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Michael L. Strauss, AG

Military Historian & Genealogist

Locality Lectures

More than just Politics: Researching in the Capital City of Washington, DC

Once known as Federal City. Discover your ancestors in several keys research facilities located inside the District of Columbia.  More than just political battle go on inside the walls of congress, as researchers will get an inside look at the resources of the National Archives and the Library of Congress as well as the local research stops for those whose family stem from this old city.

The Keystone State: A Journey of Discovery in Pennsylvania

This lecture will focus on those records from maintained by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This includes many local resources otherwise overlooked by researchers today, from vital records, probate, deeds, divorces, marriages, and a plethora of other related sources. This lecture will also focus on tax lists, church records, and many overlooked genealogical sources waiting to be discovered. The rich history of Pennsylvania stems backwards for nearly 300 years of history.  This is a journey not to be missed.

Wild, Wonderful West Virginia: Research in the Mountain State

Discover your ancestors and other family in the mountain state of West Virginia.  Whether your ancestor was a coal miner or ran with the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s the beautiful state of West Virginia has many wonderful genealogical resources to offer those interested in her history.  Carved out of Virginia in 1863 because of the American Civil War, West Virginia’s genealogical records are available for many years.  Many new and exiting research awaits those willing to travel to the mountain state.

The Garden State: An Overview of the History of New Jersey 

New Jersey has been called “The Crossroads of the American Revolution” due in part to the numbers of pivotal battles that took place in the state during the late war. Nestled between New York and Pennsylvania the state has been called the Garden State since 1876. Genealogical records stretching back centuries since the first settlers can be searched. From local county records to state resources at the New Jersey State Archives and Library in Trenton, NJ the Garden State offers solutions to find elusive family members.

Navigating the Five Borough of New York City

Numerous persons can trace their origins to the Empire State. New York City as one of the largest urban center offers many genealogical resources. Between the American Revolution and the Civil War-several key urban cities along the eastern seaboard populations increased strikingly. In 1790 New York’s population was about 33,000 persons, and by 1860 more than 1 million persons lived in the metropolitan area. This lecture offer a unique prospective into the various genealogical sources and records that are New York City.

The Empire State: An Overview of the History of New York 

Numerous persons can trace their origins to the Empire State. Between the New England States to the north and bordered by Canada, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey to the south and west the records of the Empire State offer much to genealogists who seek their family history. Details covering census, courts, and numerous other records for ancestors who resided in the state from the colonial period to the last century will be examined.

Philadelphia’s Hidden History: Knowing the City of Brotherly Love

The city of Philadelphia dates back to October 27, 1682 when William Penn laid out plans to construct a magnificent city. Records available to genealogists stretch back to the seventeenth century when the city was first founded. The area grew very quickly, and by the time of the Revolutionary War it was the largest and most important city in the new world. Philadelphia was founded on the principles of religious tolerance, and played a vital role in the history of the United States as we gained our Independence.