Eight Genealogy Programs Planned Oct. 16
In celebration of October as Family History Month, the Fayette Heritage Museum and Archives in La Grange will again join the Genealogy Network of Texas (GNT) for a series of eight streamed genealogy programs on Friday, Oct. 16 from 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. The GNT is a state-wide initiative to connect libraries and provide educational and research opportunities and is spearheaded by the Genealogy Center of the Waco-McLennan County Library.
This is the tenth year for the Fayette Heritage Museum and Archives to participate in this event with free programming that includes something for everyone. You may attend one or all the sessions. Beginners are welcome and local genealogists will be on hand to answer questions. Handouts, coffee and snacks will be provided.
• Building Your Digital Family History Archive with EvaAnne Johnson, Genealogy and Local History Librarian at Wilmette Public Library, kicks off the event from 9-9:50 a.m. While we are researching our family tree, we often collect a lot of digital files - from downloaded records and emailed documents to scanned photographs and mobile screenshots. What should we do with all these digital files, and how can we keep them organized? This presentation will cover the basics of digital preservation and outline practical steps for creating a well-structured Digital Family History Archive to safeguard your genealogy work.
• Researching Your Scottish Ancestors with Erika A. Ward, PGCERT (Genealogical, Palaeographic & Heraldic Studies), from 10-10:50 a.m. Learn the basics of the legal system. Do you have ancestors who emigrated from Scotland? Are you unsure of which records exist, how to use them, or where to find them? This class explores the rich landscape of Scottish historical sources- including census, church, civil, and immigration/ emigration records- to help you uncover the stories hidden in your Scottish heritage.
• Cluster Research, or Discovering You’re Related to the Whole Block with Jessica M. Trotter, Genealogy Presenter and Researcher, from 11-11:50 a.m. This session includes tips, tricks, and examples of how researching the neighborhood and other associates of your ancestors can further your own research.
• Unlocking Your Roots: Starting Your Genealogy Journey with Barbara Coakley, Genealogy Researcher, Speaker, Author, from 12:502:10 p.m. Learn how to start your genealogy journey or update your skills using a repeatable research process. Begin with what you already know, frame your research question, explore essential records, and organize your discoveries..
• Beyond the Family Tree: An Introduction to Oral History for Genealogy with Adrienne Cain Darough, MLS, CA Assistant Director and Clinical Associate Professor, Institute for Oral History, from 2:253:15 pm. Genealogy often begins with documents, but it becomes powerful through storytelling. This presentation explores the fundamentals of oral history and how intentional interviewing can uncover context, culture, and connections that traditional records may miss. Learn how to plan, conduct, and preserve meaningful family interviews.
• Texas & Southern Genealogy Resources at the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History with Margaret Schlankey, Assistant Director for Public Services, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, UT, from 3:30-4:20 p.m. The Briscoe Center has a vast collection of resources helpful to genealogists with roots in Texas and the American South. This presentation will go over what’s available and how to access them.
• Researching Your Revolutionary War Soldier: A Case Study with Craig R. Scott, CG, FUGA, President and CEO of Heritage Books, Inc., from 4:35-5:25 p.m. A Revolutionary War ancestor can be a goldmine of information if you know where to look. This lecture aims to examine types of service, compiled military service records, pension applications, settled accounts, and where other documents can be found using a step-by-step methodology in a case study.
• Gen Z + Genealogy: Getting the Younger Generation Interested in Genealogy Research with Carl Smith, MLIS, Manager of the Family History Research Center at the Clayton Library Campus, from 5:40-6:30 p.m. Do you have a passion for family history but are worried about who carries the genealogical torch after you? Join in for a special presentation on Gen Z + Genealogy where we’ll discuss tips and tricks on how to foster understanding, communication, and participation with the younger generations, and ideas to better market genealogy to different age groups in ways that can increase interest in the topic all around.
You must reserve a seat for the event, which will take place in the Museum and Archives above the Fayette Public Library, 855 S. Jefferson Street in La Grange. Please contact Rox Ann Johnson and Wyatt Walker at archives@cityoflg.com or call (979) 968-3765 and press 2 when prompted.