The fundraiser for the First Church in Ludlow that just completed was a very successful program. I believe that all the participants learned at least something and most picked up a lot of information regarding doing their own family research. In some cases, the participants have asked me to help them along, which is, of course, my business!!
We covered a great many topics from simply getting started. How? Just write what you know. The easiest tool to keep track of that data is a pedigree chart. You start with yourself and build generations back as far as you know. Names, dates, births, marriages, deaths, locations….whatever you can remember.
Then the verification process begins. Did Uncle Fred come to the United States in 1893 or 1898? Was great grandma married once, twice…or three times!!
In a nutshell, we filled 5 weeks with an enormous amount of information. Everyone took notes and everyone left with more than they expected, I believe, because I tried my best to give everyone their own packets consisting of their own family’s census records, draft registration cards, birth, marriage and death records…whatever relevant documents I could find pertaining to each person.
So, now we begin again. I’ve requested the opportunity to conduct another series of classes and the Church has given me the green light.
Who do you know that would be interested in spending about an hour and a half on Monday nights to learn about becoming a genealogical detective?
Contact me directly at dave@oldbones.co or check out the web site at www.oldbones.co.