Mr. Baker has been an active genealogist for the past 15 years. He specializes in German, Midwest US, early American research, and DNA. He has written articles for the National Genealogical Society (NGS) Magazine, the NGS Quarterly, and Der Blumenbaum, the journal of the Sacramento German Genealogy Society. He has presented classes and webinars to many genealogy groups including National Genealogical Society, Southern California Jamboree, and Legacy Family Tree Webinars. Mr. Baker earned a PhD in sociology and social psychology from the University of Utah. He is retired from an aerospace and business management career
Research Methodology
Finding the Hardest Ones, Part One: Seven Strategies
Case studies illustrate seven strategies to find the most challenging data: (1) collaborating with other genealogists; (2) search engine research; (3) digging in giant tomes; (4) checking property/tax records; (5) broadening the search; (6) performing on-site research; and (7) analyzing DNA evidence.
Finding the Hardest Ones, Part Two
Case studies show problem solving methods where key data are missing – without embarking on new research – by analyzing data such as naming patterns, birth/marriage witness data, inheritance data, sibling data, timelines, family migrations, and other data already in your database.
Solving the Most Common Family History Mysteries Online .
This presentation offers strategies to deal with four common problems: (1) finding correct names while dealing with nicknames, "Americanized" and shortened names; (2) getting correct birth/marriage/death data when dealing with questionable records, (3) working with conflicting evidence, and (4) proving or disproving family myths.
Finding Ancestors in Online Newspapers
This “how-to” presentation describes the most efficient methods to find people among online (and offline) newspaper collections.
Bonanza
This class focuses on the special opportunities we may have to add sizable numbers of “new” relatives to our database. Eleven categories of examples are covered, including making more effective use of DNA results, surname trees, and existing data on Family Search and Ancestry.
I Thought He Was My Ancestor:Avoiding the Six Most Common Genealogy Mistakes
This class uses case studies to show how to avoid the most common mistakes: trusting the “long-time proven” data; believing family myths; connecting improper “same-name”: people; failing the reasonableness test; trusting genealogy “snake-oil” salesmen; and believing all original records.
Genealogy Unplugged: When Offline Records Are the Best
Class members will learn, through case studies, methods of using the best offline records to give a more effective balance to their research.
Google: the Genealogist’s Best Friend
This class demonstrates Google’s unique capability to find ancestral data that is lost to the more traditional genealogy sites.
Online Maps, Atlases, and Gazetteers for Genealogy
Different types of maps offer a special window into the past that may help us to more accurately define the exact locations of our ancestors. Land ownership maps can be used to pinpoint locations and time periods that may have been unknown.
The 2022 Toolbox for the Modern Genealogist
This class discusses the most essential tools required for today’s genealogist. Categories covered are: hardware; software; large search engines; specialty sites and collections; offline data; the “data finding” sites; key DNA tools; and genealogy learning tools.
Solving the Name Change Game
This class offers strategies to solve the most common name problems: (1) finding the correct surnames when there are changes in spelling or shortening; (2) finding the correct name when working with changed business or professional names; and (3) sorting out problems with the use of middle names, nicknames, or court changed names.
DNA Research
The 2022 DNA Toolbox
This class describes the major DNA companies’ most essential tools and how they apply to different DNA users, ranging from the least to the most experienced. Each key tool is described along with examples of how they are effective in improving our DNA analyses.
DNA 101: Introduction to DNA Research
This presentation offers a non-technical description of the basic DNA tests and their most effective genealogy uses.
Making the Most of DNA Results on Ancestry DNA
This class offers a systematic approach to working with autosomal DNA data. A detailed 8-step procedure is presented for working with the test results.
FTDNA Results
This class covers the autosomal DNA features of FTDNA. Class members will learn the key options of working with the FTDNA results, with an emphasis on the use of the chromosome browsers and other special features that are unique to FTDNA.
