1 HOUR LECTURES - includes class hand-out
Caring For Your Stuff: (1hour) – Available after November 1, 2015 As Genealogists and Family Historians we are often the repository for family documents and artifacts. We will examine the best, worst and practical manner of storing and displaying our family heirlooms. We will not only cover documents, but also photographs, artwork, textiles and other materials.
Genograms for Genealogists: (1 hour) Applying the concepts of behind the genogram (McGoldtrick-Gerson Studies or Lapidus Schematics), used in counseling and therapy, to the genealogy opens a third dimension to our research. Going beyond the family group sheet and pedigree chart, you can extend patterns of behavior and medical history beyond the family into the community. Genograms can help explain some of the how’s and why’s we encounter and also be used as a predictor to focus further research.
How Firm a Foundation: Building a Sound Genealogy: We will examine the the fiveelements of a Genealogical Proof (Thorough Research, Source Citation, Analysis and Correlation, Resolving Conflicts and Writing a Conclusion.) Will will finish with a study of one couple and the many conflicting documents relating to their names and marriage.
More Than Metes the Eye: Using Land Records in Your Research: (1hour) Available after December 1, 2015 We will open with a discussion of land ownership from the right of the king through royal charters, grants and proprietor’s records to individual ownership. After reviewing the differences between metes and bounds and rectilinear survey systems, we will examine several case studies show how the land records can answer some of your genealogical questions.
More that a Will: Using Probate Records: The bulk of the work of a probate court is the settlement of an estate. After examining the three record formats used by the court, we will look at the types of documents generated and the clues they provide. We will then turn to other matters which may be handled by the court, such as guardianships and minor trusts, mental competence, adoptions, separations and divorce and insvolvent estates.
The Mythical Trunk in the Attic: (1 hour) A combination of show-and-tell/slide show exploring the use of the many (and probably under-utilized) documents and artifacts in our possession. They can range for the obvious (baby book) to the obscure (utility bills). After this presentation you will want to look in the back of the closet for item you already own. (Included in Beginning Genealogy 101.)
No Stone Unturned: Getting the Most from the Cemetery: After defining burial ground, cemetery and memoral park, will look and material used for grave markers in historical context. After an examination of some special grave markers, we will turn to emblems and symbols encounter. Before a short virtual tour we will look and records relating to the cemetery and a quick look at cleaning and photographing gravestones.
Paleography: Reading Old Hand Writing: (1 hour) After only a little research we all have to begin to read original documents. Often our eyes glaze over after the first few line or we skip through the document looking for names and overlooking many important details. This short course in paleography explores the development of the Roman alphabet and the cursive hand (including the pesky thorn). We will cover the Five Steps to Understanding Old Documents and, Transcriptions and Special Characters and Translation. Where wi-fi is available, there is a short interactive test of our skills.
The Rise and Fall of Hampshire County (Massachusetts): (1hour) Following a discussion of the steps from exploration to incorporation in New England, we will follow the history of Hampshire county (which at times extended from Worcester, Massachusetts west to the Hudson River and from within present Connecticut into Vermont) from its creation in 1660 to its dissolution in 1999. Covered are the various state boundary disputes, division in the four present counties of Western Massachusetts, and a guide to finding their records.
U.S. Federal Census: More Than Paint By Number (1 hour) The U.S. Federal Census is one of the most important tools we use in tracing our families through time. Unfortunately many do not fully mine the information recorded there. We will look beyond the names, dates and places and examine the wealth of data that has been included as the populations schedules evolved over time. Illustrated with examples tracing one family from 1790 though the 1940 population schedules, you will learn what clues to further research are provided.
Using Ancestry.com: (1 hour) This program is an exploration of the resources at Ancestry.com. We will begin with wealth of information they offer which is not included in database searches, including the Learning Center, Webinars, the Family History Wiki, Publishing with Ancestry, Research Tools, and the Card Catalogue. We will finish with a discussion of Ancestry Family Trees and a brief guide to performing a meaningful search in the data bases.
Westmoreland: Connecticut’s Lost County (1 hour) This lecture will cover Connecticut’s claim on the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania from the Connecticut Charter of 1662, the Susquehanna Land Company, the Treaty of Trenton and the aftermath.
Caring For Your Stuff: (1hour) – Available after November 1, 2015 As Genealogists and Family Historians we are often the repository for family documents and artifacts. We will examine the best, worst and practical manner of storing and displaying our family heirlooms. We will not only cover documents, but also photographs, artwork, textiles and other materials.
Genograms for Genealogists: (1 hour) Applying the concepts of behind the genogram (McGoldtrick-Gerson Studies or Lapidus Schematics), used in counseling and therapy, to the genealogy opens a third dimension to our research. Going beyond the family group sheet and pedigree chart, you can extend patterns of behavior and medical history beyond the family into the community. Genograms can help explain some of the how’s and why’s we encounter and also be used as a predictor to focus further research.
