|
Day
|
Session
|
Time
|
Session Title
|
Description
|
Instructor
|
Monday
14 July |
Intro
|
8:30 – 9 AM |
Welcome and Introduction |
Get to know your classmates
|
Tarr
|
|
1
|
9 – 10:15 AM |
Building a Foundation for Research Success |
In this hands-on, introductory session, you’ll learn about the genealogy research process, forming effective research questions, and the importance of adhering to genealogy standards. This foundation will be essential as we delve deeper into research strategies and problem-solving techniques in subsequent sessions. |
Tarr
|
|
2
|
10:45 – 12 PM |
Mastering the Review of Previous Genealogical Research |
Systematically examining all relevant records and research notes helps uncover overlooked details and provides new insights. This foundational process is crucial for developing a solid research plan and making informed genealogical conclusions. This hands-on session will show you how to review prior research effectively. |
Tarr
|
|
3
|
1:30 – 2:45 PM |
Harnessing the Power of Research Logs |
Maintaining a detailed research log is essential for tracking your searches, preventing redundant work, and identifying gaps in your research. In this hands-on session, we’ll cover various methods for creating and managing research logs, and a simple template will be provided to get you started. |
Tarr
|
|
4
|
3:15 – 4:30 PM |
Utilizing the Mighty Timeline |
Timelines visually represent a person’s life events, helping to uncover gaps, contextualize historical influences, and pinpoint geographical movements. In this hands-on session, you’ll learn a simple process for creating a timeline that can transform your approach to research. A template will be provided. |
Tarr
|
|
Extra
|
4:30 – 5 PM |
Homework Session |
|
Tarr
|
Tuesday
15 July |
5
|
9 – 10:15 AM |
Unraveling Ancestral Networks with the FAN Club |
Coined by Elizabeth Shown Mills, the FAN Club represents family, associates, and neighbors, the key people who make up an individual’s social network. By studying these FAN Club members, you can uncover crucial clues to solve challenging genealogical puzzles, such as an unknown maiden name or place of origin. Learn how to identify and track FAN Club members; a simple template will be provided for this hands-on session. |
Tarr
|
|
6
|
10:45 – 12 PM |
Evaluating Sources, Information, and Evidence |
Building on previous lessons, this session will provide a systematic approach to evaluating the accuracy and reliability of genealogical sources, information, and evidence. By learning to create and use an evaluation log, you’ll be able to scrutinize each assertion thoroughly so you can effectively analyze and correlate the data you’ve uncovered. A template will be provided for this hands-on session. |
Tarr
|
|
7
|
1:30 – 2:45 PM |
Diving Deep Into Genealogical Analysis |
Analyzing and correlating the data found during the review and evaluation processes is essential to determining where the research needs to go to answer the research question. You may uncover new clues, conflicts, gaps in time, or other nuances that will help direct your next steps. A template will be provided for this hands-on session. |
Tarr
|
|
8
|
3:15 – 4:30 PM |
Crafting a Genealogical Research Report |
A well-structured research report not only summarizes your findings but also serves as a critical tool for documenting your research progress and hypotheses or conclusions. In this session, we will look at the essential components of a clear, concise, and logical genealogical research report. A template will be provided for this hands-on session. |
Tarr
|
|
Extra
|
4:30 – 5 PM |
Homework Session |
|
Tarr
|
Wednesday
16 July |
9
|
9 – 10:15 AM |
Hidden Gems: Exploring Overlooked Genealogical Sources |
Through this exploration of underutilized sources, you will learn how to extract valuable information often missed by researchers. Get the inside scoop on strategies to help you make the most of these sources and enhance the depth and accuracy of your family history discoveries and research. This session will acquaint you with the tools you need to uncover new insights and confidently tackle your genealogical research challenges. |
Koonce
|
|
10
|
10:45 – 12 PM |
Hiding in Plain Sight: Uncovering Obscure Sources |
Are you curious about what sources may be missing from your genealogy research that may be hovering just below your radar? Let’s explore lesser-known sources that are not commonly used and may be hard to find yet can hold extremely valuable clues. This session is designed to expand your methodological approaches and open up fresh avenues of discoveries. |
Koonce
|
|
11
|
1:30 – 2:45 PM |
Discovering Potential Sources |
