Southern History Department Hosting Several Genealogy Workshops Beginning July 16

July marks the return of Southern History Department's popular Beyond the Basics of Genealogy workshop series,Let's Talk About: Oral History.

Relatives and family friends are important sources of information. In this introduction to the oral history series, you will learn how to gather information from those who have difficulty remembering or are troubled by the past and reluctant to share it.

The workshop will be on Saturday, July 16, 10:00 a.m., in the Central Library’s Arrington Auditorium. Register by e-mailing askgenlocal@bham.lib.al.us or calling 205-226-3665. Workshops are free of charge, but registration in advance is requested.

Southern History staffers will be traveling to several locations to present its Birmingham in 1916 program, and will be hosting its popular Introduction to Genealogy class at the Springville Road Regional Branch Library as part of BPL's summer reading program. "The Southern History Department is thrilled to be teaching genealogy and introducing patrons all around the county to our resources," said Mary Beth Newbill, head of BPL’s Southern History Department.

The Southern History Department’s upcoming workshop schedule is as follows:

• Saturday, July 16, 10:00-11:30 a.m., Central Library, Arrington Auditorium
  Let's Talk About: Oral History – Relatives and family friends are important sources of information. Whom do you want to talk with (everyone) and what do you want to ask (everything). Join us in this introduction to oral history. Learn how to gather information from those who have difficulty remembering or are troubled by the past and reluctant to share it. 
• Saturday, July 16, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., AlaBenton Genealogical Society, Anniston-Calhoun County Public Library
  Using the Census in your Research – BPL's Mary Beth Newbill will be the speaker.
  
• Monday, July 18, 2:00 p.m., North Avondale Branch Library
  Birmingham in 1916 – Get a glimpse into the past as the Southern History Department takes you on a journey through the news, stories, and advertisements gleaned from Birmingham newspapers for the year 1916.
  
• Tuesday, July 19, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Central Library, Linn-Henley Research Library
  Introduction to Genealogy – Want to learn how to do genealogical research? Come to this introductory class that will help get you started on your genealogical journey. No registration is required, and it will be held in the Southern History Department.
  
• Wednesday, July 20, 2:00 p.m., Central Library, Regional Library Computer Center
  How to Patent an Invention – Did you have an ancestor who was an inventor? In this class, participants will learn more patents, basic search methods, and will conduct searches in the U.S. Patent and Trademark databases. To register, call the Computer Commons at 205-226-3680.
  
• Saturday, July 30, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Birmingham Family History Center (Altadena Rd.)
  RootsTech Family Discovery Day – This free all-day workshop features the best local genealogy speakers. Please visit http://bhamfamilyhistory.wix.com/roots-tech-2016 for more information and to register.
  
• Saturday, August 27, 10:00 a.m., Central Library, Arrington Auditorium
  Jump Into the Gene Pool: Genetics and Your Family History – Discover how genetic research can help you explore your family history. Find out what a gene sample can tell you about what parts of the world your ancestors came from and more. Jump in!
  
• Saturday, October 1, 10:00 a.m., Central Library, Arrington Auditorium
  Genetic Genealogy Strategies for African American and Native American Research – There is no magic in genetic genealogy and no special tests for African American and Native American research, but there are choices you can make that may enable you to confirm and to go beyond the evidence of the paper trail.

For more information about the BPL Southern History Department, call 205-226-3665 or e-mail askgenlocal@bham.lib.al.us. You can also find more information online at http://www.bplonline.org/locations/central/southern/ and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SouthernHistoryBPL.