Women’s Suffrage: Their Rights, Roles, and Limitations

Life for early American woman was often burdened with setbacks.  Limited by society without voting rights, limited educational opportunities, and virtually no legal identity, woman sought to be equals in society.  This lecture focuses on the history of woman and the Suffrage Movement from the colonial times to the early twentieth century. Numerous genealogical records are examined in this lecture from the Anti-Slavery movement, to the Temperance Movement, military service, and later as woman gained the right to vote.

Influenza: The Twentieth Century’s Deadliest Pandemic

In 1918 with the war raging in Europe a silent deadly killer traveled with the soldiers from the United States over to the war zones in France. Considered America’s deadliest epidemic that killed more people here than the soldiers that lost their lives fighting. As quickly as the virus spread it disappeared by early 1919. Many genealogical and historical records document our ancestors who died or survived this terrible period of our history.

Researching Your Urban Ancestors

Whether researching urban or rural family members several resources can be employed that  are shared   in common. Some records used in urban research, are not readily available in smaller rural communities. These may include; city and business directories, maps, census, tax records, and other primary sources that can be used to document your urban ancestors more effectively.

Yesterday’s Phone Books: Using City Directories in Research

City directories are a valuable genealogical resource when it comes to researching your urban ancestors. Often containing an alphabetical listing of residents, and providing details about families including addresses, occupations, employment, deaths, and community information. Directories were equally important to the businesses that published them. Ralph L. Polk one of the most prolific printers of directories wrote in all of his introductions: “The directory is a mirror truly reflecting [insert name of city] to the world” and this lecture focuses on directories in both the United States and Canada.

Gravestones and Epitaphs of Our Ancestors

Locating the gravestone of our ancestors can solve mysteries that might otherwise remain hidden in time.  This lecture focuses on the evolution and history of gravestone markers along with the materials used to construct them.  Particular attention is given to the usage of symbols, markings, and tracing the carvers as a means to discover new information about our distant departed. Discussion on how to preserve and read old tombstones employing mirrors; along with how over time epitaphs and other written personal messages can bring us closer to our ancestors”.

Every Ballot Counts: Casting your Vote for Democracy

The right to vote hasn’t always been granted to all individuals.  Early voter records excluded woman, blacks, and other minorities. Often times Freeholders were the only persons permitted to cast votes in elections. Time periods in history including the end of the Civil War through the end of Reconstitution Era limited the rights of some against constitutional amendments.  Voter records can provide details about our ancestors that other records may not list-including; naturalization status, political stance, ages, marital status, domicile, changes of addresses, and death dates. Often overlooked by genealogists these records can prove to be a wealth of new information.

Following the Tracks and Working on the Railroad

Railroads for nearly two centuries have been the preferred mode of transportation for many of our ancestors. Their rich history includes details on when lines started, ceased, merged, or filed bankruptcy. Records including employee, manuscripts, directories, pensions, social security, and other organizations including the Pullman Porters and Harvey Girls are examined.

Exploring the Working Lives of our Ancestors

What did our ancestors do for a living? Did they have gainful employment? Many of our ancestors changed their vocations regularly in order to support their families. Tapping into records of employment will offer new avenues to approach family history and build the life of a specific ancestor. Old occupations and terms that no longer in use are central to discovering one’s family history.  Learn the methodology to researching your ancestors work history.

Descendancy Research: Another Pathway to Genealogy

Breaking though the challenges of brick walls has never been more rewarding; genealogists are often taught that only way to doing successful research is to search backwards through time; going back as far as you can. This lecture assumes a new focus on doing research by tracing all of the descendants of an ancestral couple to present; as we will examine the methodology to find living persons who may hold the key to your family history research.  Focus is also given to provide an actual case study of doing this kind of research.

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 not yet considered.

Treasures Found in Fire Insurance Company Maps

Maps have always aided persons traveling and have been the preferred choice of many to getting from one place to another. One underused source of genealogical material found in maps is located as part of fire insurance maps that can provide minute details about the homes, businesses, and center on the lives of our ancestors. Some of the artists include Sanborn, Perris, Goad, and Hexamer to name as few in addition to dozens of other talented cartographers who plied their trade by drawing maps that covered both urban centers and smaller communities.

More than just Obituaries: Conducting Newspaper Research

One of our great statesman Thomas Jefferson summed up his feelings about the press when he wrote “Where the Press is Free and Every man able to Read all is Safe” One of the essential rudiments of doing genealogy research is discovering record found in print  Our ancestors felt much the same as Jefferson. Newspapers historically have been published daily, weekly, and monthly and often contain information about our ancestors that might now be found anywhere else.  From obituaries, to legal notices, business information, and small town happenings these records are the fabric of our national identity.  This lecture will also focus on collection of online newspapers that are scanned and digitized today for each access by genealogists”

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 Scoundrels: Your Black Sheep Ancestors

Was there a horse thief in your family tree? Are there skeletons hiding in our closets? Some of our ancestors led more colorful lives. This lecture focuses on a variety of genealogical records for both men and women who brushed up against the law. Discover valuable resources found in Federal, State, and local records as we can glean details about black sheep ancestors.

Secret Societies: Finding Records of Fraternal Organizations

Were your ancestors members of the Masons? Did your family have membership with the I.O.O.F. or another secret society.  Discover the rich history and genealogical material that await you with membership records, historical research, and photographs of your family who may have belonged to one or more of these secret societies.

Decoding Secret Societies: Unveiling Female Fraternal Organizations

Do you have ancestry with membership in the Eastern Star? The Daughters of Rebekah? or another woman’s fraternal organization. This lecture counters the above lecture, and focuses on the rich genealogical material of family members who may have belonged to one or more of these female auxiliaries and secret societies.

Work Skills of Old: Justice of the Peace Records

One of the more interesting old occupations was that of the Justice of the Peace.  This was an important and worthy position to hold as the JP was literally the keeper of the peace. Discover your ancestors in the records of the JP. Long overlooked by Genealogists these records are a wonderful source of genealogical information that will prove to be a treasure of information for any researcher.

Family Lore: Separating Fact from Fiction 

Genealogists often hear stories passed down through the generations.  It can be difficult to sift through the pan of genealogical silt to find the nuggets of truth as opposed to hearing family stories that may have been embellished over time. By learning to conduct primary research and using time proven methodology, panning for the truth is well worth our efforts.