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Seminar topics and links Three dozen choices in six categories: General, Technology, Canada, Europe, England and Libraries. Some of them work well together, and others don't. Check with Dave before making your final choices. Check Dave's schedule to see where he is speaking. General Seven Habits of Highly Successful Genealogists -- It doesn't matter where you are researching, certain practices will help increase your chances of success -- and the quality of the information that you collect. Keep these seven points in mind as you work, and you will be less likely to be led astray. Trinkets and Treasures: Things Your Ancestors Left Behind -- Family history research should involve more than websites, papers and microfilm. There are tangible pieces as well. These might include items your ancestors used or created, and they will help you to gain a better understanding of the lives they lived. They also serve as a reminder of times long past. Categories and Timelines: Simple Ways to Stay Organized -- While the fun is in finding new information, the way you assemble your information will be key to your overall success. Organizing, sorting, and categorizing what you discover will allow you to notice overlooked details and further your research. One of the key tricks is to use a timeline, or a chronology. Stories from Beyond The Grave -- Obituaries from different eras provided different kinds of information. They have been a basic building block for genealogists for decades, but are rarely being used to their full potential. Learn to read between the lines to gain a better persepective on your family. Also, turn to the local cemetery, which might offer more information than is found on the tombstone. Learn how to record the information you find. The Search for Frank Liddell: A Case Study -- 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. 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. Knowing about geography will help you to find 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. (Please note that there are versions of this talk tailored for Canadian research, for English research, and for European research.) 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. Research in Your Local Library -- Even though we live in the Internet age, we can't do it all online. Our local public libraries still have much to offer -- from books about genealogy, to local histories, to comprehensive atlases and much more. And don't forget inter-library loans! This talk will help you get the most out of your public library. Civil Registration and Public Records -- Civil registration documents -- sometimes known as vital statistics -- provide basic building blocks for many genealogical projects. This is a summary of some of the records available, and how to put them to the best use. There are indexes online, and sometimes even digitized copies of records. Includes a list of Web sites to use. 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 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. Write 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 37 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. 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. 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. Tell Your Own Story -- We spend hours searching for minute details about our ancestors -- but do we bother to record our own lives? If not, why not? Your generation is important, too, and the history of your own life should be considered a vital part of the family record. Identify the key events in your life, fill in the blanks, and write it all down. Be careful, though -- there might be pitfalls to avoid. Christmas: A Special Time for Genealogists -- Some classic Christmas works were based on family history. Besides, it is a good time to connect with relatives, isn't it? (This talk is only suitable in November or December!) Back to Top Technology Genealogy by Google -- Google is an invaluable tool for genealogists. It pays to know some tricks, including effective filtering and search strategies. Don't forget Google Books, Google Maps, Google Images and the historic newspaper collection. You will quickly discover that a simple search simply scratches the surface of what is available to genealogists. Blogs, Posts, Tweets and Apps -- The Internet provides several tools that seem perfect for genealogical researchers. Consider using blogs -- online research logs that you can access anywhere and that can be shared with family and other researchers. Or try Facebook, the social networking tool that makes it easy to share information with family members across generations, distances and family lines. Learn to use social networks to share research, stories and workloads in gathering and perpetuating your family's history. Or you can try Twitter, which is perfect for short bursts of information that might trigger responses from your contacts. Try Youtube if you have videos to share. And do not forget the iPhone and the iPod Touch, which have genealogy applications -- apps, they are called -- that might make your research easier. There is also Skype, among other voice over Internet services. 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. Travel Smart With Technology -- 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. Back to Top Canada Destination Canada -- More than seven million people arrived in Canada from Europe, the United States and Asia between 1815 and 1930. This session deals with the wide variety of sources that deal with immigration to Canada, including ship passenger lists (available from 1865 through 1935), border crossing records, and naturalization and citizenship documents. Many of these sources have been indexed and placed online, making it possible to access them quickly and easily. It pays to know, however, the scope and limitations of those Internet resources, and how to obtain information from other sources. Includes a list of web sites to use. Dave is the author of the book Destination Canada. Canadian Migration Patterns -- People have been coming to this country for centuries. Understanding the flow of people will help you understand how your family fits in the history of the country. Look for specific sources and their locations, exact routes, places of origin for group migrations, and the influx directly from the United States, Europe and Asia. Canadian Genealogy on the Internet -- Canada has hundreds of websites of prime value