Lectures

“BASIC GENEALOGY AND A GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY”
30-minute presentation; Q & A time; 2-page handout.

This is an excellent choice of programs for community groups to use during a luncheon meeting or for a scout meeting. This presentation covers the basics of getting started into researching your family history and the importance of a genealogical society. There is plenty of time allowed for questions and answers.

“CEMETERIES: LET’S TAKE A PICNIC”
60 minutes; 2-page handout.

Cemeteries are wonderful places to conduct genealogy research; and I believe your work is not complete if you haven’t done all there is to do in cemeteries. Details are given on how to do cemetery research; obtaining sexton’s records; the proper ways to do a tombstone rubbing, photograph, or transcription; and what supplies are needed in your cemetery “picnic basket.” Oh, and don’t forget to bring the food!

“CENSUS AND VITAL RECORDS SUBSTITUTES”
60 minutes; 3-page handout.

When your ancestors are not in the Federal Population Schedules or you need a record prior to when vital registrations took place or you have a burned courthouse situation – what records are there? Plenty! There are many, many records that are called substitutes for census and vital records. What they are and where to find them is discussed in this presentation.

“CHURCH DENOMINATION ARCHIVES”
60 minutes; 3-page handout.

Are you still not finding that particular church record that will hopefully provide a date, a name, and a place for your ancestor? It might be a matter of not simply finding a church and its records; but the need to go beyond. Most of the church denominations have archives where records have been placed. This presentation should take the mystery out of this under-used source. Explanation into the location of select church denomination archives will be given and what you need to know about them.

“CITING SOURCES PROPERLY”
45 minutes, Q & A time; 1-page handout.

It is a vital and extremely important part of your genealogy endeavor to cite your sources. Learn the specific elements in a source citation. Many examples are shown so you’ll be an expert.

“PROVE IT! WHAT IS YOUR EVIDENCE?”
60 minutes; 7-page handout.

Professional genealogists compile pedigrees with the same care as if their research is to be presented in a court proceeding. Then there are many amateur genealogists who are satisfied to copy and cite genealogical data from the most unreliable sources, or from the Internet, without any attempt to verify facts in the more reliable records. This presentation will help you to learn more about what EVIDENCE is in regards to the genealogy world. The meanings of the most commonly used terms are presented, examples of records that should be searched will be discussed, and case studies are shown for you to determine what evidence is.

“FINDING FEMALES”
60 minutes; 2-page handout.

One of the most difficult tasks a genealogy researcher has is finding the maiden names of their female ancestors. It’s apparent in early laws that women did not have names. But ah…they did! Learn some ways of how to overcome the barriers in finding your female ancestors. They weren’t always known as “Mrs. Jones!”

“GENEALOGICAL PROOF STANDARD: OUR GPS”
60 minutes; 4-page handout.

There are standards all genealogists must follow. Why? What is the GPS? This detailed presentation will answer those questions and give you the guidelines that the pros (and you should) follow.

“THE INS AND OUTS OF HIRING A PROFESSIONAL GENEALOGIST”
60 minutes; 1-page handout.

Is the thought of hiring a professional genealogist causing anxiety? This presentation will take away those feelings by explaining what should be done prior to and during the process of hiring a professional. Websites for locating a professional, the meanings of those initials behind a name (postnominals), explanation of certified vs. accredited vs. pro, and a basic look at what a professional genealogist can do for you will be explained. We’ll also take a look at the expectations on your part (the Client) and the expectations of the professional.

“PREPARING FOR A SUCCESSFUL TRIP TO THE FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY”
60 minutes; 3-page handout.

Success is in the preparation! This shortened version of my Advanced Course’s 3-hour introductory class in getting ready to go to the Family History Library will assist you in how to prepare whether you’ve been to the library or it’s your first trip. The presentation is a step-by-step procedure in using all of the tools necessary to have success at the FHL. The methods can be used for any research trip!

“LAND RECORDS: WITH EMPHASIS ON THE RECTANGULAR LAND SURVEY SYSTEM”
60 minutes; 1-page handout.

A treasure of genealogical information lies in land records that many researchers do not take advantage of. This program will show you how to find deeds and various other items in land records, discusses indexing, the importance of and using maps with land record research, and a detailed explanation of locating the land of your ancestors in the areas where the Rectangular Land Survey System is used.

“MILITARY RECORDS: EMPHASIS ON REVOLUTIONARY AND CIVIL WARS”  (Adapted for World War I, World War II, to present-day)
60 minutes; 2-page handout.

Military records are important to your research as there are large amounts of information and documents contained in them. An elusive ancestor may be caught by the clues found in these records, especially during the period of 1775-1875. Did I know that grandma had three additional siblings prior to my obtaining her father’s (my great grandfather) Civil War military records?  NO!  This program will show you things that can be obtained in military records, help you to learn how and where to obtain them, and will cover the Revolutionary and Civil Wars (Union and Confederate). Let’s march in rank together to discover a goldmine!

“NATURALIZATION: THE PROCESS OF BECOMING AN AMERICAN”
60 minutes; 2-page handout.

Do you know where to find your ancestor’s Petition for Naturalization? What is a Declaration of Intent? Do you have your ancestor’s Certificate of Naturalization or what is actually in the record books? Oh my gosh, what sources are available to even find out your ancestor’s citizenship information? These, and more, questions are answered in this detailed program on the process of becoming an American.

“PROBATE: WHERE THERE’S A WILL (OR NO WILL), THERE’S A WAY”
60 minutes; 2-page handout.

Whether or not there’s a will, there is Probate. A vast amount of information is contained in a Probate/Estate packet. This presentation will show you how to locate these records and what you need to know in doing probate research. It will also explain the probate process and what records are created at each step of the process.

“PUBLISHING DO’s AND DON’Ts”
60 minutes; 2-page handout.

The title of this program says it all. Learn everything you need to know in publishing your family’s genealogy/history and about publishing companies.

“SELF-PUBLISHING: THE BIRTH AND DELIVERY OF MY EICHLER BOOK”
60 minutes; 6-page handout.

The title of this program says it all. Learn how to publish your own family genealogy/history book. Be ready to wear out the carpet in your dining room! (Explanation given in the presentation).