Family History Conference

9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Opening Session

Keynote Speaker: L. Reynolds Cahoon

"Family History at the Cross Roads: Our Legacy, Our Stewardship"

L. Reynolds "Ren" Cahoon is Director of Advanced Programs, Lockheed Martin. Formerly he held positions at the National Archives of Senior Advisor for Electronic Records and Assistant Archivist of the United States for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer. Mr. Cahoon was also employed by the Family History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as Managing Director and as Director of Projects and Planning.

SESSION 1 10:15 - 11:15 a.m.

Class #1-1. "Creating a Family History Website, Part 1"

Presenter: Julia Coldren-Walker

A look at what is required to create your own website. The first hour is concerned with the very basics of website construction including website host, equipment and software. The second hour looks at how the website is constructed including what should and should not be put on the site. The course is NOT designed to create a specific website but will allow you to decide if creating a website is for you.

Class #1-2. "Progressing to Europe, A German Immigrant Example."

Presenter: Carol Whitton

Finding immigrant ancestors overseas is a step-by-step process. Learn steps in the U.S. to prepare for overseas research. See examples of records for finding an immigrant’s village of origin. Learn the best use of the Family History Library. Sample gazetteers, maps, and parish records.

Class #1-3. "Beginning Research in Ireland"

Presenter: Ann Fisher

Trace your Irish ancestors by learning to use tools such as Griffiths Valuation, Civil Registers of Birth, Marriage, Death, Tithing and other resources, many of which are found in our Family History Center.

Class #1-4. "Genealogy Websites Free at the FHC"

Presenter: Angela McGhie

An introduction to World Vital Records, Footnote, and the Godfrey Memorial Library websites. We look at the databases and types of records they offer for genealogists.

Class #1-5. "The Dead and Dying: Cemetery Research"

Presenter: Rebecca Kofford

A review of funeral traditions and cemetery research ideas, dos and don'ts.

Class #1-6. "Digital Photo Restoration"

Presenter: J. R. Martinez

Restoring old photos is a critical component of genealogy record keeping. Learn how to scan, edit and enhance photographs, slide and negatives.

Class #1-7. "Conducting Oral History Interviews: Creating A Living Memoir"

Presenter: Greg Prince

In our FHC's Oral History Room, you can interview family members and capture their memories on a DVD. In this class you will learn professional interviewing techniques that will prepare you to elicit the most meaningful stories from your interviewee.

Class #1-8. "Genealogy 101: How to Begin" (presented in Spanish)

Presenter: Claudia Mason

Learn the basics of starting the family history research process. This class will be taught in Spanish.

SESSION 2 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Class #2-1. "Creating a Family History Website, Part 2"

Presenter: Julia Coldren-Walker

This is a continuation of session 1.

Class #2-2. "Ellis Island & Castle Garden Research"

Presenter: Maxine A'Hearn

Using ship manifests from Castle Garden and Ellis Island to trace ancestors who immigrated through New York City.

Class #2-3. "Beginning Genealogy on a Mac"

Presenter: Derek Hansen

A discussion of different technologies and tips for doing genealogy work on a mac. The class will be highly interactive, so bring your ideas and best practices to share with others.

Class #2-4: "Overview of the New FamilySearch"

Presenter: Angela McGhie

A sneak peak at the new online family history program from the LDS church.

Class #2-5. "Organizing Your Files: From Paper to Plastic"

Presenter: Rebecca Kofford

This is for the beginning or advanced researcher who is drowning in piles of paper sources. Discussion of computer programs, source citation, and effective organizational habits for genealogists.

Class #2-6. "Heritage Quest Online"

Presenter: Pamela Loos-Noji

Learn about the six important databases accessed through Heritage Quest, among them the US Census and Revolutionary War Bounty & Land Warrant Applications. HQ can be accessed free at our FHC or at home using your library card.

Class #2-7. "Eyewitness: Virginia WPA Slave Narratives - Using Their Oral Histories to Uncover Their Family Ties"

Presenter: Char Bah

An oral history slave narrative will be used from the Virginia WPA records to show how this oral history can be researched from the 20th century to the mid-19th century. This method can be applied to anyone who has received oral history from their family.

Class #2-8. "Finding Hispanics in the Online Census" (presented in Spanish)

Presenter: Rebekah Fairbanks

For Hispanic researchers still trying to make the connection from the United States to their country of origin or tracing heritage in Puerto Rico, the online census can be a valuable tool. This class will cover techniques for finding and interpreting information on Hispanics using the online federal census indexes at Ancestry, Heritage Quest and FamilySearch.

LUNCH BREAK:

There will be a 30-minute lunch break in the Cultural Hall from 12:30-1:00. Please bring a brown bag lunch that does not require refrigeration.

SESSION 3 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Class #3-1. "Research at the DAR Library"

Presenter: Julia Coldren-Walker

The organization of the DAR Library, including information on the Seimes microfilm center, physical layout and classification system, on-line catalog and other finding aids, and general categories of book and microfilm holdings.

Class #3-2. "Researching United Kingdom Records"

Presenter: Maxine A'Hearn

Using census and free BMD (birth, marriage, death) records to trace ancestors in born, married or died in the U.K.

Class #3-3. "Researching National Archives Electronic Records Using the AAD"

Presenter: Lynn Goodsell

This class will offer an introduction to electronic ("digitally born") records at the National Archives of interest to genealogists, how to access the records online via the Access to Archival Databases (AAD) resource, and how these records can lead to other sources of genealogical information.

