Good Genes Genealogy Services

Category: Ancestry database

  • Our ancestors weren’t sad all the time

    Our ancestors weren’t sad all the time

    As I finished the last sentence of a recent workshop detailing the challenges of locating our African Diaspora ancestors—many of whom survived the horrific voyages across the Atlantic and Indian Oceans—I paused. It occurred to me that while much of my research involves serious and often painful history, there is another side to their lives.

    I paused.

    Our ancestors experienced hardship, but hardship was not their only experience.

    I know from my own character and life that my ancestors had to have a sense of humor. Perhaps that’s why I have always loved laughter myself. Years ago, I even performed in two student productions at Chicago’s renowned Second City Theatre, famous for launching generations of comedians.

    Surely my ancestors — and yours — laughed. I’ve heard the stories and as a young child, I experienced the natural humor and fun-loving nature of my paternal aunt, Dr. Beverly Ann Wead Blackburn Jones.

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/seventy-five-north-revitalization-corporation/posts/?feedView=all

    I didn’t have to imagine what ancestral joy looked like. I saw it in my beloved Aunt Beverly. I recall how my ancestor aunt used her effervescing smile and quick wit to easily lift the mood of any room she entered. This highly regarded educator and community transformer dealt with serious matters and was also a terrific storyteller. As my father, Dr. Rodney S. Wead, described his sister, “she was always the life of the party.”

    It was often said that my aunt’s light-hearted attributes were derived from my namesake and great-grandmother, Ann Crum Green. My great-grandmother would keep us laughing by changing her voice to mimic others and blurting funny one-liners that could not be challenged by anyone because she was my paternal family;’s matriarch. Great-grandmother Ann was my Aunt Beverly’s maternal grandmother and likely sparked the humor touch in her. Ann Green was born at the dawn of the 20th century, in the late 1800s, and spent her adult life as a house servant and laundress.

    They teased each other. Danced. Dressed up. Fell in love. Gossiped. Told outrageous stories. Sang too loudly. Cooked something everybody wanted. Had nicknames nobody could explain. Took photographs in their best clothes. Went to picnics. Played cards. Courted. Celebrated weddings. Sat on porches. Traveled. Joined clubs. Showed off.

    And, undoubtedly, they occasionally got on one another’s last nerve!

    More than oppression

    African Diaspora genealogy contains difficult truths. Our ancestors experienced hardship, but hardship was not their only experience. They also experienced love, humor, friendship, faith, ambition, creativity, family, food, music, travel, community, accomplishment—and ordinary days that mattered.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • David Lee: A Jail Notice That Preserved My Ancestral Journey

    David Lee: A Jail Notice That Preserved My Ancestral Journey

    Guilty for ‘walking while Black’

    That’s what happened to my paternal ancestor, David Lee, in 1820. He could have lost his life. He could have been severely hurt. Instead, he was jailed despite having all of his “papers” in order.

    It was published in the Mississippi Free Trader newspaper on September 19, 1820.

    David Lee had sufficient documentation to prove he was allowed to walk along the Mississippi pathway. The wording in the newspaper ad gave me the clue that the authorities questioned his paperwork:  “…has a recommendation and is called David Lee…”  In the early 1800s, the written pass, travel permit, or some type of certificate had to be shown to identify the enslaved.

    I speculate that the information presented on the documentation included:

    • his name
    • owner
    • destination
    • permission to travel
    • work assignment

    Arrested anyway

    Despite the proof Lee was carrying, the jailer did not fully trust the document! How do I know? It’s the wording: “…is called David Lee…” It means that “this paper says his name is David Lee.”    Interesting that some papers that were being carried by Black persons were still questioned, ignored, and were sometimes considered forged. The sad outcome is that the innocent Black person would be jailed until someone claimed them.

    “Tolerable intelligent”

    The white jailer who interviewed my ancestor was actually giving him a compliment. In 1820, the jailer’s words meant he was a highly capable and articulate.

    I discovered this newspaper article while researching my paternal family’s history.  Such notices were often placed in Southern newspapers. The hard-to-read print summarizes the plight of my paternal third great-grandfather, David Lee. Here’s the summary of the translation:

    • David Lee was born about 1783, which made him 37 years old at the time of his detainment.
    • He was 5’4″ to 5’5″ with large facial whiskers and his overall appearance was described as “good countenance.” Translated: He looked respectable in their terms, and not criminal-looking.
    • He was in Pike County, Mississippi during August–September 1820.
    • He was traveling with John Simms.
    • He/they were associated with an enslaver identified as Villere Allen near Baton Rouge.
    • Lee was brought from Virginia, suggesting an interstate sale or forced migration.
    • He was described physically in unusual detail, which helps to  distinguish him from other men named David Lee in records.

    How Family Researchers and Genealogists Connect the Dots

    It is very challenging to locate and link African Diaspora ancestors to our family trees.  For our research, this single advertisement provides confirmation on my ancestor’s connection in our family as I compared his information and timeline to his marriage of another relative.

    There were other valuable leads:

    • “They say they belong to Villere Allen…” who lived near Baton Rouge.
      • The jailer believed the two men were traveling together.
      • “… was brought from Virginia.”

