Genealogical Lectures Available

There are several genealogical lectures I provide.  A few of my favorites include:

Conroe Community Cemetery: A Forgotten Historic Black Cemetery

Literally on “the other side of the tracks,” this historic Black cemetery was rediscovered in 2011 and an adventure began to restore, preserve, and recognize this historic cemetery.  This lecture brings forth not only the problems with such a simple task as restoring the cemetery, but the forgotten and undocumented history of African-Americans in this small Texas town. (PowerPoint presentation, syllabus, and handouts available)

Hunting Forebears: Preparing for that Big Game Hunt with a Research Plan

Too many times family historians approach their research without direction or a plan.  A well developed research plan with a clear, targeted goal will help those genealogists become more organized and find that big game ancestor they are looking for and avoid distractions.  Preparing to hunt forebears is not much different from preparing for a deer hunt.

This lecture explains the reasons why a genealogical research plan is needed and how to develop one. (PowerPoint presentation, syllabus, and handouts available)

African American Genealogy in Texas and the South

Interest in African-American genealogical research is growing as more people are trying to find their ancestors.  Through an understanding of societal approach to blacks in the South where many brick walls may exist, this lecture presents tools that are readily available to break those walls and successfully trace lineages back in time.

This lecture is based on Texas records and research with connection to other federal and state records.  (PowerPoint presentation, syllabus, and handouts available)

I Come From Idiots! A Humourous Look at Genealogical Research

The lives of our ancestors were not simply the black and white on pages of documents, but full of living, breathing, laughing, and crying events. In our research we may come across humourous events or stories that brings our ancestors to life.

This lecture presents examples of the humourous documents, events, and happenings that we may trip over during our research.  (PowerPoint presentation, syllabus, and handouts available)

When Official Records are Wrong

In genealogy research we look to the official records (e.g. birth certificates, death certificates, census records, school records) to document the history of our ancestors, but what if those records are wrong? Why are they wrong, and how do we know they are wrong?

This lecture looks at “official” records, why they may be wrong, and ways of approaching incorrect records. (PowerPoint presentation, syllabus, and handouts available)

(In)Famous Ancestors: Black Sheep in the Family are Fun

What happens when Uncle Bud, a famous lawman, embarrasses the family, gets drunk, and then gets shot by another lawman? Why you tell the story over your family’s Thanksgiving dinner.

All of our families have at least one” black sheep” in it, and if your lucky you may have several. This lecture looks at locating these rapscallions, researching their exploits, and how to deal with those family members who want to simply “bury the story.” (PowerPoint presentation, syllabus, and handouts available)

Breaking the Silence: Family Secrets and the Older Generations

We are told that when we begin our genealogical journey we should always interview the older generation for information about our family, life back in the day, et cetera, but what if they older generation refuses to discuss it because it is “in the past,” or “we don’t speak of the deeds of the dead?”

In this lecture we look at the societal expectations of our older generation, their unwillingness to reveal information, and how we can possibly break through that informational wall. (PowerPoint presentation, syllabus, and handouts available)