Dave Obee's Family History Page

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Seminar topics and links

Two dozen choices in three categories:

General Canada Europe

Some of them work well together, and others don't. Check with Dave before making your final choices.

General

The Hunt for Frank Liddell -- Frank Liddell was born in Coleraine, County Derry, Ireland in the 1880s, and came to Canada in 1910. Or was he? Why doesn't he appear in any of the records? Why is there no trace of the first 25 years of his life? Checking all available source documents reveals the answers -- and raises many, many more questions. This is a great detective case. Includes web links.

Introduction to Family History Research -- Why do we do what we do? What are the basic sources to use? Hint: Start close to home. Includes web links.

More Than Just Dates and Names -- When you're compiling information on your ancestors, it's important to be aware of the big picture -- the historical events, local or national, that affected their lives. But it's just as important to collect as many details as possible: If they had a farm, what were their crops? How did they spend their free time? This session is designed to help you look above and below the obvious when doing research. Includes a list of sample Web sites.

The Geography of Genealogy -- It is impossible to do comprehensive genealogical research without an understanding of where your ancestors lived. Without knowing geography, you will have difficulty finding records dealing with your family. Maps and atlases help genealogists sort out where their ancestors lived, in relation to regional and national boundaries, churches, rail lines, and other factors that help determine which records hold most hope. There are three basic ways to use maps in your research. This talk provides a basic overview of what to look for, and how to use the information that you find. Includes web links.

Using Technology in Your Research -- Many technology toys can make your life much easier. They include PDAs, GPS receivers, Wi-Fi and more. This offers a quick summary of tools that may not seem to have obvious genealogical connections. Includes a list of Web sites to use.

Research on the Road -- One of the greatest thrills we can get from our research comes when we visit ancestral communities. There is much we can learn, both in archives and in simply walking the streets. It helps to know how to prepare and what to take. This session will help you get ready -- and help you get the most out of your travels. Includes web links.

Newspapers In Family History Research -- Newspapers are a wonderful source for people looking to find out about the lives led by their ancestors. Here’s how to go beyond the basics of obituaries and birth announcements, with insight from someone who has been a journalist for three decades. See this Web page for more information and some links.

Tracing Forward to Find Distant Cousins -- Stymied in your search for distant cousins, descendants, living relatives? Tracing subsequent generations can be difficult, because people leave clues regarding where they are from, but not necessarily where they are going to. That doesn't mean it's impossible, because there are plenty of sources that will help you. Includes a list of Web sites to use.

The Errors of Our Ways -- Many times, well-meaning family history researchers find themselves at a dead-end because they took a wrong turn without realizing it. This session includes a dozen examples of errors that have been made -- including several from the television series Ancestors in the Attic -- and how those errors could have been avoided. It may inspire you to take a second look at some of your research practices. This session is perfect for starting a conference. More thoughts are on the Errors of our ways Web page.

Writing Your Family History -- One of the best ways to create a lasting memory of an ancestor is to tell the story of their life. While a genealogical chart can seem daunting (or even worse, boring) to a non-genealogist, a narrative is accessible. A well-written story will make other family members much more aware about the research that you are doing. This talk -- by a genealogist who has been a journalist for 30 years -- includes some ideas that will help you get over your writer's block. With luck, it can inspire people to start writing more stories for the society's journal. Includes a list of Web sites to use.

Now What? -- You've attended a great conference or seminar, and your genealogical batteries have been recharged. What should you do now? You need to set priorities, and build on the contacts you've made and techniques and sources you have learned. Above all, you should take away a fresh new attitude about genealogical research. This short session is perfect as the final session at a conference. More thoughts are on the Now what? Web page.

Researching Female Ancestors -- Odds are, about half of your ancestors are female - and it makes more sense to research the females than the males. It's tougher, however, because the records aren't as complete. That doesn't mean it can't be done. See this Web page for more information and some links.

Get Them Talking -- Interviewing relatives and strangers for genealogical information can be rewarding, or frustrating. Here are many tips and strategies, culled from three decades as a journalist. With many examples, including some questions you should never use. See this Web page for more information and some links.

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Canada

Canadian Genealogy on the Internet -- A review of the most important web sites for genealogical research, along with some pointers to other resources. This session includes a national review as well as a province-by-province look at what is available. Links are all on our CanGenealogy web site.

Working Without a Net -- OK, so you've been using the Internet for everything so far. News flash: You can't do it all on the Web. This talk includes information on a variety of sources that are not online. You will come to appreciate the value in going beyond the Net.

Canadians in the First World War -- It's usually quite easy to find basic information about Canadians who served overseas between 1914 and 1918, but it's best to dig a bit deeper than that. Using a variety of sources, it's possible to put together much more comprehensive stories of those brave people who served their country. Includes a list of Web sites to use.

Mining the Canadian Census -- A review of the census records available to researchers, including a history of the Canadian census, a summary of some of the major indexes available, limitations, and substitutes. Includes a summary of the finding aids and indexes for the 1906 and 1911 censuses, as well as a list of Web sites to use.

Destination: Canada -- This lecture includes information on ship passenger lists, border crossing records, and naturalization and citizenship documents. It is an overview of what's available and how to use the information effectively. Special attention is paid to post-1935 records. Many people heading to the United States from Europe went through Canada. Includes a list of Web sites to use. Dave is the author of the finding aid Destination Canada.

Family History on the Canadian Prairies -- You don't necessarily have to go there to trace your ancestors in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba - a lot of information is available on the Web, through the mail, and at your local library. The session offers insight into some of the lesser-known sources of information. Includes a list of Web sites to use.

Family History in Western Canada -- As above, but including British Columbia as well. Includes a list of Web sites to use.

Genealogy Resources in Victoria -- A summary of the resources available to genealogists in Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. It's one of the best cities in Canada for researchers, because there is a lot of material, it's easy to get at, and parking is cheap. This talk includes a brief primer on genealogical research. Includes a list of Web sites to use.

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Europe

Finding Places in Germany and Eastern Europe -- It takes a few special tricks to find places in Germany and points east. The researcher can save time by consulting the best sources. This lecture includes several samples from the problems Dave has been asked to solve over the years. Includes a list of Web sites to use.

Two Dozen (or more) Ways to Research Germans from Russia -- For many years, researchers had great difficulty researching these roots. Today, a huge amount of material is available, if you know where to look. Includes a list of Web sites to use.

The 1930s: Stalin's Arrest Files -- Records held by the KGB in the former Soviet Union can provide a wealth of information on families of people who were arrested. The prisoners often gave information about neighbours as well. This session includes many examples taken from KGB files, as well as tips on how to gain access to the material. Includes a Web page with more information.

The 1940s: Forced from Their Homes -- The Einwandererzentralstelle series of films, from the Captured German Documents collection at the U.S. national archives, has been a tremendous source for Germans from Russia. Dave has purchased 70 of the films, covering every family in his mother's ancestral village in Volhynia. These films reveal rich detail about life in the German colonies. Includes a Web page with more information.

Volhynia? Where the Heck is Volhynia? -- You won't find it on any modern maps, or on many old ones, for that matter. But Volhynia is home to more than a million people, and was a prime destination from Germans in the middle of the 19th century. This session explores the history and geography of the region in the northwest corner of modern-day Ukraine. (And don't forget to look at Volhynia.com as well.

On the Road in Eastern Europe -- A light-hearted look at travelling to do research in Eastern Europe. It's worth it, just to trudge down the dusty streets where your ancestors trudged. Also, to fight with the local police, to fall on your face in a forest, to argue with the archivists, and more. Includes a Web page with more information.

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