    This last clue is huge because it places my ancestor, David Lee, within the massive forced migration known as the Second Middle Passage. That is when hundreds of enslaved people were sold from the Upper South (especially Maryland and Virginia) to the Deep South after the invention of the cotton gin.

    If accurate, David’s life likely followed a path similar to this:

    Virginia

    ↓

    sold south

    ↓

    Louisiana (near Baton Rouge)

    ↓

    traveling through Mississippi

    ↓

    jailed in Pike County. Pike County was on a major overland route. They moved enslaved folk through Mississippi to Louisiana plantations.  Ancestor David Lee and his companion, John, may have been:

    • hired out
    • being transferred
    • escaping
    • delivering goods
    • accompanying livestock
    • traveling under orders

    How about this final sentence from the newspaper ad:

    “The owner or owners are requested to pay charges and take them away.” This tells us the legal purpose of the advertisement. The jail was charging for room and board and security. The owner had to reimburse the county before recovering the enslaved people. These notices were common in southern newspapers.

     

  • How a Teenager’s 1940 Death Helped Solve a Genealogy Puzzle

    How a Teenager’s 1940 Death Helped Solve a Genealogy Puzzle

    The Fire, the Cemetery, and the Family Connection

    While seeking to confirm the identity of a pro bono client’s father, I unexpectedly discovered another way to verify whether a family lineage was accurate. The confirmation came through the grave records of the client’s 15-year-old aunt, who tragically perished in an early morning dormitory fire in south Georgia in 1940.

    What followed was another reminder of the twists, turns, and emotional complexity that often accompany African Diaspora genealogy research.

    The client and his brother shared the same name as their biological father, who was not married to their mother. The client knew his father’s name, the year of his death, and the alleged location of his burial site. As with most African Diaspora genealogy projects, I began with the traditional route — reviewing the race/ethnic references, names, approximate birth records, death records, and family connections tied to the client’s parents.

    Initially, the research moved forward steadily. However, after adding several generations to the family tree, the records suddenly stopped. I had reached a familiar genealogical roadblock.

    To work my way out of the blockage, I stepped back and carefully reviewed the foundational details again: The race/ethnic references, names of the client’s parents, their birth dates, death dates, locations, and associated relatives. Yet the challenge remained. The father’s name was common enough that thousands of similarly named men appeared throughout records across the United States. I needed another method to determine whether the individual I was tracing truly belonged to this family line.

    The Curiosity Detour That Changed the Entire Family Search

    I began reviewing every Ancestry.com hint connected to the father’s extended family — parents, siblings, grandparents, collateral relatives, locations, etc.  During what I now call a “curiosity detour,” I opened the death certificate of the client’s young aunt.

    At first glance, the document confirmed the expected information: Race, parents’ names, approximate ages, and location. But experienced genealogists know that some of the most important clues often hide in the less-obvious details. I mentally noted the funeral home operator and, more importantly, the cemetery listed as her place of burial.

    That detail stayed with me.

    Follow your intuition

    Next, I searched Newspapers.com for reports of fires involving young women in Georgia during 1940. Initially, I believed she may have been connected to a substantial dormitory fire involving a male residence hall in what is now considered the metro Atlanta area. Yet nothing in those reports clearly linked the young girl to the tragedy described on her death certificate.

    So I kept searching.

    After hours of research, I paused — one of those quiet moments genealogists understand well — and simply reflected on the question: What really happened here to link this ancestor to my family research?

    Then I found it.

    An article describing the tragic circumstances surrounding her death confirmed the details listed on the death certificate. My curiosity detour had suddenly become a breakthrough.

    But the real discovery came afterward.

    The Cemetery Clue That Confirmed a Family Lineage

    Because I remembered the cemetery listed on the death certificate, I began searching for that same burial location among other possible family members. There it was again — the identical cemetery name appearing across generations of relatives. Thankfully, many members of the family had lived and died in a small Georgia town, making the burial connections easier to trace.

    The cemetery itself was attached to a small rural church.

    That single repeated detail gave me a new level of confidence. The cemetery became the anchor point connecting multiple generations of the family together. Suddenly, the puzzle pieces aligned with greater clarity, allowing me to move more confidently through the family structure and verify that the individuals I was tracing were indeed connected to my client’s lineage.

    Almost there

    Only one major question remained: Locating the final burial place of the client’s father in order to construct a fuller timeline of his life. Family accounts suggested he may have been buried nearly a thousand miles away, while other evidence pointed back to the small church cemetery tied to generations of relatives.

    But such unresolved questions are familiar territory in African Diaspora genealogy research.

    There is almost always another mystery waiting behind the next document, another contradiction buried within oral history, another unexpected clue hiding in plain sight. That is both the challenge and the beauty of this work.

    Sometimes the answers we seek are not found in the records we intended to search — but in the records we almost overlooked. Keep searching African Diaspora researchers.

     

  • Breaking Barriers: Uncovering the Truth Behind Obstacles in African Diasporan Research

    Breaking Barriers: Uncovering the Truth Behind Obstacles in African Diasporan Research

    Washington, D.C.-based Museum is threatened with funding cuts by the government

    Deliberate Attempts to Block African Diasporan Research

    The history of the African diaspora is a rich and complex tapestry, woven together with the blood, sweat, and tears of countless innocent Africans were who forcibly stolen from their once beautiful homes, palaces, and other grand estates. After enduring horrible conditions, they were shipped across the Atlantic Ocean and scattered across the globe. This diaspora has had a profound impact on the cultural, economic, and political landscapes of the countries where Africans were brought and has sparked a growing interest among family members on United States shores and researchers from around the globe.

