Course Descriptions

FamilySearch

1. New FamilySearch.org — Tim Cross
   
   Come discover current and future plans for FamilySearch’s Tree. How does the Tree fit into FamilySearch? Is the Tree limited to just new.familysearch.org? Are we going to be able to make this “common” tree work? How are we supposed to source the Tree? Is this just for genealogists or can everyone participate?
   Level: All
   
   
2. Keys to Success Using FamilySearch Research Wiki — Fran Jensen
   
   This class will begin by sharing a few examples of success stories related to using FamilySearch Research Wiki. Based upon the success stories, the keys to success will be identified. Some of the best features of the Wiki will be outlined; attendees will be guided to better find the research and guidance they seek.
   Level: All
   
   
3. Letting Your Expertise Shine in the FamilySearch Community — Anne Roach
   
   Expert or beginner, wherever your heart lies in the field of genealogy, learn how to participate in the FamilySearch Community by sharing your expertise. Learn how and where to add databases, no matter the size, learn how to build your professional reputation, and how to leave your personal genealogical legacy in a community with unlimited exposure to new learners and experts alike. Learn about activities that qualify for ICAPGen credentials, and for beginners, learn how to begin your journey toward excellence by using the community to help others and yourself grow in genealogical knowledge.
   Level: All
   
   
4. New Resources for Consultants: What They Are and Real Examples of How to Use Them — Jim Greene
   
   In this session you will learn about new and exciting research tools and resources that have been developed to help answer questions and provide up-to-date information on how to find ancestors. You will hear about real-life examples of how using the tools and resources will help you in your research efforts to find your ancestors.
   Level: All
   
   
5. Records Access: How FamilySearch is Unlocking Access to Billions of Free Family History Records Worldwide — Jessie Spisak
   
   Come see our vision of open access to historical documents and how FamilySearch is gathering and preserving the world’s largest collection of genealogical records in the world. How does this operational undertaking work? How long it will take? How can you contribute to make more records available to more people faster? We will also reveal upcoming projects and program changes, all in an effort to allow you access to the records you need.
   Level: All
   
   
6. Tips and Tricks for Searching Historical Records on Record Search — Bryce Roper
   
   FamilySearch continues to provide access to a growing number of historical records in the redesigned FamilySearch.org Web site and on Record Search Pilot site. These records include both indexed and un-indexed collections with access to a growing collection that currently includes 1 billion names and will reach over 2 billion this year. This course will help you gain a brief understanding of where the content comes from, learn about the available sets of records in Record Search and learn how to use the interface to more successfully find your ancestors.
   Level: All
   
   
7. Online Research Classes at FamilySearch.org — Darin Hakes
   
   Learn about the ways FamilySearch is taking learning opportunities online, converting traditional classroom instruction, like the ones held at the Family History Library, into video and interactive tutorials, delivered via the Internet. Get a sneak peek into what’s in development and what kinds of educational experiences are coming in the future.
   Level: All
   
   
8. New FamilySearch.org (Repeat) — Tim Cross
   
   Come discover current and future plans for FamilySearch’s Tree. How does the Tree fit into FamilySearch? Is the Tree limited to just new.familysearch.org? Are we going to be able to make this “common” tree work? How are we supposed to source the Tree? Is this just for genealogists or can everyone participate?
   Level: All
   
   
9. Creating Your Own Digital Archive — Joseph B. Shumway
   
   Say goodbye to all those stacks of loose papers! This class will show you a way to effectively organize, store and preserve your genealogical files. You will also be introduced to easy ways to share and exchange your files with others. Students will learn how to create an effective electronic filing system for storing their genealogical files and tracking their research. They will also learn ways to properly back up their files with the use of various hardware and online services, as well as ways to share their electronic files with others.
   Level:Beginner to Intermediate
   
   
10. Serendipity and Other Miracles: Why You Need Family History — Janet Hovorka
    With the advent of genealogical blogging and social networking, we can see more than ever before why people become fascinated with genealogy. We also witness the amazing miracles that consistently happen in family history work. This class surveys the stories of finding identity, physical and emotional healing, inspiring descendants and becoming connected. This lecture uses social networking and blogging to gather information about the genealogy movement. We can learn a lot about the genealogist’s experience now that it is easier to hear about the common man’s experience.
    Level: Beginning
    
    
11. The Ten Best Web Tools of the Past Ten Years — Rick Crume
    
    Ten years ago, genealogy research meant scrolling census microfilm, traveling to genealogy libraries, and corresponding with courthouse clerks. You still do those things at times, but much has changed. This countdown lists the ten online tools that have done the most to transform genealogy research over the past decade.
    Level: Beginning

FamilySearch Affiliates (Monday Only)

1. Getting the Most out of New FamilySearch — Janet Hovorka
   Taking a look at the certified products that have been developed to enhance your experience with FamilySearch Family Tree will help you work more effectively. We will talk about the different levels of certification and briefly compare the certified software programs and their syncing systems, take a look at the Web services and their varied functionality. This lecture compares the applications, tools and services that are being developed by the genealogy industry to enhance the user’s experience with new FamilySearch.
   Level: Intermediate
   
   
2. Family Insight — John Vilburn
   
   Using FamilyInsight to synchronize your records with new FamilySearch. Two-way updating between your file and new FamilySearch, Ordinance Reservation and management, easy place name standardization, and more. Compatible for Mac and PC versions.
   Level: All
   
