Genealogy Research

Geneology Family Scribe

Usually one person in each family seems called to find out about his ancestors. To put flesh on their bones and make them live again, to tell the family story. Genealogy goes beyond just documenting facts. It goes to who we are and why we do the things we do. We develop a pride in what our ancestors were able to accomplish, how they contributed to what we are today. It goes to respecting their hardships and losses, their never giving in or giving up, their resoluteness to go on and build a life for their family. Without them we would not exist.

Each semester, we delve into new aspects of research in libraries, in family history centers, and online. Classes are open to beginners and more experienced researchers. Newbie learn from those who have worked though some knotty problems and the more experienced get reminded of the basics that they can often overlook. Teamwork moves our work ahead.

For your convenience I have provided a book resource page. Click here to go the the page.

For a Free Genealogy Newsline click here: http://www.emailcontact.com/archive/view/7035/22508

Classes Offered Spring 2013 - Pamela Erickson, instructor

Wednesday — Genealogy 
Hillside Church 
545 Hillsdale Avenue, room 220 
San Jose 95136 
MapQuest Link
Class meets 1-3 pm
9 January-24 April 2013
Material cost $50, payable to Pamela Erickson the first day of class

I will have someone stand outside the church front at the top of the hill and show you where the room is. As you face the front, it is on the right side of the building. Handicap parking is available.

Thursday — Genealogy 
Foothill Presbyterian Church
5301 McKee Road
San Jose 95127
MapQuest Link
(Material cost can remain the same since I don’t yet have confirmation of any additional fee that the church will request)
10 January-25 April 2013

Park in the front of the building, but walk around the left side of the classrooms. At the end of this building, turn right and go through the gate. We meet in Fellowship Hall, the building on the left after going through the gate.

Genealogy Topics for the 2013 school year

  • Getting started: learn the tools of genealogy forms, software programs, and vocabulary common for genealogical research
  • Cleaning out our parents’ home
  • Define and use primary and secondary research
  • Get the most out of census records
  • Vital records—how to find and access them
  • Getting to the root of civil records and criminal records
  • Find and use church records
  • Organization of your files, computer, and photos/documents
  • Homestead and other land records
  • Brick wall presentations by students
  • Handwriting clues
  • Research—the basics—what it is, how to do it, where to do it
  • Emigration/Immigration
  • Ships passenger lists
  • Migration across America and modes of transportation
  • Finding elusive females
  • Timelines of history/timelines in research
  • Social Security records
  • Correspondence
  • Cemetery research/headstones; mortuary records
  • How to plan an on-site research trip
  • Newspapers—find your family
  • Writing family histories
  • Find and use local histories and biographies
  • Societies and businesses

Field trip options

  • San Jose Historical Museum
  • San Jose Archives
  • Colma cemeteries
  • Oakland LDS Family History Library
  • San Filipe LDS Family History Library
  • Santa Clara City Library
  • Sutro Library
  • Santa Clara Mission

The Spring 2013 classes will be taught by Lesly Klippel Wednesdays 10 a.m.- 1 p.m.
San Jose Family History Center – 408-274-8592
No need to register - just show up! There is no charge.
The class is the first hour or so and then workshop till 1 pm.

Schedule:
Feb 13 - Becoming a Family History Detective
Feb 20 - Most Popular Genealogy Web Sites
Feb 27 - FamilySearch
Mar 6 - Effective Internet Search Tactics
Mar 13 - Evaluation of Research
Mar 20 - Easy Guide to Documentation
Mar 27 - U.S. Colonial Records
Apr 3 - U.S. Migration - Moving West
Apr 10 - Brick Walls/Female Surnames
Apr 17 - Reading Old Handwriting
Apr 24 - Newspapers on the Web
May 1 - No class
May 8 - Intro to German Research

Family Scribe census