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E01
GENEALOGICAL FUNDAMENTALS
11 WEEKS (SEPTEMBER 8–NOVEMBER 24)
Thursday: 12:30–1:45 p.m.
Instructors: Robert LaRossa, Mike Miscoski
Optimal Viewing Device: Audio and Video—Computer/Laptop Screen
Course Format: Lecture
Fundamental genealogical methods and tools are presented by a team with a focus on American genealogy. Starting with family histories, census records are consulted in a reverse chronological order to rough out family trees. Other applications, such as FamilySearch and Ancestry, are consulted to provide more details. Vital records are searched as well as immigration documents. Keeping records in an organized fashion is emphasized. At the completion of the course you should be able to effectively investigate your genealogical roots. Concurrent registration with E02 is encouraged. Limited to 50 students.
E06
GENEALOGY: ADVANCED TOPICS
11 WEEKS (SEPTEMBER 8–NOVEMBER 24)
Wednesday: 9–10:15 a.m.
Instructor: John Roberts
Optimal Viewing Device: Audio and Video—Computer/Laptop Screen
Course Format: Lecture
This course focuses on using internet resources to study family history and conduct genealogy research. Both free and fee-based resources are explored, including software, such as Family Tree Maker, or websites such as Ancestry, FamilySearch or MyHeritage. The course covers a wide range of resources, tools and techniques to help the student research their ancestry. Topics of research include using and understanding foreign archives, DNA matches, digging deeper into census, citizenship and other documents, and using nontraditional research tools. Although this course is designed for the student who has already started their research, the beginning student can also benefit. Some prior experience in genealogy research is helpful. Limited to 15 students.
E07–01
FINDING AND USING GENEALOGY RESOURCES
FIRST 5 WEEKS (SEPTEMBER 8–OCTOBER 12)
Wednesday: 10:30–11:45 a.m.
Instructor: Linda McMeniman
Optimal Viewing Device: Audio and Video—Computer/Laptop Screen
Course Format: Lecture
For both new and experienced genealogists. Every genealogical discovery raises new questions; to answer them, researchers need research skills and awareness of their source options. This class focuses on researching records: discovering and working with source documents. It covers such topics as search methodology, using major online genealogy collections, discovering “hidden” online sources and interpreting records. Limited to 50 students.
E02
GENEALOGY COMPUTER LABORATORY
11 WEEKS (SEPTEMBER 8–NOVEMBER 24)
Thursday: 2–3:15 p.m.
Instructors: Robert LaRossa, Mike Miscoski
Prerequisite: Co-registration with or previous exposure to genealogical fundamentals (E01) or equivalent.
Optimal Viewing Device: Audio and Video—Computer/Laptop Screen
Course Format: Discussion; Active
Application of genealogical fundamentals to students’ family histories is the focus of this course. Students will delve into census and vital records as well as the wealth of other genealogical data available on the internet. Means of recording information to allow desktop searching is emphasized. Limited to 20 students.
E04–01
GENEALOGY ONLINE RESEARCH: GETTING STARTED
FIRST 5 WEEKS (SEPTEMBER 8–OCTOBER 12)
Wednesday: 12:30–1:45 p.m.
Instructor: John Roberts
Optimal Viewing Device: Audio and Video—Computer/Laptop Screen
Course Format: Lecture
This course is designed for students just getting started in their research. It focuses on using internet resources to study family history as well as organizing and reporting results. Although designed for beginning genealogists, this course also benefits the more experienced researcher. This is a course designed primarily to use online resources; therefore, the student should have internet access at home, at a library or other sources. Many different documents are discussed, including census documents, passenger lists and naturalization documents. Free and fee-based sources are explored. Help will be provided to students to resolve their specific research issues. Limited to 15 students.
E05–02
GENEALOGY RESEARCH: WORKSHOP
SECOND 5 WEEKS (OCTOBER 20–NOVEMBER 24)
Wednesday: 12:30–1:45 p.m.
Instructor: John Roberts
Co-Prerequisite: Student should be enrolled in a genealogy lecture class.
Optimal Viewing Device: Audio and Video—Computer/Laptop Screen
Course Format: Discussion
This workshop provides an opportunity for students to utilize techniques learned in the Genealogy Research: Getting Started, and Genealogy: Advanced Topics classes. It also provides an opportunity for one-on-one help with specific research problems. Students are encouraged to bring their own research problems to discuss in the workshop. Limited to 15 students.
E08
INTERPRETING YOUR DNA RESULTS
11 WEEKS (SEPTEMBER 8–NOVEMBER 24)
Wednesday: 9–10:15 a.m.
Instructor: Robert LaRossa
Optimal Viewing Device: Audio and Video—Computer/Laptop Screen
Course Format: Lecture
This course focuses on explaining the mechanisms of inheritance so that results of genetic genealogy can be understood by OLLI members. We will look at current tests and project future advances. We will investigate platforms provided by Ancestry, 23andme and GEDMatch. Benefits, pitfalls and ethics of genetic genealogy are discussed. Expect lecturers with short videos, and remember that the only dumb question is the one that is not asked. Limited to 50 students.
E09
USING FAMILY TREE MAKER SOFTWARE
11 WEEKS (SEPTEMBER 8–NOVEMBER 24)
Thursday: 10:30–11:45 a.m.
Instructors: Carol Callaghan, John Callaghan
Prerequisite: Students must have Family Tree Maker 2019 Software and a working knowledge of genealogy research.
Optimal Viewing Device: Audio and Video—Any Screen
Course Format: Lecture
This is a class for people who have Family Tree Maker Software 2019 with the latest upgrade. This software is available for both PCs and Macs. In addition, they should have intermediate computer skills and some experience with genealogy research. Strongly recommend that students should also sign up for Genealogical Fundamentals (E01). Limited to 30 students.