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.

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

Death by Undue Means: Coroners’ Records

By Judy G. Russell | August 20, 2020

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

By C. Ann Staley | July 16, 2020

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

By Janis Minor Forte | June 18, 2020

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

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.

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