Azorean Research- Finding Your Way to the Islands

Focus on Records from the Azorean Islands online resources and how to obtain records.

Bankruptcy to Equity: Using Federal Court Records

Was Grandma a bootlegger? Did Grandpa pay his taxes? Records of the Federal courts are among the National Archives’ largest holdings-and yet some of the least used records. Open a new chapter of your family history and discover little known branches in your family tree as the records of the Federal Court system are discussed in detail.

Basic Computer Skills

This class is for absolute beginner computer users. Topics will be limited to those aspects of computer use that are most likely to be needed by a genealogist. In general, topics such as the physical parts of a computer and useful accessories, how to use email, how to use the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser will be covered, however, in order to ensure value to the specific participants, a survey will be sent to those who sign-up for this class to determine specific need areas. The size of this class will be strictly limited.

Basic Computer Skills (repeat)

This class is for absolute beginner computer users. Topics will be limited to those aspects of computer use that are most likely to be needed by a genealogist. In general, topics such as the physical parts of a computer and useful accessories, how to use email, how to use the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser will be covered, however, in order to ensure value to the specific participants, a survey will be sent to those who sign-up for this class to determine specific need areas. The size of this class will be strictly limited.

Basic Portuguese Research

This class will help you get started on your path to the discovery of your Portuguese Ancestors. You will learn about the wealth of information you can find on Portuguese civil records and parish records, how to obtain them and how to use them to go further back in your family tree.

Bring your Ancestors to Life: Connect via Social History

Transform your ancestors from names and dates on a piece to paper to people who led full and interesting lives through social history. Learn how to incorporate local history and other sources of social history, such as occupation, military service and war, daily life, and recreation into your genealogical research to gain a greater understanding of your ancestors.

British Connections- Beginner level British research

This beginner class will introduce British research from by discussing the most common records used and how to obtain them from home.

British Research the Cyberway

This class will discuss the many records that are available on the Internet, where to find them, and how to use them in researching your British ancestry.

Capturing Images and Information from the Internet

Snag-It For Genealogists – an easy way to capture images and video to create engaging family history presentations. Comparing the options. The quickest way to do it.

Descendancy Research

Researching living descendants of your ancestors can give your family history new life and excitement. Learn what traditional genealogy and reverse genealogy have in common and how they differ. We will discuss the reasons for conducting the research along with proper methodology, sources and some exciting websites to explore.

Family Search Series: Untangling Knots & Problems

If you have been stalled on certain branches of your tree because of errors in New FamilySearch that you could not correct, take heart! Family Tree is here at last, and it’s time to (carefully) go back and smooth out those snarls. You can now also add sources and also links to online evidence to support your research and to justify all changes you make.

FamilySearch Series: Beginner Level – Navigating FamilySearch

Tips & Tricks for Navigating FamilySearch and getting started with FamilySearch

FamilySearch Series: Making the Most Out of the Family History Catalog

How to effectively use the catalog in your research and how to obtain the records will cover Catalog search, Original records and Digital books.

FamilySearch Series: Pedigree and Family Tree

Focus On resources available for Pedigree and Family tree in FamilySearch.

FamilySearch Series: Untangling Knots & Problems (Repeat)

If you have been stalled on certain branches of your tree because of errors in New FamilySearch that you could not correct, take heart! Family Tree is here at last, and it’s time to (carefully) go back and smooth out those snarls. You can now also add sources and also links to online evidence to support your research and to justify all changes you make.

FamilySearch Series: Using the FamilySearch Research Wiki

Be a part of the global genealogical community: use the Wiki to learn more, find help, collaborate, and share your information with others.

Finding African Americans in Land Records

African Americans are challenging to research yet if you look deep enough you can often find a paper trail. The Registry of Deeds holds a well of information on African Americans for both those that own land and those that didn’t. This talk will surprise you by demonstrating what you can find. This talks will cover deeds, depositions, manumissions and other unusual documents that will help researchers locate information on their African American ancestors. The focus is on African Americans in New England.

Finding Living Cousins: Being a Genealogy Gumshoe

Sometimes we need to find the living and we must be detectives to succeed. Whether you are trying to return a family Bible you found at a yard sale or locate a distant cousin to ask about their photo collection, this presentation will teach you the tips and techniques you need. Find clues, analyze the evidence and relish the chase as we track down our genealogical “most wanted”.

Focus on Guardianship Records

Wills are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to probate records. Guardianship papers provide incredible insight into families who have lost a parent prematurely. The accounts found in guardianship papers can reveal detailed information during the minority years which are often not typically recorded in other documents. Guardianships also reveal family circumstance such as the loss of ability to manage one’s own affairs due to senility or alcoholism.

Genealogy in your Pajamas: Put your Library Card to Use

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).

Helping to Grow Online Resources: Contributing through Record Indexing

A beginner guide to indexing records and available online ongoing indexing projects.

LDS Ward Focus: Hastening the Work- Improving/Building Enthusiasm in Church Wards (We can do this)

Practical strategies for harvesting and submitting your family names for the temple. Point, click, and harvest. Reasonable goals tailored to your time and skills.

Mapping Your Tribe: Using DNA to Find Your Inner Barbarian

How did your ancestors get from point A to point B and what history did they make along the way? Our families left a genetic footprint across time and place. This presentation shows the use of DNA, recent ancestor calculations and maps to plot your tribe’s course. Just add historical context to complete the picture. Was your family part of the Anglo-Saxon invasion or did they ride with Attila the Hun?

Military Records – Civil War

2011 marked the sesquicentennial of the United States greatest military conflict. Discover your ancestors that served on both sides of the American Civil War as well all the various military branches. These include the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, and the Revenue Cutter Service and their Confederate counterparts. Numerous records are examined to get the most out of the many genealogical resources that are available to researchers today.

Organizing Your Research

Organizing files is essential to quality research. Learn how to log searches to streamline analysis of the research problem and how to file so that any document can be retrieved in less than a minute.

Organizing Your Research – Repeat

Organizing files is essential to quality research. Learn how to log searches to streamline analysis of the research problem and how to file so that any document can be retrieved in less than a minute.

Top Ten Genealogical Websites: Sites You Will Use & Rely On

My goal in this presentation is to demonstrate to you the practical value of the best 21st Century genealogy websites. I want to unclutter your family history research online, save you time and focus you on the resources that you will use and value for finding the records on your relatives. These are the top ten – focus your time on these.

Using Excel 2010 for Genealogical Research and Analysis

This class focuses on features of Excel that assist in analyzing your genealogical research data. We will look at techniques for sorting, filtering, conditionally formatting, separating columns, and adding comments. Use of your own laptop is encouraged; access will be given to written instructions.

Using Word 2010 to Write Your Family Story

This class focuses on features of Word that make the creation of your family history quicker & easier. Explore the use of AutoCorrect, AutoText, Footnotes, Indexing and Customizing your Toolbar. Use of your own laptop is encouraged; access will be given to written instructions.

World War I & II Research