About MeMy interest in family history began over 30 years ago when my Aunt gave me an envelope of family papers. Through the years I have traveled throughout the U.S. and Europe visiting my ancestors' homelands and doing research. I taught Continuing Education classes in Genealogy for Collin College from 2008 - 2022 and have done presentations for genealogical societies in the U.S. and the U.K. I am an alumnus of ProGen, IGHR, GRIP, SLIG, GenFed, and TIGR.
I am President of Genealogy Friends of Plano (TX) Libraries, and volunteer for the Texas State Genealogical State Society and the Dallas Genealogical Society. I belong to national, state, and local societies across the U.S. |
Presentations
I would love to have the opportunity to speak to your group. Presentations can be customized to fit your audiences' time frame and experience level. Contact me to discuss your group's needs. Here is a list of presentations available:
Methodology
Avoiding Bias: Consider All The Possibilities - New! - Our goal in family history research is to prove an identity, relationship, or life event by thorough research in sources. Bias can keep us from finding the evidence we need, misunderstanding research results, and reaching incorrect conclusions. We’ll discuss different behaviors that can introduce bias into our research process and how to avoid them.
Search vs. Research – Updated! - Searching is just one step in the research process. A case study based on a family story from Chicago in the 1920s demonstrates the research process from beginning to end - how to develop a research goal, plan the research, document results, and preserve your findings.
Research the Location First - Before researching your ancestors you need to understand the location and time period. Learn about sources for information about records, historical events, and more to create a location guide.
Branching Out: Research The Whole Family – Records exist for siblings, cousins, and in-laws that can help fill in gaps in records for direct line ancestors. Using case studies we'll explore expanding research to other family members to answer research questions.
Organizing Genealogy Stuff – Organization is more than a filing system. Learn about organizing your workspace, using a consistent research process, and filing systems for paper and digital research results to be a more effective researcher.
Go West, Leaving Kansas to Homestead in California – A homestead case study is used to demonstrate how events and circumstances impact the lives of a couple. Information from homestead records, military records, maps, newspapers, and deeds tell the story of life on the homestead.
Records
Getting Around The Fire at the Military Records Center: WW I - Corporal John L. Coakley -New! - It is possible to reconstruct service for a WWI soldier whose file was destroyed in the fire at the Military Records Center.
After They Are Gone: What Probate Records Tell Us - New! - Court records created by the death of an ancestor relate to decisions made regarding the distribution of the estate to the heirs, creditors, and dependents.
Census Records: Have You Really Looked At Them? - New! - Census records can provide clues to our ancestors' lives. In addition to family groups, marital status, ages, and birthplaces they contain information about economic standing, military service, occupation, literacy, education, and disabilities. Reading and analyzing the information is the key.
Digging Up Deeds – U.S. Land records are some of the earliest and most complete records available. They contain clues to relationships, economic standing, migration, and much more. Learn about transactions between individuals using case studies to demonstrate how to find and understand different types of deeds.
Extra, Extra, Read All About Your Ancestors – Newspapers are so much more than just obituaries and marriage notices, they can provide details about the lives of your ancestors that can't be found anywhere else. Learn about what newspapers have to offer and where to find them.
No Death Certificate: No Problem – Death certificates or registers aren't always available. Learn about other records that can provide details about our ancestors’ passing.
Technology
Using Microsoft OneNote for Genealogy Research Planning and Results – Microsoft OneNote is an electronic notebook. Learn how to replace the three-ring binders on the shelf with an electronic notebook. Research plans, research results, and reference materials are stored digitally and are searchable.
Methodology
Avoiding Bias: Consider All The Possibilities - New! - Our goal in family history research is to prove an identity, relationship, or life event by thorough research in sources. Bias can keep us from finding the evidence we need, misunderstanding research results, and reaching incorrect conclusions. We’ll discuss different behaviors that can introduce bias into our research process and how to avoid them.
Search vs. Research – Updated! - Searching is just one step in the research process. A case study based on a family story from Chicago in the 1920s demonstrates the research process from beginning to end - how to develop a research goal, plan the research, document results, and preserve your findings.
Research the Location First - Before researching your ancestors you need to understand the location and time period. Learn about sources for information about records, historical events, and more to create a location guide.
Branching Out: Research The Whole Family – Records exist for siblings, cousins, and in-laws that can help fill in gaps in records for direct line ancestors. Using case studies we'll explore expanding research to other family members to answer research questions.
Organizing Genealogy Stuff – Organization is more than a filing system. Learn about organizing your workspace, using a consistent research process, and filing systems for paper and digital research results to be a more effective researcher.
Go West, Leaving Kansas to Homestead in California – A homestead case study is used to demonstrate how events and circumstances impact the lives of a couple. Information from homestead records, military records, maps, newspapers, and deeds tell the story of life on the homestead.
Records
Getting Around The Fire at the Military Records Center: WW I - Corporal John L. Coakley -New! - It is possible to reconstruct service for a WWI soldier whose file was destroyed in the fire at the Military Records Center.
After They Are Gone: What Probate Records Tell Us - New! - Court records created by the death of an ancestor relate to decisions made regarding the distribution of the estate to the heirs, creditors, and dependents.
Census Records: Have You Really Looked At Them? - New! - Census records can provide clues to our ancestors' lives. In addition to family groups, marital status, ages, and birthplaces they contain information about economic standing, military service, occupation, literacy, education, and disabilities. Reading and analyzing the information is the key.
Digging Up Deeds – U.S. Land records are some of the earliest and most complete records available. They contain clues to relationships, economic standing, migration, and much more. Learn about transactions between individuals using case studies to demonstrate how to find and understand different types of deeds.
Extra, Extra, Read All About Your Ancestors – Newspapers are so much more than just obituaries and marriage notices, they can provide details about the lives of your ancestors that can't be found anywhere else. Learn about what newspapers have to offer and where to find them.
No Death Certificate: No Problem – Death certificates or registers aren't always available. Learn about other records that can provide details about our ancestors’ passing.
Technology
Using Microsoft OneNote for Genealogy Research Planning and Results – Microsoft OneNote is an electronic notebook. Learn how to replace the three-ring binders on the shelf with an electronic notebook. Research plans, research results, and reference materials are stored digitally and are searchable.