   
3. Ancestor Quest – Sync Your PAF Data to new.FamilySearch.org and Reserve Ordinances — Gaylon Finlay
   
   Learn to synchronize your PAF 5 or AQ database with the Family Tree database of New FamilySearch, and to use AQ’s Ordinance Reservation and Tracking System to: identify records in your PAF or AQ file which need ordinances; reserve ordinances and create FORs; and keep your records current with temple information. You will learn to link individuals, combine duplicate records in New FamilySearch, reconcile families between your local file and the family tree of NFS, and use the powerful group syncing capability to quickly synchronize large groups of records with NFS.
   Level: All
   
   
4. Basic Research Practices in the Age of New FamilySearch — Janet Hovorka
   Applying the Genealogical Proof Standard for genealogy research to the new FamilySearch Family Tree database will help us make good research choices and collaborate to make the new database accurate. We will discuss primary and secondary sources, original and compiled records and how to track your research effectively. In the collaborative Internet age, source centricity is more important than ever. The research processes we use to approach the New FamilySearch online resource will determine how valuable and accurate it will ultimately become. Like my library professors used to say, a computer database is only as useful as the information that goes into it. Using good research practices is crucial to the success of the system.
   Level: Beginning to Intermediate
   
   
5. Getting Your Notes and Sources Right in Your Genealogy Software — Janet Hovorka
   Ultimately the reliability of any historical fact lies in the sources that have been used to establish that fact. Source centricity is now more important than ever and so are your methods for citing sources. Following genealogical standards for source citations, and using your genealogy database software correctly will help you get your research right. This lecture focuses on using genealogy software to effectively keep track of your genealogy sources. We will discuss and compare the way the most popular genealogy software programs deal with genealogy sources and how they treat the genealogy standards (such as Elizabeth Shown Mill’s Evidence Explained).
   Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Publishing

1. Transform Family History Treasures to Digital Formats — Kathleen Webb and Linda Sharp
   
   Got photos? Got cassette taped interviews? Got mimeographed stories? How about handwritten journal pages? Learn how to turn these items into digital formats for easy sharing and wide distribution. You need to migrate to the new technologies so your treasures remain accessible. You gotta do it before it’s too late.
   Level: Intermediate
   
   
2. “How-To” Guide to Blog Building — Reed Powell
   
   Blogs are quickly outpacing traditional Web sites as a technology for sharing research information on the Internet. This lecture compares the strengths and weaknesses of the three most popular blog building products: WordPress, Drupal and Joomla! It will also delve into the topic of how to actually get a blog up and running with these products, as well as how to use them to create a Web site with the look and feel of a traditional Web site.
   Level: Beginner
   
   
3. Publishing Your Research with Your Computer — William Priest
   
   This session will look at how to use your computer and your genealogy software, and other software, to publish your family history in paper or electronic formats. Publishing your family research is an excellent way to share, protect and preserve your legacy.
   Level: All
   
   
4. Building Your First Genealogy Web site — Reed Powell
   
   Now that you’ve collected all that family history information, how do you begin sharing it with others on the Internet? Just how hard is it to build a Web site that will make your research results available to others, and also help you connect with others doing similar research? This presentation covers the basics of getting started with building such a Web site, and shows how to do it without extensive technical training or computer programming background. Examples and step-by-step processes for creating Web sites and blogs will be presented.
   Level: Beginner
   
   
5. I Built My Web site But Nobody Can Find It: Search Engine Optimization — Reed Powell
   
   Search engines are the number one source of traffic to most Web sites. Genealogy Web sites in particular are geared towards publishing and sharing the information collected during the course of one’s research. This lecture covers the methods search engines use to determine which sites to refer searchers to, and what can be done to maximize your Web site’s exposure to this massive audience. The information and advice given will be based on the real-world experiences of Search Engine Optimization professionals, and will separate highly effective techniques from those based on “old wives&039; tales.”
   Level: Beginner to Intermediate
   
   
6. Beyond Blogging: Google Sites — Devin Ashby
   
   Have you ever wanted to do more than post photos, text, and links online? Come learn about Google Sites, a tool that will allow you to upload documents and charts, PDFs, photos, calendars, video, audio, and so much more.
   Level: Beginner and Intermediate
   
   
7. Where are MY Family’s Stories Online? — Tami Glatz
   
   So great-grandpa didn’t write his detailed autobiography? Don’t fret. If your ancestors were in the US in the 1800s to early 1900s, they may have been mentioned in family or local history books, or newspaper or journal articles. Learn how to find your family stories online in digital print.
   Level: All
   
   
8. “Your Genealogy Research – Till Death Do Us Part?” — William Priest
   
   This session will look at the preparations you should be making today to preserve your research, and your legacy, in the event of your untimely death. This session will cover the steps you can take to make sure that your electronic research records can be recovered and used by others.
   Level: All
   
   
9. Gathering Materials for Publishing your Family History — Lorinda Mann
   This presentation shows how to use Internet Web sites to find location of documents and copies of genealogical information, put you in touch with living relatives, and get pictures of churches, houses, etc. It also demonstrates how to get the information from those sources into your genealogy software in preparation for publication.
   Level: Beginning to Intermediate
   
