Current Presentations
I would love to have the opportunity to speak to your group. Presentations can be customized to fit your audience's time frame and experience level. Contact me to discuss your group's needs. Here is a list of presentations available:
Methodology
Turning Records Into Stories - New! - The last step in the research process is writing to preserve the stories of our ancestors and honor them. Learn how to extract information from the records and write the stories.
Avoiding Bias: Consider All The Possibilities - New! - Unrecognized bias can lead genealogists astray—resulting in inaccurate conclusions and incomplete family stories. We’ll explore how cognitive bias creeps into genealogical research and the behaviors that can skew results. You’ll learn how to combat bias using proven tools such as the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS), a consistent research process, and comprehensive source checklists. Real-world case studies will illustrate how to spot and correct bias and ensure that conclusions are grounded in sound evidence. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned researcher, this session will equip you with practical methods to improve the accuracy and credibility of your genealogical work.
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 – In genealogical research, focusing solely on your direct ancestors can limit your results. We'll explore the powerful benefits of researching the entire family—siblings, cousins, in-laws, and extended relatives. By broadening your scope, you'll uncover additional records, resolve identity confusion in similarly named individuals, and build a richer, more accurate family story. Whole-family research supports the Genealogical Proof Standard, enhances search strategies, improves DNA match identification, and increases your chances of connecting with other researchers. Case studies demonstrate real-world successes.
Systematic Strategies for Organizing Your Genealogy – Does your genealogy research feel like a mountain of unorganized "stuff"? In this session, you'll learn about a proven framework for transforming chaos into a streamlined research system. Moving beyond filing, we will explore how to integrate organization into every step of the research process, from research to digital file naming to the preservation of heirlooms.
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
Beyond the Census: Uncovering the Story of Your Ancestor's Business -New! - Your ancestor's business wasn't just how they made a living, it was part of their identity, their community, and their story. In this session, learn now to dig beyond census records to uncover the details of your ancestor's occupation or business.
Rising From the Ashes: Rebuilding Military Service of WW I - Corporal John L. Coakley -New! - In 1973, a fire at the National Personnel Records Center destroyed millions of military files, but all is not lost for genealogists. This session highlights what records survived, how to request them, and where to find alternative sources to reconstruct your ancestor’s military service story.
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? - 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
From Binders to Bytes: Organizing Genealogy with OneNote – Tired of drowning in binders and scattered notes? Discover how Microsoft OneNote can transform your genealogy research into a well-organized, searchable, and accessible digital notebook. Learn to capture records, create research plans, and keep everything at your fingertips—anytime, anywhere.
Methodology
Turning Records Into Stories - New! - The last step in the research process is writing to preserve the stories of our ancestors and honor them. Learn how to extract information from the records and write the stories.
Avoiding Bias: Consider All The Possibilities - New! - Unrecognized bias can lead genealogists astray—resulting in inaccurate conclusions and incomplete family stories. We’ll explore how cognitive bias creeps into genealogical research and the behaviors that can skew results. You’ll learn how to combat bias using proven tools such as the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS), a consistent research process, and comprehensive source checklists. Real-world case studies will illustrate how to spot and correct bias and ensure that conclusions are grounded in sound evidence. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned researcher, this session will equip you with practical methods to improve the accuracy and credibility of your genealogical work.
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 – In genealogical research, focusing solely on your direct ancestors can limit your results. We'll explore the powerful benefits of researching the entire family—siblings, cousins, in-laws, and extended relatives. By broadening your scope, you'll uncover additional records, resolve identity confusion in similarly named individuals, and build a richer, more accurate family story. Whole-family research supports the Genealogical Proof Standard, enhances search strategies, improves DNA match identification, and increases your chances of connecting with other researchers. Case studies demonstrate real-world successes.
Systematic Strategies for Organizing Your Genealogy – Does your genealogy research feel like a mountain of unorganized "stuff"? In this session, you'll learn about a proven framework for transforming chaos into a streamlined research system. Moving beyond filing, we will explore how to integrate organization into every step of the research process, from research to digital file naming to the preservation of heirlooms.
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
Beyond the Census: Uncovering the Story of Your Ancestor's Business -New! - Your ancestor's business wasn't just how they made a living, it was part of their identity, their community, and their story. In this session, learn now to dig beyond census records to uncover the details of your ancestor's occupation or business.
Rising From the Ashes: Rebuilding Military Service of WW I - Corporal John L. Coakley -New! - In 1973, a fire at the National Personnel Records Center destroyed millions of military files, but all is not lost for genealogists. This session highlights what records survived, how to request them, and where to find alternative sources to reconstruct your ancestor’s military service story.
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? - 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
From Binders to Bytes: Organizing Genealogy with OneNote – Tired of drowning in binders and scattered notes? Discover how Microsoft OneNote can transform your genealogy research into a well-organized, searchable, and accessible digital notebook. Learn to capture records, create research plans, and keep everything at your fingertips—anytime, anywhere.
