Presentation Descriptions

Family Search Basics     This class is designed for the Beginning Family Genealogist focusing on how to get started, what tools are available to use, Family Group Sheets, Pedigree Sheets, questions to ask and think about. This will be an introduction to FamilySearch.org and FamilyTree to create an Internet account for holding the information known and soon to be found.

Family Search Basics - Hands On     Will be an extension of the Basic Family Search class and should be taken in conjunction with the Basic Family Search class.

Family Search Beyond the Basics     A look at Family Search Family Tree once you have begun your tree. This class is designed for the genealogist who has used FamilySearch and may not be aware of lesser known research areas and what helps are available for the researcher.

Free Genealogical Sites and the Family History Center Portal     A look at various free search sites and what they offer. Learn how to find the information and documents you need to find your ancestors. Also learn about what is available "free to you" in your local LDS Family History Centers.

Family Search Memories and Photo's     Learn how to add memories, documents and photo's to Family Search Family Tree. Then learn all about photo preservation and a unique technique to labeling your old photographs.

Ancestry.com     Ancestry.com is both a powerful research tool and the most visible platform for displaying your tree and collaborating with others. This course will briefly review the basics (including some you might have missed), and then explore techniques for making best use of Ancestry's vast collection of online resources. We will discuss how to avoid some of the pitfalls researchers fall into, and show how Ancestry can streamline, structure, and accelerate your research.

Beyond the Internet: Utilizing Records in Courthouses and Archives     Although there is a wealth of records available online genealogist will often have a need to access records that are still only available in their original paper or microfilm form. Most typically these will be vital and land records available at courthouses or military and intuitional records available at archives or still held by the original creator. This class will focus particularly on Wisconsin records available in these types of locations. Specific record types discussed will be vital records, land records, military records and the records of prisons, state and county hospitals.

Indexing     Want to know how FamilySearch.org and Ancestry.com gets all of their searchable documents? It's Indexing! Learn how to volunteer and help Family Search make records and documents searchable on Familysearch.org.

Immigration to the United states     An overview of United States immigration and naturalization laws will be presented with an emphasis on how laws passed in the 19th and 20th Centuries effected our ancestor's immigration experience. The class will look at records of the immigration process: passenger lists and naturalization records. Research strategies utilizing a variety of record types in order to identify an ancestor's residence before their immigration will also be discussed.

Stand up and be counted! The United States Census 1790-1940     Teaches about what is listed in each census, where to find them, and much more.

Dead Ends Panel     We will collect questions you have about your research and family tree "dead ends", and a panel will answer them! Where do you turn to after you have done all you know to do? Ask us and hopefully we can help.

Discovery Zone     This is a place to explore what is online, and take the opportunity to try out what you have learned. Our staff will help you get onto our computers and use the websites available through the Family History Center. You can search for your ancestors on Ancestry, MyHeritige, Fold3 and many more. This is also an opportunity to ask questions you may have about your family tree or your research.