Build your family tree with Roots, Records, Research Genealogy Lock In workshop
Sifting through the increasing number of available genealogy websites and materials can feel intimidating to the novice and experienced researcher alike. Cue the Roots, Records, Research Genealogy Lock in at Georgetown Public Library; a free public workshop that can help researchers on their journey. From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., October 21, attendees will be able to view eight video genealogy presentations, either in person at the library or virtually from the comfort of their own home.
Speakers from across the country will discuss topics including migration patterns in the United States, using DNA to solve genealogical mysteries, beginning your family tree and how to choose genealogy services and software.
One of the programs I am most excited for is the first program of the day, Deciphering Handwriting in Genealogical Research. Even those who grew up writing school essays in cursive may now be out of practice in reading handwritten documents after years of email and text messages. When looking at historical records it is always helpful to have new tools and tricks when trying to decipher the often beautiful, sometimes chicken scratch, handwriting of scribes past. My personal favorite trick is identifying the long “s,” which is a style of writing “s” that died out in the United States in the early 1800s. The long “s” is often confused with a lower-case “f.” For example, documents that look like they read “Congrefs” instead of “Congress.” In addition to tips on reading handwriting, the program will cover recent advancements made in handwritten text recognition by computers.
During the lock in, members of the library’s Adult Services team will be available to answer questions about our library resources and give tours of the Texas History Room. Thanks to a generous gift from the Friends of the Georgetown Public Library, the Texas History Room now offers access to a Bookeye large format overhead scanner. This is useful for family archivists who need to scan fragile or oversized photographs or documents.
Attendees must sign up in advance to attend and presentations are only available to view during the day of the event, either remotely or at the library. To view the full slate of presentations and register visit library.georgetown.org/ roots-records-research-genealogy-workshop.
The Lock In is part of the Waco McLennan County Library’s 21st Genealogy Lock In. It co-sponsored by the Central Texas Genealogy Society, Texas State Genealogical Society and Genealogy Network of Texas.
See you soon at the library!
Ann Evans is the Adult Services Librarian at the Georgetown Public Library.