    One example is that once per month, I offer a free workshop for families seeking their ancestral linkages. It has grown from approximately 20 persons to more than one hundred in-person participants.

    Intended Hinderance

    Lately, I’ve encounted not-so-surprising roadblocks. There are several intentional activities in place to further thwart legitimate research efforts by genealogists like me and dedicated family members who simply wish to trace their roots to the ancestors who are waiting for us to discover them.

    The pop-up notice on the enslaved.org website is an example of the “new normal” that is directed from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C.

     

    Enslaved.org
    Enslaved.org is the latest in several research sites that are losing U.S. funding due to new “priorities”

    There are countless other related efforts to shut down organizations that are providing information about U.S. history; Black history and African Diasporan history is U.S. history.

    Support African Diasporan research

    The deliberate attempts to block and hinder African diasporan research threaten to erase and silence the voices and experiences of those who have been historically marginalized, is unfortunate. This denial of information and knowledge not only prevents us from fully understanding our past, but also hinders our ability to create a more equitable and just future.

    We must also consider the benefits of supporting and promoting African diasporan research. By allowing diverse perspectives to be heard and studied, we open up the possibility for important and groundbreaking discoveries that can shape and enrich all fields of study. Additionally, this research can have a positive impact on communities and individuals who have been historically marginalized, by giving them a voice and validating their experiences.

    Purposeful moves to block African diasporan research have far-reaching and damaging consequences. By understanding the unique features of this subject, and acknowledging its value and benefits, we can work towards breaking down these barriers and fostering a more inclusive and accurate portrayal of our shared history.

     

  • Reclaiming Land, Reclaiming Legacy: Helping Descendants of Enslaved Families Build Historical Property Claims

    Reclaiming Land, Reclaiming Legacy: Helping Descendants of Enslaved Families Build Historical Property Claims

    Several years ago, I began my formal ancestral and genealogy journey with the intention that I would locate land and property that may have been lost by our family or worse, stolen during historical periods of social and economic upheaval. In other words, I wondered whether my family lost land and property before, during and post slavery. My question landed on whether anything lost could benefit my family today?

    The short answer is “yes.” I am not alone.

    Questions Answers Signage
    Lots of questions and few answers are                   connected to the property searches for                   descendants of formerly enslaved family               members.

    Reclaiming rights

    For generations, Black families have carried memories of land once farmed, homes once built, and dreams once held — even when the law, violence, and exclusion stripped them of the soil beneath their feet. Today, nationwide and in select global locations, descendants of enslaved people are reconnecting their threads of history with genealogical evidence of families’ rights. The big deal is the reclamation of land and the seeking of compensation for property lost through legal and social injustices.

    The renewed interest in this area is about dignity, legacy, and the restoration of generational wealth. This blog will begin a series around the topic of helping African Diasporan, Indigenous nations, and Free Blacks build historic property claims. For years, we’ve helped families locate their ancestors that includes matching geographical addresses, Census records, storytelling, and hundreds of other research avenues. Why? It not only is necessary to know one’s ancestors for mental, social, and informational purposes, the conformation of ancestral and genealogy records also is foundational for going to the next steps. That is, to seek historical property claims, pensions, and other potential financial linkages.

    Steps to Begin a Historical Property Claim Journey

    Good Genes Genealogy will lead families through the process to reclaim financial benefits. Here’s a sample of what we are seeking from families:

    ✅ 1. Interview Elders & Document Oral History

    • Names, locations, burial grounds

    • Nicknames, neighboring families, plantation links, freemen’s links

    • Stories of land loss or forced migration

    ✅ 2. Identify the Key Ancestors in Census & Vital Records

    • Start with the 1870 Census — the “gateway” document for formerly enslaved individuals

    ✅ 3. Research Land Ownership or Labor Placement

    • Search county courthouses, tax records, land deeds, and maps

    ✅ 4. Review Probate & Enslaver Records

    • Use varied government and personal records that linking enslaved ancestors to plantations and locations

    ✅ 5. Document Evidence of Loss or Displacement

    • Illegal takings or forced sale

    • Eminent domain cases

    • Racial violence or intimidation

    • Fraudulent legal proceedings

    • Loss of heirs’ property

    ✅ 6. Connect with Legal Advocates

    • Private attorney referrals, community legal services, land conservation groups, and reparations task forces can provide guidance

    ✅ 7. Build a Claim Packet*

    Organize:

    • Genealogy charts

    • Timeline of ownership & loss

    • Supporting documents

    • Maps and land descriptions

    • Witness testimonies/oral histories

    *Putting together this packet is the narrative foundation that allows for legal review or community restitution.

  • Welcome to my Sorors of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

    Welcome to my Sorors of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

    Since Fall 1977, I’ve been a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., with my initiation at Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University), Psi Chapter.  I am committed to the high ideals of Zeta Phi Beta, the only constitutionally bound sister organization of a fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.  In 1989, alongside my Soror Mother Angie Wead, and other wonderful ladies, I became a founder of a graduate extension of Zeta Phi Beta, Xi Xi Zeta Chapter, Lithonia, GA.

