Beginning Genealogy~Starting Off Right

Announcing my new online class via The In-Depth Genealogist Academy starting April 1st!

"Beginning Genealogy~Starting Off Right"

The desire to discover our ancestors continues to grow in popularity with the addition of online trees, genealogy TV shows, and the popularity of DNA tests.  How do we begin to create our family tree and know we are researching the right lines and adding the right people? How do we know where to look for the information we need and if it is correct? The process can be overwhelming.

Beginning Genealogy ~ Starting off Right will teach the basics of beginning your genealogy journey. During the four-week class, we will learn how to start, understand terminology, organize your research, avoid common mistakes, and learn what types of records are available and where to find them.

Homework will provide an opportunity to begin the process of building your tree by putting the concepts into action as we move through the class.

Whether you have never filled out a pedigree chart or have been researching for a while with Cheri’s help you will build the confidence and skills you need to climb your family tree!

Here's what we will be learning during the 4-week class:

Pre-Class

Ice Breaker: Welcome Video. Student introductions.

Week 1-Starting the Journey

Building Your Tree and Staying Organized

Week 2-Knowing Where You’re Going

Mapping Out What You Need and Where to Find It.

Week 3-  Staying on Track

Working Your Plan and Avoiding Pitfalls

Week 4- Stopping to Smell the Roses

Understanding Your Discoveries

Final Summation Video

End of class review

Each week there will be a video to watch, a lesson to read and homework to help you put the principles into practice. Homework will not be graded but turned in for positive, helpful feedback.

I am excited about teaching this class! Won't you join me?

Sign up today using this link

---->.http://idgacademy.com/classes/beginning-genealogy/

Helping you climb your family tree,

Celebration Sunday~Genealogy Happy Dance!

You know the dance. You know you've done it. The one every researcher does after finding something new. The one where you want to jump up and down and shout to everyone around that you found the document, contacted a cousin who has the family Bible, made a DNA connection or found a whole new branch to your tree. The one that is met with glazed stares and eye rolls.
                                                          Celebration Sunday is a place to share your discoveries. 
This is a weekly series to enable everyone to tell about their Genealogy Happy Dance moment. This can be done by scrolling down and adding your story to the comments section. You may also put a link to a blog post.?

My Happy Dance This Week:  

Home and Time to Process!

Memories of my week in Salt Lake City and attending RootsTech 2018 are truly making me do that happy dance! So much to process from the classes, keynote speakers, expo hall and the connections renewed and created. 
Over the next few days, I will be writing about my experiences and sharing what I learned and felt at the world's largest genealogy conference. 
If you attended, I would love to hear your takeaways.
Did you meet new people, learn something to help you in your research or connect with a cousin? 
The best part for me of any genealogy get together, is the feeling of belonging. 
Sharing our passion for finding our ancestors is truly something to dance about!




                                                                                   Share your discovery!

                                                                                   Let the dancing commence!

Share the fun! Click below to tweet this post! 

Looking forward to reading about your Happy Dance moment!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,

RootsTech 2018~An Opportunity to Research and Re-Connect

It's been a few days since I returned from Salt Lake City after attending RootsTech 2018.
To say I have been a bit tired is an understatement! The trip was busy, fun, exciting and rewarding!
Conference days were packed with classes, interviews, exploring the expo hall and connecting with new and old friends.
This was my second year as an official ambassador for RootsTech and I enjoyed every minute!

I arrived a few days early to research in the Family History Library (a bonus to having Rootstech just down the street) and spend time with my best friend!

Re-connecting with friend Annette to start my trip to Salt Lake City!

I began my trip with a day of research in the Family History Library. My time was spent on both the U.S. and Canada floors. My goal was to locate information for a couple of clients.

Ready to Research at the Family History Library

What can you find? Books on states, counties and countries, families and histories. Maps, microfilm, online records accessible only in a family history library and more!
Do you have photos to scan? The library has machines to scan them in record time!
There are also volunteers to help you with your research, copying machines, and a lunch room if you need to take a break! Lockers are also available to store your belongings as you move from floor to floor looking for records on your family.

Main Floor Family Discovery Zone

Taking a timeout, I headed downstairs to the main floor and spent time in the Discovery Center.
If you have the chance to be in Salt Lake, make sure you try out this fun interactive family history experience. By logging into your FamilySearch account, on the provided tablet, you simply dock it on the spaces provided in various areas. Images and information about your ancestors are shown as well as a fun list of those you are related to. These can be anyone from those who are currently visiting to founding fathers and celebrities. How fun it would be to discover you have a cousin connection with someone who is also in the room!

A Map of Where My Ancestors Came From

A fun day at the library. It always goes by too fast. 
Luckily, I would be able to spend more time during the next week before the official start of RootsTech!

One of My Favorite Paintings in the Family History Library

Have you been able to research at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City?
Did you make any big discoveries? 
If you haven't been, why not? 
Here's a link to help you plan your trip!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,