2022 Meetings
November 22, 2022
A Few of Your Favorite Things
What a great meeting - there were so many excellent Favorite Things offered by our members, in person and virtually. Thanks to Rich Watson for facilitating and for the great ideas he presented. As promised, here are some links and files that were discussed. YouTube and Facebook Groups were also discussed. I am certain I missed some links, so please send them to [email protected]
Readiris (35% off)
Dead Fred
Our Timelines
National Genealogical Society - Free Forms page
National Genealogical Society - Fillable Family Group Sheet
Census Analysis spreadsheet (print in Landscape for best results, otherwise fill and save for a paperless option.census_analysis_sheet_revised_2022.xlsx
Denys Allen - PA Ancestors
Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Misbegotten Children: Tracing the Family Lines of the Illegitimate
Nearly all families have children with seemingly missing fathers. Yet, there may be clues and resources to help us determine their ancestry. Illegitimacy can be both a surprise and an embarrassment as we discover more and more about our family’s history. Treated with care and sensitivity, we can use many available resources to help us in our research.
Our presenter: Peggy Clemens Lauritzen, AG, FOGS, is a frequent lecturer at Family History seminars and has presented at Brigham Young University, and ICAPGen, and taught Continuing Education classes at community colleges and The Ohio State University. She was tested through ICAPGen to become an Accredited Genealogist, a credential she has maintained for twenty-five years, working hard to polish her research skills. Peggy and her husband Kerry serve as Family History Center Directors in north central Ohio.
A Few of Your Favorite Things
What a great meeting - there were so many excellent Favorite Things offered by our members, in person and virtually. Thanks to Rich Watson for facilitating and for the great ideas he presented. As promised, here are some links and files that were discussed. YouTube and Facebook Groups were also discussed. I am certain I missed some links, so please send them to [email protected]
Readiris (35% off)
Dead Fred
Our Timelines
National Genealogical Society - Free Forms page
National Genealogical Society - Fillable Family Group Sheet
Census Analysis spreadsheet (print in Landscape for best results, otherwise fill and save for a paperless option.census_analysis_sheet_revised_2022.xlsx
Denys Allen - PA Ancestors
Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Misbegotten Children: Tracing the Family Lines of the Illegitimate
Nearly all families have children with seemingly missing fathers. Yet, there may be clues and resources to help us determine their ancestry. Illegitimacy can be both a surprise and an embarrassment as we discover more and more about our family’s history. Treated with care and sensitivity, we can use many available resources to help us in our research.
Our presenter: Peggy Clemens Lauritzen, AG, FOGS, is a frequent lecturer at Family History seminars and has presented at Brigham Young University, and ICAPGen, and taught Continuing Education classes at community colleges and The Ohio State University. She was tested through ICAPGen to become an Accredited Genealogist, a credential she has maintained for twenty-five years, working hard to polish her research skills. Peggy and her husband Kerry serve as Family History Center Directors in north central Ohio.
Wed., September 28, 2022
Getting More from Find-a-Grave
The world's largest gravesite collection boasts over 210 million listings and serves as a rich resource for genealogists, helping to close an ancestor's life story. But is there more to learn? Our presenter: Patty Robison has been an avid amateur genealogist for more than 20 years, and as a member and serving as secretary of the Cranberry Genealogy Club for 7 years. Her research is centered in Western Pennsylvania and in Georgia.
Getting More from Find-a-Grave
The world's largest gravesite collection boasts over 210 million listings and serves as a rich resource for genealogists, helping to close an ancestor's life story. But is there more to learn? Our presenter: Patty Robison has been an avid amateur genealogist for more than 20 years, and as a member and serving as secretary of the Cranberry Genealogy Club for 7 years. Her research is centered in Western Pennsylvania and in Georgia.