    I am also a proud member of the “Divine Nine” — the unique, excellent collection of Black-letter Greek organizations. What a bonus.

    Welcome to my specialized page, which is a labor of love. Enjoy the search and remember to always preserve the precious and proud stories of our families. Our ancestors appreciate our journeys.

     

    Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated was founded on January 16, 1920, at Howard University, Washington, D.C. The Klan was active during this period, and the Harlem Renaissance was acknowledged as the first important movement of Black artists and writers in the U.S. This same year the Volstead Act became effective, heralding the start of Prohibition and Tennessee delivered the crucial 36th ratification for the final adoption of the 19th amendment giving women the right to vote. The worst and longest economic recession to hit the U.S. would define the end of the decade-The Great Depression.

  • “Unlock Your Family’s Past: Top Questions to ask your African American family members

    “Unlock Your Family’s Past: Top Questions to ask your African American family members

    Questions Answers SignageLet’s begin in the beginning

    It’s difficult to gather information about our complex histories involving African Diaspora families. Besides the scattered data that we collect from government and private records, asking questions of our relatives — especially the elderly ones — has been proven to be useful in legacy recording.

    Here are my top “ice breaker” recommended questions for family genealogists:

    • What is your best childhood memory(ies?)
    • What do you recall about your parents or grandparents?
    • What family traditions did you have growing up?
    • What do you about our family veterans, particularly those in segregated units?
    • What do you remember about church, spiritual practices, and how we kept the faith in our family?
    • Do you know any stories about how our ancestors came to this country or even the region you grew up in?
    • What do you remember about family gatherings or reunions?
    • Please share actual family heirlooms, keepsakes, and any photos with stories we may not have seen before now. 

     

  • “Unlocking Your Roots: Mastering Ancestry and Genealogy Searches for a Strong Sense of Belonging”

    I belong to several ancestry and genealogy research groups, chats, organizations, and regularly participate in training sessions. This aids in my development as a genealogist specializing in African Diasporan family searches.

    One of my favorite organizations is the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc., especially the metro Atlanta chapter. Here’s a sample of the great connections you are provided by AAHGS when you join the organization:

     

     

    21 JUL 2024(pictorial generated by AI)

     

    These events are provided as a courtesy to our AAHGS Metro Atlanta members but are not the responsibility of our chapter.

     

    Timelines for Genealogy, Dottie Baugh

    Mon Jul 22nd

    Presented by Charlotte County Genealogical Society
    10:30am ET

    All classes are free and open to the public. For a Zoom link, send an email to President@ccgsi.org

    For details see www.ccgsi.org

     

    The Homestead Act, with Ranger, Amber Kirkendall, Homestead National Historic Park

    Mon Jul 22nd

    Presented by Heritage Seekers Genealogy Club
    7:30pm ET

    Ranger, Amber Kirkendall, Homestead National Historic Park

    This is a Zoom virtual meeting. To get a link to attend, you must:
    – be a paid member, or
    – subscribe to our email list at https://heritageseekersar.com/subscribe/ or
    – follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/heritageseekersar.club

    Zoom link available closer to the event – See the website!

    For details see heritageseekersar.com/

     

    Pins & Needles: Adding Social Media to Your Genealogy Repertoire

    Mon Jul 22nd

    Presented by Plainfield Area Public Library
    8:00pm ET

    Many of us have used Facebook to find distant cousins and former high school friends. Join us for a fun session on using sites like Pinterest, Flickr, Instagram and more to locate, identify and share ancestors.

    This is a virtual program. Login information will be sent when you register for the program

    For details see plainfieldpubliclibrary.librarymarket.com/event/virtual-pins-needles-adding-social-media-your-genealogy-repertoire-65597

     

    Researching LGBTQ Genealogy, with Stewart Traiman

    Mon Jul 22nd

    Presented by Denver Public Library
    8:00pm ET

    Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Queer folk have always been a part of our history and family stories. Our trees’ confirmed bachelor or spinster aunt may not have been single. Perhaps they did have partners but there is no legal documentation or family acknowledgment. This class will explore census, newspapers, obituaries, military records, photographs, phone books, and archives for clues on our ancestor’s sexuality. We will also explore LGBTQ History and many individual stories giving context to the available records. Discovering our LGBTQ ancestors’ stories and inviting them back into our trees will enrich our entire family history.

    For details see www.denverlibrary.org/event/researching-lgbtq-genealogy

     

    Beginning Ancestry by Scott Jones

    Tue Jul 23rd

    Presented by Los Angeles FamilySearch Center
    2:00pm ET

    What and where?

    For details see churchofjesuschrist.zoom.us/j/95462341725?pwd=dmxZaWNGR1hpWVlCM1lYaHBENERLdz09#successlBSaWtyS0pwSDJxdz09%23success

     

    Using the FamilySearch Catalog by Clark Jenkins

    Tue Jul 23rd

    Presented by Los Angeles FamilySearch Center
    5:00pm ET

    Learn how to search the entire FamilySearch database using the Catalog. This will include searching indexed and unindexed records, book titles and authors, and keyword searches. Learn how to navigate through unindexed record collections to find digitized original records.