   
10. Organizing, Editing, and Improving Your Family History Publication — Lorinda Mann
    This presentation will demonstrate how to use genealogy management software to organize family information for publishing. We will also show how to edit, rearrange and improve what is produced by the software using a word processor, Internet resources to find clip art and image editing software.
    Level: Beginning to Intermediate
    
    
11. Publishing Your Family History (using LuLu) — Lorinda Mann
    Use online resources to make your family history book available in print or online. This presentation will focus on using lulu.com for print publishing and FamilySearch family history archive for online publishing. A demonstration of the complete process for each will be included.
    Level: Beginning to Intermediate
    
    
12. Self-Publishing Using Ancestry — Margret Aldridge
    
    Margaret Aldridge presents case studies conducted in 2009 that provide insight on how Ancestry.com can be used. The findings helped show how the basic information gathered can adapted to other family members’ needs.
    Level: All

Methodology

1. Strategies for Searching Ancestry.com — Suzanne R. Adams
   
   Discover the best strategies for searching the thousands of databases on Ancestry.com. Learn about various search methods and how each method will benefit your family history.
   Level: Beginning to Intermediate
   
   
2. Computerized Reconstitution of the Families of a Sixteenth Century Rural Village — Liz Snow
   
   This lecture demonstrates the process of digitizing and transcribing original 16th century Spanish confraternity censuses and village parish records, converting them to a .csv file and importing that file into genealogy software. The Excel database allows statistical historical analysis. The genealogy program offers demographic and genealogical analysis and narrative creation.
   Level: Intermediate to Advanced
   
   
3. Intro to Google for Genealogists — Dan Lynch
   
   Google is available in more than 160 countries and is free to use! By learning to employ some very simple yet powerful techniques, you can reduce the amount of time spent searching through millions of results and instead use that time to closely evaluate a much smaller number of results with far greater relevance to your specific family research. (Also discusses Yahoo, Live.com, Bing.com and merits of other secondary search engines and/or emerging trends.)
   Level: All
   
   
4. Technology as Part of the Research Process: A Case Study — Devin Ashby
   
   How can technology assist and not frustrate you in the research process? This case study will focus on tips and tools that will help you find information on those you are searching for.
   Level: Beginner and Intermediate
   
   
5. Effective Database Search Tactics — Kory Meyerink
   
   Online or off, modern genealogy research requires effective searching of databases. With millions of names in hundreds of different databases, it’s easy for an ancestor to get lost. Your success depends on knowing the best way to search each different collection. Boolean, truncation, keyword, fielded data, proximity, phrase, wild cards and wild words are not foreign words, but rather your keys to genealogical success!
   Level: Beginner to Intermediate
   
   
6. Finding Descendents Online — Lorinda Mann
   
   This explores the use of online sources to track siblings of your direct ancestors and their descendents. Living cousins could possibly be found with information that would help you with history and someone to work with on your family.
   Level: All
   
   
7. Evaluating Databases and Overcoming Their Errors — Kory Meyerink
   
   Databases are the life’s blood of today’s genealogists. Like any other record, they have errors and limitations, but those are often hidden due to the number of names they have. Size also makes it hard to evaluate the value of the information they contain. Here are the secrets and tactics you need to understand and use all genealogical databases better.
   Level: Beginner to Intermediate
   
   
8. Using Search Engines Effectively for Genealogical Research — Tami Glatz
   
   The secret to successful genealogical research on the Internet is learning how to use search engines effectively. There are several search engines that offer advantages to the genealogist. Learn the tips and tricks to search the Internet effectively to find the information you seek.
   Level: All
   
   
9. Finding and Using Compiled Sources to Jump Start Your Research Project — C. Lynn Anderson
   
   This class explains how to use Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, FamilySearch Wiki, Google book search, Heritage Quest Online Books and PERSI, Library of Congress Catalog, NEHGS, NUCMC, RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project, USGenWeb, WorldCat, WorldVital Records, and your favorite search engine to locate compiled records such as biographies, county & family histories, genealogies, pedigrees, GEDCOM files, etc. We will also discuss the role of the compiled source in research and how to use it based on the Genealogical Proof Standard.
   Level: All
   
   
10. Internet vs. The Road Trip — Margaret Albridge
    
    Margaret Aldridge presents a case study providing insight as to how the Internet and a follow-up road trip can complement each other in genealogy research. This is a case study approach conducted in the summer of 2009. The findings helped show how the two approaches provide support for each other.
    Level: All
    
    
11. Intro into Google for Genealogists — Dan Lynch
    
    Google is available in more than 160 countries and is free to use! By learning to employ some very simple yet powerful techniques, you can reduce the amount of time spent searching through millions of results and instead use that time to closely evaluate a much smaller number of results with far greater relevance to your specific family research. (Also discusses Yahoo, Live.com, Bing.com and merits of other secondary search engines and/or emerging trends.)
    Level: All
    
    
12. Citing and Evaluating Online Sources — Joseph B. Shumway
    
    With the Internet becoming more important to genealogical research every day, it is important to know how to properly evaluate and cite sources found online. Learn some simple ways to cite a Web site and evaluate its content so that you can provide a good research trail for others who may follow. Genealogists must learn to cite online sources in such a way that others evaluating their research can determine exactly where the information came from and how reliable that source may be. This class will show students a simple way in which they can effectively cite and evaluate online sources.
    Level:Beginner to Intermediate

Software & Technology

1. What’s New in Family History Online — Alan Mann
   
   This lecture is about new genealogy sites on the Internet, new ways of using the Internet in your family history research, and promising new ideas for future products and services offered on the Web.
   Level: Beginner to Intermediate
   