How Firm a Foundation: Building a Sound Genealogy: We will examine the the fiveelements of a Genealogical Proof (Thorough Research, Source Citation, Analysis and Correlation, Resolving Conflicts and Writing a Conclusion.) Will will finish with a study of one couple and the many conflicting documents relating to their names and marriage.
More Than Metes the Eye: Using Land Records in Your Research: (1hour) Available after December 1, 2015 We will open with a discussion of land ownership from the right of the king through royal charters, grants and proprietor’s records to individual ownership. After reviewing the differences between metes and bounds and rectilinear survey systems, we will examine several case studies show how the land records can answer some of your genealogical questions.
More that a Will: Using Probate Records: The bulk of the work of a probate court is the settlement of an estate. After examining the three record formats used by the court, we will look at the types of documents generated and the clues they provide. We will then turn to other matters which may be handled by the court, such as guardianships and minor trusts, mental competence, adoptions, separations and divorce and insvolvent estates.
The Mythical Trunk in the Attic: (1 hour) A combination of show-and-tell/slide show exploring the use of the many (and probably under-utilized) documents and artifacts in our possession. They can range for the obvious (baby book) to the obscure (utility bills). After this presentation you will want to look in the back of the closet for item you already own. (Included in Beginning Genealogy 101.)
No Stone Unturned: Getting the Most from the Cemetery: After defining burial ground, cemetery and memoral park, will look and material used for grave markers in historical context. After an examination of some special grave markers, we will turn to emblems and symbols encounter. Before a short virtual tour we will look and records relating to the cemetery and a quick look at cleaning and photographing gravestones.
Paleography: Reading Old Hand Writing: (1 hour) After only a little research we all have to begin to read original documents. Often our eyes glaze over after the first few line or we skip through the document looking for names and overlooking many important details. This short course in paleography explores the development of the Roman alphabet and the cursive hand (including the pesky thorn). We will cover the Five Steps to Understanding Old Documents and, Transcriptions and Special Characters and Translation. Where wi-fi is available, there is a short interactive test of our skills.
The Rise and Fall of Hampshire County (Massachusetts): (1hour) Following a discussion of the steps from exploration to incorporation in New England, we will follow the history of Hampshire county (which at times extended from Worcester, Massachusetts west to the Hudson River and from within present Connecticut into Vermont) from its creation in 1660 to its dissolution in 1999. Covered are the various state boundary disputes, division in the four present counties of Western Massachusetts, and a guide to finding their records.
U.S. Federal Census: More Than Paint By Number (1 hour) The U.S. Federal Census is one of the most important tools we use in tracing our families through time. Unfortunately many do not fully mine the information recorded there. We will look beyond the names, dates and places and examine the wealth of data that has been included as the populations schedules evolved over time. Illustrated with examples tracing one family from 1790 though the 1940 population schedules, you will learn what clues to further research are provided.
Using Ancestry.com: (1 hour) This program is an exploration of the resources at Ancestry.com. We will begin with wealth of information they offer which is not included in database searches, including the Learning Center, Webinars, the Family History Wiki, Publishing with Ancestry, Research Tools, and the Card Catalogue. We will finish with a discussion of Ancestry Family Trees and a brief guide to performing a meaningful search in the data bases.
Westmoreland: Connecticut’s Lost County (1 hour) This lecture will cover Connecticut’s claim on the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania from the Connecticut Charter of 1662, the Susquehanna Land Company, the Treaty of Trenton and the aftermath.
EXTENDED CLASSES - 4 – 2 hour sessions, includes class hand-outs
Beginning Genealogy 101: This 8 hour course is designed for the beginning genealogist. The four sessions are:
Beginning Genealogy 101: This 8 hour course is designed for the beginning genealogist. The four sessions are:
- Getting Started. Covers the basic guidelines in genealogical research. Included is a discussion of forms, source citation, family traditions, spellings and grammar, calendar changes, geographical changes, history and the genealogist, and record types. Included is “The Mythical Trunk in the Attic.
- Vital, Bible, Church and Cemetery Records. Amply illustrated with examples of these record types as they have changed, evaluation of family bibles, evolution of gravestones and other cemetery resources. Although guidelines for locating records throughout the United States are discussed, emphasis is placed on Connecticut and Massachusetts sources.
- Census Records, City Directories and Newspapers. History of the development of the U.S. Population Schedules from 1790 to 1940 is given along with a review of the supplemental Agricultural, Industry/Manufacturing Schedules, Mortality Schedules, the DDD Schedules and Social Statistics. The second part of this session covers the wealth of information that can gleaned through the use of city directories in our research. Finally we will explore the world of newspapers – there is so much more than obituaries.
- Internet, Software and Organization. Following a discussion on the evaluation of internet sources, will we review some of the many websites available to us. After a brief discussion of features to consider when purchasing a genealogy software package and review of the top rated programs, we will look as other computer applications to assist us. The course ends with a discussion of some of the options we have when organizing the results of our research.
Most topics in the 8 hour course can be developed in to 1 hour stand alone lectures upon request.