    For details see churchofjesuschrist.zoom.us/j/95462341725?pwd=dmxZaWNGR1hpWVlCM1lYaHBENERLdz09#successlBSaWtyS0pwSDJxdz09%23success

     

    What’s the Tea in Your Family Tree?

    Tue Jul 23rd

    Presented by Charlotte Mecklenburg Library / West Boulevard Library
    6:00pm ET

    Unearth secrets, reveal truths, and explore the colorful stories hidden within your ancestral lineage.

    This is a HYBRID program, so you can attend in-person at West Boulevard Library or online via Zoom.

    *Registration Required* Registration begins the first day of the month.

    For details see cmlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/664e02e3e3e1ee30003fe2c7

     

    Genealogy for Beginners: Census records and obituaries

    Tue Jul 23rd

    Presented by Cincinnati Public Library / Pleasant Ridge
    6:30pm ET

    Census records and obituaries are the most popular and easiest to find genealogical records. Learn how to search for and use these records when digging into your family history.

    This event will be in person at the Pleasant Ridge Branch and also live streamed over Zoom. The Zoom link will be shared a few hours before the program starts.

    Registration is required to receive the Zoom link.

    For details see cincinnatilibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/65d74df01e57af280037c162

     

    Finding and Using City Directories for Genealogy – Fourth Tuesday Genealogy Series

    Tue Jul 23rd

    Presented by The Erie Society for Genealogical Research
    7:00pm ET

    Fourth Tuesday Genealogy Series: Session is repeated via Zoom at 7 p.m. For handouts and to register for the session go to: events.erielibrary.org/ and search for genealogy.

    23 Jul 2024: Finding and Using City Directories for Genealogy: Information which might be found in city and county directories. What you might be missing in these resources. Locating city directories. Hints for using city directories. Abbreviations. Other historical directories.

    For details see www.genealogyerie.org/p/Calendar/event/Finding-and-Using-City-Directories-for-Genealogy-387

     

    The Genealogist’s Google Search Methodology

    Tue Jul 23rd

    Presented by Louisville Genealogical Society
    1:00pm ET

    Presented by Lisa Louise Cooke

    It’s a new decade, so if you think you know how to Google, think again! Technology changes rapidly and keeping our search skills updated and sharp is key to search success. Come learn the latest Google Search Methodology for Genealogy. You’ll hear about the latest and best search innovations and learn the process that will dramatically improve your genealogical search results. These skills can be used with all associated Google tools.

    Free but REGISTRATION REQUIRED at www.kylgs.org

     

    Genealogy Quick Start TV – LIVE with Andre Kearns

    Tue Jul 23rd

    Presented by Genealogy Quick Start TV
    8:00pm ET

    Fact or Fiction: Which assumptions are you making about your family history? In “Getting Past Your Assumptions” provide a method for understanding the truth of family-lore. Then our special guest Andre Kearns will dive deeply into the assumptions we make with 1870 census in “Emancipating the Stories of Blended Families in the 1870 Census”

    JOIN Live from our YouTube Channel or Facebook Page, LIVE every other Tuesday @ 8:00 PM ET
    www.youtube.com/@GenealogyQuickStart/streams

    This is an interactive genealogy TV show, not a genealogy webinar. We invite you to chat, comment, and ask questions.

    For details see www.facebook.com/events/1011977810605274/

     

    Introduction to Genealogy

    Tue Jul 23rd

    Presented by Plano Public Library / Haggard Library
    8:00pm ET

    Learn the basics of common genealogical research tools and techniques.

    For details see plano-cep.bc.sirsidynix.net/event/introduction-to-genealogy-2/

     

    Latest Updates to the MyHeritage Mobile App, with Gilad Katz

    Tue Jul 23rd

    Presented by Legacy Family Tree Webinars
    2:00pm ET

    More and more, people are preferring to use their mobile devices to access their favorite software and services — and genealogists shouldn’t be left behind. MyHeritage continues to improve the genealogy-on-the-go experience from the MyHeritage mobile app, making it easier than ever to manage your family tree and conduct research from the palm of your hand. In this session, Gilad Katz, Senior Product Manager at MyHeritage, will show you the latest developments in the mobile app.

    For details see familytreewebinars.com/webinar/latest-updates-to-the-myheritage-mobile-app/

     

    Stories Behind the Stars – World War II Heroes

    Tue Jul 23rd

    Presented by the Cobb County Genealogical Society
    7:00pm ET

    CCGS Board member Loren Plisco volunteers with Stories Behind the Stars, a nonprofit organization dedicated to researching and writing the stories of over 421,000 Americans who sacrificed their lives in World War II. The stories will reside in memorials on Fold3 and will be linked to memorials on FindAGrave. This project is supported by Ancestry, Newspapers.com, Fold3, Together We Served, and other organizations. To date, hundreds of volunteers have written approximately 40,000 stories, with the ambitious goal to complete all of the stories by the end of 2025, which marks the anniversary of the end of World War II.

