Presentations

Looking for a speaker for your genealogy society?   Contact me for details and to schedule a time to speak to your group.

 

Presentations available:

1.  "Was My William Smith in the Civil War?"   

Over ten percent of the US population fought in the Civil War in the 1860s.  Using (mostly) free resources, learn some tips on how to determine if your ancestor was in the war, and how to differentiate among those common named soldiers.

2.  "I Have a Civil War Ancestor... Now What?"  

Civil War soldiers often left a rich genealogical paper trail.  Many of these records are tucked away at the National Archives in Washington DC.  Learn what records are available for your ancestors only at the National Archives, what records are online already, and how to access all of them.  These records may unlock some of the family stories that have been forgotten over time, as well as break down a brick wall or two!   

3. "Navigating the Records From The War of 1812" 

From bounty land to pensions, there are no shortage of genealogical records for soldiers from The War of 1812.  Learn why these records were created, how to make sense of them, and what those records can contain for your ancestors.

4.  "Finding Your 19th Century Ancestors on Fold3-- Is There a Better Way?"

Ever get confused searching on Fold3? Learn what records are available for your 19th-century military ancestors there and pick up some search strategies to narrow down what you’re looking for.  Yes, there is a better way to search!

 

Upcoming presentations:   

9 January 2025 Centre County, Pennsylvania (virtual)  "I Have a Civil War Ancestor, Now What?" 

14 January 2025  Civil War Roundtable of Southwest Michigan (virtual)  "I Have a Civil War Ancestor, Now What?" 

3 February 2025  Kentucky Genealogy Society (virtual) "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

8 February 2025  Seattle Genealogical Society (virtual) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor, Now What?"

13 February 2025 Avon Lake (Ohio) Public Library, (virtual) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor, Now What?"

12 April 2025 Montgomer County (Ohio) Genealogy Society "I Have a Civil War Ancestor, Now What?"

25 April 2025  Keynote speaker, Nebraska State Genealogical Society Conference (virtual), "Was My William Smith in The Civil War?", "I Have a Civil War Ancestor, Now What?", and "Battling Brick Walls With Military Records"

6 May 2025 Aurora (Ohio) Memorial Library (in person) "Was My William Smith in The Civil War?"

8 May 2025 Pastfnders Genealogical Society (virtual) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor, Now What?"

19 May 2025 St. Louis County Library (virtual) "Was My William Smith in the Civil War?"

8 September 2025  Temecula Valley (California) Genealogy Society (virtual)  Topic TBA

23 October 2025  Muskogee County, Oklahoma Genealogy Society (virtual)  "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

26 January 2026   Firelands Genealogy Society (Ohio) (virtual) "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

 

Previous presentations:  

9 December 2024  Heritage Seekers, Little Rock, Arkansas (virtual)  "Finding Your 19th Century Ancestors on Fold3-- Is There a Better Way?"

9 November 2024   Westchester County (New York) Genealogical Society (virtual) "Finding Your 19th Century Ancestors on Fold3-- Is There a Better Way?"

16 October 2024 Lewis and Clark Genealogical Society (Helena, Montana) (virtual)  "Navigating the Records From The War of 1812" 

16 October 2024  Midland, Michigan Genealogical Society (virtual) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor, Now What?" 

12 October 2024 San Diego Genealogical Society "I Have a Civil War Ancestor, Now What?"  and "Navigating the Records From The War of 1812"

10 October 2024  Southern Ohio Genealogical Society (virtual) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor, Now What?"

12 September 2024 Avon Lake (Ohio) Public Library (virtual) "Finding Your 19th Century Ancestors on Fold3-- Is There a Better Way?"

6 May 2024  Kentucky Genealogy Society (virtual) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor, Now What?"

28 March 2024 Lake County (Indiana) Public Library (virtual)  "Finding Your 19th Century Ancestors on Fold3-- Is There a Better Way?"

16 March 2024 Whittier Area Genealogical Society (California) (virtual) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor . . . Now What?"

14 March 2024  Peoria County (Illinois) Genealogical Society (virtual) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor . . .  Now What?"

12 March 2024  El Dorado Hills (California) Genealogical Society (virtual) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor . . . Now What?"

17 February 2024  Computer Assisted Genealogy Group, (virtual) "Was My William Smith in The Civil War?"

10 February 2024  Naugatuck Valley Genealogy Club (Connecticut) (virtual) "Navigating the Records From The War of 1812"

6 February 2024 Boulder (Colorado) Genealogical Society (virtual)  "Finding Your 19th Century Ancestors on Fold3-- Is There a Better Way?"