   
2. All a Twitter About Wave: Ten Disruptive New Web Services — Alan Mann
   
   Learn about Google Wave, OffiSync, Cloud Computing with Google OS, new Twitter applications, and six other Web-based services that may change the way you work, open new opportunities for genealogical research, and simplify organizing, analyzing, and sharing your family history.
   Level: Intermediate to Advanced
   
   
3. Feeding Frenzy: Learn How RSS Feeds Can Help You Satisfy Your Appetite for Genealogical News — Rick Crume
   
   Reading blogs is a great way to stay on top of the latest genealogy news, but repeatedly visiting your favorite blogs to find out what’s new is time-consuming. RSS to the rescue: Really Simple Syndication feed readers regularly check the blogs and news sites you specify and retrieve updates.
   Level: Intermediate
   
   
4. Browser Wars: Improving Your Internet Experience — Alan Mann
   
   Learn about Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera, Safari, and Internet Explorer 8. See a demo of each browser, learn what each can do, and get a demo of the key advantages of each. See how you can customize your browsing experience.
   Level: Beginner
   
   
5. Genealogy Software: How do the Top Programs Compare? — Rick Crume
   
   If you’re new to genealogy software or you’re ready to make a switch, you have several programs to choose from. You should also consider several Internet-based programs that now rival their desktop counterparts. Rick will compare the top programs and help you choose the best one for your needs.
   Level: Beginner
   
   
6. Take Notes, Take it With You: Software Note-taking With Microsoft OneNote, Zotero and Others! — Tony Bandy
   
   With the rise of easily portable netbooks and tablets, it’s now possible to transition away from the voluminous paper notes and notebooks associated with genealogy projects. This lecture will help researchers of all types become familiar with and easily understand digital note-taking software such as Microsoft’s OneNote, Zotero and even online software such as Evernote. We will look inside each software package and show detailed tips and tricks to speed research, use audio notes and even access them worldwide—no matter where the researcher is located!
   Level: All
   
   
7. Top Technologies and Technology Trends — Alan Mann
   
   Learn about new technologies that may change how our computers work and what they can do; and how those technologies may help you find your ancestors faster and more effectively. Learn what’s coming in the future and what new “tools in embryo” hold promise for the future of genealogical research.
   Level: All
   
   
8. Google News Archive, News Timeline, Alerts — Dan Lynch
   
   Genealogists love news! The older the better, right? Google provides specialized access to a growing collection of historical archives, and a special timeline feature empowers us with the ability to quickly filter content to suit our individual needs. Using the foundation techniques discussed in the Introduction to Google, you can master New Archives and the exciting new News Timeline and also save your query definitions so Google can search on your behalf—even while you sleep!
   Level: All
   
   
9. The Google Genealogist — Devin Ashby
   
   What are the latest tools from Google and how can I use them in my research? Come learn about products like Picasa, Alerts, Sites, Books, Video, Maps, and much more that can help you save time and money as you utilize the Internet to help you get the job done.
   Level: Beginner and Intermediate
   
   
10. Learn the Tech to Trace Your Roots — Barry Ewell
    
    Learn how to find your ancestors faster with substantially less roadblocks, when you see your family in the times and seasons of their generation. During the presentation, we will explore several simple but very effective methods for creating a roadmap that you can follow, update, and change as you research your family.
    Level: Beginning to Intermediate
    
    
11. Microsoft Excel as a Research Tool — Debbie Gurtler
    
    Social history and family history can benefit greatly from the use of Excel as a tool for examining and recording the data you collect. The key to finding the answers you are looking for lies in setting up your database, correctly entering the data from your records, and then analyzing what you have found to draw meaningful conclusions. This lecture will discuss what types of research questions one might have and how to set up an Excel database to record and analyze the data and find the answers. It will include tips for entering information and analyzing the data using tools in Excel. Examples of three databases will be shown and discussed. One is based on Spanish notarial records. One is based on the U.S. Federal Census. The third one is based on a combination of census records, Civil War military records, Confederate Civil War pension records, probate records, and marriage records. Also to be discussed are how to use Excel in reporting data; how to take a source from the research calendar to the report and then to document labels and only enter the information once; and ways to set up databases for tax lists and land records that make it easy to analyze the information found. Ways to set up databases for tax lists and land records to allow ease in analyzing the information found will also be discussed.
    Level: Beginner
    
    
12. Genealogy Software for the Mac — Russell Anderson
    
    For many years, good genealogy software was only available for Windows PC computers. However, now there are several reasonably good programs that are written for the Mac. In addition, with the latest Macintosh computers that use the Intel processor, it is fairly easy to now run your favorite Windows programs on your Mac. Another approach is to use programs that run in a Web environment and they can work on any computer with a Web browser.

