The New England states are Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Learn about general records unique to New England as well as important records specific to New England.

Learn the latest online resources that you will actually use and rely on.

Analyzing US Genealogical Records

Analysis is a way of looking at information about your ancestor logically and creatively. What do the facts say? What could they mean? Learn techniques to get more out of your ancestors’ records and to determine what to do next.

Beginning Genealogy 2nd hr of a 2 hr class

Beginning Genealogy: Climb Your Family Tree (2 HR Class)

This two-hour interactive lecture is a comprehensive beginner’s guide to genealogy that will give you the tools to begin building your family tree. We will cover basic research forms, documentation, file organization, and using the U.S. Federal Census. We will conclude with a discussion of the top 5 list of websites and repositories that will help you begin your research.

Beginning New.FamilySearch

Learn how to register for and navigate through the New family search program. PLEASE NOTE: New family search is still only available to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is taking longer than was previously thought to open it up for the general public. The Church is shooting for early 2011.

Creative Family History

Each of our ancestors has a story to tell, and it is up to us to discover that story, bring it to life, and share it with our family now and for generations to come. Your family history is the most important history to you, and while many in your family may not express interest in learning about grandma’s childhood, or grand dad’s war stories, there are fun and creative ways to bring the family together and arouse their interest in their family history. Using today’s technology, the class focuses on the various ways that one can use photographs, drawings, digital embellishments and photographic editing software to create family storybooks, center pieces, games and more that will allow you to truly preserve and share your family heritage.

Creative Genealogy

Does your family tree need nourishment? Is it alive, beckoning others to taste of the fruits that it offers? With a little creativity and time, you can create beautiful works of art, living family trees that allow all who share its fruit to be edified and appreciate their family lineage. For those that are proficient in using the computer, this class will also introduce ideas that will draw attention to your blog, facebook groups, or other online environment in order to further your own genealogical research.

Deeds and Probate

Deeds & Probate: A Powerful Combination
Did you know that all the members of a family may be named in an old deed? Have you ever tried to get a close-up view of what your ancestors wore and the tools they used from an estate inventory? Learn how to use the records of the Registry of Deeds and Probate Court to further your genealogical research. Deed and probate records can help resolve brick walls as well add breadth to your ancestor’s personal story.

Early African Americans in New England

An overview of early African American communities in New England, their unique characteristics, and strategies for getting the most out of your research. Timeline discussion important dates in New England African American research.

Eight Ways to Cross the Ocean

You need one key piece of information to trace your European ancestors: the name of their hometown. But, locating it can be tricky. Learn about eight types of records that might solve your mystery.

Erin in the USA

Erin in the USA: Irish Research on this Side of the Atlantic
You have found a place name for your Irish ancestor in the Emerald Isle. Now it is time to explore Irish Records and resources available here in the United States to make the most of your Irish research trip. Census substitutes such as Griffith’s Valuation and the Tithe Applotments will be discussed and explained along with the householder’s index for both. Church records and vital records for Ireland will be examined with realistic expectations brought forth for results. Less common but potentially fruitful resources will be presented with the goal of giving an overview of available resources for research in the US.
PowerPoint 2007 software will be used for this lecture. Intermediate level research audience.

Family History Library Catalog

The genealogical collection of the Family History Library is the best in the world. The key to using that collection is the FHL Catalog. Learn effective ways to use this key to find records to help you in your research. For instance, a book about a town may only be found in a county search, not a town search. Learn why such things were done and what to do.

Family Search Labs

This web site is a place where new or proposed research tools or enhancements of tools for FamilySearch are being shown for people to use and give feedback. Currently these include FamilySearch Beta, Record Search, Forums, Research Wiki, England Jurisdictions 1851, Community Trees, FamilySearch Indexing, and Pedigree Viewer.

Genealogy in your Pajamas: Put your Library Card to Work

Did you know that as a Massachusetts resident you have free access to the Boston Public Library’s online resources? If your town library is associated with the Minuteman system, you can also access some of their online resources from the comfort of your own home. We will cover the electronic genealogical resources available through the Boston Public Library and some of the more popular resources that might be available through your local library (each library decides which databases they will carry).

Genealogy records at the MA State Archives

The Archives holds thousands of records created by various state agencies that can be used to compile your family history. Colonial Records dating back to the 1600’s, Birth, Marriage and Death records from 1841-1915, Passenger Lists for the Port of Boston 1848-1891, Census records, Court records such as Probates, Naturalizations and much much more. Learn how to find and use these valuable Treasures.

Intermediate new.familysearch

This will be a question and answer type class covering things one can do to advance his family history on line. We will look at what is already available at new.familysearch and how to manipulate the information. We will also look at sources to use to confirm and advance what is already in the system. PLEASE NOTE: New family search is still only available to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is taking longer than was previously thought to open it up for the general public. The Church is shooting for early 2011.

Intro to searching in French Canada

This class will give the patron a chance to consider various places to search for information on French Canadian relatives. Some major sources of data that are currently available will be reviewed. Some of the pitfalls of multiple names will be considered.

Irish-American Catholic Genealogy

The lecture will start with the central event in the history of Irish genealogy, the destruction of the Public records Office in Dublin on June 30, 1922 near the end of the Irish Civil War. As a result unique challenges and realistic expectations for Irish ancestral research will be discussed. Existing vital records and census records along with unique census substitutes for 19th century Ireland will be presented. Research materials available on-line and through film rental will be shown with examples available without the time and expense necessary to travel to Ireland. Examples are used for to emphasize key principals and record holdings such as the lineage of notable Irish-American Grace Kelly. Repositories including the holdings of the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, New England Historic and Genealogical Society, the National Archives, and other repositories will be presented. The overall goal of the lecture is to give attendees a practical guide to finding the origins of their Irish ancestors in a broad overview lecture. Irish Protestants and resources and record repositories in Ireland will not be covered.
The lecture is presented on a HP Pavilion laptop computer using PowerPoint 2007 software.

Mary Drummond: “oldest negro in New Bedford”

This enlightening case illustrates how a creative approach and extensive search can uncover the parentage of a person of color born early in the 19th century. Learn how to use vital records, censuses, deeds, directories, newspapers, probate and cemetery records, and online resources to discover evidence to un-puzzle a genealogical mystery.

Oral Interviews: Connect with the Living Past

This guide to conducting successful oral interviews designed to obtain genealogical information and family stories will focus on lessons the speaker learned through both successful and unsuccessful oral interviews with her grandfathers. We will focus on preparation for the interview, including how to approach the subject you wish to interview, deciding which questions to ask, and choosing the appropriate equipment. We will discuss briefly how to handle situations that may arise during the interview, interview etiquette and transcription of the completed interview.

Permanently Preserving Your Family Tree

Learn the proper tools for preserving your genealogy so you can share it and pass it down.

Smith or Schmidt?

Our surnames are the most basic piece of genealogy information we have. But, they might not be the simplest. Learn about some of the most common name changes.

Understanding deeds: the key to many mysteries

Deeds are a valuable research tool especially when early probate records have been destroyed as in Cumberland County, Maine. This entertaining lecture will clarify ways to use deeds effectively and inspire people to use them to discover family relationships, locations, and other enlightening information.