Learn a unique approach to identifying genealogical sources that can provide answers or valuable clues to your research question. Often, researchers limit themselves by focusing only on readily available sources. However, this session reveals a different mindset, one that prioritizes brainstorming potential sources before assessing their availability. This creative method not only expands your research possibilities but also ensures a thorough exploration of alternative avenues that could lead to breakthroughs in your research. A worksheet and other tool will be provided for this hands-on session. |
Tarr |
|
12
|
3:15 – 4:30 PM |
Constructing a Detailed Research Plan |
In genealogy, a solid research plan is your roadmap to uncovering family mysteries. Learn how to transform your potential sources list into a detailed research plan. You’ll discover how to structure and populate your plan with essential details, ensuring clarity and focus as you embark on your next phase of genealogical research. A template will be provided for this hands-on session. |
Tarr |
|
Extra
|
4:30 – 5 PM |
Homework Session |
|
Tarr
|
Thursday
17 July |
13
|
9 – 10:15 AM |
Tips & Tricks: Library Research Made Easy |
Have you fully tapped into the power of library resources for your genealogy research? This session will guide you through the essential tools that can significantly amplify your genealogical discoveries. What valuable insights might be hiding in physical library materials and databases that you haven’t yet fully explored? You’ll gain practical knowledge that’s easy to remember and apply, helping you unlock the full potential of these resources in your research projects. |
Koonce |
|
14
|
10:45 – 12 PM |
Tips & Tricks: Mining Digital Repositories |
Ready to put your miner’s hat on? You’ll need it for this session as we lay out the options available to you as you leverage online digital repositories. Not only will you learn the common features and practical search tips to help your research be most effective, but you will also gain a critical understanding of the technology infrastructure behind these resources that equips you with foundational knowledge you can apply across multiple platforms. Learn the tools needed to dig deep and make rich discoveries. |
Koonce |
|
15
|
1:30 – 2:45 PM |
Treasures in the Archives: Using ArchiveGrid |
Discover the wealth of information hidden in archival collections around the world with ArchiveGrid, a free online resource. This session will guide you through the steps to effectively search ArchiveGrid, interpret your search results, and gain access to collections that can significantly enhance your research. Unlock the treasures within archives and uncover valuable insights with expert tips and strategies. |
Taylor
|
|
16
|
3:15 – 4:30 PM |
The Web, The World, and YOU! (Advanced Online Research!) |
Elevate your genealogical research with advanced online techniques designed to help you uncover family history information from a variety of search engines and databases. This session will equip you with the skills to navigate complex online resources and understand the role metadata plays in your online search. |
Taylor
|
|
Extra
|
4:30 – 5 PM |
Creating a Locality Guide |
Learn how to construct a comprehensive locality guide that captures essential details such as record availability, boundary changes, laws, and local customs. Discover how these guides can streamline your research process and drive successful research. |
Tarr
|
Friday
18 July |
17
|
9 – 10:15 AM |
Online Family Trees: Avoiding Pitfalls and Maximizing Discoveries |
Discover how to effectively use online family trees to enrich your genealogical research while steering clear of common mistakes. In this session, we will learn practical strategies for comparing and analyzing these tools, ensuring that you harness their full potential without falling into the traps of misinformation. Together, we will gain the skills to confidently navigate and verify online family trees, turning potential challenges into valuable insights. |
Taylor
|
|
18
|
10:45 – 12 PM |
Unusual Research Destinations: Antiques, Diners, & More |
You might have visited the cemetery, public library, and courthouse, but did you ever consider that the restaurant in your ancestor’s hometown might yield genealogical information? This session uncovers numerous creative ideas for locating family history in unique places. From antique shops to diners, and more, explore unconventional research destinations with real examples from the United States, England, Denmark, and beyond. Learn how to uncover hidden stories and valuable genealogical information where you least expect it, enriching your family history with these innovative techniques. |
Taylor
|