to genealogists, but it is important to know which ones will give the most value for the time you will invest. Which sites to use? That will depend on which of the 13 provinces and territories your family called home. There are several sources that should be checked by everyone, but some of the best finds will be in the regional or local Internet ones. This session will quickly guide you to the top sites, where it will be possible for you to make good progress on your Canadian lines. Links are on the CanGenealogy web site. Canadians in the First World War -- The First World War touched virtually every Canadian. Between 1914 and 1918, 240,000 men were killed or wounded - from a country with a population of just eight million. Today, researchers can learn about Canada's soldiers, including facts about their family and where they served. It makes sense to also look for context - what happened to those who survived the war, and to the family members who waited at home for news. Much of the information is available on the Internet (assuming you know where to look). Includes a list of web sites to use. Mining the Canadian Census -- Canadian census records are a tremendous source of genealogical information. Although the first nominal enumerations were done in the French colonies in 1666 and 1667, the most useful census returns date from 1851 through 1916. They provide snapshots of the population every five or ten years, and make it easier to sort out family units and relationships. To be most effective, a genealogist will need to understand the scope and limitations of the census, and to know which supporting documents will enhance the information found in the returns. This session includes a summary of finding aids and indexes. Includes a list of web sites to use. The Geography of Genealogy in Canada -- What is the difference between a province and a territory? What is a concession road? Where are the counties? Knowing about geography will help you to find records dealing with your family. This is especially true in Canada, which is the second-largest country in the world. It's possible to find the location of virtually every community in Canada, and then determine what life was like for the people who lived there. Maps and atlases help genealogists sort out where their ancestors lived in relation to regional and national boundaries, churches, rail lines, and other geographic factors. Includes web links. Land records in Western Canada -- A guide to some of the sources of information on farms, as well as an indication of where the information might lead you. Includes a list of web sites to use. Family History in Western Canada -- Western Canada is the youngest part of the country; serious settlement did not begin until thousands of people arrived from San Francisco for a gold rush in 1858. They were followed by millions of people from just about everywhere. Today, it is possible to find plenty of information about the people of Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Some national and regional sources will help, but it pays to know the differences among the four provinces. The first thing to do is to sort out the geography, because two of the provinces are barely a century old. Includes a list of web sites to use. 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. This session offers insight into some of the lesser-known sources of information. Includes a list of web sites to use. Genealogical Resources In British Columbia -- A review of the most important sources, with an emphasis on the Internet The Roots of British Columbia -- It is impossible to do proper genealogical research without taking history into consideration. This session describes the settlement patterns, including variations by region. Research 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. Back to Top Europe Introduction to Eastern European Family History -- Tracing your roots in the countries in the eastern part of Europe can be a challenge. You won't be able to use some of the things we take for granted with research in North America or the British Isles. You might be dealing with strange languages -- or even strange alphabets. National boundaries have changed over and over. And to top it off, many countries are rebuilding after decades of Communism, so things are in a state of flux. Still, we can learn more about our families. Includes a list of Web sites to use. The Geography of Genealogy in 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 have 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 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 for 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.) If It's Tuesday This Must Be Lidzbark-Warminski: 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. Back to Top England The Geography of Genealogy in England -- Knowing about geography will help you to find 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. This talk provides a basic overview of English sources, and how to use the information that you find. Includes web links. Back to Top For libraries and librarians Family Trees and Library Branches: The Genealogical Connection -- The Internet has made it easier than ever before to trace family histories, but public libraries still have a vital role to play. How can they better serve their genealogical patrons? Libraries can help genealogists understand the sources they are using, and point them to better ones. Libraries can also provide geographic information, including maps and gazetteers. They can bring in microfilmed records. They can also provide local histories, which help fill in gaps, as well as histories that help to put family stories into their proper context. This lecture includes a list of the key published resources that should be in every library. The Bright Future of Libraries -- The view from an outsider, someone who has used libraries extensively over the years. Dave's career was made possible by public libraries, his genealogical passion is fuelled by public libraries, and he works with libraries on digitization efforts as well as literacy endeavours. His opinion? In this fast-paced world, libraries are more important then ever. Libraries help to enlighten, entertain, inform and even shape their communities. It would not hurt, however, for librarians to be more vocal about what they do, because our public libraries represent an incredible resource that is too often taken for granted. |
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