Classes - Family History in the 21st Century

Class Schedule, Brief Summaries, Links to Handouts
Click here for Schedule and Floorplan

============ 8:00-9:00am ============

Free Subscription Websites at the FHC


 * The LDS church makes a number of genealogy websites that require a subscription to view their records available at no cost for patrons of family history centers through the Family History Portal. This class is an overview of the available sites and their content. A few other digital resources at the FHC will be discussed as well. (handout)

Fleshing Out Your LDS Pioneer History


 * Many members of the LDS Church feel that their family history is “all done.” Others realize that it may not be all done, but have no idea what they could contribute. This class will give ideas about what you can do. Some suggestions may be activities which would take just a few minutes, others would be larger projects, depending on your time and ability to contribute now and/or later. (handout)

Records of the Poor


 * Presented in this class will be the causes and solutions to poverty issues, reasons for using records of the poor, and how to locate those records. Many examples of this record type will be shown. (handout)

Family History on a Mac Computer

Tips for Ancestry.com


 * Come get helpful tips using one of the most popular genealogy subscription websites. Ancestry.com is FREE at your local Family History Center. (handout)

British Research for Beginners

Google Searches for Genealogy Webinar


 * How to avoid loss of your genealogical data (crashed hard drive, stolen laptop, lost thumb drive….) Learn various methods of backing up your genealogical data, including many free online programs such as Dropbox, Mozy, Carbonite, and more. Recorded webinar by Legacy Family Tree.  Presenter is Thomas MacEntee.

============ 9:10-10:10am ============

Comparing Ancestral Quest, Family Insight, Legacy Family Tree, and Roots Magic


 * These 4 software programs interface with the newFamilySearch website, allowing for transfer of data at the touch of a button. This class will discuss if there is an advantage to switching from Personal Ancestral File, and if so, to which programs. A overview of their capabilities and a discussion of special features that might sway a potential user towards one or another will be explored. (handout)

Fleshing Out Your LDS Pioneer History


 * Many members of the LDS Church feel that their family history is “all done.” Others realize that it may not be all done, but have no idea what they could contribute. This class will give ideas about what you can do. Some suggestions may be activities which would take just a few minutes, others would be larger projects, depending on your time and ability to contribute now and/or later. (handout)

Using Military Records in Colonial America


 * Given in this class will be the why, the how and the where of locating military records for this turbulent time in our history. Many examples of these records will be shown. There will be mention made of groups who composed "the other side of the story" and were known as the Loyalists, the Hessians, pacifist groups or British soldiers who stayed in Canada or the United States. (handouts)

German Research Tips

Becoming Familiar with FamilySearch.org


 * Become familiar with the most powerful genealogy website. There is something on the website for the beginner as well as for the advanced genealogist. (handout)

British Isles Research—Beyond Parish Records

Google Docs Webinar


 * Learn how to use Google Docs - a free application complete with spreadsheets, word processing and more - to your advantage while performing genealogy research. We'll cover how to create new documents, import documents from your hard drive, and how to use the basic functions of each component. Recorded webinar by Legacy Family Tree.  Presenter is Thomas MacEntee.

============ 10:20-11:20am ============

Maps—the Best Kept Secret (handout)

Mastering Roots Magic


 * This class will cover a basic introduction to Roots Magic, including:creating and opening a family database, adding and editing people to the file, how to find people and information in your family database. We will cover all the features in the Roots Magic database, including how it works with Family Search to make transferring information easier.

Genealogy--From Chaos to Computers (handout)

Beginning Hispanic Research—in Spanish


 * This course will cover the basic steps in researching ancestors with hispanic origins (mainly of Mexican descent). Beginning with understanding hispanic names, how to search for towns and locations, what records to use and more importantly where to find those records. (handout)

Using Social Networking


 * Overview of how to connect with family members as well as others who share your interest in genealogy and family history. (handout)

New.familysearch.org—Beginning

Backing Up Your Genealogy Webinar


 * How to avoid loss of your genealogical data (crashed hard drive, stolen laptop, lost thumb drive….) Learn various methods of backing up your genealogical data, including many free online programs such as Dropbox, Mozy, Carbonite, and more. Recorded webinar by Legacy Family Tree. Presenter is Thomas MacEntee.

============ 12:00-1:00pm ============

Mastering Family Insight

Writing Personal and Family Histories


 * We will discuss the importance of writing histories, keeping a journal, and sharing family stories with others. The instructor will share what she has learned from writing her own autobiography and three histories for family members.  She will also give some writing tips.

How Do I Begin Working on My Family History-Part 1


 * This course will cover the basic steps in researching ancestors. Beginning with family history charts and software and how to track where you have been. Previewing Familysearch Genealogy in 5 Minutes. (handout)(handout)

How To’s and Blessings of Family Reunions


 * In this session we will discuss how to plan and carry out a family reunion which all ages can enjoy, and which will provide opportunities for renewing friendships and strengthening family values. We'll focus on the nuts and bolts of reunion logistics, as well as present ideas to build enthusiasm leading up to the reunion by sharing stories and photos of family members and ancestors, and how to help family members keep in touch following the reunion. (handout)(handout)

Publishing Your Family History


 * Projects Come find ways to share your family history information with family and friends. Great Christmas present ideas.