MyHeritage Results
This class covers the key options of working with DNA results when working with My Heritage. Class members will learn to make effective use of My Heritage’s chief features, with a special emphasis on the detailed data provided by shared matches and chromosome browser.
23 and Me Results
This “how-to” class shows how to make the best use of 23 and Me. As a company that has sold 12 million kits, its database of potential matches is immensely valuable.
50 Things You Need to Know About DNA
This class offers a brief overview of the entire range of DNA tests, tools, concepts, and features. Autosomal DNA test results are emphasized.
How Can I Organize 25,000 Matches?
This class discusses strategies to organize thousands of DNA matches. Class members will learn to arrange their matches into sub-groups by making good use of DNA Thru Lines, shared matches, the surname selection option, and cluster creation.
Smashing Brick Walls with DNA Results: Finding a Revolutionary War Soldier
This presentation uses DNA results to solve genealogy puzzles for 5th and 6th generation ancestors. Case studies offer a “how-to” approach to merge FTDNA, Ancestry DNA, and GEDMATCH/GENESIS results effectively.
Finding 6th and 7th Cousins: DNA Results Can Be So Good You Can Hardly Believe It!
Class members will learn, through Ancestry DNA case studies, how newly identified ancestors can be found as far back as the 7th generation.
Finding the Hardest Ones with DNA
Case studies are used to illustrate the best strategies to find ancestors you need to fill in gaps in your family tree back in the 6th and 7th generations. The discussion shows how to blend data from Ancestry, FTDNA, My Heritage, and GEDMATCH/GENESIS.
Opening Pandora’s Box: When DNA Finds Unexpected, Improper Ancestors
This class offers strategies to show how DNA results can be used to identify adoptions and Non-Paternity Events. These events may cause surprises and disruptions in our family trees.
Overcoming the Most Common DNA Problems.
This class deals with the most common DNA analysis problems: not finding any matches for certain family branches; not getting much help from Ancestry; having many matches with only partial tree postings or no posted tree data; or being adopted.
Thru Lines! Ancestry’s Best Feature
This class describes Ancestry’s new Thru Lines feature, which has replaced the DNA Circles feature. Examples are provided to illustrate the considerable advantages of Thru Lines, which will easily double or triple the number of matches shown for each ancestor.
Watch Out for the 6 Dangerous DNA Myths: Part I
To do our most effective DNA work, we need to understand and get past the DNA myths that restrict our progress. The myths that are discussed are: (1) if matches do not post a tree, you are stuck; (2) ethnicity results are the heart and soul of DNA; (3) a lot of DNA scores are unreliable; and (4) Ancestry DNA has no browser so is not a good company to use for DNA results.
Watch Out for the 6 Dangerous DNA Myths: Part II
This class is a continuation of Part I. Part II covers the myths that claim (5) DNA doesn’t do any good beyond the 4th generation; and (6) lower DNA scores are next to useless.
Why Didn’t We Match?
This class explores the questions about why we have DNA matches with some of our distant cousins but not others.
Segment Analysis
This class describes the features and advantages of My Heritage’s segment analysis tool. This easy-to-use tool allows us to view specific chromosome segments that will quickly show us an array of matches who all are part of a triangulated group who descend from a specific ancestor.
Surprise! Key Lower Scoring Matches Are the Most Useful Matches
This class offers examples to show that most genealogists will get the most benefit from lower scoring DNA matches because those matches are the most useful for the family tree areas where we usually need the most help. When we are looking to extend our family tree by finding new 4th and 5th cousins, we will be looking for cM scores from 40 down to 8. Examples show how to find these matches
Americana Research
Mayflower to Minutemen: Finding Colonial Records (1610-1790)
Class members will learn about the composition of the immigrants of the 13 original colonies, and the variety of available records and genealogy data.
Finding Ancestors in American Revolutionary War Records
Class members will learn, through case studies, how to use online data to find 1776-era patriots. Service records, DAR/SAR data, and pension records are emphasized.