Tools & Hardware

1. Choosing and Using the Right Hardware and Software for Genealogy — Barry Ewell
   
   PC or a laptop? What features are best when buying a scanner, camera, DVD, printer, and other peripherals? What software can I use for genealogy? Learn how to evaluate and make better choices in your purchase of hardware and software for your genealogical research.
   Level: Beginning to Intermediate
   
   
2. The Ten Best Web Tools of the Past Ten Years — Rick Crume
   
   Ten years ago, genealogy research meant scrolling census microfilm, traveling to genealogy libraries, and corresponding with courthouse clerks. You still do those things at times, but much has changed. This countdown lists the ten online tools that have done the most to transform genealogy research over the past decade.
   Level: Beginning
   
   
3. The 50 Most Popular Genealogy Web sites (Really!) — Kory Meyerink
   
   Based on an extensive study of genealogical Web traffic, here are the 50 most visited real genealogy Web sites. Since these are the most visited sites, they must be doing something right and providing some value to their visitors. Join us as we count them down, and learn what you’ve been missing!
   Level: Intermediate
   
   
4. Freeware and Shareware for Family History — Donald and Diane Snow
   
   Besides commercial software, there is lots of free genealogy and family history software. This includes genealogy data management programs, utilities for examining and working with data, GEDCOM utilities, picture, photo, and sound programs, and even utilities to help when transcribing handwritten documents. We will illustrate some of these, and the notes have links of where to download them. The notes for this talk, including many details and links, are posted on the Utah Valley PAF Users Group Web page http://uvpafug.org under Class Outlines > Don’s Listings, or go to it directly at http://uvpafug.org/classes/dons/dons-fhfreeware.html.
   Level: All
   
   
5. How Genealogical Software Handles Source Citation — William Priest
   
   Proper source citation is essential. This session will look at a comparison of the most popular genealogy packages and the pros/cons of how they allow the citation of sources.
   Level: All
   
   
6. Google Images, Video, and Other Tools for Genealogy — Dan Lynch
   
   Google Images and Video hold great value for genealogists in bringing your ancestors’ stories to life – you just have to be clever about how and where you look. We’ll explore special techniques for using Images and Video, as well as nearly a dozen other tools perfectly suited for family history research. Fasten your seat belts! This session will move fast!
   Level: All
   
   
7. Using Digital Camera to Copy Records — Mary Hill
   
   Learn how to use your digital camera to copy records from microfilm, original sources, books and manuscripts. Know what settings to use on your camera. Learn about megapixels and how to get the best images possible in various circumstances.
   Level: Beginner
   
   
8. Using Boxes to Think Outside the Box — Barbara Nuehring
   
   Discussion of various ways genealogists can use spreadsheets and word processing tables as analytical tools. Explanation of the terminology, capabilities, and differences of the software programs. Examples of using spreadsheets/tables during each phase of the genealogical research cycle.
   Level: Intermediate
   
   
9. Mobile Genealogy Perspective — Curtis Tirrell
   
   Attendees who choose to participate in this course will be able to answer the question: “Why would I consider a mobile device to assist in my family history efforts?” We will discuss technology and opportunity trends that might be considered in using mobile computing to assist in the family history process. Students will learn how to use a mobile smart phone to carry their content with them, or to capture new source content and augment existing data.
   Level: All
   
   
10. Gadgets 101 — Alan Mann
    
    This presentation is a quick, fun look at several appealing products for gadget lovers. If we try hard enough, we might even find some way they apply to genealogy.
    Level: All
    
    
11. Back Up Before You Hear the Beep — Linda and Paul Sharp
    
    Waiting until your computer’s hard drive is beginning to fail puts all your hard work in jeopardy. Learn how to do routine maintenance on your computer and how to best back up your computer’s hard drive. Don’t wait ’til you hear the beep – better safe than sorry.
    Level: Beginning

Books (Monday Only)

1. Finding Genealogy Books, Online! — Kory Meyerink
   
   Tens of thousands of important genealogy books are now available to you 24/7, in the comfort of your own home. They are virtually all free, but are scattered on hundreds of Web sites, not just on Google Books. So, here’s how you find and use them, including how to use a virtually unknown “catalog” of online genealogy books. Success awaits!
   Level: Intermediate
   
   
2. Finding Hidden Treasures in Online Library Web sites — Tami Glatz
   
   Whether you’re planning a research trip or researching online long-distance, library Web sites often contain a wealth of genealogical information. This presentation will discuss online digital libraries and archives, how to locate regional libraries and some of the treasures for genealogical research they hold.
   Level: All
   
   
3. Books, eBooks and the Archive: A Genealogical Take on Google Books, News Archive and Digital Projects — Tony Bandy
   
   While Google Books is mired in legal controversy, let’s not overlook the fact that it’s a literal goldmine of information for family researchers of all types! Going further, if we combine the resources of that project with the LOC Chronicling America project, the Internet Archive and others such as the New Zealand digital resources, this is rapidly becoming the golden age of research for genealogists. This lecture will focus in on 2–3 of the digital resources available and show you how to quickly and accurately access family information, obituaries and much more!
   Level: All
   
   
4. Organize for Efficiency — Dan Lynch
   
   Which takes you longer – finding information about your ancestors OR finding where you stored all the information you’ve already found about your ancestors? Learn how to master your use of file naming conventions, folders, and common computer desktop applications so that you can finally have control of the files you use in your family research. Special emphasis will also cover tips for using Word and Excel as tools for family history research.
   Level: All
   
   
5. FamilySearch Digital Book Scanning Program — Michael J. Hall

Records on the Internet

1. Online Census Records — Loretta Evans
   
   This course will help a beginner understand how to use the online census databases. Several search strategies will be discussed. FamilySearch, HeritageQuest, and Ancestry images will be compared.
   Level: Beginner
   