Class #3-4. "Immigration and Emigration Using U.S. Records"

Presenter: Detra Bennett

Your ancestors' immigration and emigration records can be a treasure trove of genealogical information, leading back to countries of origin. Learn where these records are, what they contain and how to use them in tracing and documenting your family history.

Class #3-5. "Using Wills to Help Solve the Puzzle"

Presenter: Sue Mortensen

Class members will learn how to use wills to extend their family lines. Wills can be used to identify family members including spouse(s), children, parents, siblings and in-laws, and are especially important resources in the pre-vital record era.

Class #3-6. "Beginning Eastern European Research, Part 1"

Presenters: Mary Ann Evan and Larry Krupniak

Receive practical help in finding a key piece of information, the birthplaces of ancestors. Techniques and resources for research in the United States will be presented, as well as tips for research in eastern European countries including Poland, Lithuania, Belaruse, Ukraine, Slovakia, Czech Republic.

Class #3-7. "The Ins and Outs of Using FamilySearch"

Presenter: Lorraine Minor

Learn how to get the most out of the IGI, Ancestry File, Pedigree Resource File, the Family History Library Catalog, and other resources on the FamilySearch website.

Class #3-8. "Preserving Latin American Heritage" (presented in Spanish)

Presenter: Gloria Larravide

Delve into generations past in a journey that will enlighten you and those who read your story. Your family and those in the generations to come will treasure your work and the knowledge they gain from your insights. Learn to write a family history. Start a journey into the past.

SESSION 4 2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Class #4-1. "Where the (Web)Sites Are, Part 1"

Presenter: Julia Coldren-Walker

A look at the websites containing genealogical information including genealogical, historical and lineage societies' sites, government sites (federal, state, and local), libraries and archives sites, and commercial sites. This is a two-hour class.

Class #4-2. "Introduction to Research at the National Archives"

Presenter: Carolyn Miller

This class will provide an overview of the National Archives system. Topics to be covered include: What documents are available at the Archives and how they are organized; getting a research card; using the Archives' electronic database; research room do's and don'ts; gaining access to documents; citing and crediting Archives' sources. Much of the discussion will focus on the National Archives, College Park, but the information will also be applicable to the Archives in Washington, D.C.

Class #4-3. "Reunion Software on a Mac"

Presenter: Scott Shaffer

Indepth presentation and discussion of this popular genealogy program for mac computers.

Class #4-4. "Sharing and Preserving Your Family History"

Presenter: Angela McGhie

Creative ideas for sharing your family history and preserving it future generations. Covers digitation, offsite storage, writing your family stories, and creating heritage books and CDs.

Class #4-5. "Military Record Research"

Presenter: Rebecca Kofford

For the intermediate researcher. A fast-paced review of the major conflicts of the US military and the documents they produced.

Class #4-6. "Beginning Eastern European Research, Part 2"

Presenters: Mary Ann Evan and Larry Krupniak

Hands-on workshop to get started with participants' own research. Limited to those who attended Part 1. Participants are encouraged to bring any genealogical information.

Class #4-7. "Research in the Carribean Islands"

Presenter: Kenisha Laver

Finding and using vital records for research in Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Barbados, Trinidad, Tobago.

Class #4-8. "Latin American Resources in the Family History Library" (presented in Spanish)

Presenter: Rebekah Fairbanks

Knowing the ins and outs of a catalog can help when you are far away from the library. This class will cover searching techniques for finding information about Latin American people and places in the FHLC. We will talk about how to find the right films when ordering films through a family history center.

SESSION 5 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Class #5-1. "Where the (Web)Sites Are, Part 2"

Presenter: Julia Coldren-Walker

Continuation of Part 1.

Class #5-2. "Unusual Primary Sources for Genealogical Information"

Presenter: Carolyn Miller

This class will expose students to some of the more interesting and obscure sources of family history information at the National Archives, College Park. Discussion of 20th Century military and diplomatic documents, photographs and films. "Introduction to Research at the National Archives" or previous experience conducting research at the Archives a prerequisite.

Class #5-3. "Research in Southern Europe: Spain, Portugal, Italy, France"

Presenter: Rebekah Fairbanks

In addition to sharing linguistic roots, these countries also share common records sources. This class will review some of the important sources for research and highlight some of the common problems researchers face while searching for ancestors in these areas.

Class #5-4. "Becoming a Census Detective: A Case Study"

Presenter: Angela McGhie

This step by step "case" study will "investigate" one family and show how to evaluate census records for "clues" to other records and several generations of ancestors.

Class #5-5. "Using Vital Records in Genealogy Research"

Presenter: Rebecca Kofford

Covers birth, marriage, and death records along with the pros and cons of each. Reviews replacement records for when you can't obtain a vital record. Great for beginners or anyone who wants to get back to the basics.

Class #5-6. "Breaking Through Brick Walls and Other Dead Ends"

Presenters: Cheryl Singhal and Vern Skinner

A discussion of strategies for thinking your way around, over, under, or through Brick Walls, Burned Counties, Evil Wars, and other dead-ends. (Registrants may submit their problems in advance in the "Comments or Questions" section of the registration form)

To register, click here:

Family History Conference Registration Form

For questions or further information,

email: fhconference@gmail.com

or call

Washington DC FHC: 301-587-0042