    Register online here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0sduygrTMtE9a-Tw82s-BdPUeWY60wWyiO#/registration

    For details see cobbgagensoc.org/

     

    TOTS – Tech on Tuesdays You Can Never Have Too Many Backups — Backups, Data Preservation and Back Blaze

    Tue Jul 23rd

    Presented by The Colorado Genealogy Society
    9:00pm ET

    For details see us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwsf–urjotH9Hp3pmcJZvhz6Vh5Yvs2rKt

     

    Working with DNA Matches: Beginning to Sort Your Matches

    Tue Jul 23rd

    Presented by The Genealogy Center at Allen County Public Library
    2:30pm ET

    In this introductory session, we will learn to work with your genetic cousin matches from an autosomal DNA test. We will learn how to determine your familial relationship to your DNA matches (beginning with known relatives) and begin to sort your matches into groups based on the connecting ancestors that you share. Presented by Sara Allen.

    For details see acpl.libnet.info/event/11055953

     

    Imaging by Clark Jenkins

    Wed Jul 24th

    Presented by Los Angeles FamilySearch Center
    5:00pm ET

    How to look up images in FamilySearch?

    For details see churchofjesuschrist.zoom.us/j/95462341725?pwd=dmxZaWNGR1hpWVlCM1lYaHBENERLdz09#successlBSaWtyS0pwSDJxdz09%23success

     

    Writing Family Stories Within FamilySearch by Holly Jones

    Wed Jul 24th

    Presented by Los Angeles FamilySearch Center
    2:00pm ET

    Writing your personal and family stories.

    For details see churchofjesuschrist.zoom.us/j/95462341725?pwd=dmxZaWNGR1hpWVlCM1lYaHBENERLdz09#successlBSaWtyS0pwSDJxdz09%23success

     

    Getting Around the Missing 1890 Census, Part 1, with Sara Cochran

    Wed Jul 24th

    Presented by Fountaindale Public Library
    12:00pm ET

    Sara Cochran, the Skeleton Whisperer, will help you strategize and gather tips for success in locating your family in other records between the 1880 and 1900 Federal censuses.

    The loss of the 1890 Federal census is a source of great frustration for American Genealogists, but all hope is not lost! Sara Cochran, the Skeleton Whisperer, will help you strategize and gather tips for success in locating your family in other records between the 1880 and 1900 Federal censuses. This is part one of a two-session series.

    This program is available in a Zoom webinar format. A link and handout will be sent a day before the event. A reminder will be sent an hour before the event.

    For details see communico.fountaindale.org/event/9545900

     

    Periodicals for Genealogy

    Wed Jul 24th

    Presented by Midwest Genealogy Center at Mid-Continent Public Library
    7:30pm ET

    Learn how to search for and use periodicals at the Midwest Genealogy Center and other libraries, as another resource in your genealogy research. This is a beginner-level class. This class will be held in person as well as virtually via Zoom simultaneously. Registration is required and closes one hour before the start of the program. Please indicate whether you will be attending in person or virtually when registering. An email address is required when registering to attend on Zoom. All start times are Central Standard Time.

    For details see www.mymcpl.org/events/98202/periodicals-genealogy-hybrid

     

    From the Grassroots Roundtable: Preserving Places and Stories in the East Tennessee Black Community

    Presented by East Tennessee History Center
    12:00pm ET

    Please join our esteemed panelists as they consider their contributions to the preservation of spaces and stories in their home communities, whether through ensuring the Black community’s history and family connections are shared and/or buildings themselves are saved and reused. They will also share their dreams of next steps and share insights on conducting community projects.

    Pre-registration is required, both for in-person or for Zoom.

    For details see www.easttnhistory.org/event/advanced-genealogy/

     

    Preserving Family Memories: Audio Recordings

    Wed Jul 24th

    Presented by Dallas Public Library
    3:00pm ET

    The sound of a loved one’s voice = irreplaceable family memories. Learn how to digitize and preserve your audio recordings stored on cassette tapes, microcassette tapes and LPs. Hear from one of Dallas Public Library’s A/V librarians on how to edit your audio, and share your precious family memories using the Heritage Lab located on the 8th floor of the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library.

    This Genealogy & History program is available both in-person at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 8th floor AND online via Zoom.

    Please register in advance.

    For details see dallaslibrary.librarymarket.com/event/preserving-family-memories-audio-recordings-366192

     

    African American Research Workshop

    Wed Jul 24th

    Presented by Oakland Family History Library
    9:00 PM Eastern

    This is an ongoing, free, hands-on research workshop comprised of African Americans, also referred to as Black or Afro-American, or those who harmonize with Sub-Saharan Africa, with ancestry, citizenship, or residency in the United States. The workshop is an interactive exchange of research tools, methods and systems, and discussions necessary for progress at individual levels of family histories and genealogies impacted by the 16th Century removal of Africans to America as slaves.
    For a Zoom link to the virtual workshop, churchofjesuschrist.zoom.us/j/98525123399?pwd=WFptb0RWSDk5UjdHVGhtNXl3NkZadz09#success

    For additional information E-Mail: pat4gene@gmail.com
    or go to
    www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Oakland_California_FamilySearch_Library/Learning_Center_Descriptions#African_American_Research_Workshop

     

    Preserving Family History

    Thu Jul 25th

    Presented by Lake County Public Library
    2:30pm ET

    Have you ever wondered how to take care of those old photographs, scrapbooks, and stories passed down from generation to generation? This session has got you covered. Join Jeremy Pekarek, Archivist at Indiana University Northwest, to learn more about best practices involving proper housing techniques, documentation, and digital materials.