Finding Online Resources for Early 1800’s US Data
Case studies are used to show how to trace early families, using newspapers, books, property/tax records, marriage records, military data, city directories, maps, church records, and family records.
Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier: Civil War Records – Prolific and Powerful
Class members will learn the best sources to use to find both Union and Confederate Civil War era ancestors. Pension records are emphasized.
No 1890 Census? No Problem!
Case studies are used to show strategies to use to compensate for the loss of the 1890 census data. Record types include: state censuses; city/county directories; voting registration lists; marriage, death, and probate records; and historic newspapers and books.
The Best Online Data for Early 1900s Research
Case studies are used to illustrate the use of varied records: immigration and naturalization; probates and wills; military data; marriage and death data; and historical books.
German Genealogy
Getting Started with German Genealogy
This presentation focuses on the dominant features of doing German genealogy research, stressing the differences from working in US genealogy.
Where’s Siegfried? Finding Your Ancestor’s German Town and Its Records
This presentation focuses on strategies to overcome the two major German research problems: (a) finding an unknown ancestral town, and (b) finding the town’s key records.
German Genealogy Sources for Areas No Longer in Germany
Participants will learn strategies and online sources to deal with the problems of researching traditional German areas now located in France, Poland, Russia, and the Czech Republic.
Come Fly with Me! Having a Great Trip to Your Ancestral Town
Class members will learn strategies to maximize the success of their genealogical visits to their ancestral towns. Case studies illustrate the use of internet planning, personal visits to previously unknown kin, and treasures that may be found in an ancestral town.
The Peripatetic Germans: German Emigration and Immigration (1693-1914)
Participants will learn methods of identifying German ancestors who immigrated to America in different time periods.
German Genealogy Gems: Going Beyond the German Church Records
Strategies are presented to find German ancestors in various records: civic records, property records, town anniversary books, court records, tax records, Sippenbuchs, and Familienbuchs. Numerous examples are provided for the various data types.
Nick earned both an MBA in Finance and a Bachelor’s in Accountancy at California State University, Sacramento, and he has worked both as an auditor and comptroller. Nick enjoys history, and he has been doing family genealogy for over 30 years. Nick is involved in the community to include the Italian Culture Society and the Sacramento Family Search Library; where he has given several lectures. Nick has authored books on both his Italian and Latvian family genealogy, and he sells those books and others through his genealogy business; Victorious Sales. Nick serves as the Executive Director of the Italian Genealogical Society of Sacramento.
Italian Genealogy Fundamentals
Elementary Basics to Italian Genealogy
Italian Immigration
History of Italian Immigration to the United States
Reading Italian Civil Records
Reading basic Italian civil records -- birth, marriage, death
Speaker Biography: Cindy Brennan has been an avid family history researcher for more than 20 years after finding a photograph of her husband’s family from 1899. He had no clue who the people were and so down the rabbit hole she went! Cindy has been the Newsletter Editor of Sonoma County Genealogy Society’s Monthly Newsletter since 2009. The many articles she continues to research and publish led to a desire to share this information through presentations with other genealogists and family historians.
Programs Offered
Finding Your Railroad Ties: There are only a few things that are as significantly entwined with American history as The Train. For many of our ancestors, trains represented the most profound change in their lifetime. New careers, travel, food, medicine and products that were never available before, were now a possibility. The nostalgia surrounding train travel in days gone by still captivates us today. Learn how your family may have been connected to the magic of the train. You might be surprised!
It’s Academic: Finding Your Ancestors in Records of Higher Learning: Not only do college and university libraries contain a plethora of information on faculty and students, but the academic library is usually the storehouse for the surrounding community. You may discover your ancestors’ records there, even if they did not attend the university.
Finding Your Family Stars and Performers: How many of you have found evidence that you had family members who performed or entertained? And, when I say “Performed or Entertained” I am not just including those who made it to the Big Leagues. What about those High School Plays or Church Choirs? Join me in finding those shining stars in your family.
