Introduction: In this article – part of an ongoing “Introduction to Genealogy” series – Gena Philibert-Ortega writes about three ways you can expand your genealogical knowledge so that you can achieve better results with your family history research. Gena is a genealogist and author of the book “From the Family Kitchen.”
Do you have a personal genealogy education plan? Ongoing education is a must in the rapidly growing family history field. Lucky for us, genealogy education has expanded in the last decade to include in-person, online, and traditional learning options. Below are three ways you can expand your genealogical knowledge so that you can achieve better results with your research.
Webinars
Webinars are a great way to enhance your genealogy education. They provide you with quality education, presented by research experts that you can watch from home. Webinars are perfect for those who have difficulties attending regular society meetings or conferences due to financial or family obligations.
Not familiar with webinars? Webinars are basically an online presentation. During a webinar presentation, you will hear the presenter, see their slides, and be given the chance to ask questions by typing in a chat box. Unlike a presentation at your local genealogy society, you won’t see the presenter. Webinars are often hosted by a company or a genealogy society. In most cases they are free when presented live, but may cost a fee or be part of a membership benefit once they are archived. Members are allowed to watch archived webinars on demand, whenever they choose.
A comprehensive webinar schedule can be found on the website GeneaWebinars. Here you can peruse a calendar and see what webinars are being held in the near future. Please remember that in most cases, even if the webinar is free, you must register beforehand. Once you register, you will be provided with a link to join the webinar.
Conferences
There’s no doubt that attending a genealogy conference can be a research-altering event. The education and networking that happens in a short amount of time is priceless. But don’t forget that virtual conferences also exist.
To see what conferences are coming up worldwide, consult the website Conference Keeper. This website includes nationwide conferences hosted by the National Genealogical Society, Federation of Genealogical Studies, and RootsTech, as well as smaller regional events.
Two virtual conferences to consider are Family Tree University and the National Archives Virtual Genealogy Fair. Scroll down the Virtual Genealogy Fair website to see the schedules and handouts from previous events.
Books
It’s no secret that I’m a huge book lover. I’m always reading a book or two, so I do have an opinion on books that are a must for every genealogist. Here are three to consider adding to your genealogy bookshelves:
- The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy by Val Greenwood
- The Sleuth Book for Genealogists by Emily Ann Croom
- The Hidden Half of the Family: A Sourcebook for Women’s Genealogy by Christina K Schaefer
Write Your Own Genealogy Education Plan
Do you have a genealogy education plan? I think continuing education is so important, and genealogy research is made easier the more you understand what sources exist and what was going on in your ancestor’s location and era. Take a few minutes today to write down what you are going to do to increase your genealogical knowledge. You’ll be glad you did!