3 February 2024 Pierce Streetsboro Library (Ohio) (in person) "Was My William Smith in the Civil War?"  

22 January 2024 Heritage Seekers, Little Rock, Arkansas (virtual) "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

6 January 2024  Clermont County, Ohio Genealogical Society (virtual)  "Was My William Smith in The Civil War?"

7 December 2023 Rogue Valley Genealogical Society (Oregon) (virtual) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor, Now What?"

18 November 2023  Genealogical Society of Washington County, Oregon (Virtual) "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

16 November 2023 Omaha Public Library (virtual) "Finding Your 19th Century Ancestors on Fold3-- Is There a Better Way?"

11 November 2023 Rogue Valley Genealogical Society (Oregon) (Virtual) "Was My William Smith in The Civil War?"

9 November 2023 Centre County Genealogical Society (Pennsylvania) (Virtual)  "I Have a Civil War Ancestor  . . . Now What?"

8 November 2023 Genealogical Society of South Brevard (Florida) (Virtual)   "Finding Your 19th Century Ancestors on Fold3-- Is There a Better Way?"

4 November 2023 New York State Family History Conference, Buffalo, New York (in person)   "Navigating the Records From The War of 1812"

2 November 2023 Castle Rock Colorado Genealogy Society (virtual) "Navigating the Records From The War of 1812"

28 October 2023 Family History Day 2023 at the Cleveland Public Library (in person)  "I Have a Civil War Ancestor...Now What?"

21 October 2023  State of Ohio Daughters of the War of 1812 (in person) "Navigating the Records From The War of 1812"

14 October 2023 Westchester County Genealogical Society (New York) (Virtual) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor, Now What?" 

9 October 2023 Heritage Seekers, Little Rock, Arkansas (virtual)  "I Have a Civil War Ancestor, Now What?"

26 September 2023 Clark County (Washington) (virtual) Genealogical Society "Was My William Smith in The Civil War?"

19 September 2023 Genealogy Quick Start (live broadcast)

16 September 2023  Clark County Nevada Genealogical Society (virtual) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor, Now What?"

9 September 2023 Naugatuck Valley Genealogy Club (Connecticut) (virtual) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor. . .  Now What?"

15 July 2023 Godfrey Memorial Library (Connecticut) (virtual) "Navigating the Records From The War of 1812"

5 May 2023 Zion (Illinois) Genealogical Society (virtual) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor. . .  Now What?"

11 May 2023  Virginia Beach Genealogical Society (virtual) "Navigating the Records From The War of 1812"

1 May 2023 Chicago Genealogical Society (virtual) "Was My William Smith in the Civil War?"

27 April 2023 Ohio Genealogical Society (in person) "Finding Your 19th Century Ancestors on Fold3-- Is There a Better Way?"

25 April 2023 Rock Island Illinois Genealogical Society (virtual) "Navigating the Records From The War of 1812"

4 April 2023 Reed Memorial Library, Ravenna, Ohio (in person) "Was My William Smith in The Civil War?"

11 March 2023  Montgomery County Ohio Genealogical Society (virtual)   topic TBA

9 March 2023 Denton County Texas Genealogical Society  (virtual) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor, Now What?"

23 February 2023 Broomfield (Colorado)  (Virtual) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor... Now What?"  

9 February 2023 Centre County, Pennsylvania Genealogical Society (virtual)  "Finding Your 19th Century Ancestors on Fold3-- Is There a Better Way?"

2 February 2023 Omaha Public Library (virtual) "Was My William Smith in the Civil War?"  

21 January 2023  Computer Assisted Genealogy Group, Cleveland, Ohio (virtual)  "Finding Your 19th Century Ancestors on Fold3-- Is There a Better Way?"

16 January 2023  North Hills Genealogists (Pennsylvania) (virtual)  "I Have a Civil War Ancestor, Now What?"

17 December 2022  Godfrey Memorial Library (Connecticut) (virtual)   "Finding Your 19th Century Ancestors on Fold3-- Is There a Better Way?"

7 December 2022  Rogue Valley Genealogical Society (Oregon) (virtual) "Finding Your 19th Century Ancestors on Fold3-- Is There a Better Way?"

3 December 2022 Portage County Ohio Genealogical Society  "Finding Your 19th Century Ancestors on Fold3-- Is There a Better Way?"

19 November 2022  Western New York Genealogy Society (virtual) "Finding Your 19th Century Ancestors on Fold3-- Is There a Better Way?"

17 November 2022 Allen County Public Library (Fort Wayne, Indiana) (virtual) "Navigating the Records From The War of 1812"

16 November 2022  Warren County (Ohio) Genealogical Society (virtual) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor, Now What?"

