We provide:
* research services for local records and off-site record
* mentoring services for beginning genealogists and those with tough research questions
* lectures and classes for genealogists of all levels
Our Mission is:
to adhere to the Genealogical Proof Standard and abide by the Code of Standards of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the Board for the Certification of Genealogists.
Description of Services:
One Hour
Presentations
Focused Research: Using Research Plans
Do you feel like your
research just goes in circles, that you keep finding the same information, or
you have brick walls you cannot solve? Being focused on your research will
bring better results. This can be done by using research plans. I will explain
how to create and use a research plan to help keep you focused on your research
and get better results.
Fleshing Out Your Family Using City Directories
City Directories are a
wonderful source to help fill in details of your ancestor’s life between the
census years. City Directories give
information about a resident’s address and occupation but the directories also have
lots of other information. Come learn
how to use the directories to aid in your research and where to find them in
person or online. Remember, even small
towns often had published directories.
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. Come
learn about those techniques!
Researching Offline: Using Archives, Libraries, and
Courthouses
Not everything is found
online! Using online sources, you can find which offline resources might have
the information to help your family research. Then you can take a road trip or
perhaps order the documents directly from them.
Did Your Ancestor Attend Church? Researching in
Religious Records
Church records can provide
names, dates, and relationships about your ancestors. Many of the records from
churches and religious organizations predate civil records which makes these
records a rich source of information about our families. Give these records a
try, even if you think your ancestor did not attend church.
What’s the News? Your Ancestors in Newspapers
Newspapers are an excellent
source of genealogical, social, and historical information about our families
and their communities. Newspapers reveal what was happening in a time and
place—something other records might not tell us. This presentation will cover
newspapers found on free sites and subscription sites.
Finding Records to Help Document Your Farming Ancestor
Up to about 1870, farming was
the number one occupation. You probably have a large number of farmers in your
family. There are types of records that document our farming ancestors such as
land, tax, and probate records. Newspapers and many agricultural records can
add context to their story.
How to Leave Your
Genealogy
Do you have a plan for what
will happen to your genealogy research? This presentation will discuss tasks
you can do now so you will leave your genealogy in good shape for your heirs.
Research Advice and Custom Research Planning:
Let us review your previous research and help you with future research goals. Minimum 2 hours.
Record Retrieval:
Let us retrieve that vital record, land, or probate record from local government offices, obituaries and other newspaper items from libraries and archives, and other research items from archives. Locations include Alameda County, Contra Costa County, Napa County, and Solano County.
Contact:
Contact us using this link.