Genealogical and Technology Lectures

Contact me for rates, fees, and availability. Lectures on genealogical and computing topics such as those shown in this list are available. Lectures on other topics can be requested given enough time to prepare the lecture before the event date.

DNA and Genetic Genealogy

GATA GACC! DNA and Genetic Genealogy Today

Learn where we are today using DNA for genealogy. Maximize Y-DNA, mitochondrial DNA, and autosomal DNA test results to contribute to genealogical research goals.

A general introduction to using DNA testing for genealogy and where we are today. It covers Y-DNA for the direct paternal line, mitochondrial DNA for the direct maternal line, and autosomal DNA for the other ancestral lines. You will learn what DNA testing is and how to obtain the tests, how to use the test results to maximize the contribution to genealogical research goals, and which tests can be used for ethnic studies based on the current technology.

This lecture covers:
- When, Where, Why, and How Much to Test all types of DNA
- Introduction to Inheritance Patterns - Y, mitochondrial, and autosomal DNA
- Benefits of DNA in genealogy
- Case study - how DNA results can save you money on research when properly analyzed
- Cautions on privacy and ethics in using DNA for genealogy
- Government regulation concerns
- Where to learn more - books and online sources
Audience level: Beginner
Maternal Lines: Using Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)

Understand mitochondrial DNA testing with an introduction to analysis of test results. Sample research problems demonstrate how mtDNA can be used by genealogists.

This lecture covers:
- When, Where, Why, and How Much to Test - mtDNA
- DNA Inheritance Patterns - mitochondrial DNA
- Understanding how mutation rate affects finding the common ancestor
- Case studies using mtDNA
- Tracing the maternal line to locate a test candidate
- mtDNA success stories
Audience level: Beginner-Intermediate
Paternal Lines: Using Y-DNA

Learn details of Y-DNA testing including how to analyze test results. Findings can corroborate your paper trail or place you on the right research path.

This lecture covers:
- When, Where, Why, and How Much to Test - Y-DNA
- DNA Inheritance Patterns - Y-DNA
- Growth of the Y-tree as knowledge has advanced since 2000
- DNA Inheritance Patterns - Y-DNA
- Haplogroup - deep ancestry - SNPs - deep clade tests
- Surname projects - STR marker comparisons
- Charting the data to locate common ancestors and mutation points to separate families
- DNA comparison software tools
- Differentiating statistical averages versus real life DNA results
- Public databases - Ysearch
- Understanding how mutation rate affects finding the common ancestor
- Walking the Y project
Audience level: Beginner-Intermediate
Going Nuclear: DNA Discoveries to Trace All Lines of Descent

Learn to link families using autosomal DNA test results from any testing company. Maximize impact on your genealogical research goals. Includes how to use test results such as those from 23andMe and Family Tree DNA Family Finder tests.

This lecture covers:
- When, Where, Why, and How Much to Test - autosomal DNA
- DNA Inheritance Patterns - autosomal DNA
- Admixture result reports and cautions in using these
- Autosomal match data and predictions - comparing shared segments and eliminating trace matches that may not indicate common ancestry
- Why surnames and pedigree / descendant chart comparisons are mandatory to get the most of DNA test results
- Browsing the matching DNA data - tools provided by testing companies and individuals
- Determining which ancestor contributed a segment of DNA
- Be a knowledgeable consumer - download raw data and know what you are buying
- Where to learn more - books and online sources
Audience level: Beginner- Intermediate
DNA (One-day Workshop)

A one day workshop combines the four topics above. Case studies demonstrate principles used in Y-DNA, mtDNA, and autosomal DNA (nuclear DNA) tests for genealogical purposes.
Forensic Techniques for Genetic Genealogy

Introduction to analysis techniques, reporting methods, and educational needs of forensic genealogists.
Audience level: Intermediate (Professionals)
Genetic Genealogy for Clients

Introduction to basic analysis techniques, reporting methods, and educational needs of professional genealogists and DNA project administrators.
Audience level: Intermediate (Professionals)
Mitochondrial DNA: Tools and Techniques to Go Beyond Basics

Learn advanced uses of mtDNA. This lecture uses case studies to demonstrate databases and analysis methods using mtDNA for genealogy. Low resolution and full mitochondrial sequences are discussed.
Audience level: Intermediate-Advanced
List of DNA Reference Works - this is a select bibliography of genetic genealogy references online and in print used for all of the DNA lectures described above.

Laws and Statutes for Genealogical Research

Ancestors Hidden in the Statutes: Easy Ways to Find Ancestors By Name and Laws Affecting the Records They Leave

Tips on using local, state, and Federal statutes (laws) that may help find your ancestors. Learn to interpret documents based on the law as well as the social conventions of the time.
Passing On: Probate and Inheritance Laws

Inheritance laws affect how a person passes on their property after death, whether a person dies intestate or with a will. Learn to interpret documents using real-life examples. Includes differences in Spanish- and English-influenced laws affecting women.
Hers and His: Marriage, Divorce, and Family Laws

Family relationships have always been complicated. Laws were often ignored when a man or woman allowed human feelings to overrule legal obligations. Learn how to find the laws and when and why the laws may have been flouted. Includes differences in Spanish- and English-influenced laws affecting women.
Ours and Theirs: Tax and Land Laws
Tax and land records can provide clues to the lifespan of an ancestor, if you can interpret the records according to the laws of the time. Tax records can also tell you how your ancestor may have lived. Learn to interpret records using real-life examples.
Court Records: Hidden Gems in the Courthouse and Related Sources

County courthouses hold more treasures than you know. Deeds, wills, and probate records are only the tip of the iceberg. Learn what else can be found in the courthouse, newspapers, and records of corrections departments, and how to use that information to solve your genealogical puzzles.
Statute and Story: Laws and Social History in Family Research (One-day Workshop)

A one day workshop combines the five topics above into four sessions. Find the laws that affected your ancestor's life and resulted in the documents left behind. Learn to interpret documents based on the law as well as the social conventions of the time. Case studies from Texas and Southern U.S. states demonstrate principles used in tax, land, probate, and family unit research. Includes differences in Spanish- and English-influenced laws affecting women.

