Sponsored by the Genealogy Center of the Waco-McLennan County Library and the Central Texas Genealogical Society.

10:00 – 10:50am:  Technology Enabled Collaborations for Genealogists presented by Tony Hanson, Family Historian  

Examine three relatively new capabilities that are enabling collaborative family research:  the Family Search Family Tree, Ancestry.com’s ThruLines DNA tool, and self-publishing family history using a blog or a website.  Attendees will learn the benefits provided by each and will learn how to effectively incorporate them into their own personal research methodology. 

11:00-11:50am:  Finding Elusive Records on FamilySearch.org  presented by John Huff, FamilySearch Experience Manager

Learn the search skills and features of FamilySearch.org to take you to a new level of access of this 2 billion image database.  This tutorial will take you step-by-step through the process of how to utilize the FamilySearch catalog, unindexed image collections and more.

Noon – 1:30pm: Genealogy Basics: Getting Started on Your Family Tree presented by Carl Smith, Genealogy Librarian, Montgomery County Memorial Library System

Building researchers will learn the basics they need to get started researching their family tree.  We’ll cover the first steps to take to begin your research, starting with home sources.  We’ll also cover the types of records that are useful for genealogical research and where they can be found.  We’ll also cover ways to stay organized by utilizing paper charts and forms or computer software. 

1:40 – 2:40pm:  Probate: More Than a Will presented by Kelvin Meyers, Ancestry ProGenealogists, Researcher

Most persons in America, who lived to adulthood, left some type of an estate to be administered.  Some left wills, some did not; either way if there was land or large amounts of personal property, their estate had to be disposed of.  The records of probate can be some of the most fruitful for the genealogist. 

2:50 – 3:50pm: Roll Call: New Sites and Sources for Military Records and Research by Curt B. Witcher, MLS, FUGA, IGSF Manager, The Genealogy Center Senior Manager, Special Collections, Allen County Public Library

This presentation explores the growing number of consequential websites for the researcher interested in military history and military ancestors.  From Bibliographic databases to sites that provide copies of first-hand accounts and images of actual records, this talk provides one with key sites and strategies for locating increasing amounts of meaningful military data on the Internet.

4:00 – 5:15pm: Introduction to GEDmatch by Sara Allen, Librarian, Genealogy Center, Allen County Public Library

Once you have taken a DNA test, you may be urged to upload your results to GEDmatch.  What is GEDmatch and why should you use it? GEDmatch is a free third part website that you can use to compare your DNA results with people who have taken the autosomal DNA test from all the major testing companies.  You can also use a variety of tools and utilities (some free, and some subscription only) that help analyze you DNA results.  Learn more about GEDmatch at this session.