Genealogy Workshop Coming Up on Oct. 18
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. 18, from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The GNT is a statewide initiative to connect libraries and provide educational and research opportunities and is spearheaded by the Genealogy Center of the Waco-McLennan County Library.
This free programming includes something for everyone. You may attend one or all of the sessions. Beginners are welcome and local genealogists will be on hand to answer questions. Handouts, coffee and snacks will be provided.
• U.S. Naturalization: The Records, The Laws and the Impact with Irene B. Walters, Librarian Houston Public Library’s Family History Research Center, kicks off the event at 9 – 9:50 am. Discover the history of naturalization laws and requirements in the United States and how this affected your ancestors and their naturalizations. Learn how to utilize naturalization records for genealogical research.
• Genealogy Resources at the Texas General Land Office Kevin Klaus, Texas General Land Office Research Room Team Leader and Information Specialist, from 10 – 10:50 am. The Texas General Land Office contains a wealth of genealogical resources for anyone researching ancestors that received an original Texas land grant. The collection includes more than 35.5 million documents and over 45,000 maps and sketches, dating back to 1561. Explore the Spanish collection, and grants given under the Republic of Texas with an emphasis on Bounty and Donation grants, the Court of Claims files, and Confederate Scrip Voucher files. Learn how to search the free online database.
• So You Discovered You Have a Colonial Ancestor. Now What? Craig R. Scott, MA, CG, FUGA, President and CEO of Heritage Books, Inc., from 11-11:50 a.m. Create a research plan for your colonial ancestor using available records in free and subscription databases. Examine existing law in the time-period, the land process and the probate process. Look for muster and payrolls. Learn how to use the state archives to enhance your search.
• Getting Started with Your Genealogy with Laura Douglas, Head of Special Collections, Denton Public Library, from 12:50 – 2:10 pm. Are you curious about your family history, just not sure how to start? It may be easier than you think. In this session we will discuss the basic concepts and processes of genealogical research, the first steps in gathering information, how to locate and evaluate records, and how to find free or low-cost training to grow your genealogical skills.
• Introducing the Retro Tech Lab: Digitally Preserving Family History with Mark Dellenbaugh, MA, MLIS, Genealogy and Local History Librarian at the Arlington Public Library, from 2:25 – 3:15 pm. Learn about APL’s experience of pitching, creating, and operating our new Retro Technology Lab and about personal digital archiving in general. Includes a demonstration of some of the equipment and software used (for converting audio and video tapes, 8mm & Super8 film, photos, negatives, slides, etc. to digital files) interspersed with lessons we’ve learned so far. The presentation concludes with stories of our most memorable patron encounters & heartwarming moments of family memories preserved.
• I’ve Found My Irish Immigrant Ancestor. Now What? with Claire Bradley, MA, Director of Irish Studies of the International Institute of Genealogical Studies, from 3:30 – 4:20 pm. Lucky enough to have identified a place of origin for the Irish ancestor? Depending on when the person emigrated, there are several ways to approach your next research avenue. Learn how to begin finding resources available online. We will discuss offline resources in Ireland, what research can be arranged remotely and what must be done in person. Explore planning a research trip to Ireland and how to use DNA test results to enhance your work.
• Writing Your Family
Story: Learning to Assess and Compile Your Research with Emily Coffman Richardson, Genealogist with Kin-Searchers, Director-at-Large, TxSGS, from 4:35 – 5:25 pm. Writing our story and that of our ancestors is truly a key result of a genealogist in the 21st century. The stories need to be written with either our voice or our hands. As genealogists we must get out of the habit of “hunters n’ gatherers” and learn to assess and then compile to write the stories that we are finding.
• Proven Methods for Breaking Down Genealogical Brick Walls with Leslie Tomlinson, MFA, CG, from 5:40 – 6:30 pm. Identifying the town name of an immigrant ancestor is key to discovering Czech roots. Many United States records can reveal an immigrant’s place of origin. This class highlights United States record types key to Czech research. Learn about FamilySearch resources such as Czechia Guided Research which can help locate the correct Czech Archive once a town name is known.
This is the eighth year the Fayette Heritage Museum and Archives has participated in this event, which will take place in the meeting room of the Fayette Public Library at 855 S. Jefferson St. in La Grange. To reserve a spot, contact Rox Ann Johnson at 979-968-3765 or archives@cityoflg.com.