Methodology Lectures

All in a Day’s Work: Occupational Genealogical Research:

What did your ancestors do for a living? Tap into the business and employment records that might give you clues about how your ancestors made their livelihood. Many of our ancestors changed their vocation regularly in order to support their families. Discover many new wonderful and exiting resources yet undiscovered.

Case Studies in Descendency Research:

This lecture takes on a new focus of tracing the descendants of a particular ancestral couple, along with all of the research and joy associated with conducting this kind of research.  Most genealogists teach the only way to search is is back through the use of pedigree charts going back as far as you can, where this lecture focuses on tracing all the descendants for someone to present.  The doors that will open as you talk with previously unknown cousins and other relatives will boggle your mind.  This is a great follow-up lecture for “Genealogy: A Journey of a Lifetime”.

Genealogy: A Journey of a Lifetime:

This lecture is geared towards those beginning their genealogy journey.  Discover the joy of learning your family history and finding long lost relatives.  Learn how this is really a journey of a lifetime as many great and useful resources and research facilities are discussed along with all the various records that beginners would use.  A must lecture for those looking at starting genealogy.

Historical Maps: The World at your Fingertips:

For many centuries, maps have been the preferred choice of travelers the world over. They not only serve as reliable guides to desired destinations, they also assist the user in getting his or her bearings straight.  But beyond direction and bearing, maps enrich the genealogist’s journey through the roadways and byways of personal history. From fire insurance maps that provide minute detail of our ancestors’ homes, to election maps that detail boundaries of registered voters in large cities, you’re sure to find a research path you’ve not yet considered.

More than just Obituaries: Genealogical Newspaper Research:

Learn to research your ancestry in valuable newspaper sources that can add clues to your family history. This lecture will focus on where to find newspapers resources online and with the use of microfilm or textural records and all of the genealogical records gleaned from them.

Photographic Treasures: Bringing your Research into Focus:

Discover the untapped treasures of photographic collections held by government, local agencies, as well as private collectors. Learn photographic history from the advent of the Daguerreotype to the twentieth century to the history of Postcards and how to properly date old photographs-from any number of ways including the clothing worn to the photographer benchmark used on the paper stock.

Prisoners, Thieves, and Rogues: Discover your Black Sheep Ancestors.

Is there a horse thief in your family tree? Is there a Republican among the Democrats? Are there skeletons in the closet? If so, then this lecture is for you as it focuses on many genealogical records of men and woman who may have led a more colorful life. Discover valuable genealogical resources in Federal, State, and local levels as you glean valuable information about black sheep members of the family.

Work Skills of Old: Justice of the Peace Records:

One of the more interesting old occupations, the office of the Justice of the Peace was very important. Literally the keeper of the peace. Discover your ancestors in the records of the JP. Long overlooked by Genealogists these records are wonderful sources of genealogical information and will prove to be a treasure trove of information to any researchers.

Samford University-Lecture-Birmingham, AL 2010

Samford University-Birmingham, AL-2010