   
2. U.S. Vital Records Online — Loretta Evans
   
   More and more vital records are available online. Some sites only have indexes, but scanned copies of the actual certificates are posted by government and private agencies.
   Level: Beginner
   
   
3. The Ports of New York: The Legacy of Alien and Citizen Arrivals, 1820–1950s — Jayare Roberts
   
   Our objective is to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the searches and sources behind the so-called “Ellis Island” and “Castle Garden” databases. We will learn that the later records document an important part of the legacy of New York arrivals of all types of passengers-alien, non-immigrant, citizen, and crew. 
   Level: All
   
   
4. Unique U.S. Death Records: In-Earth and Online — Jayare Roberts
   
   We will highlight the recent online indexes and tens of millions of civil death records at FamilySearch. We will discuss the records, localities, and time periods for the LDS extraction/indexing/imaging projects. We will view unique documents such as burial transits, physician returns, stillbirths, funeral home registers, and inquest cases.
   Level: Intermediate
   
   
5. Cemetery Research for Your Computer — William Priest
   
   A vast amount of cemetery records now exists on the Internet. Tips will be given on how to contribute to and get the most out of sites like Find A Grave, Interment.net, and others, along with finding other resources that are not so well known.
   Level: All
   
   
6. Amazing Stories from City Directories — Beau Sharbrough
   
   Before we had phone books, we had city directories. These books, published annually, often contain valuable information about relationships, such as this entry: “Brown, Sarah, widow of Eli.” The “front matter” in these books contains invaluable information about the cities where our ancestors lived. Learn what these files are, how to research in them, and information like:
   
   • How to operate a fire alarm in 1911.
   • The comparison of rents among major American cities in the early 20th century. 
   • How George and Weezy moved uptown.
   • More books are available online every month. How can you find them?
     
   Level: Beginner
   
   
7. Amazing Stories from the Revolutionary War Pensions — Beau Sharbrough
   
   There are 80,000 revolutionary war pension files. Footnote has published them online and indexed every name on every page. Learn what these files are, how to research in them, and find:
   
   • Pages from family Bibles.
   • Pages from family Bibles in German.
   • Letters from descendents written to the VA, as recently as the 1930’s.
     
   In addition to the historical interest, these records contain much useful genealogical information. It’s amazing.
   Level: Beginner
   
   
8. Did Grandpa Make the Headlines? — Loretta Evans
   
   Many historical newspapers are available online. Some sites provide name indexes, and others give the full text of the newspaper. Beyond obituaries and marriage notices, local news columns can provide details available nowhere else.
   Level: Intermediate
   
   
9. Amazing Stories from Newspapers Online — Beau Sharbrough
   
   Every day, more historical newspapers are printed online. They contain birth announcements, wedding announcements, obituaries, and stories. Lots of stories. Learn what these files are, how to research in them, and amazing stories like:
   
   • The story of the first services held in the Jewish synagogue in Rome after the liberation of that city in World War II.
   • The Chicago paper the day after the Great Fire.
   • The London papers during the War of 1812.
   • Small-town newspapers from hundreds of American towns.
     
   In addition to the historical interest, these records contain much useful genealogical information. It’s amazing.
   Level: Beginner
   
   
10. Exploiting Maps to Track Down Your Ancestors — Barbara Nuehring
    
    Detailed explanations of the various types of maps useful to genealogists— Political Boundaries, Migration Routes, Railroad Maps, Plat Maps, and Sanborn Fire Maps— and where to find them. Virtual tour of top-rated Web sites that provide historical maps and gazetteers.
    Skill level: Intermediate
    
    
11. Dead Men Do Tell Tales — Loretta Evans
    
    Many historical newspapers are available online. Some sites provide name indexes, and others give the full text of the newspaper. Beyond obituaries and marriage notices, local news columns can provide details available nowhere else.
    Level: Intermediate
    
    
12. Genealogy Jeopardy: 2010 Technology Edition — Kory Meyerink
    
    Match your knowledge of genealogy technology with that of three prominent local genealogists. Do you know what you think you know? Do you know what you ought to know? Come watch this exciting, live, genealogical version of America’s favorite game show. You will know the topics, but will you know the questions that fit the answers?
    Level: All

Other Countries (Monday Only)

1. Internet Sources for German Research — Baerbel Johnson
   
   New material of interest to the German genealogist shows up online with increasing frequency. Recent additions include digitized church records, gazetteers, and various genealogies. Come and find out all the latest!
   Level: All
   
   
2. Tools, Resources, Trends for Scandinavian Research on the Internet — Geoff Morris
   
   With the online world changing so quickly, keeping up with the tools and resources for Scandinavian research can be a real challenge. This presentation will discuss strategic tools and resources for Swedish, Norwegian, Danish and Finnish research. It also will discuss how the latest online genealogical tools are changing Scandinavian research strategy.
   Level: All
   
   
3. Online Tools for British Genealogy: A Beginner’s Guide — Joseph B. Shumway
   
   There is a wealth of online information available for British genealogy! This course will focus on some of the basic yet most effective online tools and resources available for conducting English and Welsh research. This course will teach how to take advantage of some of the most basic Web sites and databases available for British research. A specific focus will identify some of the online tools to find online records and databases particular to a geographic area.
   Level: Beginner
   
   
4. English Church Records Online — Joseph B. Shumway
   
   Church records are among the “meat and potatoes” of English research. Fortunately technology has allowed these records to become more accessible and easier to use than ever. This class will introduce students to various sites where church records and indexes can be found and how to effectively use them. This class will show where English church records can be found online, including both images and indexes.
   Level: Beginner to Intermediate
   
