Southern History Department Hosting Several Genealogy Workshops in May

The Southern History Department, housed in the Linn-Henley Research Library in downtown Birmingham, has announced its May 2017 class schedule.

Workshops are free of charge, but registration is requested. Register online through the BPL events calendar at www.bplonline.org/calendar. Like Southern History Department on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SouthernHistoryBPL.

If you desire to learn more about how to research your family tree, mark your calendar for the following programs below:

Thursday, May 11, 10:00-11:00 a.m., Powderly Branch Library
From Cards to Computers: Planning a Research Visit
Finding the resources you need is one of the most important parts of genealogy research. In this class, you will learn the best methods to locate resources quickly, narrow your search, and maximize your time in a library.

Sunday, May 21, 2:30-3:30 p.m., Southern History Department, 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.

Mark your calendars for the remaining 2017 Beyond the Basics of Genealogy workshop schedule:

Saturday, June 24, 10:00 a.m.
One for the Record Books: The English Census 
Searching for English ancestors? Genealogists know that census records are crucial to family history research, but there are some important differences between the U.S. Federal Census and its English cousin. This workshop will show you how to navigate this important information source.

Saturday, August 12, 10:00 a.m.
Mind Your Own (Family) Business
Did your ancestors own a pharmacy, furniture shop, or other business? Many genealogists know that their ancestors owned or started a business. This workshop will show you how to use city directories, government websites, newspapers, and other sources to learn more about the history of the family business or the company your ancestors worked for.

Saturday, September 9, 10:00 a.m.
Family Tree DNA Services and Website
Explore the offerings of Family Tree DNA, a company that offers hundreds of different DNA tests and that supports them with the most detailed website in the industry.

Saturday, September 23, 10:00 a.m.
Ancestry.com 
Participants will be introduced to the Ancestry.com Library Edition database in which you can research your family history as well as learn how to search this database to locate your ancestors.

Saturday, October 28, 10:00 a.m.
Google Your Peeps
What do you want to know about your ancestors? Everything. The Internet is a great tool for genealogy, but are you using it to its full potential? This workshop will teach you how to create a research template and look for details that will help you discover more about your ancestors using search engines, genealogy databases, and a few other, perhaps surprising websites.