Ancestry Kits & You: Learn the tips & tricks of genealogy research with the Southern History Department

By Cheyenne Trujillo | Public Relations, Library Assistant Ⅲ

Family History Month is not over yet!

The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) Southern History Department kicked off October with their leading Family History Month program Hidden No More: Locating Enslaved Persons in Local Legal Records.

Last time I spoke with Mary Anne Ellis on the importance of libraries in genealogy research and why the BPL is listed as one of the top 10 best libraries for genealogy research.

If you missed out on their past invaluable programs, do not fret!

The Southern History Department has several more genealogy programs planned this month. 

Mark your calendar for these upcoming programs + check out their program happening today:

Fantasy versus Fact in Online Genetic Genealogy Platforms and Q & A

Thursday, October 21; 12:00 p.m. Virtual via Zoom 💻

This program is held on Zoom. Visit the BPL Calendar page or LinkedIn event page to register. 

• Details: If a DNA test website does not offer the research you were hoping for, it is time to consider what these DNA kits actually provide. Paul Boncella examines DNA ancestry service products to distinguish between expectation and delivery, and he then answers questions on this and any aspect of genetic genealogy. 

How Our Ancestors Died

Tuesday, October 26; 12:00 p.m. Virtual via Zoom💻

This program is held on Zoom. Visit the BPL Calendar page or LinkedIn event page to register.

• Details: When you think about what our ancestors had to face, it’s amazing that any of them survived long enough to grow old. We will examine what kinds of information you can locate in death records and take a look at some of the challenges our ancestors had to overcome just to stay alive.

Choosing Relatives to Test for Genetic Genealogy and Q & A Now

Thursday, October 28; 12:00 p.m. Virtual via Zoom

This program is held on Zoom. Visit the BPL Calendar page or LinkedIn event page to register.

• Details: After testing one or more of the major DNA ancestry services, what more can you do to harness the power of genetic matching? Paul Boncella shows how testing various family members can focus and enhance your research, and he then answers questions on this and any aspect of genetic genealogy.

These programs will strengthen your genealogy research and put to rest those lingering familial mysteries (like if infamous outlaw Jesse James is a part of my family tree as my grandmother claims). 

For more information on genealogy programs, contact the Southern History Department at 205-226-3665 or askgenlocal@cobpl.org

Keep up with the BPL on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn so you don't miss out on awesome, FREE programs like these!

Make sure to follow the Jefferson County Library Cooperative on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to see what they might be promoting this month.