Minding Your Own Business: How many of you had relatives who owned some type of business? Before large retail stores and services, towns had their own, small local businesses They sold merchandise, food, clothing, provided services, and so much more. Today, we see a lot of entrepreneurial spirit in our country, but our ancestors often created businesses out of sheer necessity.
Till The Cows Come Home: Ranchers, Rustlers and Rodeo: There are farmers and there are ranchers. If you learned a thing or two by watching the hit series “Yellowstone”, you may be interested in the unique records that exist if your families were attached to ranching. From land records to criminal records to cattle branding records, saddle up and learn more about your ancestors whose lives had a connection to ranching.
Fishing For Your Seafaring Ancestors: Many of our coastal ancestors spent their lives on the water in a seafaring career. Lucky for us, with several laws passed in the United States PLUS a host of excellent online resources, you have a good chance of finding your family sailing out in the open sea.
Should I Stay or Should I Go?: Using Emigrant Guides: Delve into the "Whys" and 'Hows" of your own family's migration to their new home. Have you wondered what pushed them to leave where they were, and what pulled them to that new place? Emigrant Guides are one of those truly underutilized, and readily available resources, that can add rich details to you family's migration stories.
William Burg has written seven books about Sacramento history, focusing on transportation, music, art and culture, race, redevelopment, and politics
Sacramento’s Streetcars
History of Sacramento’s electric transportation systems
Wicked Sacramento
Tales from Sacramento’s lost West End neighborhood
Midtown Sacramento
Contemporary history, 1960s-1980s counterculture, art & coffee
The Big Tomato
History of Sacramento's canneries, industries and labor
[Located in Category: William Burg]
Karen Burney
Contact Information
Fees, Travel, Equipment
P.O. BOX 216326
Sacramento, CA 95821
916 588-8283
Email: KarenBurney@ hotmail.com
Fee: Negotiable
Any Additional Charges: none
Distance: 100 miles
Availability: Weekends, Evenings, Zoom
Equipment Needed: Projector, Mic
Speaker Biography:
Karen Burney is a national speaker and lecturer who has spent over 30 years doing genealogy research. She teaches classes on a variety of topics including Beginning Genealogy, DNA, Civil War, African-American research, Texas, Louisiana, Carolina and Virginia Research.
Combining Traditional and Genetic Genealogy to Grow Your Family Tree
Attendees will learn to how to combine DNA with traditional genealogy research to get further back in their ancestral pasts.
Planning a Genealogy Research Trip
Attendees will be given tips and suggestions on how to plan and prepare for a genealogy research trip.
Beginning Genealogy
Start out right and learn how and where to research and document your family history.
Tracing Your African American Roots
Learn unique and new methods for reconnecting with your African American Roots.
Other topics available, see bio.
[Located in Category: Karen Burney]
Nancy Calhoun
Contact Information
Fees, Travel, Equipment
P.O. Box 1182
Muskogee, OK 74402-1182
(405) 201-0024
Email: ninnnac@yahoo.com
Fee: $50
Any Additional Charges: none
Distance: Virtual Only
Availability: Weekends, Weekdays, Evenings, Zoom
Equipment Needed: Virtual Platform
Speaker Biography:
Nancy has been doing genealogy for 45 years and worked as a genealogy librarian for 15 years. Has attended many national conferences, received scholarships, and won writing awards. Presented for societies in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas. Received her BA, BS, MS. Member of several societies, DAR, 1812, Mayflower, UDC, Oklahoma Genealogical Society Board, and First Families of the Twin Territories.
Runnin’ Down Grandma
Tips on researching females
Shakin’ Out the Smiths
Researching common surnames, using personal research and experience.
Way Down Yonder in the Indian Nations
Researching the Five Tribes of Oklahoma (Cherokee, Chickasaw, Creek, Choctaw, and Seminole)
Oklahoma OK!
