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.

Upcoming Webinars

Past Webinars

What Did You Do in the War, Granny? Women in the Army in World War II

What Did You Do in the War, Granny? Women in the Army in World War II

By Annette B. Lyttle | November 21, 2019
Over 150,000 women served in or with the Army in four organizations during World War II: the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), the Army Nurse Corps (ANC), and the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). They performed critical functions, endured hardship, and many lost their lives in the service of their country. Women’s military service in this time period helped change expectations and perceptions about women’s role outside the home. Learn about the pioneering wartime service of these remarkable women and how to find records for those in your family who served.

Annette Burke Lyttle owns Heritage Detective, LLC, providing professional genealogical services in research, education, and writing. She speaks on a variety of genealogical topics at the national, state, and local levels and loves helping people uncover and share their family stories. Annette is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the Genealogical Speakers Guild.

History, Records, and Context: Researching the Locations Your Ancestors Lived

History, Records, and Context: Researching the Locations Your Ancestors Lived

By Angela Packer McGhie | October 17, 2019
Learning about the places where our ancestors lived helps us put them in social and historical context, as well as locate relevant records. For each location our ancestors lived we need to learn about the history, geography, customs, laws, and records. This session will demonstrate the process and provide resources on where to locate this type of information so that we can better understand our ancestors and interpret the records they left behind.

Angela Packer McGhie, CG, is the Education Director for the National Genealogical Society. She teaches at the four major genealogical institutes, and at national conferences. Angela enjoys serving as a trustee for the Board for Certification of Genealogists, the BCG Education Fund, and the ProGen Study Program.

Making Those Early Census Records Talk

Making Those Early Census Records Talk

By J. Mark Lowe | September 9, 2019
Federal census records are one set of the most widely used genealogical resources. Many researchers do not take full advantage of the information contained within their statistical framework. In fact, census records before 1850 are often ignored. These population schedules are especially helpful to genealogists because of their availability, genealogical value and data consistency. Although they require more analysis on our part, the pre-1850 census records can answer a large number of our genealogical questions and provide additional clues. Perhaps, the key to using these records is the development of an adequate plan of action on our part. The proper use of census records require consistent handling, analysis and documentation. Case studies will show how they may be used effectively.

J. Mark Lowe describes himself as a lifelong genealogist. He is a full-time professional genealogist, author, and lecturer who specializes in original records and manuscripts throughout the South. Mark lives in Robertson County, Tennessee just north of Nashville near the Kentucky border. Mark enjoys opportunities to share what he has learned over the years.

Analyze This! Scrutinizing Evidence for Problem Solving

Analyze This! Scrutinizing Evidence for Problem Solving

By Victor Dunn | August 15, 2019
Learn the methodology astute genealogist use to break-down brick walls. Focus on the tools that successful researchers use to analyze evidence such as document abstraction, timelines, and spreadsheet filters. Discusses the use of the law, geography and migration patterns as aids in problem solving as well as the importance of reasonable exhaustive research by incorporating collateral relative and associates. Resolution of conflicting data is also discussed.

Victor S. “Vic” Dunn, CG, is a full-time professional researcher. The coordinator for the Virginia track at the IGHR and an instructor for SLIG, he is a frequent contributor to major genealogical publications including feature articles in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, The Genealogist, NEHG Register, BCG OnBoard, and Magazine of Virginia Genealogy.

Anatomy of a Civil War Pension File

Anatomy of a Civil War Pension File

By Julie Potter Miller | July 18, 2019
Civil War Pension Files are filled with genealogical information but are often large and intimidating. This lecture will discuss methods used to organize, extract, and analyze the documents and data in a Civil War Pension File.

Julie Miller, CG®, CGLSM, FNGS is a full-time professional researcher, speaker, and writer who lives in Colorado. She speaks on a wide variety of genealogy subjects both locally and nationally. Her articles have appeared in the NGSQ and NGS Magazine. Julie is a member of the NGS conference committee, served as conference chair of the 2010 and 2012 NGS conferences, and served on the NGS board from 2006-2014. She is a fellow of the National Genealogical Society. Julie has been a volunteer at NARA-Denver for over twenty years.

Evidence Correlation: Making the Most of Your Research

Evidence Correlation: Making the Most of Your Research

By Nancy A. Peters | June 20, 2019
Evidence correlation—an essential element of the Genealogical Proof Standard—lets you see patterns, connections, and inconsistencies in your research. Through case examples, this lecture teaches strategies for correlating evidence that will help you maximize the value of information collected during your research and lead to sound genealogical conclusions.

Nancy A. Peters, CG®, CGLSM works as a full-time researcher, editor, author, and lecturer specializing in genealogical problem solving and methodology. She serves as a trustee for the Board for Certification of Genealogists. Nancy is incoming coeditor of the National Genealogical Society Quarterly in 2019.

Abstracts, Extracts and Transcriptions – What’s the Difference?

Abstracts, Extracts and Transcriptions – What’s the Difference?

By Diana Crisman Smith | May 16, 2019
Documents often can, should, or might be included in your documentation. However, the reality is that photocopies (or digital copies) may be unavailable due to a number of factors. The other reality, however, is that part of the document can, should, or might be included in your documentation. There are essentially three ways to convert an original document by note-taking without photocopying: transcribing, abstracting or extracting. Learn when and how to use each method.

Diana Crisman Smith began researching her ancestry at age eleven. She has been working with clients for nearly twenty years, as well as teaching and presenting to a variety of organizations across the US (and at sea). She has written for print and online publications, presented to groups large and small in person and via webinars. Her perspective is flavored by her background as a trained and licensed teacher, a professional secretary, her involvement over the years with the development of computer and Internet technology, and (of course) her interest in history.

The Discriminating Genealogist: Telling Good Evidence from Bad

The Discriminating Genealogist: Telling Good Evidence from Bad

By Judy G. Russell | April 25, 2019
The “best evidence” rule in law requires the presentation in court of an original rather than a copy, and a copy won’t even be admitted if the original is available. In genealogy, our rules require us to do the same: to discriminate, choose in favor of, prefer certain types of evidence to others, certain bits of information to others, certain sources to others. That sounds right, but just how do we do that? What are the rules we follow, what do we need to know to do this right, and what tools are available to help us? Those are the focus of this presentation.

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℠. Her award-winning blog is at http://www.legalgenealogist.com.

The Everyday Life of Our Ancestors

The Everyday Life of Our Ancestors

By C. Ann Staley | March 21, 2019
Our ancestors led lives, just like us – only different. Using our life as an example, how can we parallel it to theirs? They ate and drank, married and had families, dressed, had trades and occupations, practiced a religion, dabbled in the arts and sciences, participated in politics and economics, etc. This lecture will examine the various aspects of life and provide resources to discover the historical context and personal details of our ancestors’ lives.

C. Ann Staley, CG®, CGLSM, 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.