2023 Genealogy Webinar Series – Your Roots Pursuits
The Your Roots Pursuits live virtual presentations are free and open to the public. Recordings of the presentations are available to members only for a limited time.
Schedule
Each webinar is scheduled for the third Wednesday of each month at 8 p.m. Eastern Standard or Daylight Savings time (depending on the date) for approximately one hour.
GSNJ is pleased to announce that all 2023 webinars will have the ability for attendees to utilize Zoom’s Closed Captioning feature. The webinar host will explain how to select this option at the beginning of each monthly webinar.
January 18 – Julie Crain Miguel – What is WikiTree?
Review of a free, collaborative genealogy website. Julie discusses the pros and cons and highlights some of the unique features of this site.
February 15 – Melissa Johnson, CG® and Pamelyn P. Bush, CG® – Genealogical Writing with Q&A about Publishing in GMNJ
Learn how to preserve your genealogical research for future generations by writing for publication. Attendees will learn about different types of written genealogical works, including compiled genealogies, narratives, biographies and proof arguments, as well as how to meet current genealogy writing standards. This special webinar will also include an overview of the Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey (GMNJ)’s editorial policy, presented by Pamelyn P. Bush, CG® (GSNJ’s Editorial Committee Chair) and will provide attendees with opportunities to ask questions about publishing in GMNJ.
March 15 – Jill Morelli, CG®, CGL – Whether the Weather: How Weather Affected our Ancestors
We will cover major weather events and events sparked by natural disasters to understand how weather influenced our ancestor’s decision-making. A brief history of the weather service will also be covered and how it influenced decision-making of migration.
April 19 – Mary Risseeuw – The Dutch Reformed Churches in America
History of the churches, and the divisions, are essential to helping you understand the Dutch immigrant, their settlement choice and their culture in the U.S.
May 17 – Michael Lacopo – She Came from Nowhere: A Case Study Approach to a Difficult Genealogical Problem
This lecture illustrates the joys and pitfalls of genealogical research as well as employing a problem-solving approach utilizing social history, manuscript research, and family analysis to identify the parents of Elizabeth Stith, the ancestor “from nowhere.” The path to finding Elizabeth is full of booby traps that genealogists need to be wary of. Learn to avoid common mistakes, become a better genealogist, and break down those brick walls one brick at a time!
June 21 – Melissa Barker – Weird Things I Have Inherited and How to Preserve Them
Let’s face it, we have all inherited some weird things from our family members. Everything from that lock of hair to Grandpa’s bowling trophies. Do we need to keep these things? How do we even find a box for some of these things? Learn from an archivist why we should keep these weird items and how to archive them properly.
July 19 – Annette Burke Lyttle – Finding Our Ancestors by Researching the Neighbors
Neighborhood, cluster, or FAN (family, associates, and neighbors) research can often be the key to breaking through brick walls. When records left by our ancestors don’t tell their story, we look for the records of the people around them because our ancestors can appear in their records. The records of neighbors can also suggest new places for us to look for records created by our ancestors. Learn how to use this powerful method for advancing our research.
August 16 – Sandy Rumble – American Military Records of the 18th and 19th century
Military records contain firsthand information documenting service, post-war life, family, and those all-important FAN club members. Examine the records that reveal military life hardships, battles, promotions, illness and injury, prisoner-of-war, and courts-martial. Pension records identify the events that resulted in a life-altering disability, impacting the soldier’s ability to earn a living and support his family. Today we will explore the 18th and 19th-century treasure trove of military records that reveal the details of your ancestor’s service.
September 20 – LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson, JD, LLM, CG®, CGL – African American Genealogy: Strategies for Researching
The lecture will provide a conceptual foundation for tackling genealogical issues in any of the historical slave states, with a focus on applicable Genealogy Standards, the importance of historical context, and strategies for utilizing specific records.
October 18 – Shannon Combs-Bennett – Genealogy in the 21st Century: Using DNA to Aid Your Paper Research
DNA testing for genealogical research has become as common as using a census record. Like a census record, it can tell the researcher some information, lead to further questions, or even leave you completely confused by the results. If you are considering taking a DNA test for genealogy or have already taken one, this presentation is for you! We will cover the type of tests on the market, what they can (or cannot) tell you, how to use them with your paper genealogical research, and more.
November 15 – Tara Shymanski – Finding Records on FamilySearch
Have you ever tried browsing through records on the FamilySearch website? How do you know what’s available and how to find them? Searching the indexed records is the easiest way to look for ancestors. But there are thousands of digitized records that haven’t been indexed. Taking the time to browse or scroll through them is worth the effort. You’ll learn where to find them and tips on making the browsing a bit easier. This lecture will look at how to find both indexed and non-indexed records to make the best use of the FamilySearch website.
December 20 – Bryna O’Sullivan – 10 Common Lineage Society Application Mistakes – And How to Avoid Them
Whether your grandmother was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution or you’re looking to document a new line to the Mayflower, some common issues can down the application process. This presentation will introduce the most common mistakes made by applicants and explain how to effectively avoid them.
Note: The schedule and speakers are subject to change.
Registration and System Requirements
The Zoom platform will be used for the webinars. A working internet connection is required to access the webinars.
Click on the Click Here to Register button for each webinar to register. You may register for each webinar until the webinar ends.
Each attendee will receive an email with the webinar link. A reminder will be sent prior to the webinar. To cancel, click on the cancellation link provided in the email received at the time of registration.
Handouts
The handout for each webinar will be provided during the webinar.