New.familysearch.org—Advanced


 * Will discuss problems and how to resolve them. (handout)

Blogging for Beginners Webinar


 * This is a step by step approach to creating a blog using the free services at Blogger.com. This is a great way to share genealogy research, post your society’s newsletter, and keep in touch with extended family members. It also features a survey of sample blogs and links for additional help. Recorded webinar by Legacy Family Tree.  Presenter is ”DearMYRTLE” (Pat Richley)

============ 1:10-2:10pm ============

Mastering Legacy Family Tree


 * A look at Legacy Family Tree’s tools to aid you in analyzing your family data and planning your research. Includes some customizations for viewing the data, using the chronology view, research guidance, to do lists, master lists, and searching online databases. Also covers syncing and updating FamilySearch Trees with your Legacy family file, and managing LDS Ordinances with Legacy Family Tree. (handout)

Digitizing and sharing pictures, videos, audios and albums using free software


 * Bringing Family History to the Digital Age: Get those photos out of the shoebox – Step by step instructions to digitize pictures, movies, journals, albums, scrapbooks, and audio recordings, to share with family on the internet, and do it all with free software. So Great Grandma only has one family album: who gets it? We all do!!
 * Handouts and Course Material - Updated 8Nov2011:
 * Digitize - Overview
 * PAF - Personal Ancestral File - Genealogy (Overview - points to Walkthru)
 * Audacity – Digitizing Sound (installation walkthru and example)
 * Gimp – Free Photoshop – Digital Scrapbooking (installation walkthru and example)
 * IrfanView – Picture editor (installation walkthru and example)
 * OpenOffice – Free Office Software – Word Processor – Spreadsheet – Presentations...

How Do I Begin Working on My Family History-Part 2


 * This course will cover the basic steps in researching ancestors. The BIG 3: Name, Date and Place. What records to use and more importantly where to find them. Websites: Free versus not free. (handout)(handout)

Using Newspapers--webinar


 * Join librarian, lecturer, newspaper expert, and GenealogyBank.com's Thomas Jay Kemp for this one-hour webinar on U.S. newspaper research, including a demonstration of the historical newspapers, books, and documents available at GenealogyBank.com. Courtesy of Legacy Family Tree webinars.

Becoming Familiar with FamilySearch.org (repeat)

Indexing—Giving Back in Only 30 Minutes a Week


 * What is Family Search Indexing? What is indexing accomplishing? How can I help? These will be answered in this class. (handout)

Google Earth for Genealogy Webinar


 * Google Earth is free software that allows you a different view of your ancestors’ lives. It goes beyond maps. See where your ancestors lived and migrated. Look up their addresses on old censuses (even foreign ones.) Get a 3-D feel of what the land around them was like. Learn how to use this software to your genealogical advantage. This is a Roots Magic recorded webinar.  Presenter is Lisa Louise Cooke.

============ 2:20-3:20pm ============

Mastering Ancestral Quest


 * Ancestral Quest (AQ) provides you with a complete genealogy data storage system to record your family information, as well as detailed sources and documentation. You also have instant access to searching online databases. You can keep your data and research up-to-date with other family members using the industry-leading Collaboration tool. And, as would be expected, you can share data with other genealogy programs that support the GEDCOM format, making it easy to exchange information with relatives, other researchers and large data repositories. (handout)

Oral Histories—Memory Joggers


 * What to ask your older family members in an oral interview to get their life history (Also works for Autobiographies) Emphasizes tips and methods for making and editing audio recordings with free software.  
 * Handouts and Course Material - Updated 8Nov2011:
 * Interviewing for Posterity - Overview
 * Audacity – Digitizing Sound

Courthouse Research Webinar


 * Courthouses are places where you can find answers to genealogical problems. They are a rich source of written records created as a result of the laws, the time period, and personal activities of your ancestors. The steps delineated throughout this course will assist you to be more effective as you visit courthouses in your search for genealogical information. This is an online course offered by FamilySearch.  The presenter is Christine Rose.

Using Social Networking (repeat)


 * Overview of how to connect with family members as well as others who share your interest in genealogy and family history. (handout)

How to Create and Share Digital Family Movies

Dropbox Webinar


 * It’s “cloud computing…“ Learn about a free online program with 2 gigabytes of storage, which synchronizes files across your computer, laptop and mobile device. Learn how to leverage it’s power to back up your genealogy data and share files with friends and family. Recorded webinar by Legacy Family Tree. Presenter is Thomas MacEntee.

Records of the Poor (repeat)


 * Presented in this class will be the causes and solutions to poverty issues, reasons for using records of the poor, and how to locate those records. Many examples of this record type will be shown. (handout)