All presentations are suitable for beginning and intermediate level researchers. Each is one hour in length, includes handouts and a Q&A section, and I bring my own projector and laptop to in-person presentations. All topics are also available as a webinar if the sponsoring organization has the software to make that possible. (New Topics are listed in Blue.)
Presentation Topics
(Titles and Descriptions Updated 7/22/2025)
A Genealogist’s Guide to Researching Swedish Ancestry – Are you tracing Swedish ancestors and hitting language or record-keeping roadblocks? This presentation is designed for genealogists ready to explore Swedish parish records, naming conventions, emigration routes, and cultural nuances that affect family history research. Learn how to interpret household examinations, follow families through parish moves, and locate lesser-known records such as military rolls, estate inventories, and emigration registers. Whether you’re just beginning or refining your Swedish line, this session offers practical strategies and real research examples to help you succeed.
Arriving on New Shores: The Ellis Island Experience – This presentation explores the historical development of Ellis Island, the immigrant experience, and how shifting laws and policies shaped American immigration. You’ll also learn how to locate and interpret records from EllisIsland.org, CastleGarden.org, and more for your genealogical research.
Becoming the Ancestor Your Family Remembers – This session offers practical guidance on documenting your own life story using a variety of formats—from job applications and photo captions to vivid personal memories. Leave behind more than just dates—leave your voice, your story, and your legacy.
Behind the Numbers: Who Took the U.S. Census and Why It Matters – Ever wonder who collected the information in old census records—or how accurate it really was? This presentation takes you behind the scenes of the U.S. Census from 1790 to 1950, revealing how the government hired, trained, and organized census takers across changing times. Learn how early census data was gathered, why accuracy and privacy evolved, and how understanding the process can help you better interpret what you find in your family history or local research.
Beyond the Headcount: Exploring Non-Population & Special U.S. Census Schedules – This presentation delves into the rich details found in the lesser-known non-population and special census schedules of the U.S. Federal Census. From agricultural and manufacturing data to mortality records, slave schedules, and the 1880 Defective, Dependent & Delinquent schedules, these records go beyond simple name lists to paint a fuller picture of our ancestors’ lives and communities. Learn how to locate, interpret, and apply these unique resources to enhance your genealogical and historical research.
Clicking into the Past: An Easy Guide to Online Family History Research – This session offers step-by-step guidance on how to search for your family online. Learn helpful search techniques, discover the best free and subscription-based websites, and understand how to evaluate and organize your findings.
Crossing Oceans, Building Lives: Immigration to North America, 1600–1945 –Before Ellis Island, there was Castle Garden. Before customs lists, there were barely any records. This overview explores how immigration procedures and records evolved from the 1600s through WWII—and how those changes affect your ability to find and interpret family immigration records today.
DNA Sleuthing: Using a Chromosome Browser to Map Genetic Connections – Unlock the power of chromosome browsers to take your genetic genealogy to the next level. This presentation introduces what a chromosome browser is, who offers one, and how to use it to identify shared DNA segments, triangulate relationships, and connect DNA matches across platforms. Learn to apply logic, analyze segment data, and use tools like DNA Painter to visualize and verify your ancestral connections
Exploring History at the National Archives: Boston –Did you know you can access military records, immigration files, court cases, and more—all in Waltham, Massachusetts? This presentation introduces the National Archives at Boston (NARA Boston) and shows how anyone can explore its vast collection of historical records. Learn how to prepare for a visit, what kinds of documents are available, and how the archives can help you uncover personal, local, or national history. Whether you’re interested in genealogy, veterans’ stories, or historic maps, this talk will help you get started.
Exploring Massachusetts Property Records – Curious about who once owned your home? Wondering what land your ancestors may have bought or sold? This presentation introduces everyday researchers to the fascinating world of Massachusetts land records. Learn how to use online tools like MassLandRecords.com, understand the meaning behind different types of deeds, and uncover surprising details—from property disputes to family connections. Whether you’re exploring genealogy or local history, land records can help piece together the past in a way few other sources can.
Finding Your Roots: A Beginner’s Guide to Exploring Family History– Ever wondered where your family came from—or how to begin finding out? This session is the perfect introduction to genealogy. You’ll learn what information to collect, where to look for it, and how to organize it using easy tools like pedigree charts and family group sheets. We’ll explore online resources, local archives, and how even family stories and old photos can offer valuable clues. Whether you’re just starting or picking up where someone else left off, this workshop will give you the tools and confidence to begin your own family history journey.
Focusing Your Research: Building a Targeted Genealogy Strategy – This presentation guides genealogists through organizing and sharpening their research approach. From constructing pedigree charts and surname lists to developing research questions and tracking sources, learn how to transform scattered information into a focused, effective research plan. With real-world examples and practical tools like research logs and repository lists, this session helps you uncover family history with clarity and purpose.
Genealogy Fundamentals: Building a Strong Foundation for Family History Research –Ready to begin your family history journey but not sure where to start? This session offers a clear and practical introduction to genealogical research. Learn how to work with names, places, dates, and relationships while applying best practices for documentation, analysis, and record keeping. We’ll explore both online and offline research strategies, introduce the Genealogical Proof Standard, and share resources to continue your education in this collaborative and rewarding hobby.