Speaker Biographies
Melissa Barker is a Certified Archives Manager and Public Historian currently working at the Houston County, Tennessee Archives & Museum. She is affectionally known as The Archive Lady to the genealogy community. She lectures, teaches, and writes about the genealogy research process, researching in archives and records preservation. She conducts virtual presentations across the United States and other countries for various genealogy groups and societies. She writes a popular blog entitled A Genealogist in the Archives and is a well-known published book reviewer. She has been a Professional Genealogist for the past 19 years with expertise in Tennessee records. She has been researching her own family history for the past 33 years.
Annette Burke Lyttle owns Heritage Detective, LLC, providing professional genealogical services in research, education, and writing. She speaks on a variety of genealogical topics at the national, state, and local levels and loves helping people uncover and share their family stories. She is coordinator of the Fall Virtual Intermediate Foundations course for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. Annette leads Best Practices Study Groups for a number of organizations, providing in-depth education on the genealogical research process in an interactive setting. She is president of the Association of Professional Genealogists and editor of The Florida Genealogist.
Pamelyn P. Bush, CG®, has been a member of GSNJ for 42 years, a trustee since 2005, Recording Secretary since 2006, and current chairperson of the GSNJ Editorial Committee. She was an Associate Editor to Jane F. Fiske for GMNJ Volume 97 (2022).
Shannon Combs-Bennett, QG, MSc, PLCGS, is an award-winning author and genealogical researcher based in Northern Virginia. She lectures and writes on various topics, from genealogical methodology to genetic genealogy. Shannon holds a BS in Biology with an emphasis in genetics and an MSc in Genealogical, Heraldic, and Paleographic Studies. She also earned her Professional Learning Certificate in Genealogical Studies from the National Institute for Genealogical Studies. Currently, Shannon is a doctoral student in History and Genealogical Studies at the University of Strathclyde.
Julie Crane Miguel started doing genealogy to get her mother into the DAR, and to discover the identity of her grandmother. Now she hopes to use her knowledge and experience to help others learn about their ancestors.
LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson, JD, LLM, CG®, FASG, earned a BA from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, and both a Law degree and a Master of Laws degree from New York University. She enjoyed a 35-year career as a tax lawyer before her 2013 retirement from a partner-level position at the big four accounting firm of EY, and is now a full-time genealogist focused on teaching and writing about Methodology and African American families that survived American slavery. She has served as a trustee of the Board for Certification of Genealogists® since 2016, and was BCG President from 2019-2022. LaBrenda also serves as the Registrar General of the Sons and Daughters of the United States Middle Passage, a national lineage society that honors ancestors who were enslaved in the United States. In 2021 LaBrenda was elected as the 170th Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists (ASG), the field’s honorary scholarly society that was founded in 1940 and is limited to fifty life-time members. She coordinates the African American Track at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), in addition to teaching various subjects at SLIG, the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh, the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records, and the Institute of Genealogy & Historical Research. For more information see her website www.LabGarrettGenealogy.com.
Melissa Johnson, CG®, is a professional genealogist, writer and editor. Melissa is currently the Program Director for Boston University’s genealogy studies programs, and teaches at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, Institute for Genealogy and Historical Research, and the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh. Her work has been published in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, New York Genealogical & Biographical Record, NGS Magazine, Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly, Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey, and numerous other publications. Melissa is President of the Genealogical Society of New Jersey and Vice President of the International Society for British Genealogy and Family History.
Dr. Michael D. Lacopo is a retired small-animal veterinarian born and raised in northern Indiana. He takes a scientific approach to his research as he does to his profession. Researching since 1980, he has lectured internationally and written for numerous periodicals and journals. A self-described “all-American mutt,” his research skills cover a broad range.
Jill Morelli, CG®, CGL, is a writer, lecturer and co-founder of the online Applied Genealogy Institute, providing practicum-based educational opportunities for intermediate and advanced genealogists. In 2017, she founded the Certification Discussion Group, an online series discussing her certification journey in order to demystify the process for others. She specializes in Scandinavian research and is constantly honing her methodological skills. She lectures nationally and has written articles for National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Swedish American Genealogist, NCGS Journal and many others. Jill is past president of the Seattle Genealogical Society, co-chair of SGS Centennial 2023, Puget Sound-APG program chair, and a member of many local and national genealogical societies.
Bryna O’Sullivan is a Middletown, CT based professional genealogist and French to English genealogical translator. As proprietor of Charter Oak Genealogy, she specializes in lineage society applications.
Mary Risseeuw is a genealogist, historian, writer and lecturer. She has researched 19th & 20th century Dutch immigration to Wisconsin for over 30 years and has published and lectured throughout the Midwest and the Netherlands.
Sandy Rumble was the go-to person for over 30 years to develop hands-on training courses for the custom technology tools developed for clients. An avid genealogist, Sandy expanded her teaching skills to genealogy, speaking at genealogical institutes, conferences, historical and genealogical societies, and DAR Chapters. As a course coordinator for GRIP, Sandy coordinated “Documentation for Lineage Societies” and co-coordinated “Answering the Call of Uncle Sam,” an exploration of 18th & 19th-century American military records. A DAR member, Sandy created a multi-day course for fellow members to inform research for supplemental applications and identifying Revolutionary War military service. A frequent researcher at the National Archives, she has pulled tens of thousands of pages of documentation, performing unit studies for men who served in the War of 1812, the Mexican War, and the Civil War.
Tara Shymanski is a genealogy researcher, lecturer, and blogger. She has a BA in History and specializes in Canadian record research. A self-proclaimed genealogy geek, she loves to delve into diverse collections.
Contact
If you have questions, please contact GSNJ at programs@gsnj.org.
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