Wed., August, 2022
Developing Good Research Questions by Amy E. K. Arner
To be efficient, effective researchers, genealogists need to develop good research questions. This presentation will cover the elements of good research questions and how to put them together. Attendees will have time to write and share their research questions. Amy E. K. Arner specializes in western Pennsylvania research and editing genealogical works. She serves as a content editor for the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly and co-edited the North Hills Genealogists [of Pittsburgh] newsletter for twelve years. She previously served as the secretary of the Association of Professional Genealogists and as the president of its Great Lakes Chapter. In 2015, the Association of Professional Genealogists awarded her its Grahame T. Smallwood Jr. Award of Merit for her service to the organization. Her early interest in a box of old family documents led to her taking courses at Brigham Young University, the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research, and the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh. She applies her knowledge in researching both her own and clients’ families.
Developing Good Research Questions by Amy E. K. Arner
To be efficient, effective researchers, genealogists need to develop good research questions. This presentation will cover the elements of good research questions and how to put them together. Attendees will have time to write and share their research questions. Amy E. K. Arner specializes in western Pennsylvania research and editing genealogical works. She serves as a content editor for the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly and co-edited the North Hills Genealogists [of Pittsburgh] newsletter for twelve years. She previously served as the secretary of the Association of Professional Genealogists and as the president of its Great Lakes Chapter. In 2015, the Association of Professional Genealogists awarded her its Grahame T. Smallwood Jr. Award of Merit for her service to the organization. Her early interest in a box of old family documents led to her taking courses at Brigham Young University, the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research, and the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh. She applies her knowledge in researching both her own and clients’ families.
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Pledging Brotherhood: An Introduction to Fraternal, Benevolent, and Secret Societies
During the 1800s, 1 in every 7 people in the United States was a member of a fraternal society. Explore the various types of organizations and understand how they differ from each other and gain your own secrets to accessing their record collections.
Our presenter: Jen Baldwin has been pursuing her family history since she was ten years old, enjoying her grandmother's stories - and her cookies. She is currently the North American Acquisition & Evangelism and Global Ambassador Program Lead for FindMyPast, and was part of the research team for Genealogy Roadshow, on PBS. She is the author of course materials for the National Institute of Genealogical Studies. Learn more about Jen and Ancestral Journeys
Pledging Brotherhood: An Introduction to Fraternal, Benevolent, and Secret Societies
During the 1800s, 1 in every 7 people in the United States was a member of a fraternal society. Explore the various types of organizations and understand how they differ from each other and gain your own secrets to accessing their record collections.
Our presenter: Jen Baldwin has been pursuing her family history since she was ten years old, enjoying her grandmother's stories - and her cookies. She is currently the North American Acquisition & Evangelism and Global Ambassador Program Lead for FindMyPast, and was part of the research team for Genealogy Roadshow, on PBS. She is the author of course materials for the National Institute of Genealogical Studies. Learn more about Jen and Ancestral Journeys
Wednesday, May 25, 2022
Exploring the Collection: Detre Library & Archives
Sierra Green, Archivist with the Heinz History Center Thomas & Katherine Detre Library & Archives, will guide us on a virtual tour of the Library - Western Pennsylvania’s preeminent source for researching the region’s rich history. Founded in 1879, the Detre Library & Archives preserves the rich history of Western Pennsylvania, and makes its collections accessible to researchers, students, and the general public. We’ll learn how to prepare to conduct research at the Detre Library and much more.
Exploring the Collection: Detre Library & Archives
Sierra Green, Archivist with the Heinz History Center Thomas & Katherine Detre Library & Archives, will guide us on a virtual tour of the Library - Western Pennsylvania’s preeminent source for researching the region’s rich history. Founded in 1879, the Detre Library & Archives preserves the rich history of Western Pennsylvania, and makes its collections accessible to researchers, students, and the general public. We’ll learn how to prepare to conduct research at the Detre Library and much more.