Inside the FamilySearch Library: A Genealogist’s Ultimate Research Retreat –Get insider tips on organizing your research, packing efficiently, using library tools, and enjoying the unique culture of downtown Salt Lake City. Whether you join a group tour or go solo, this session will set you up for success.
Leaving Liverpool: Emigration from Britain in the 19th Century – This presentation follows the journey of 19th-century emigrants departing Liverpool for new lives across the seas. From medical inspections and shady brokers to sailing conditions and shipboard meals, explore the detailed logistics, official regulations, and personal stories behind mass emigration.
Letters from the Front: A Young Soldier’s Story in World War II –Step into the past through the personal letters of a young American soldier serving during World War II. This moving presentation brings history to life with stories of training camps, overseas service, daily routines, relationships with locals, and the realities of wartime life—both on the front and at home. Based on hundreds of original family letters, this talk captures not just facts, but feelings: duty, humor, love, and resilience in a time of global conflict. Whether you’re a history buff, a veteran’s relative, or just curious about the personal side of WWII, this story will resonate.
Life in Pages: How to Write the Story Only You Can Tell – Your life is full of stories—funny, heartfelt, powerful. Learn how to uncover them, shape them, and write them down in this fun and supportive workshop. We’ll explore structure, style, and creative strategies to help you begin your autobiography—one story at a time.
Making the Most of Shared Matches in your DNA Test Results – Already familiar with your DNA results but not sure how to turn those matches into meaningful family tree connections? This session is for you. Learn how to use the Shared Matches feature on AncestryDNA to group matches, build quick trees, and uncover common ancestors. We’ll walk through a real-world case study, explore how to handle uncertain relationships, and share tips for organizing and tracking your DNA discoveries. If you’ve got matches but need a method—that’s what this session is all about.
Preparing to Use Your AncestryDNA Results – Just got your AncestryDNA results and wondering what it all means? This session will walk you through the basics—from interpreting your ethnicity estimates to using DNA matches and family trees to uncover new connections. You’ll learn what “shared matches” are, how to build and expand your tree, and even how to transfer your results to other sites for more insights. Whether you’re looking for unknown cousins or just curious about your roots, this presentation will help you take the next steps with confidence.
Rationing for Victory: The Role of the OPA in WWII America – This presentation explores the critical role of the Office of Price Administration (OPA) in managing rationing, price controls, and public behavior on the American home front during World War II. Through a detailed timeline, historical documents, and firsthand recipes and reactions, it examines how the U.S. government mobilized citizens, regulated scarce resources, and fought inflation—one coupon, token, and regulation at a time. Discover the paper trail of policy, enforcement, and everyday adaptation in a nation at war.
Sharing Your Genealogical Research Results – You’ve done the research—now what? This engaging session offers fun, meaningful, and creative ideas for sharing your family history with relatives of all ages. From photo puzzles and memory games to personalized gifts and digital scrapbooks, you’ll discover new ways to preserve and present the documents, stories, and photos you’ve collected. Whether you’re preparing a legacy for future generations or just want to spark interest at your next family gathering, this session will show you how to bring your research to life.
Solving the Mystery: Using Shared DNA Matches to Identify Unknown Ancestors – This presentation guides genealogists through organizing and sharpening their research approach. From constructing pedigree charts and surname lists to developing research questions and tracking sources, learn how to transform scattered information into a focused, effective research plan. With real-world examples and practical tools like research logs and repository lists, this session helps you uncover family history with clarity and purpose.
Stories in the Census: Discovering Your Family Through U.S. Records – Census records are more than just names and numbers—they’re snapshots of everyday lives across generations. In this session, you’ll learn what U.S. census reports reveal, how to find them, and how to read between the lines to uncover family stories. We’ll explore clues about jobs, home ownership, immigration, and more, as well as how to use these records to guide your family history research. Whether you’re just curious or actively tracing your roots, this session will help you see the census in a whole new way.
Tracing the Path to U.S. Citizenship –This presentation explores the many ways immigrants gained American citizenship and the rich genealogical details found in naturalization records. You’ll learn how the process has changed over time, what documents to look for, and where to find them. Whether you’re researching a relative or just curious about the path to citizenship, this session offers an engaging look at one of the most important milestones in the immigrant journey.
Unlocking Library Resources: Exploring Public, Academic, and Archival Collections –Not all libraries are the same—and knowing how they work can open new doors in your research. In this session, you’ll learn about the wide variety of library systems across the U.S., from your local public library to national institutions like the Library of Congress and the National Archives. We’ll explore library types, access requirements, classification systems, and special collections, including resources for family historians and researchers. Whether you’re looking for local history, scholarly articles, or ancestral records, this presentation will help you make the most of every library visit—online and in person.
Using DNA in Family History Research – This beginner-friendly session explains how DNA testing works, why it’s useful, and how to make sense of your results—whether you’re just starting or already matched with distant cousins.
Your Tree Begins Here: Learning Ancestry.com for Family History Research – Getting Started with Ancestry.com: A Practical Introduction to Family History Research Curious about discovering your family’s past? This beginner-friendly session introduces you to the core features of Ancestry.com, including how to navigate your family tree, evaluate hints, and manage your research standards. Through live demonstrations and helpful tips, you’ll learn how to confidently search, analyze, and organize genealogical information on one of the most widely used family history platforms.
Please ask us about the possibility of creating something on a topic of your choice.
