16th Annual Genealogy Lock-In

Discover History for Yourself

The Waco-McLennan County Library Genealogy Center, in cooperation with the Central Texas Genealogical Society, will host the 16th Annual Genealogy Lock-in in celebration of Family History month.

This state-wide initiative to provide educational and research opportunities for family historians takes place on October 21 from noon-10:40 pm. at the West Waco Library & Genealogy Center (5301 Bosque Blvd., Suite 275, Waco, Texas).

Early registration for the Lock-in begins at 11:45 a.m. in the foyer at the West Waco Library & Genealogy Center. Other library facilities will not be available for use after 6:00 p.m. during the Lock-in. Children under the age of 16 attending the event must be accompanied by an adult.

This is the 6th year that the Waco-McLennan County Library has spearheaded the collaborative effort to organize, provide and share programs remotely via live webinars with libraries and genealogy societies across the state of Texas.

Programming includes something for everyone:

• (Noon-1:30pm) Genealogy 101: How to Get Started in Locating Your Ancestors: Beginning with how to fill out your Family Tree Chart, you will get the basic skills and strategies for locating your family. We will walk through the first steps in the adventure of finding your family. You will be given options on how to organize your information and where to go besides your family and friends to locate more information.
  Cheryl Smith, Genealogy Librarian, Genealogy Center of the Plano Public Library System
• (1:40pm-2:40pm) Preservation Tips for Family Historians: Learn best practices and tips for storage and handling of family documents and photos.
  Jennifer Sessa, Archivist, Houston Public Library | Houston Metropolitan Research Center
• (2:50pm-3:50pm) Genealogical Resources of the Texas General Land Office: The Texas General Land Office Archives contain numerous resources for family history research dating from the Spanish Crown or Mexican Republic to the Republic and the State of Texas. This program will cover the Spanish Collection; various land grants -bounty and donation, headright, scrip certificates and more; and a look at the Archive Map Collection.
  Kevin Klaus, Information Specialist, Texas General Land Office Archives and Records
• (4:00pm-5:10pm) Introduction to Hispanic Genealogy Research: This presentation will cover the basic research process and how to use it to start finding ancestors in Hispanic records. A case study will show how records (church and civil) can help build a family pedigree.
  Michael Provard, Events Coordinator, FamilySearch
• (6:10pm-7:20pm) DNA Testing: What is it, what do the results mean, and how do I understand it all? Confused about DNA and genetic genealogy or do not know where to begin? This session will provide an easy to follow guide to help to demystify DNA.
  Randy W. Whited, President, Texas State Genealogical Society
• (7:30pm-8:30pm) Finding Your Slave Ancestors: This class will teach participants three strategies to locate their enslaved ancestors. Participants will learn how to do a survey, find various documents to help determine where their ancestors were enslaved and who their owners were and help them learn how to use the newly indexed Freedmen’s Bureau Records.
  Sherri Camp, Genealogy Librarian Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library; President Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS)
• (8:40pm-9:30pm) Paying It Forward, Recording OUR stories for Future Ancestors: Family stories are the best part of family history, and are most often the information gathered that leads us to documentary evidence. But, how many of us are recording OUR stories, so OUR descendants have a history of us? This presentation offers tools to help us record our stories, apps, story ideas, and more
  Susan D. Kaufman, Senior Manager Houston Public Library | Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research
• (9:40pm-10:40pm) Genealogy Mecca – Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research: Did you know that one of the top genealogical research libraries is located in our backyard in Houston, Texas? Join Sue Kaufman as she gives us an overview of resources, services and the opportunities available from this nationally recognized collection.
  Susan D. Kaufman, Senior Manager Houston Public Library | Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research

View a listing of participating libraries and societies with locations and hours.

Get more event details on the Waco-McLennan County Library website.