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Planning a Successful Research Road Trip
Plan for a successful road trip to research your family history at the Family History Center. Learn what to take, how to get there and where to stay in Salt Lake City. Plus, how to navigate the library and what to expect. Save time to explore the city surrounding areas! Our Tour Guide and presenter is club member Betty Steup, who travelled to the Family History Center Library and met with great success. She’ll share both her results and recommendations for your research trip.
Wed., February 23 , 2022
Happily Ever After?
Yes, No, Maybe? Our ancestors married for many reasons besides ‘true love’. Wedding traditions from the past influence ceremonies today. Sweet, funny and strange! We’ll explore resources and strategies for locating marriage licenses, and more. Bring your ancestral wedding stories or brick walls. Our presenter: Judi Boren.
Wed., January 26, 2022
Researching German Civil and Parish Records
If German record sets are puzzling to you, come to this meeting. The complexity of Germany’s history, and its effect on genealogical sources can be difficult obstacles for a family historian to overcome. The session will focus specifically on German civil records and parish records, with emphasis on how/where to locate the records and how to interpret the records. This ranges from using Family Search’s catalog to using German repositories like Archion.de to contacting local archives. Additional attention will be provided to historical geopolitics of what is today Germany, handwriting styles, as well as useful German reference materials. Lastly, the session also covers territorial regions formerly included in the German Empire (i.e. Alsace-Lorraine and eastern Prussian provinces).
Our presenter: Alex Tolksdorf is a financial analyst for the Ford Motor Company, the President of the Ford Genealogy Club, and a native resident of the Metro Detroit area. He has been active in researching his family for 12 years, starting with a high school class trip to Ellis Island in 2009. Paternally, his family is German, primarily from the Prussian provinces of Westphalia, Posen, and East Prussia. Maternally, his family roots are Ukrainian, Belarussian, and Lithuanian. All four of his grandparents immigrated to the United States in the 1950s following the Second World War; as such, much of his research experience and focus is in German and Eastern European sources. https://tolksdorfresearch.com/
Planning a Successful Research Road Trip
Plan for a successful road trip to research your family history at the Family History Center. Learn what to take, how to get there and where to stay in Salt Lake City. Plus, how to navigate the library and what to expect. Save time to explore the city surrounding areas! Our Tour Guide and presenter is club member Betty Steup, who travelled to the Family History Center Library and met with great success. She’ll share both her results and recommendations for your research trip.
Wed., February 23 , 2022
Happily Ever After?
Yes, No, Maybe? Our ancestors married for many reasons besides ‘true love’. Wedding traditions from the past influence ceremonies today. Sweet, funny and strange! We’ll explore resources and strategies for locating marriage licenses, and more. Bring your ancestral wedding stories or brick walls. Our presenter: Judi Boren.
Wed., January 26, 2022
Researching German Civil and Parish Records
If German record sets are puzzling to you, come to this meeting. The complexity of Germany’s history, and its effect on genealogical sources can be difficult obstacles for a family historian to overcome. The session will focus specifically on German civil records and parish records, with emphasis on how/where to locate the records and how to interpret the records. This ranges from using Family Search’s catalog to using German repositories like Archion.de to contacting local archives. Additional attention will be provided to historical geopolitics of what is today Germany, handwriting styles, as well as useful German reference materials. Lastly, the session also covers territorial regions formerly included in the German Empire (i.e. Alsace-Lorraine and eastern Prussian provinces).
Our presenter: Alex Tolksdorf is a financial analyst for the Ford Motor Company, the President of the Ford Genealogy Club, and a native resident of the Metro Detroit area. He has been active in researching his family for 12 years, starting with a high school class trip to Ellis Island in 2009. Paternally, his family is German, primarily from the Prussian provinces of Westphalia, Posen, and East Prussia. Maternally, his family roots are Ukrainian, Belarussian, and Lithuanian. All four of his grandparents immigrated to the United States in the 1950s following the Second World War; as such, much of his research experience and focus is in German and Eastern European sources. https://tolksdorfresearch.com/