BPL Southern History Department Summer 2019 Genealogy Workshop Schedule Announced

If you desire to gain knowledge about how to research your family tree this summer, the Birmingham Public Library’s Southern History Department is hosting several genealogy workshops throughout Birmingham during June and July.

Workshops are free of charge, but advanced registration is requested. To register, contact the Southern History Department of the Birmingham Public Library at 205-226-3665 or askgenlocal@bham.lib.al.us. Learn more about the resources the Southern History Department has to help research your family tree by following the Southern History Facebook page 

 The summer 2019 workshop schedule, some of which are a part of BPL's 2019 Summer Learning activities, are as follows:

 • Tuesday, June 4, 2019, 10:30 a.m., Central Library  Regional Library Computer Center (RLCC) - Optimize Your DNA Genealogy Experience, Part 2 

Gain useful information on testing companies’ services and websites, and get answers to your questions about them.

 • Tuesday, June 11, 2019, 2:00 p.m.,  Avondale Library - Census and Sensibility: Using and Interpreting U.S. Census Records

First taken in 1790, the U.S. census is probably a genealogist's most-used resource. Beginners and experts alike use the federal census as the starting point for their research. Learn the ins and outs of the census, how it’s changed from year to year (and why it matters), and how to interpret your ancestors’ responses.

 • Wednesday, June 12, 2019, 11:00 a.m., North Birmingham Library - Finding African American Records in Ancestry.com, Fold3.com, Newspapers.com, and FamilySearch 

Learn how to use our most popular genealogy databases to pinpoint African American records. This workshop will show you some tips and tricks for quickly locating records specifically relating to African Americans and will be useful for historians and genealogists.

 • Wednesday, June 12, 2019, 3:00 p.m. Central Library, Southern History Department - 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. The staff in the Southern History Department covers such topics as vital records, courthouse and church records, and the Federal Census.

• Sunday, June 16, 2019, 2:30 p.m. Central Library, Arrington Auditorium -  DNA and Family Secrets (Beyond the Basics of Genealogy) 

What happens when your DNA tests reveal unexpected family relationships? Join us as we explore the many ways DNA can upend – and mend – your family tree.

• Monday, June 17, 2019, 2:00 p.m., East Ensley 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. The staff in the Southern History Department covers such topics as vital records, courthouse and church records, and the Federal Census.

• Tuesday, June 18, 2019, 2:00 p.m., West End Library 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.

 • Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 11:00 a.m., East Lake 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. The staff in the Southern History Department covers such topics as vital records, courthouse and church records, and the Federal Census

 • Monday, June 24, 2019, 2:00 p.m., Avondale Library -Finding African American Records in Ancestry.com, Fold3.com, Newspapers.com, and FamilySearch 

Learn how to use our most popular genealogy databases to pinpoint African American records. This workshop will show you some tips and tricks for quickly locating records specifically relating to African Americans and will be useful for historians and genealogists.

 • Sunday, July 7, 2019, 2:30 p.m. Central Library, Arrington Auditorium Mad about Magazines 

If you’re not using periodicals in your family history research, you’re missing out. Magazine articles can contain anything from useful how-to information to the contents of a cemetery to a summary of what your ancestors were up to in the early history of this country. You might find a publication exclusively devoted to your surname. Even a simple newsletter can provide valuable tips. Come and learn more about this neglected genealogical resource.