The KDGS has some great programs lined up for the coming year! Of course, these are all free to our KDGS Members but non-members will have to pay to attend where indicated (prices vary). Most of the main presentations will be followed by our short “Bite-size” talks – see topics below. Due to our limitations on Zoom, KDGS Members and non-members all need to register for these programs for which we are charging a fee to non-members. To register, see the registration form link below or at the description of each meeting (Registration Required). Our meetings start at 7pm but please sign into Zoom by 6:50pm – thank you! REGISTRATION FORM
FamilySearch: Be a Power-User
FamilySearch is always changing, always adding records and features. This class will:
- Explore some of the FamilySearch changes and update you on some exciting new features
- Show all the places where records can be located on FamilySearch
- Offer some tips on searching the records more effectively
Date: Monday, January 8, 2024
Presenter: Jeannie Vance
Location: via Zoom
Price: Everyone Free – REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Jeannie Vance began researching her own family in England, Scotland, Canada and the USA over 45 years ago. She has researched many of her lines into the 1700’s. She has assisted others with their research for the past 15 years. She was the director of the Surrey, BC, Family History Centre for ten years and was only recently released. She enjoys teaching classes and helping others learn how about their ancestors.
Bite-size: Being Aware of Presentism, presenter KDGS member, Mary Read
Accessing Ancestry: The Roots, The Branches, and The Trees
Are you getting everything you can from Ancestry? Are you using the advanced search parameters? Are you using all the tools and materials available to you? Or do you just scrape the surface of the website? We will do a deep dive into Ancestry’s site to make sure you are extracting every last bit of useful material for your research.
Date: Monday, February 5, 2024
Presenter: Cyndi Ingle
Location: via Zoom
Price: KDGS members Free; non-members $20; REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Cyndi Ingle, a genealogist for more than 43 years, is the creator and innovator behind the award-winning and globally recognized CyndisList.com. Cyndi is an expert in using technology for genealogy, research in the United States and bringing together traditional methodology with organization, computers, software, and the Internet. She is an internationally-known guest lecturer, and she has authored numerous articles and three books. Cyndi is the Executive Director for the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research. She is a columnist for the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly.
Bite-size: Internet Archives and the Wayback Machine, presenter, KDGS member, Xenia Stanford
Visualizing Family History: to capture your relative’s interest & help you in your research
Humans are visual beings, particularly those not interested in family history. Part of this talk will be on how to capture your family history to entice them. The other will be ways of visualising your data, your research thoughts and research problems to help you the researcher.
Date: Monday, March 4, 2024
Presenter: Helen Smith
Location: via Zoom
Price: KDGS members Free; non-members $15; REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Helen Smith is a speaker, researcher and author and has been researching family history since 1986 in Australia, England, Ireland and Wales with forays into other areas of the world chasing after mobile family members. She has given presentations throughout Australia, and internationally in New Zealand, Canada, USA, England, including twice at the KDGS Harvest Your Family Tree. Helen has also been a presenter aboard 17 Unlock the Past cruises. Helen recently retired from a career in microbiology and epidemiology and can now devote herself fulltime to genealogy! With her sciences background, Helen has a keen interest in DNA and regularly runs classes on DNA and its application for genealogical research. She is the author of Death Certificates and Archaic Medical Terms, Google the Genealogist’s Friend and numerous family history articles.
Bite-size: Peel’s Prairie Provinces, presenter KDGS member, Beverley Brooks
Tips for Breaking Brick Walls
Every genealogist at some time while researching runs up against brick walls. Brick walls are when a research question such as finding the parents of an ancestor cannot be answered. There are simple techniques to help break through these walls. Lisa will share those techniques with us.
Date: Monday, April 8, 2024
Presenter: Lisa Gorrell
Location: via Zoom
Price: KDGS members Free; non-members $15; REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Lisa Gorrell has been seriously researching her family for more than twenty-five years. It was the birth of her daughters that began the journey connecting the past and the future generations. One trip to Sutro Library to use microfilm of the 1920 census and finding her grandfather’s family got her hooked. Lisa is currently a board member with the Contra Costa Historical Society & volunteer at their archives at the History Center in Martinez, and a past-president of the Contra Costa County Genealogical Society and past-recording secretary of the California Genealogical Society. She is the tour leader with CGS’s research trip to Salt Lake City. A Certified Genealogist, Lisa enjoys giving genealogy presentations and writing about her family on two blogs.
Bite-size: Gravestone Clues, presenters KDGS members, Bob Hayes and Heather Clifton
Think Like an Archivist: Finding Genealogy Records in Libraries & Archives
- Finding research portals
- Using finding aids
- Crafting effective search strategies
- Finding genealogy records in archives
- Visiting archives in person
- Requesting records not yet online
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024
Presenter: Nancy Loe
Location: via Zoom
Price: KDGS members Free; non-members $15; REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Nancy Loe is a genealogist and has worked professionally in libraries and archives for four decades. She holds dual Master’s degrees from The Catholic University of America in American History and in Library Science with a specialization in archives administration and was fortunate to be able to intern twice at the Smithsonian Institution. Nancy has managed academic special collections and archives in California. She has appeared on PBS’s American Experience and California’s Gold as well as the Travel Channel. Nancy has presented at numerous conferences. Including RootsTech and the National Genealogical Society and has given presentations internationally.
Bite-size: Adobe Express for Genealogy, presenter Gord Hotchkiss