Poolside Chats: A Genealogy Webinar Series - Florida State Genealogical Society

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.

Murder in the Mountains: Grandpa’s Birth Father in Court Records: DNA Case – September 18, 2025

By Kate Penney Howard

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Obituaries and Other Death Information in Newspapers – October 16, 2025

By Annette B. Lyttle

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Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools for Land Records Analysis – November 20, 2025

By David M McCorkle

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Did My Family Get Skipped? Mining Census Records for Missing Ancestors – December 18, 2025

By Nicole Gilkison LaRue, CG

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Past Webinars

Using Non-Population Schedules for Context and Evidence

By Jill Morelli | May 28, 2020

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

By Jeanne Larzalere Bloom | April 16, 2020

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

By Jessica Trotter | March 19, 2020

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.

A Five Company Comparison of Ethnicity Results

By Diahan Southard | February 20, 2020

Have questions about your ethnic origins? Want to know what the maps and percentages mean? We will cover the major testing companies and Ancestry DNA Genetic communities.

Frustrated with your genealogy research? Diahan is the teacher you need. Her 18 years of experience in genetic genealogy shows as after just one class you will find yourself believing that you can understand this science, and likely will even be excited to go home and try it out. Diahan lectures internationally, owns Your DNA Guide, and writes for Family Tree Magazine and Your Genealogy Today. She has a passion for this work, a love for people, and the best husband ever.

Discovering Minister Isaac Steele and His Family Using Land Records and Manuscripts

By J. Mark Lowe | January 16, 2020

Discover the wonderful letters, diaries, memorials, deeds, and documents that paint the story of families on the frontier. Learn how to broaden your research.

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.

Organizing Your Genealogy Using Microsoft’s OneNote

By Bob Inhoff | December 19, 2019

Most of us face the continuing challenge of organizing the massive amounts of information we collect in our ongoing genealogical research. Many have found Evernote to be a helpful tool. In this lecture Bob will describe another resource, Microsoft OneNote, and demonstrate how it has been immensely helpful in collecting, analyzing and organizing his research. OneNote is a free digital organizing application from Microsoft. Notes, photos, clippings and more can be organized in digital “3 ring binders” with dividers between topics. OneNote offers powerful search, linking and sharing features which enhance productive research. Notes are available on your desktop (both Windows and Mac), tablet, phone and on-line.

Bob Inhoff is has served as Chair of the Technology Committee for the Indian River Genealogical Society in Vero Beach, Florida where he has lived for more than twelve years. Bob also serves as the Webmaster for the Florida State Genealogical Society and the Goff-Gough Family Association. He is a member of the Florida State Genealogical Society and NGS.

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

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

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.

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