by Lisa Cooke | Jun 11, 2014 | 01 What's New, Beginner, Family History Podcast, Libraries, Research Skills
Family History: Genealogy Made Easy Podcast
with Lisa Louise Cooke
Republished June 11, 2014
Listen to the Family History: Genealogy Made Easy podcast by Lisa Louise Cooke. It’s a great series for learning the research ropes and well as refreshing your skills.
https://lisalouisecooke.com/familyhistorypodcast/audio/fh35.mp3
Download the Show Notes for this Episode
Welcome to this step-by-step series for beginning genealogists—and more experienced ones who want to brush up or learn something new. I first ran this series in 2008-09. So many people have asked about it, I’m bringing it back in weekly segments.
Episode 35: Do Your Genealogy at the Public Library, Part 2
In Episode 34, Patricia Van Skaik, Manager of the History and Genealogy Department of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, talked with me about the unique genealogical resources in public libraries just waiting to be discovered. She gave us some great ideas on how to prepare for your visit to get the most out of your time at the library.
Today, we go deeper into genealogy research at the public library. Pat is back and she talks to us about:
- How to search an online library card catalog, including advanced search methods;
- What kinds of unique collections may be at public libraries, and helps us learn to ask for exactly what we want!
- The obstacles librarians face when it comes to cataloguing large and unique collections that may interest genealogists.
So dust off your library card and grab your book bag and let’s head back to the public library!
Top Library Tips from Pat and Lisa
- You don’t have to be advanced on computers to use advanced searches. Use these to home in clearly on what you’re looking for!
- Don’t think of the public library as just as place to go look at their holdings. Talk to librarians about how to use resources (databases, websites) and how to evaluate what you’ve discovered.
- Some items are buried at the library. Asking for help may lead to accessing just the records you want. Examples include items in pull-out collections, closed stacks (not in the public areas of the library) and maps, which aren’t always listed in the card catalogue.
- Tell the staff what materials are important to you. Your interest may lead these items to become more accessible, or be indexed or digitized.
Separate your search terms in advanced searches. Don’t just keyword search “marriages San Francisco.” Enter these terms separately in the advanced search. You may bring up items not found while searching these keywords together.
A lot of local history and genealogy materials do not circulate through interlibrary loan. Some items are totally unique and people travel to that library to see it, so they don’t send it out. One option is to ask the librarian to check the index and table of contents, then scan or photocopy the pages of interest to you and send them. There may be a charge for this but it’s better than not being able to get the book at all!
Finally, don’t make assumptions. Particularly, Pat says, don’t assume that…
- A small library doesn’t have much advanced technology;
- A library resources only cover its immediate locale; and
- If you can’t see it is not there! Ask about closed stacks.
Links for Public Libraries and Library Resources
WorldCat.org (to search for materials across multiple libraries)
Library Finder websites:
Australia
Canada
by Lisa Cooke | Sep 10, 2013 | 01 What's New
Listen to my Free Podcast in iTunes or at www.GenealogyGems.com
I always enjoy being a presenter at the cutting-edge Family Tree Magazine Virtual Genealogy Conference. This time around I’m teaching Best Apps for Genealogy! And today I am giving away one free virtual conference registration to a lucky Genealogy Gems reader. Read through the following article about the Virtual Genealogy Conference to learn how to enter. And do it today because you must be entered by midnight (Pacific) tonight Sept. 10:
8 Great Reasons to Attend a Virtual Genealogy Conference
Family Tree University’s Fall 2013 Virtual Conference Sept. 13-15 offers unique benefits
Have you ever missed a genealogy conference session you wanted to attend because the room was too full, or because the time conflicted with another session of interest? Or heard how great a session was after the fact, and lamented that you didn’t choose it?
That’s just one of the problems solved by Family Tree University’s Virtual Conferences. These three-day online workshops are the only genealogy conferences where attendees can completely customize the program to suit their schedule. Attendees can watch 16 pre-recorded 30-minute classes at any time, in any order they choose.
Attendees of the Winter 2013 Virtual Conference, Sept. 13-15, will enjoy the following unique benefits:
» All sessions can be downloaded for later viewing—allowing you to watch favorite sessions again or save certain classes to view after the conference ends, so you can make the most of the real-time interaction during the weekend.
» PDFs of the presentation slides from each class are available to download, too, eliminating the need to take copious notes or copy down website URLs.
» The conference takes place entirely online, allowing attendees ultimate flexibility for participating. It’s the only conference where you can show up at 2 a.m. in your pajamas if you want to! Log in anywhere you have a computer and an internet connection, from your favorite armchair to your favorite coffee shop. You can even squeeze in a live chat during Daughter’s soccer game.
» An FTU Virtual Conference also provides programming from nationally known genealogy presenters, including D. Joshua Taylor, Lisa Louise Cooke and many more. You don’t have to miss out if you can’t afford a hotel room or have physical limitations that make an in-person conference impractical.
The Virtual Conference also offers perks provided by in-person conferences:
» An exhibit hall with booths showcasing genealogy products and services
» A virtual swag bag of free downloadable genealogy goodies
» Daily contests for great genealogy prizes
» Opportunities to chat with and ask questions of experts, as well as make new friends of genealogy buffs just like you
To view the program and register for the Fall 2013 Virtual Conference, visit http://www.familytreeuniversity.com/virtual-conference (save 20% on registration with coupon code FTU0913 at checkout!). Enter my giveaway by sharing this blog post on Facebook or Twitter by midnight tonight with hashtag #GENEALOGYGEMS. You’ll find social media sharing buttons at the top of the post, or just copy and paste the URL address of this specific post (click the post title to be sure and grab the specific address) and include #GENEALOGYGEMS. The winner will be announced here on this blog on Wed. Sept. 11 and must email their contact information to me as instructed in the post. Good luck, and I hope to see you at the Virtual Conference!
No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Entries must be received by midnight Sept. 10, 2013 as directed.
by Lisa Cooke | Mar 20, 2017
Do your family members roll their eyes when you starting chatting about your genealogy research? Make family history FUN with these clever and inspiring DIY family history ideas!
Ideas in Your Purse
Grab your smartphone and follow me:
Instagram: Lisa Louise Cooke at www.instagram.com/genealogygems
Pinterest: Lisa Louise Cooke Genealogy Gems at www.pinterest.com/lisalouisecooke/
Craft Ideas
DIY Family History Bracelet Upcycled from Your Old Watch
Watch the tutorial video below to learn step-by-step how to create this TIMELESS DIY gift that your family will love! Turn old non-working watches into keepsake family history bracelets. Dig through your jewelry box, or scour thrift stores, eBay, & garage sales. I turned my grandmother’s old watch that doesn’t work anymore into a bracelet that honors her.
Holidays
Legacy Christmas Stocking
In this video I’ll show you how to create a Legacy Christmas Stocking. This crazy quilt / embroidered project allows you to share your family history with family and friends in a unique and creative way. Listen to Genealogy Gems Podcast episode 102 for more details and visit the show notes to download the supply list and other information. Download the instructions (PDF).
Easy DIY Stocking Stuffers
Click here to see how to turn ordinary store-bought candy bars into extraordinary family history delivery treats!
“Sweet Memories” Stocking Stuffer Candy Bars
Displays
Finding your family history is just the first step in the genealogy journey. Displaying your findings and honoring your family lets your research live on and inspire others.