Methodology, Tools, and Organization

Using the Genealogical Proof Standard in Everyday Research

How any genealogical researcher, novice or experienced, can and should use the Genealogical Proof Standard: plan and execute a "reasonably exhaustive" search; properly cite your sources for positive and negative results; analyze and correlate the information found; resolve conflicts in the evidence; and document conclusions in writing.
Proof! Making the Case

An example case study demonstrates how to analyze and correlate conflicting information, then write a proof argument to make the case.
Spice It Up: Adding Historical and Social Context

Make your family history an enjoyable read by including more than the begats. Examples show how to find and use sources that provide pertinent information to place your ancestor's story in historical and social context.
Bypass the Roadblock: Getting Beyond A Sticking Point

Tips and tools to help get around the proverbial roadblock or brick wall.
Planning and Tracking Research

Tips, tools, and forms to efficiently plan, execute, and track genealogical research. Eliminate time-wasting duplicate searches in a source checked years earlier and forgotten.
Timeline Techniques and Tips

Tools and tips on using timelines to get the most out of information in a record. Includes sample timelines from multiple genealogical software programs and manual forms you can customize.
Organizing for Research and Sharing: Paper and Electronic Files

A comparison of organizational methods; organizing your files for easy accessibility and sharing information.

Records

Declare the Pennies on Your Eyes: The Tax Man Gets it All

Tips on finding tax records, using them as substitutes for missing records, building a profile of your ancestor and the neighborhood. ("Declare the pennies on your eyes" is from the lyrics of: The Beatles, "Taxman," on the Revolver album (written by George Harrison, 1966); Lyrics007 (http://lyrics007.com/ : accessed 29 August 2011).
Ancestors in Directories: Urban and Rural Sources

Learn to get more from city directories and other types of directories. Directories offer much more information than just the one-line entry naming your ancestor. This lecture focuses on ancestors who lived in towns, large and small, and also covers directories your rural ancestors may be found in.
Vital Signs: Birth, Marriage, and Death from Many Sources

Getting the most from vital statistic records and finding substitutes for missing records.
Using the U.S. Bureau of Land Management - General Land Office Website

Tips on finding land records on the website and how to order additional records from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
Using the Texas General Land Office (TX GLO) Website

Tips on finding land records on the website and how to order additional records from the TX GLO.
From GLO to Judges: Southwestern Land Case Study

Learn to find family stories in land case studies in southwestern states where land grants from Spain and Mexico were made before U.S. ownership.

This case study uses information found in Texas General Land Office records and follows the clues through other records in six Texas counties to build the story of a Virginia man who came to help Texians fight for independence from Mexico. Case studies from southwestern state land grants illustrate less-used as well as commonly used land grant documents that record family and local history. Records shown include:
Enhancing Your Civil War Story: Finding Family History in the Official Records

Using information in the Official Records to add historical context to your Civil War ancestor's biography. This takes you beyond what can be learned from the compiled service record and pension file.
Heritage Quest Online: Census and More

Many libraries (including TexShare affiliate libraries) offer free access to Heritage Quest Online (HQ). In addition to offering census records, HQ has electronic books, the Periodical Source Index (PERSI), and other records of the U.S. government. Learn how to use this collection for family history.
The 1940 U.S. Federal Census and Finding Aids

Print and online resources to help you locate your ancestors in the 1940 census before the indexes become available.
The 1930 U.S. Federal Census and Finding Aids

Print and online resources to help you locate your ancestors in the 1930 census. This presentation was designed prior to the availability of 1930 online indexes at Ancestry.com and Heritage Quest.
Using the 1880 Census Index of the LDS Family History Center

Tips on using the basic and advanced features on the full-name index to the 1880 U.S. Federal Census.

Locales

Lone Star Country: Texas Research Sources

Texas really is different than the rest of the U.S. in many ways. Learn how to make the most of unique genealogical resources in Texas.

Technological Topics

Online Search Techniques of Highly Successful Genealogists

Tips on advanced search techniques and less-known sites, how to track online activities in a research log, and how to locate new online sources to meet your genealogical research goals.
Online Research: Basics and Beyond

Basic online resources and finding "hidden" information online: USGenWeb, vital statistics, cemeteries, TexShare and similar resources in other Southern states, maps (topo maps and map layers), land records, and more.
Online Research: University and Archive Resources

Finding and using document images, newspaper lists, state and federal laws, state history timelines, books, and photographs online.
Online Research: Historical Gems and Less-Used Resources

Finding and using forestry archives, religious archives, military records, economic conversions, language translations, and other useful tools for genealogists.
Scanning Images

An introduction to how scanners work, the different image formats available, and how resolution and color can affect your image format decisions.

Miscellaneous

Certified, Accredited, Professional: What's the Difference?
Some in the genealogical community are confused about the differences between genealogical credentials and those who offer professional services. This presentation covers the credentialing and professional organizations in the U.S. The discussion is aimed at those interested in becoming credentialed genealogists, those considering hiring a professional, and genealogical event planners who need to understand the plethora of initials following a name.

CG, Certified Genealogist, CGL, and Certified Genealogical Lecturer are service marks of the Board for Certification of Genealogists�, used under license by board certificants after periodic evaluation.