49th Annual Family History Workshop

Where They Once Stood: Finding Your Immigrant Ancestor's Place of Origin

Often family researchers know only the country from which their ancestor emigrated. This presentation offers examples of American records that can answer the question, "But, exactly where were they from?" Finding an ancestor's specific place of origin in the old country can open doors to foreign records that can grow one's family tree back for generations. A handout lists sources and websites that can help with your search for that important ancestral location. You may even be able to stand where they once stood.

Off the Beaten Path: New-to-You Genealogy Websites for Midwest Research

Most genealogists rely on a handful of trusty online resources for the majority of their research. It’s our beaten path. This presentation shares a collection of lesser-known websites that can provide deeper information for Upper Midwest researchers. A bonus feature will show how to instantly return to the online sources of your downloaded documents and images.

It's In My DNA: Can DNA Testing Help Add To Your German Ancestral Tree?

Can taking a DNA test from one of the “big three” companies (AncestryDNA, MyHeritage DNA, and Family Tree DNA) help you with filling out your family tree? The answer is absolutely, you just need to know what tests to take, what companies are best for genealogy, what relatives of yours should also test and how to apply your results!

Am I Anglo-Saxon? 

Most of us here in the United States look at our heritage as the countries our ancestors emigrated from. Combining traditional genealogical research with genetic genealogy, I have concluded that a more accurate way to define my recent ancestral history is by groups of people and periods of time.

How to Research Your Family History on FamilySearch.org

FamilySearch.org provides free access to huge collections of historical records, books and family trees, plus guides to researching your family history in countries around the world. In addition to those features, this presentation will cover the new Full Text Search, which uses artificial intelligence to make millions of handwritten historical records searchable. For the first time ever, you can find your ancestors in previously unindexed land, court and probate records—and potentially make major breakthroughs in your family history research.

Translation Tools for Genealogy

One of the biggest challenges genealogists face is translating foreign language records, especially if the handwriting is hard to read. You might need to decipher a letter written in Norwegian, a German church record written in gothic script or a newspaper article published in Spanish. This presentation will show you how genealogical word lists, handwriting guides, online translators and AI chatbots can help you decipher foreign language records.

Genealogy 101

Have you been interested in looking into your family history but didn’t know where to start or got overwhelmed by all the possibilities? In this beginner session, learn the difference between genealogy and family history; what forms to use and where to find them; where to look for information; the genealogical research process; and more! Afterwards, attendees should be prepared to take the first step into learning more about their family.

Norwegian Farm Books (bygdebøker)

Norway has a unique cultural tradition that can be a boon for genealogy: The bygdebok. Learn more about using this resource, where to find them, and what information is likely to be found in a bygdebok.

Norwegian National Library Website

The Norwegian National Library is similar to our Library of Congress. It is the repository for everything published in Norway. Many of the items in its collection are available online. We will explore the resources most useful for genealogy.

Rombs – A Teaching Lineage Summary

I use a family story to illustrate some sources of information about Germanic Catholic families that lived between about 1650 (just after the 30 Years War) and 1810 (establishment of the  Kutschurgan Colonies northwest of Odessa). Geographically, the area involved is fairly small – a circle of about 50 kilometer radius centered on Karlsruhe, including areas of current-day Grand Est (France), Baden-Württemberg (Germany), and Rhineland-Palatinate (Germany).

Our Writing, Our History: A Writing Workshop

This session will cover the importance of personal writing and the role it plays in shaping history. The value and practice of writing for everyone will be discussed. Session participants will write given prompts from the instructor.

Sharing your Story: Turning Your Data into Stories and Books 

Inside the family history data you collect is a story that deserves to be shared. It’s time to write your story and share it with family or publish it in a book.  This session will introduce you to the new skills you’ll need to share your story. We’ll talk about turning data into stories, organizing and scoping your project, choosing your writing and photo tools, and the process of printing, publishing and distributing your story.

Tour of the MSUM Archives

Join University Archivist Trista Raezer-Stursa for a behind-the-scenes tour of the MSUM Archives, where she’ll highlight some of the most fascinating and unique documents in the collection. Discover how archival materials can bring family history to life!