   
5. Research in a Snap! Cutting-Edge and Gateway Web sites for Tracing Irish and British Ancestry — Phillip Dunn
   
   This class promises to be one of the most intense in-class learning experiences you’ll ever spend for quick-finding your Irish and British ancestors online. The future of family history researching online has arrived! You’ll enjoy an hour full of surprises as you are introduced to today’s virtual world of Irish and British online treasures, and learn where to search in key record sources in the comfort of your own home. No-cost, low-cost and somewhat pricey online resources have recently proliferated, providing new options in online “finding” tools, aids and info-rich databases for building family genealogies for many areas, regions and countries!
   Level: Beginner to Intermediate

Vendors

1. Ancestry
   
   
2. World Vital Records
   
   
3. GenMerge: Learn Several Uses of GenMerge to Help Build Your Family Tree — Sue Dintleman
   GenMerge is a tool for finding and merging duplicates in family data and can be used different ways to aid in family tree building. Use it to find and merge duplicates in your own tree. Use it to compare and combine your data with others in your family working on the same lines. And finally use GenMerge to evaluate trees you find on the Internet to quickly assess whether the new trees are good quality and have any information of interest to you. 
4. Other Vendor
   
   
5. Ancestral Quest: Features Beyond PAF 5 — Gaylon Findlay
   
   Since PAF 5 and AQ share the same early code base, most basic features are the same between these programs. Learn about the new and exciting features in Ancestral Quest that are not in PAF 5, including improvements to entering and maintaining sources and notes, how to use AQ’s award-winning listing tool, new report options, entering to-do items and creating research logs, collaboration and more. (Note that features related to NFS will be covered in a separate lecture.)
   Level: All
   
   
6. Legacy Family Tree
   
   
7. Roots Magic
   
   
8. Family Pursuit — Michael Martineau
   
   
9. Ordinance Tracker Simplifying Ordinance Management— Paula Vilburn
   
   Ordinance Tracker is a software program that simplifies the management of names you have on your reserved list on new.FamilySearch.org. The program is intuitive and easy to use. Use Ordinance Tracker to print and reprint Family Ordinance Requests, assign names to the temple, unreserve names, and assign back to you from the temple. You can do this with all ordinances for a person or selectively choose, all directly from the program without going to new Family Search. There are three different views that divide the names according to their status to more easily find what you are looking for: reserved but not printed, printed, assigned to the temple. You can also filter by ordinance type. Both Mac and PC versions. Using Ordinance Tracker to manage your reserved ordinances on new FamilySearch. Works directly with new FamilySearch so it works whether or not you use a personal genealogy program. The easiest way to print or reprint ordinances, assign to temple, take back from temple, or unreserve. Compatible for both Mac and PC versions.
   Level: Beginner to Advanced
   
   
10. Amazing Stories From the Files at Footnotes.com — Beau Sharbrough
    From the Continental Congress to the Vietnam War, Footnote contains great original records taken from the National Archives, and not available elsewhere online. Letters written by Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, pictures of the first atomic bomb dropped on Japan, newspaper accounts of events both historical and personal, photos from the Civil War to the Vietnam war, and much more. The site even contains sections devoted to UFO reports, Woodstock, and the Apollo Program.
11. Online Genealogy Chart Creation — Janet Hovorka
    Using the new Generation Maps online charting tool you can create beautiful genealogy charts from New FamilySearch data or your own GEDCOM. We’ll show you the tips and tricks to get the most out of the program and give you some great design ideas using all the Generation Maps enhancements.
    This lecture will teach the technological details of a powerful new Web-based tool for printing charts and the different options for creating files or using the printing service to produce genealogy charts.
    Level: Beginning to Intermediate
    

Internet (Tuesday Only)

1. What’s New on Ancestry.com? — Suzanne R. Adams
   
   Ancestry.com is continually growing and improving the content, products and services on the site. What’s new on Ancestry.com will cover the basics about new content, product enhancements, and new features.
   Level: All
   
   
2. World Vital Records: A Guide — Rick Crume
   
   World Vital Records gives you access to family and local history books, census records, passenger lists and old newspapers. Here you’ll learn what this subscription site has to offer and tips and tricks for searching it successfully.
   Level: Intermediate
   
   
3. Genealogical and Historical Societies Online — Rick Crume
   
   Traditionally, genealogical societies have generated revenues through sales of books with gravestone transcriptions, obituary indexes and other records. But most genealogists have now replaced book purchases with online subscriptions. You’ll learn how some genealogical societies—and historical societies, too—are adjusting to the new landscape by putting records online.
   Level: Beginning
   
   
4. The 50 Most Popular Genealogy Web sites (Really!) — Kory Meyerink
   
   Based on an extensive study of genealogical Web traffic, here are the 50 most visited real genealogy Web sites. Since these are the most visited sites they must be doing something right and providing some value to their visitors. Join us as we count them down, and learn what you’ve been missing!
   Level: Intermediate
   
   
5. What’s New in Family History Online — Alan Mann
   
   This lecture is about new genealogy sites on the Internet, new ways of using the Internet in your family history research, and promising new ideas for future products and services offered on the Web
   Level: Beginning to Intermediate
   
