2017 Spring Seminar with Tom Jones

Saturday, March 18, 2017

Our Speaker

Tom Jones writes and speaks frequently on genealogical methods with broad application across geographic areas, time periods, and levels of expertise. He is known for meaty lectures benefiting genealogists of all experience levels. Audiences typically leave his lectures understanding that genealogical research can be more challenging than they had thought, but also that it can be much more fun.

• Session 1: Five Ways to Prove Who Your Ancestor Was (Some Reliable and Others Not Reliable)

Case studies will illustrate five ways—some reliable and others not—that genealogists “prove” an ancestor’s identity: using information provided by others; using a single source; following a chain of evidence; correlating evidence from multiple sources; and weighing conflicting evidence. Attendees will learn how to use the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) to identify their ancestors accurately.

• Session 2: Can a Complex Research Problem be Solved Solely Online?

Step by step, attendees will suggest online sources and research strategies for tracing an ancestor who seems to disappear and reappear. The interactive case study will show both how such cases can be solved online and the limits of material online today.

• Session 3: Solving the Mystery of the Disappearing Ancestor

Genealogists may be frustrated by not finding ancestors in the records and places where they logically expect them to be. This presentation will explain seven reasons why such ancestors seem to have disappeared, provide examples of each from actual case studies, and suggest strategies to help attendees find their elusive ancestors.

• Session 4: Creating a Family History of Lasting Value

Most genealogists want to prepare family histories that future generations will cherish. Not all succeed. Many genealogies contain only “harvested” information, which our descendants will be able obtain themselves (perhaps more easily than we can today). Some of that information likely is wrong. We begin to create worthwhile and accurate family histories by collecting and sharing family stories and DNA test results—information that might soon disappear. Our research progresses from that starting point toward the goal of a printed, computerized, or online family history. If we pay attention to four factors— biography, accuracy, documentation, and explanation—our history will be irreplaceable.