Rootsonomy Training Classes

Rootsonomy is pleased to offer research training to the public.  Classes are taught on Thursday night, from 6 pm to 7 pm (Pacific).  Each class is recorded.


To purchase one or more recordings, send an email to Rootsonomy@gmail.com along with the names of the webinars you would like to watch.  In reply, we will provide the instructions for how to purchase them.

Our Classes

“Breaking Down Your Brick Walls” by D Barry Sheldon.  Have you come to a point in your family history research where you are stuck?  Have you hit that proverbial brickwall?  Do you know what to do now?  Barry will teach everyone from novice to expert how to break down those walls.

"Finding Your Ancestors in New England"  by David Appleton.  Genealogical research in the six New England states may seem easier than in many other regions in the United States: "These people killed themselves to make sure there was a paper trail." However, the many records available can also make genealogical research in these states quite challenging. It can take a lot of hunting to locate all the specific records. This webinar covers some of the peculiarities of genealogical research in New England and shows several of the most useful places to search.

"What is a 'Reasonably Exhaustive Search'?" by Michael Hait.  What is a "reasonably exhaustive search"? Why is it necessary? How do I conduct such a search?  We will use a case study to explore how failing to carefully consider all relevant records can lead to missing information and forming inaccurate conclusions about our ancestors' lives.

"FamilySearch Overview" by Jan Edwards.  Learn what resources are available in FamilySearch and where to find them.  Includes accessing FamilySearch training, wiki, and resource books.

"Using Historical Record Collections on FamilySearch" by Jan Edwards. Find records in FamilySearch, perform parent searches, search browse only collections, and use * and ? wildcards and keywords to find names, dates, and places.  Log into various collections and navigate within them.

"Searching Browse-Only Collections in Family Search" by Jan Edwards.  Browsable images are records that have not yet been indexed. Because there is no index, some people avoid these collections like the plague feeling it will be too hard to locate the desired record. This webinar teaches how to overcome that fear.

"Leveraging the Power of the FamilySearch Wiki" by Jan Edwards.  Learn important features on FamilySearch wiki and how to use the wiki to research your ancestors.

“Becoming a FamilySearch Power User” by Doris Warner.  Find records in the over 1,509 FamilySearch record collections. Perform parent searches and use wildcards and keywords to find names, dates, and places.  Log into various collections and navigate within them. 

“Using Google to Find Your Ancestors” by Doris Warner.  Clever ways to search online using Google, including Google Books (scanned, searchable images of hundreds of thousands of books), Google Alerts, Google Images, Google Maps, and more. 

"The Interview: Jogging Memories...Filling in the Gaps" by Dave Robison. We've all said "I wish I could talk to my grandmother...my uncle...my parents..." Now that you've caught the genealogy bug, you may have many questions whose answers can't be found in a census record or a birth certificate or from relatives who have gone on to their reward. Nothing can replace a good old story...and the letters, diaries, and artifacts that can come with it! But don't give your Grandmother the third degree! Just start an easy conversation with thought and memory provoking questions. Then just sit back and listen! Here's how!


Our Instructors

 

D. Barry Sheldon is a professional genealogist and research for Rootsonomy.  Barry have over 10 years experience breaking down brick walls.

David Appleton has been researching and teaching family history for 30 years.  He is a frequent speaker at conferences & societies and long-time member of the Genealogical Speakers Guild.  David has written several books and numerous articles.  He is an active member of three lineage societies: Society of Mayflower Descendants, Blaisdell Family National Association, and Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

Michael Hait has been conducting professional genealogy research since 2006 and has performed extensive historical research for National Park Service.  He was a researcher for the Ancestry.com ExpertConnect program from 2009 ̶ 2011 and is a current faculty member of the Institute of Genealogical & Historical Research (Samford University), Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (Utah Genealogical Association), and Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh

Jan Edwards is a professional genealogist and lead researcher for Rootsonomy and former lead instructor for FamilySearch. She is also the moderator of the Rootsonomy Research Group on Skype.

Doris Warner is a professional genealogist and lead researcher for Rootsonomy, doing research projects and helping moderate the Rootsonomy Research Group.  Doris has many years of experience performing research, especially in the U.S. (New York & New England).  She is a tenacious researcher with a burning passion to help people.

Dave Robison is a lifelong New Englander. He has been researching privately for 18 years and professionally for 8. An instructor and lecturer on many genealogy subjects. He was the Discussion Moderator at the New England Regional Genealogical Conference 2013 and is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), New England Chapter of APG (NEAPG), NewEngland Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS), and Western Massachusetts Genealogical Society. Dave is a Research Associate at the Museum of Springfield History and this Spring will receive his certificate of Professional Genealogy Study from Boston University.