    For details see www.lcplin.org/event/9176704

     

    25+ Free Genealogy Sites

    Thu Jul 25th

    Presented by St. Louis County Library
    7:30pm ET

    Explore how to access and use several free websites for your family history research.

    Registration opens June1, 2024. Registration required. Participants will receive Zoom information immediately after registering.

    For details see slcl.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=96470

     

    Ancestry.com, a Premier Website, Online Class: Great tips for finding your families, and editing photos, and using Storymaker Studio

    Thu Jul 25th

    Presented by Riverton Utah FamilySearch Center
    9:00pm ET

    Presented by R. Ray

    Ancestry.com, the Premier Family History Website. Ancestry.com has partnered with FamilySearch to easily share family tree records and information. Over 60 billion records (~6 times as many as FamilySearch has) makes it easier to find your families. Over 10 billion of those records come from FamilySearch so, you will see those records too.

    To attend the online classes, you will need to register. It is recommended that you review the class handouts before attending the class by viewing them online or by printing them. Handouts available at www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Riverton_Utah_FamilySearch_Center/Online_Classes

    Register at churchofjesuschrist.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAkd-muqDgpHdbGtkUcRX5VLxKL2IzeMAJK

    For details see www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Riverton_Utah_FamilySearch_Center/Online_Classes

     

    Facebook Workshop for Genealogists

    Thu Jul 25th

    Presented by Mount Vernon Genealogical Society
    1:00pm ET

    Instructor: Jo Pearson

    Unlock the power of Facebook for your genealogy research! Learn how to create and manage a genealogy-focused Facebook page or group, best practices for posting and sharing, and how to use Facebook events to organize virtual meetups or collaborative research sessions.

    TO REGISTER: Please send an email with your name and phone number, the class date and title, to Amy Breedlove at albreedlove@comcast.net
    Thank you.

    Once you’ve registered, a reminder email will be sent to you a few days ahead of the class with the zoom link and any handouts, etc.

    For details see www.mvgenealogy.org/

     

    How to Use Newspapers for Genealogy

    Thu Jul 25th

    Presented by Cuyahoga County Public Library
    7:00pm ET

    Tips and tricks on using newspapers in your genealogy research.

    A meeting link will be emailed to registered participants approximately one hour prior to the start of the program. Staff will be available for help with connecting to Zoom and technical issues beginning 15 minutes prior to the program. You will need a device with audio and/or video and an internet connection to join.

    For details see attend.cuyahogalibrary.org/event/10366070

     

    The Why, Where, When, What and How of Lineage and Hereditary Societies, with Christine Cohen

    Thu Jul 25th

    Presented by Marin County Genealogical Society
    10:00pm ET

    Why should you join a lineage society? How do you join a lineage society? What activities do they perform? What member benefits are available? Are DNA test results a membership option?

    The Genealogical Society General meetings are open to the public, with no admission fee. Feel free to drop in! Bring your friends as everyone is welcome. Come early and ask your burning genealogical questions of other members before the meeting.

    The public is welcome to attend all of our virtual meetings. Contact info@maringensoc.org for more information.

    Please register in advance.

    For details see www.maringensoc.org/event-5756426

     

    Genealogy in Teaching

    Fri Jul 26th

    Presented by CALS Central Arkansas Library System
    1:00pm ET

    Learn how to use genealogy databases and other resources to teach language arts, science, and math as well as social studies.

    This is a hybrid event; the in-person class will take place in Meeting Room B at the Fletcher Library. Virtual attendees will access the class via Zoom.

    If you wish to attend virtually, you must register to receive the Zoom link to join the class.

    Please email at digital@cals.org or call 1.501.320.5724 if you have any questions.

    For details see events.cals.org/event/10666775

     

     Military Records at TSLAC

    Fri Jul 26th

    Presented by Texas State Library and Archives Commission
    9:00am ET Find out how to locate Texas military service records at TSLAC.

    The Archives and Information Services Division offers a suite of research webinar recordings on-demand throughout the year. The start date listed here is the date the webinar will be first available.

    For details see www.tsl.texas.gov/arc/workshops

     

    8 Tips for Using AI as Your Genealogy Assistant

    Fri Jul 26th

    Presented by Bay Area Genealogical Society
    8:00pm ET

    Speaker: Dana Leeds. AI can help you complete many tasks faster than you can on your own. This makes it an incredible time-saver. It can also help you get more out of the records you find. But where do you start? And what can it help you with?

    This presentation will highlight eight areas where AI can be a patient and knowledgeable assistant, supporting you in both your genealogy research and daily tasks. In your genealogy work, AI can help you summarize information, extract and visualize data, write engaging family history narratives, convert handwritten documents into searchable text, and illustrate your family story. Additionally, AI can assist you with daily tasks such as tech troubleshooting, saving you valuable time. Join us and discover the various ways AI can help you be more efficient and effective in your pursuits!

