Join us for an all-day virtual come-and-go event with eight presentations on colonial research, the Texas General Land Office, naturalization, Irish research, breaking down brick walls, and more. Sponsored by the Waco McLennan County Library and the Texas State Genealogical Society, this event is part of the Texas Genealogy Network, a state-wide, collaborative Online Genealogy Symposium for family historians.
Register HERE for the Genealogy Cornucopia. You will receive an email a few days before the event with a link to access the presentations.
All sessions are available online from midnight, Thursday, October 17, through midnight Friday, October 18. You do not have to watch them in the order presented in this list. Choose the presentations you'd like to watch in the order you'd like to watch them. Times shown are Central Daylight Time.
All times are Central Time Zone. Note – session times may change. Check this page on October 1 or after to determine your viewing schedule.
Schedule:
9:00 – 10:15 am: U.S. Naturalization: The Records, The Laws and the Impact
Irene B. Walters, Librarian Houston Public Library’s Family History Research Center
Discover the history of naturalization laws and requirements in the United States and how this aMected your ancestors and their naturalizations. Learn how to utilize naturalization records for genealogical research.
10:25 – 11:15 am: Genealogy Resources at the Texas General Land Office
Kevin Klaus, Texas General Land Office Research Room Team Leader and Information Specialist
The Texas General Land OMice contains a wealth of genealogical resources for anyone researching ancestors that received an original Texas land grant. The collection includes more than 35.5 million documents and over 45,000 maps and sketches, dating back to 1561. Explore the Spanish collection, and grants given under the Republic of Texas with an emphasis on Bounty and Donation grants, the Court of Claims files, and Confederate Scrip Voucher files. Learn how to search the free online database.
11:25 – 12:15 pm: So You Discovered You Have a Colonial Ancestor. Now What?
Craig R. Scott, MA, CG, FUGA, President and CEO of Heritage Books, Inc.
Create a research plan for your colonial ancestor using available records in free and subscription databases. Examine existing law in the time-period, the land process and the probate process. Look for muster and payrolls. Learn how to use the state archives to enhance your search. Of course, it all varies by place and time, so you need to know when and where you are at all times.
12:25 – 1:40 pm: Getting Started with Your Genealogy
Laura Douglas, Head of Special Collections, Denton Public Library
Are you curious about your family history, just not sure how to start? It may be easier than you think. In this session we will discuss the basic concepts and processes of genealogical research, the first steps in gathering information, how to locate and evaluate records, and how to find free or low-cost training to grow your genealogical skills.
1:50 – 2:40 pm: Introducing the Retro Tech Lab: Digitally Preserving Family History
Mark Dellenbaugh, MA, MLIS, Genealogy and Local History Librarian at the Arlington Public Library
Learn about APL’s experience of pitching, creating, and operating our new Retro Technology Lab and about personal digital archiving in general. Includes a demonstration of some of the equipment and software used (for converting audio and video tapes, 8mm & Super8 film, photos, negatives, slides, etc. to digital files) interspersed with lessons we’ve learned so far. The presentation concludes with stories of our most memorable patron encounters & heart-warming moments of family memories preserved.
2:50 – 3:40 pm: I’ve Found My Irish Immigrant Ancestor. Now What?
Claire Bradley, MA, Director of Irish Studies of the International Institute of Genealogical Studies
Lucky enough to have identified a place of origin for the Irish ancestor? Depending on when the person emigrated, there are several ways to approach your next research avenue. Learn how to begin finding resources available online. We will discuss oMline resources in Ireland, what research can be arranged remotely and what must be done in person. Explore planning a research trip to Ireland and how to use DNA test results to enhance your work.
3:50 – 4:40 pm: Writing Your Family Story: Learning to Assess and Compile Your Research
Emily Coffman Richardson, Genealogist with KinSearchers, Director-at-Large, TxSGS
Writing our story and that of our ancestors is truly a key result of a genealogist in the 21st century. The stories need to be written with either our voice or our hands. As genealogists we must get out of the habit of “hunters n’ gatherers” and learn to assess and then compile to write the stories that we are finding. This program will teach you the keys behind these components so that you can move to becoming a researcher and a storyteller.
4:50 – 5:40 pm: Proven Methods for Breaking Down Genealogical Brick Walls
Leslie Tomlinson, MFA, CG
Learn the skills to advance your research and develop strategies to help you break down those roadblocks in your family research using familiar resources such as Federal census, courthouse records, tax records and passenger list.
