Poolside Chats

Poolside Chats: A Genealogy Webinar Series

The “Poolside Chats: A Genealogy Webinar Series” is organized by the Technology-Outreach Committee and presented to the FSGS membership and the public on a monthly basis. We have had webinars on topics such as DNA in genealogy, cloud-based technology, Florida territorial records and everything in between – and we are just getting started.

Genealogy education today can be accomplished in a number of mediums, webinars being one of them. This educational opportunity can provide you with information about resources, new technology and its relationship with genealogy, methodology, new websites and new databases coming online, and much more.

The "Poolside Chats: A Genealogy Webinar Series" is organized by the Technology-Outreach Committee and presented to the FSGS membership and the public on a monthly basis. We have had webinars on topics such as DNA in genealogy, cloud-based technology, Florida territorial records, and everything in between - and we are just getting started.

Genealogy education today can be accomplished in a number of mediums, webinars being one of them. This educational opportunity can provide you with information about resources, new technology and its relationship with genealogy, methodology, new websites and new databases coming online, and much more.

All you need to participate is a computer with speakers and a connection to the internet. So, we invite you to sit back and enjoy the presentations being brought to you by knowledgeable presenters and made possible through your membership dues.

All webinars start at 8 PM ET unless otherwise noted.

Past Webinars

Poolside Chats

An Enslaved Person’s FAN Club

By LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson, JD, LLM, CG®, FASG | June 19, 2025
Webinar Abstract: Researching family, associates, and neighbors (the “FAN Club”) is particularly useful for proving the identity or parentage of formerly enslaved people because researchers are less likely to find direct evidence of identity or relationships in antebellum records. This……
Poolside Chats

Strategies for Resolving Conflicting Evidence

By Angela Packer McGhie | May 15, 2025
Webinar Abstract: Genealogists often encounter records that contain conflicting information. The challenge lies in determining which information is correct. This presentation will feature case studies containing conflicting information, including instances of parental misidentification. These scenarios will demonstrate the process of……
Poolside Chats

A Dozen Names for Alcina: An Identity Case Study

By Margaret R Fortier, CG | April 17, 2025
Webinar Abstract: Alcina was known by a dozen names, but none was her baptismal name. Family reconstruction, along with deeds and Catholic records, leads to her identity. Presenter: Named after her grandmothers and inspired by her mother’s phenomenal memory, Margaret……
Poolside Chats

Research Letters and Documents with Artificial Intelligence

By Mark Thompson | March 20, 2025
Webinar Abstract: Discover how artificial intelligence is transforming genealogy research! Join Mark Thompson as he reveals how AI can help you uncover the family history treasures hiding in your family documents and letters.  Intended for people new to AI, this……
Poolside Chats

The Five-Story Fall: Correlating Indirect and Direct Evidence to Extend the Pedigree

By Debra S. Mieszala | February 20, 2025
Webinar Abstract: Johanna (Daly) Mahoney plunged to her death taking her parents’ and siblings’ identities along. Crucial evidence from the analysis of three generations of associates and a summons published sixteen years post-mortem led to her family. Presenter: Debbie Mieszala,……
Poolside Chats

Here Comes the Bride, and There She Goes

By J. Mark Lowe | January 16, 2025
Webinar Abstract: Learn how to extract more information from marriage records and why you should also check divorce records for your families. Come hear some stories of the good and bad in relationships, marriage customs and changes in the law……
Poolside Chats

America’s Westward Expansion: Twenty-five Events in Fifty Minutes

By Katherine Willson | December 19, 2024
Webinar Abstract: In this examination of America’s westward expansion between 1787-1890, we will explore U.S. Congressional acts and other events focused on territorial boundaries, slavery, and wars against Mexico and Native Americans. Presenter: Katherine R. Willson of Dexter, Michigan is……
Poolside Chats

Genealogical Proof for the Everyday Genealogist

By Annette B. Lyttle | November 21, 2024
Webinar Abstract: How do we know if the facts we’ve uncovered about our ancestors are correct? How do we avoid attaching somebody else’s ancestors to our family tree? The Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) is our guide to producing reliable research……
Poolside Chats

Which John Goleman Was Jacob’s Father? Solving a Southern Case of Identity and Kinship

By Nancy A. Peters | October 17, 2024
Webinar Abstract: Genealogists often encounter multiple, same-named persons living in an area at the same time. Sorting out these identities to resolve difficult kinship problems requires skill in evidence analysis and correlation techniques. Learn how a similar problem in antebellum……