    For details see www.txbayareagen.org/?page_id=5

     

    Genealogical Research & Writing: Are You a Saint, Sinner, or Bumfuzzled Soul?, with Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL (members only)

    Fri Jul 26th

    Presented by Legacy Family Tree Webinars
    (members only) (VIRTUAL)
    2:00pm ET

    As researchers, family historians, compilers, bloggers, or writers of other ilk, genealogists face legal and ethical perils they often do not anticipate. This crash course offers practical guidance to enhance your skills and keep you safe as you explore history, reconstruct lives, and “write up” your findings. While the issues are serious—from the legal issue of copyright to the ethical issue of plagiarism—the lessons are taught with a light heart and humor.

    For details see familytreewebinars.com/webinar/genealogical-research-writing-are-you-a-saint-sinner-or-bumfuzzled-soul/

     

    Reeling ‘Em in with Cousin Bait: 10 Ways to Connect with Family, with Cheri Hudson Passey

    Sat Jul 27th

    Presented by Polk County Genealogy Speaker Series
    10:00am ET

    Want to connect with those who may have information about your family? Learn 10 strategies to help you connect and collaborate with family members, including creating “Cousin Bait.”

    This is a hybrid virtual program. The presenter will appear virtually, but guests are invited to join us at the History Center to participate in the Zoom. For Zoom details, contact the Polk County History Center at (863) 534-4386 or ShannonGraham@polk-county.net.

    For details see www.polk-county.net/events/reeling-em-in-with-cousin-bait-10-ways-to-connect-with-family-genealogy-speaker-series/

     

    Discovering Your Ancestors – Series 1 with Janet Camarata

    Sat Jul 27th

    Presented by Puget Sound Genealogical Society
    1:30pm ET

    Genealogy is an enriching and rewarding way to discover our own families through their written records, photographs and artifacts. Tracing our ancestral roots expands our understanding of history and how they lived in earlier generations. The individual pieces of the family jigsaw puzzle consists of vital records, censuses, land records, immigration, naturalization, military records, church histories, taxes, court and courthouse records, DNA and much more. The tools and techniques used by genealogists today are extensive and include the Internet, specific genealogy programs and websites, i.e. Ancestry and FamilySearch. Learn in a computer environment the resources available online and off-line to investigate the various jigsaw puzzle pieces that document your ancestors’ lives.
    This class will focus on Strategic Searching, Sources & Citations, Cemetery Research.
    This will be a hybrid class with in person at the Sylvan Way Library and on Zoom. The Zoom link will be posted on our website an our Facebook page on July 26.

    For details see www.psgsociety.org

     

    How to Read Old Handwriting, with Lisa Lisson

    Sat Jul 27th

    Presented by Capital District Genealogical Society
    1:00pm ET

    Struggling to read those old historical documents? Gain invaluable insights and practical strategies for deciphering your ancestors’ records, allowing you to uncover hidden stories and connect with your heritage in ways you never thought possible. From understanding the evolution of handwriting styles to employing innovative techniques for enhancing legibility, this talk promises to equip you with the skills and confidence needed to navigate the rich tapestry of your family’s history. Don’t miss this opportunity to sharpen your genealogical prowess and forge deeper connections with your roots!

    Non-members may register starting on the 16th of the month (space permitting). Non-Members must create a free CDGS account before they can register. You only need to create an account once, as you can login to that account to register for future presentations.

    For details see www.capitaldistrictgenealogicalsociety.org/

     

    FamilySearch Overview – Everything You Don’t Know But Should

    Sat Jul 27th

    Presented by San Mateo County Genealogical Society
    1:30pm ET

    FamilySearch has done a lot of improvements and changes over the past few years. Did you know you can get free consultations from them now? Do you know where to look for the latest catalog information? Have checked out the maps of what cemeteries your relatives are in? Come listen to an overview of what FamilySearch has changed lately and how you can use it to make sure you get the most out of FamilySearch. You can learn about the community groups and guided research all now available on FamilySearch. Join Pamela Brigham for this presentation on FamilySearch.

    Please register in advance

    For details see www.smcgs.org/

     

    Join the International Genealogical Community with Year-Round RootsTech, with James Tanner

    Sun Jul 28th

    Presented by BYU Library / Family History Sunday Classes
    5:30pm ET

    The BYU Family History Library presents virtual Sunday classes for anyone interested in family history! Classes are free and everyone is welcome.

    No registration required. Click the link “Join Live Class” at the URL below, where you’ll also find the upcoming class calendar, as well as their library of previously recorded virtual classes. All free!

    The Zoom link for Sunday Classes at the scheduled time is
    https://byu.zoom.us/j/97185943513?pwd=IgbedZiLURYMxnPxlkWolxQNK6iEGd.1

    For details see https://familyhistory.lib.byu.edu/learning/webinars

     

    —

    “Discovering Our Ancestors, Our History and Ourselves-TOGETHER”

     

    Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc.
    Metro- Atlanta Chapter

    www.aahgsatl.org

  • Free global conference for Ancestry researchers

    Free global conference for Ancestry researchers

    We always look for clues to our ancestors’ great lives through lots of tried-and-true research methods, many of whom I’ve recommended. Here’s a global conference that looks at the ancient stories of the special ancestors who may or may not be in our lineage. I’ve attached the schedule. Check out freebie global conference

  • Unlock Your Family’s Past: A Beginners Guide to Ancestry Research

    Unlock Your Family’s Past: A Beginners Guide to Ancestry Research