Tips for doing Oklahoma research
Seeking the Vital Vitals, Civil War Research in Oklahoma
I am a long-time member of the Whittier Area Genealogical Society (WAGS). I’m also a member of the El Redondo Chapter of the DAR, the Society of Daughters of Holland Dames and APG.
My interest in genealogy began in 1977 with the airing of the TV mini-series “Roots” and was piqued when I found a typed pedigree chart of my Dutch heritage from the New Netherlands in the 1660’s. I am a native Californian, a graduate of UCLA in Political Science and have recently retired to pursue my genealogy interest full time.
Mysterious Codes: Passenger Manifests Letters and Numbers
What do those letters, numbers, stamps, and pencil marks mean on Immigration Passenger Manifests? Does your ancestor have the letter "D" or "X" next to their name? Do you know what V/L, # 404, USB, Transit, CL, N.O.B, C/A, LPC, SI, NQIV, BSI, PV or C-XXXXX mean? We will learn if and when to contact the US National Archives or USCIS to get more genealogical information from these codes. Plus, what insight we can learn about your ancestor's immigration experience based on these notations.
Grand Army of The Republic - Researching Your Union Civil War Veterans
Do you have a Union Civil War Veteran? Did you know that in 1890 there were over 400,000 Veterans who belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R)? This organization existed from 1866 to 1956. It generated records noting Civil War service, birth, marriage, death, residences, occupations, detailed biographies and even photographs. I will show you where and how to find these hidden gems.
Your Ancestor the Inventor
Did your ancestor have a great idea and apply for a patent? It could give you insight into the mind and creative process of the inventor. I will show how the information contained in applying for and acquiring patents, can add interesting details to your ancestors’ lives and assist you with your research. Find details about Citizenship status, Maiden names, Legal Name changes, Death date, Heirs, and Employers. Plus, how popular the invention was in catalogs, newspapers, and city directories.
The Why, Where, When, What and How of Lineage & Hereditary Societies
Have you ever thought of joining a Lineage or Hereditary Society? What is the purpose of the society? Who are they composed of? Where do you find them? How do you join them? Why would you join them? What activities or events do they perform? Do you need professional assistance to join them? Do you need an invitation? What free or member benefits are available? Are DNA test results a membership option or requirement?
[Located in Category: Christine Cohen]
Amy Johnson Crow
Contact Information
Fees, Travel, Equipment
PO Box 1394
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
Email: ajc@amyjohnsoncrow.com
Website: AmyJohnsonCrow.com
Fee: $150 for webinar, contact for all day seminar
Any additional fees: None
Distance: Only scheduling virtual presentations at this time.
Availability: Weekdays, Evenings, Weekends, and via Zoom (Virtual is preferred)
Equipment Needed: None
Speaker Biography:
Amy Johnson Crow is the founder and lead educator at Generations Connection and is the host of the popular Generations Café podcast. She is the author of 31 Days to Better Genealogy, a resource guide filled with practical tips you can put into practice right away, as well as more than 40 articles in various genealogical publications. Amy has presented at genealogy’s top events. Amy also created the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks writing challenge. Amy has never turned down an offer to go visit a cemetery. You can find more genealogy tips on her website AmyJohnsonCrow.com.
The Genealogy Research Process
5 Search Strategies Every Genealogist Should Know
Sometimes records like to hide. That’s when you need to use a good search strategy. Here are 5 that every genealogist needs to know — including one that doesn’t even use a name!
Citing Sources Without Stressing Out
Citing sources is one of those things in genealogy research that tends to make us kind of kind of twitchy. We know we should be doing it and we want to do them right… so we tend to stress out about it. But there is a key to thinking about citing sources—and it won’t raise our blood pressure.
How Do I Know That's My Ancestor?
You don’t want just anyone in your family tree — you want the right person. Learn how the concept of identity will help you keep from adding someone with the same name.