   
6. Family History Web sites You May Have Missed — Ken Alford
   
   The Internet is filled with so many interesting Web sites that one of the main challenges is discovering them in the first place. This presentation will introduce and demonstrate several useful and interesting, but lesser known, Web sites you can use to help round out your family history and genealogical research.
   Level: Beginner
   
   
7. My Ancestor on eBay®? — Loretta Evans
   
   You may not find your ancestor’s family Bible on eBay®, but then again, you might. Online auction sites might yield surprising finds to add to your family history.
   Level: Beginner

Social Networking (Tuesday Only)

1. On-Line Interactive Family History Collaboration Research Through Distance-Learning Technology — John Kuzmich Jr
   
   Using the interactive computer technology with time-saving, dynamic family collaboration methods Internet-based in not only collecting/extracting data, but more importantly by importing the research into master genealogy database files via "live" videoconferencing techniques with support-teams in Poland, Slovenia, Utah, South Dakota, California, and Colorado.
   Level: All
   
   
2. Genealogy for Groups: Collaboration Tools for Completing Your Project Online! — Tony Bandy
   
   As genealogists and family researchers, we all know the Internet is playing a bigger role in our research. If that is the case, while are we all still working separately? Take advantage of the online collaboration tools to work on your genealogy together with your friends and family! This lecture will concentrate on the software tools such as NOTA, Google Docs and others to help you work together on researching your family history! We will also touch on free or low-cost Web conferencing tools to help your family members come together for interviews and/or exchanging of notes.
   Level: All
   
   
3. Sharing: Rich Value in Data and Relationships — Alan Mann
   
   Sharing is the 21st century miracle for family history research. While compiled genealogies need to be checked for accuracy, they can be an excellent source of clues and family information. Finding unknown living relatives has value in and of itself, but also leads to finding family heirlooms and filling out the family charts and data. Learn about tools to enhance your chances of finding living relatives and to improve your interactions with them once found.
   Level: All
   
   
4. Avatars, Tweets & Blogs, Oh My! Social Networking for Genealogists — Tami Glatz
   
   Learn how genealogists mix, mingle and help one another online at social networking sites such as GenealogyWise, Twitter, Blogs & Second Life. This presentation will discuss what they are, how they can benefit your genealogical research, and how to get started using them.
   Level: All
   
   
5. Making the Most of GenealogyWise Networking — Jayare Roberts
   
   Part of our pedigree pursuits should include Internet Networking like the new FamilyLink site GenealogyWise. In this group therapy session we will talk about the power of Internet networking sites for good and bad, from quality tools to instant garbage and scams, through scholarly standards, to time-saving tools and hype.
   Level: Beginner
   
   
6. Sharing Family History with the Next Generation Using Social Networking — Janet Hovorka
   Share the people who came before with the younger members of your family by speaking their language. Using social networking such as blogging, podcasts, Facebook, and Twitter, you can share your family’s history with the next generation to create a feeling of belonging and a sense of grounding in their roots.
   This lecture will teach the use of social networking to communicate with, share and publish your family history to your younger family members.
   Level: Intermediate
7. Twitter Your Family History: The Internet Publishing Revolution — Joseph Irvine
   
   The appropriate question to ask these days is, how many people have not heard about Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and the many other social networking sites available? This class will provide an introduction to many of the prominent social networking systems and how they can be used to benefit genealogists.
   Level: Intermediate

US Regional (Tuesday Only)

1. The Most Important Pennsylvania Web sites for Your Genealogy — Kory Meyerink
   
   As one of the top five states in U.S. genealogy, Pennsylvania has perplexed researchers for generations—many families, many immigrants, many ethnic groups. Now there are many Web sites to hasten the research process. Make sure you don’t miss any of these!
   Level: Intermediate
   
   
2. Midwestern Sources Online — Trish Tolley
   
   
3. State by State: A Closer Look! — Tony Bandy
   
   As you do your family research, it’s easy to overlook individual state resources. Most often available through official Web sites or via collaborative partnerships with state colleges, an increasing wealth of material for research is now available. In this class, we’ll profile what is there as well show you how to search and integrate this digital treasure trove into your latest family research project!
   Level: All
   
   
4. New England Land, Probate, and Tax Records — Marilyn Markham
   The New England states are Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. New England has a rich genealogical heritage. Some of the best records for genealogists are land, probate and tax records. In New England, these records are especially useful, often surprisingly so. This class will discuss how to find, use, and interpret these wonderful records.
   Level: All
5. Internet Resources to Mid-South States Land Records — C. Lynn Andersen
   
   This intermediate level class will explore Internet resources for land records for the states of Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
   Level: All
   
   
6. Ten LDS Family History Databases You’ve Got to Try — Devin Ashby
   
   Have you spent hours and hours looking for more information on your LDS ancestors in the same familiar places? Come learn about ten great databases online and in libraries that can help you find mission letters/journals, census/vital records, patriarchal blessings, photographs, and much more.
   Level: Beginner to Intermediate
   
   
7. Internet Solutions to Mid-South States Research Problems — C. Lynn Andersen
   
   The vast repository of information we call the Internet contains both compiled and original source material to aid you in your search for your ancestors. This class explores Internet sites for the Mid-South States of Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. We will look at Internet sites that contain indexes, transcribed data and digitized images of original material including census, cemetery, church, civil/vital records, immigration, land, naturalization, probate, military, tax, etc.
   Level: All