8 November 2022  Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society, Lincoln, Nebraska (virtual) "Finding Your 19th Century Ancestors on Fold3-- Is There a Better Way?" 

5 November 2022 Clermont County (Ohio) Genealogical Society (virtual) "Navigating the Records From The War of 1812"

13 October 2022  Allen County Public Library (Fort Wayne, Indiana) (virtual)  "I Have a Civil War Ancestor, Now What?"

5 October 2022 Geauga County (Ohio) Public Library (in person) "Finding Your 19th Century Ancestors on Fold3-- Is There a Better Way?"

21 September 2022   The Skeleton Whisperer’s Webinar series (virtual) "Was My William Smith in the Civil War?"

17 September 2022 Summit County, Ohio Genealogical Society "Navigating the Records From The War of 1812"

23 August 2022 Rock Island Illinois Genealogical Society (virtual)  "Was My William Smith in the Civil War?" 

4 June 2022 Solano County (California) Genealogical Society (virtual) "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

13 May 2022 Heartland Family History Conference, Topeka, Kansas (in person) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor... Now What?" and "Finding Your 19th Century Ancestors on Fold3-- Is There a Better Way?"

30 April 2022 Ohio Genealogical Society Annual Conference (in person) "Was My William Smith in the Civil War?"

20 April 2022  Irondequoit (New York) Public Library (virtual), "I Have a Civil War Ancestor... Now What?"

2 April 2022 Schenectady County, New York Historical Society (virtual) "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

21 March 2022  Greater Cleveland Genealogical Society  (virtual) "Finding Your 19th Century Ancestors on Fold3-- Is There a Better Way?"

19 March 2022  Family History Society of Arizona Annual Meeting  (virtual) "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

24 February 2022 (PM) Lakes Region Genealogy Interest Group Committee (New Hampshire) (virtual)  "I Have a Civil War Ancestor . . . Now What?"

24 February 2022 (AM) Lake County (Ohio) Genealogical Society (virtual)  "Finding Your 19th Century Ancestors on Fold3-- Is There a Better Way?"

17 February 2022 Western Massachusetts Genealogical Society (virtual)  "Finding Your 19th Century Ancestors on Fold3-- Is There a Better Way?"

8 February 2022  Indian River Genealogical Society (Florida) (virtual)  "I Have a Civil War Ancestor. . . Now What?"

19 January 2022 Cuyahoga West Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society (virtual)  "Finding Your 19th Century Ancestors on Fold3-- Is There a Better Way?"

11 January 2022 Rock County, Wisconsin Genealogical Society (virtual) "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

8 January 2022  Genealogical Society of Washington County, Oregon (virtual) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor  . . .  Now What?"

8 December 2021 Genealogical Society of South Brevard, Florida (virtual) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor  . . .  Now What?"

4 December 2021 Lincoln Genealogy Society, Oregon (virtual)  "I Have a Civil War Ancestor. . . Now What?"

23 November 2021 Clark County, Washington (virtual) "Finding Your 19th Century Ancestors on Fold3-- Is There a Better Way?"

13 November 2021 Genealogy Society of Marion County (Indiana) (virtual) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor. . . Now What?"

11 November 2021 Rogue Valley Genealogical Society (Oregon) (virtual) "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

8 November 2021 Lorain County (Ohio) Genealogical Society (virtual) "Finding Your 19th Century Ancestors on Fold3-- Is There a Better Way?"

6 November 2021 Portage County (Ohio) Genealogical Society (in person)  "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

27 October 2021  Loudoun County Virginia Public Library (virtual) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor . . . Now What?"

23 October 2021 Northern Kentucky Family History Conference "Was My William Smith in the Civil War?"

20 October 2021 Cuyahoga West Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society "I Have a Civil War Ancestor . . .  Now What?"

19 October 2021 Bend County (Oregon) Genealogical Society "I Have a Civil War Ancestor  . . . Now What?"

1-2 October 2021  North Star Genealogy Conference (Minnesota)  "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

28 September 2021  West Hartford Public Library (Connecticut) (virtual)  "I Have a Civil War Ancestor . . . Now What?"

18 September 2021 Ventura County Genealogical Society (California) (virtual) "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

16 September 2021 Western Massachusetts Genealogical Society (virtual) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor . . . Now What?"

15 September 2021 The Skeleton Whisperer’s Webinar series (virtual) "Finding your 19th Century Ancestors on Fold3"

11 September 2021  Imperial Polk Genealogical Society (Florida) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor . . . Now What?"