Pamela has enjoyed conducting personal and client research for more than 30 years using a wide variety of repositories and record sources. She has presented genealogy lectures at national conferences, regional conferences and one day seminars as well as local society meetings. Pamela’s genealogical focus is Midwest research, methodology and unique record sources. She is a member of the Placer County Genealogical Society, Roseville Genealogical Society, National Genealogical Society, Genealogical Speaker’s Guild, and the Association of Professional Genealogists.
Scaling the Brick Wall
The focus of this presentation is on strategies, methodology and examples to progress research beyond “brick wall” challenges. Good research habits are discussed as well as workable research plans.
Carved in Stone: Cemetery Research
Gain more from your cemetery research. Learn to prepare for your visit to the cemetery, accomplish more during your visit and glean valuable information from related research. *This presentation can be paired with A Visit to the Cemetery, and include demonstrations of gravestone rubbings.
A Visit to the Cemetery
This presentation provides step-by-step plans for a visit to the cemetery including different ways to read the tombstone and “how to” for gravestone rubbings.
Double Dating: Understanding the Calendar Change
Understanding the details of the change from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar is essential for sound genealogical research.
Let Your Fingers Do the Walking Through the City Directories
Learn to fully utilize city directories to gather all available information plus clues for further research.
Siblings, Friends & Enemies: Collateral Research
Effective collateral research may mean the difference between successful or unsuccessful research. This class explores the importance and techniques of collateral research.
Develop a Research Plan and Make it Work
Are you researching or just gathering information? Using a sound research plan makes all the difference for successful genealogical research.
Evaluating Evidence
Determining the strength and value of the evidence we use in our research is imperative for sound genealogical research. Properly evaluating your evidence is essential for successful research and steers us forward toward the next steps.
Remember the Ladies: Find Your Female Ancestors
Are you struggling to find elusive female ancestors? This presentation offers strategies and methodology for finding more information about your female ancestors.
Grand Army of the Republic
The Grand Army of the Republic, a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army, Navy, Marines and the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service who served in the American Civil War generated numerous records. Discover how to find these records and how they may benefit your research.
Court is in Session: Find Your Ancestors in the Law Library
Law libraries are not just for lawyers. Law libraries hold a treasure trove of information about our ancestors and collateral family. Learn what information is available and where to find it.
Extra! Extra! Your Ancestors Are in the Newspapers
There is more to newspaper research than obituaries. Discover the variety of information available in newspapers and where to find historic newspapers.
The Northwest Territory
The Northwest Territory (The Territory Northwest of the River Ohio) was an organized, incorporated territory of the United States that existed from 13 July 1787 until 1 March 1803. Discover the plentiful records created by the inhabitants of the NW Territory.
WPA: A Good Program for Genealogists
The Works Progress Administration / Work Projects Administration (WPA) - The largest and most ambitious American New Deal Agency. Millions of records were created and most contain genealogically pertinent information.
Burned Counties
Are you stuck in a Burned County? All the records are not lost! This presentation covers strategies and examples for finding existing, replacement and supplemental records.
Digging Deeper, Little Known Records and Repositories
Once you have saturated the best known and easily found records and repositories it is time to dig deeper. This presentation examines little known repositories and records you may never have considered.
NUCMC – A Gold Mine for Genealogists!
The National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections is a key resource for genealogists. This index helps researchers find all types of records, especially those records that migrated away from their original location. Find records in little-known and well-known repositories alike. Learn how to navigate the website and locate the records. A wonderful genealogical treasure!
American State Papers
The American State Papers contain the legislative and executive documents of Congress during the period of 1789 to 1838. Some of these early documents offer information about land records, marriage records, migration and military history relating to early settlers and residents of the new country.
Reconstruct the Neighborhood
Would you like to set foot in your ancestors’ neighborhood? This presentation discusses researching and mapping your ancestors’ neighborhood.
