2019 Conference Program – Friday

Whether researching an ancestor or looking for historical context in the 30s to 40s, there’s something of interest in the W.P.A. records. This lecture introduces the structure and major projects of the W.P.A. including how to use finding aids to locate information to support research goals.
Intermediate, Ballroom V

The most difficult part of genealogical research for African Americans is finding and identifying slave ancestors and their owners. Using case studies, we will start with twentieth century records and follow two families from freedom to slavery. Learn the records needed to take one family who remains in Georgia and the other which begins in Georgia and ends in Texas.
All Levels, Pawlusky

You’ve got your DNA results, but now what? This beginner-level session will help you understand your test results and work with your DNA matches. There will also be time set aside for your questions to be answered. Come and learn how to use your DNA results.
Beginner, Ballroom VII

Can’t find your ancestors? Found two couples with the same names? Who were your ancestor’s parents? Knowledge of traditional naming practices may answer those questions.
All Levels, Lakeview

Genealogists are often taught that the only way to successfully research a family line is to search backwards through time, going back as far as one can. This lecture assumes a new focus on research by tracing all the descendants of an ancestral couple to present. In addition, we will examine the methodology for finding living persons who may hold the key to your family history research.
Beginner, Intermediate, Woodbine

Learn where to find free and pay newspaper sites online. Understand how to put OCR mistakes to work for you to increase search results. Discover a method to make sure you do thorough searching in every newspaper every time.
Beginner, Intermediate, Ballroom V

Struggling with Hispanic genealogical research? Learn the keys to naming structure, record patterns, reading dates, and basic vocabulary without having to be proficient in the language.
All Levels, Pawlusky

Many people take a DNA test to see if family stories of Native American ancestry are true. Proving descent from indigenous Americans using DNA testing is difficult; disproving it is almost impossible. Learn how different types of DNA tests depict Native American ancestry.
Lecture sponsored by FamilyTreeDNA
Beginner, Ballroom VII

Indirect evidence provides the only clues to an ancestor’s parents. A comprehensive records search as well as studying onomastic evidence and family tradition for the McCrorys of Middle Tennessee solved the research question. Evidence connecting Charles L. McCrory to his siblings, Rachel and Joseph, established a credible lineage.
Intermediate, Lakeview

Each life has rites of passage, ceremonies through which an individual passes before moving on to the next stage in life. Important events within the lives of Catholic ancestors are recorded within sacramental records, and clues to their important milestones and to their life stories can be found within these and other key records of the Church.
Beginner, Intermediate, Ballroom V

Confederate ancestors may be more difficult – and controversial – to research than their Union counterparts, but that doesn’t mean you should overlook the records they left behind. Bringing your Confederate ancestors’ military service to life will give you a better understanding of why they served and what life was like for them. From their service records to the pensions they may have received, learn how and where to find Confederate records.
Beginner, Intermediate, Pawlusky

The Leeds Method is a free tool that helps you sort your DNA matches into clusters likely based on your four grandparent lines. This method is a great place to start for those who are new to working with DNA, adoptees searching for biological family, and those who don’t want to spend a lot of time on DNA but want to get results.
All Levels, Ballroom VII

Oral histories can sometimes offer more information than traditional records. They can reveal motives for migration, explanations of marriages, or descriptions of an ancestor’s personality.
Intermediate, Lakeview

We all face it: record loss. Whether the courthouse burned; the clerk tossed them; the relative, autograph hunter, lawyer, or surveyor took them; they succumbed to heat, humidity, insects, fading ink, or war; or distance from the courthouse was a barrier to their creation – the records that we want – the records that could answer our questions aren’t there. The solution: in many cases it’s possible to overcome the problem, but it requires diligence, perseverance, and willingness to look beyond the obvious.
All Levels, Woodbine

Nearly all your ancestors were eligible for military service. Records, pensions, citizen files, enlistments, and draft registrations can easily be located. Veterans, widows, and heirs made claims creating a wealth of information proving migration patterns, children, births, deaths, and marriages. Exciting facts and discoveries are just waiting to be found!
All Levels, Ballroom V

In this case study, the presenter demonstrates, step by step, how she first confirmed her ancestor’s status as enslaved and then, using exhaustive research techniques, followed him through 25 years of enslavement with several different owners. Participants will learn to use specific documents to identify and document the lives of enslaved individuals.
All Levels, Pawlusky

No matter where your ancestor lived, city directories should be included in your research. These directories help fill the ten-year gap between the census records and assist in following an ancestor’s migration, occupation, and employment as well as confirming residency and/or address changes, and providing community insights.
All Levels, Ballroom VII

Are you drowning in so much research that you’re wasting time and not climbing your family tree? Are you concerned that no one will want your research when you’re finished with it? Learn how to organize your research with an eye toward efficiency and preserving for the future.
All Levels, Lakeview

While indexes help us access records on genealogy websites, there are lots of genealogically valuable records that are not searchable. The Family History Library has digitized hundreds of thousands of microfilms. Most of these images are available for online browsing. Learn how to find and browse these records on FamilySearch.
Intermediate, Advanced, Ballroom V

Texans were a huge percentage of the thousands who swarmed into Oklahoma and Indian Territories. But what resources are available for tracing those ancestors and family members who came for a new beginning? Knowing the history, timeline, and geography can make your research a “successful run” to stake a genealogy homestead. Follow the speaker’s own Texas-born grandparents as they settle in the brand new state!
Beginner, Intermediate, Pawlusky

The end of the 19th century witnessed the transformation of the US from a developing nation into a global power. Learn about the war against Spain and includes the fighting during the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) in which US soldiers participated. Records discussed will include those from the National Archives, National Personnel Record Center, and more.
Beginner, Intermediate, Ballroom VII

One of the biggest challenges we face when writing family histories is how to turn the bare facts into tales worthy of being read, showing that our ancestors were real people, not just names, dates, and places. By digging deeply into the genealogical details, we can bring their stories to life.
All Levels, Lakeview