9 September 2021  Fox Valley Genealogical Society (Illinois, virtual)  "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

18 August 2021 Family History Society of Arizona (virtual) "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

28 July 2021  Irondequoit Public Library (New York)  (virtual) "Was My Ancestor in the Civil War?" 

26 June 2021 Suncoast Genealogy Society (Florida) (virtual) "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

17 June 2021 Western Massachusetts Genealogical Society (virtual) "Was My Ancestor in the Civil War?"

16 June 2021 Cuyahoga West Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society (virtual) "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

11-12 June 2021  Southern California Genealogy Jamboree (virtual)  "I Have a Civil War Ancestor . . .  Now What?" 

9 June 2021 Warren County (Ohio) Genealogical Society (virtual) "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

5 June 2021  Northland Genealogy Society, Missouri (virtual) "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

5 June 2021  Lincoln Genealogy Society, Oregon (virtual) "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

20 May 2021  Western Massachusetts Genealogical Society (virtual) "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

15 May 2021  Computer Assisted Genealogy Group, Cleveland, Ohio (virtual)  "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

10 May 2021 Story County (Iowa) Genealogy Society (virtual) "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

7-8 May 2021  Heartland Family History Conference (Topeka, Kansas) (virtual)  "Was My Ancestor in the Civil War?"

7-8 May 2021  Heartland Family History Conference (Topeka, Kansas) (virtual)  "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

29 April 2021  Omaha (Nebraska) Public Library (virtual).  "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

22 April 2021  Lakes Region Genealogy Interest Group Committee (New Hampshire) (virtual)  "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

15-17 April 2021  Ohio Genealogical Society Conference (virtual) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor, . . . Now What?" and "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

20 March 2021 Northwest Indiana Genealogical Society (virtual)

6 March 2021  Clermont County (Ohio) Genealogical Society (virtual) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor . . .  Now What?"

5 March 2021  Rogue Valley Genealogical Society (Oregon) (virtual)  "I Have a Civil War Ancestor . . . Now What?"

4 March 2021  Boston Public Library (Massachusetts) (virtual)  "I Have a Civil War Ancestor . . .  Now What?"

1 March 2021  Oklahoma Genealogical Society (virtual)  "I Have a Civil War Ancestor . . . Now What?"

27 February 2021  Suncoast Genealogy Society (Florida) (virtual)  "I Have a Civil War Ancestor . . .  Now What?"  

23 February 2021   Clark County (Washington) Genealogy Society (virtual).  "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

17 February 2021  Story County (Iowa) Genealogy Society (virtual)  "I Have a Civil War Ancestor . . . Now What?"

15 February 2021  Greater Cleveland (Ohio) Genealogy Society (virtual).  "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812" 

6 February 2021  The Western Reserve Historical Society Genealogical Committee  (Ohio) (virtual)  "I Have a Civil War Ancestor . . . Now What?"

19 January 2021  Bend (Oregon) Genealogical Society (virtual)  "Navigating the Records From The War of 1812"

14 January 2021  Omaha (Nebraska) Public Library (virtual).  "I Have a Civil War Ancestor . . .  Now What?"

8 January 2021  Rogue Valley Genealogical Society (Oregon) (virtual).  "Was My Ancestor in the Civil War?"

2 January 2021  Greene County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society (virtual)   "I Have a Civil War Ancestor . . .  Now What?"

19 December 2020    Portage County Historical Society (Ohio) (virtual, Facebook Live).  "Was My Ancestor in the Civil War?"

24 November 2020  Clark County (Washington) Genealogy Society (virtual).  "Was My Ancestor in the Civil War?"

16 November 2020  Kalamazoo (Michigan) Valley Genealogy Society (virtual).  "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

17 October 2020  Rhinehart Roots Genealogy, Facebook Live "Navigating the Records From the War of 1812"

15 October 2020  Payne County (Oklahoma) Genealogical Society (virtual) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor . . .  Now What?"  

8 October 2020  Maury County (Tennessee) Genealogical Society (virtual) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor . . .  Now What?"  

1 September 2020  Seneca County (Ohio) Genealogical Society (virtual) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor . . .  Now What?"  

24 August 2020  Huron County (Ohio) Genealogical Society (virtual) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor, Now What?"  

22 August 2020  Capital District (New York) Genealogical Society (virtual) "I Have a Civil War Ancestor, Now What?"  

4 April 2020  Portage County (Ohio) Genealogical Society "I Have a Civil War Ancestor, Now What?"  

4 April 2020  Portage County (Ohio) Genealogical Society "Was My Ancestor in the Civil War?"

30 March 2020  Rhinehart Roots Genealogy, Facebook Live, "I Have a Civil War Ancestor, Now What?"  

7 January 2020  Rhinehart Roots Genealogy, Facebook Live, "Was My Ancestor in the Civil War?"