestors

The Great War: Researching Your World War I Ancestors

Fought between 1914-1918 with the United States at the start of the war having officially declaring neutrality. Back home citizens got caught up with events unfolding on the world stage, with thousands of Americans crossed the border to fight for Canada, along with uneasy tensions with Mexico war became inevitable. On April 6, 1917 President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany and to mobilize the resources of the United States. Many genealogical sources share the feeling, attitudes along with the reactions of our Government by searching for our ancestor’s connection to this war.

Michael L. Strauss, AG, is a professional Accredited Genealogist and a nationally recognized speaker. A native of Pennsylvania and a resident of Utah, he has been employed as a Forensic Genealogist for more than 25 years. Strauss has a BA in History and is a United States Coast Guard veteran.

Hidden Gems: Materials in Digital Libraries for Family History

Hidden Gems: Materials in Digital Libraries for Family History

Digital libraries have revolutionized the way researchers can access and use materials. Explore general techniques to finding digital collections suitable for genealogical and historical research in public, university, and private libraries.

D. Joshua Taylor is President of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society. A frequent speaker at family history events across the globe, Joshua was a host on the popular PBS series, Genealogy Roadshow and appeared as a featured genealogist on Who Do You Think You Are?. He holds an MLS (Archival Management) and an MA (History) from Simmons College and was named one of Library Journal’s Movers and Shakers in 2017.

Death by Undue Means: Coroners’ Records

Death by Undue Means: Coroners’ Records

From colonial times to today, death not attributable to natural causes required investigation. Elected or appointed coroners worked with local juries to determine more about what caused each death. Learn more about coroners’ records and how to use them in genealogy.

The Legal Genealogist Judy G. Russell is a genealogist with a law degree who writes and lectures on topics ranging from using court records in family history to understanding DNA testing. On the faculty of numerous genealogy institutes, she is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Board for Certification of Genealogists®, from which she holds credentials as a Certified Genealogist® and Certified Genealogical Lecturer℠.

America’s New Deal: The WPA’s Federal Project Number One

America’s New Deal: The WPA’s Federal Project Number One

The Works Progress/Project Administration (WPA) carried out many public works projects; however, the smaller projects were just as effective. Federal Project Number One consisted of 5 separate divisions/projects (Federal Art Project, Federal Music Project, Federal Theatre Project, Federal Writers Project, and the Historical Records Survey) and contributed to the success of the WPA and to the employment record of the US. This presentation will provide information on each division/project and their contributions; however, the focus will mainly be on the last two – the Federal Writers Project and the Historical Records Survey and some of the publications and inventories they created.

C. Ann Staley, CG, CGL, is an educator, consultant, and co-leader of Ann-Mar Genealogy Trips. She is the Education Chair for the Jacksonville Genealogical Society, Inc.; the Vice President of the Genealogical Speakers Guild; on the faculty of The National Institute for Genealogical Studies; and a Director of the Florida State Genealogical Society.

Seven Proven Strategies for Identifying Slave Ownership and Reconstructing Families: New Paths and Trails

Seven Proven Strategies for Identifying Slave Ownership and Reconstructing Families: New Paths and Trails

This problem solving lecture presents research pathways and trails to resolve the dilemma of slave and owner identification and reconstructing slave era families.

Janis Minor Forté is the granddaughter of slaves. She has been researching her family history since about 1979. Elements of her genealogical research have be presented before large and small audiences on radio talk shows and national television. Articles about her research have appeared in the Chicago Tribune. She has also authored articles in several genealogy journals and magazines. In 2009, she chaired the publication of an African American Heritage Book. This 386 page hard cover fully indexed book is housed in all of the major genealogy libraries and archives; it has been digitized by FamilySearch.org and is available for on-line reading.

Using Non-Population Schedules for Context and Evidence

Using Non-Population Schedules for Context and Evidence

Every 10 years the US Federal Government gathers data to apportion the House of Representatives. You may not know that in the 1800s, they also gathered statistical information related to business and industries, communities, agriculture, mortality and assessment of the insane, physically handicapped and those individuals in prison. Some of these schedules will provide you with evidence, while others provide context interpretation of other pieces of evidence is bolstered and your family history enlivened. Using examples of each, learn how these schedules can help, why they were established and where they can be found.

Jill Morelli lectures and writes on genealogical topics that often transcend the more narrowly defined family history. She provides general genealogy services and house histories in the Puget Sound and national venues.

Give Me---Your Huddled Masses Yearning to Breathe Free: Immigration and Naturalization

Give Me-Your Huddled Masses Yearning to Breathe Free: Immigration and Naturalization

Learn how our ancestors were naturalized; when, where, and what records were created; and the information that might be found in these records.

Jeanne Larzalere Bloom specializes in Illinois problem solving and compilation, particularly Cook County.

Cluster Research or Discovering You’re Related to the Whole Block

Cluster Research or Discovering You’re Related to the Whole Block

As Aristotle noted, “Man is by nature a social animal”—he has family, society, and throughout history he has moved with them. This session includes tips, tricks, and examples of how researching the neighborhood can further your research.

Jessica Trotter holds a Master of Science in Information, Archives and Records Management Specialization from the University of Michigan—but works in public libraries by day. Her genealogy research areas include Midwest, African American, British Isles, Canadian, and Early American research.