Intentional Genealogy [In-Person or Zoom]

The study of ancestors and the relationships which connect families through generations is no longer a hobby centered in libraries, museums, and archives. The explosion of available resources on the internet and the intrusion of artificial intelligence present unique opportunities, and a few challenges, to find and apply the millions of records now available at fingertip touch in our digital world. Methods to utilize best practices through planned research and supported by historic resources, will be explored to help document your family history.

We will focus on: (1) creating family trees using factual information backed up with first source documentation; (2) developing frameworks to plan research objectives, formulate a usable personalized record keeping system, and resolve differences in the historical records; (3) model how to maintain research records, locate and interpret vital records, examine and apply US Census archival data, and track family members through local and social records; (4) establish options to keep records organized; (5) how to plan and conduct research, document and maintain citations, record findings, non-findings, and progress; (5) compose and document research findings; (6) using online sources, as well as expanding an understanding of the various web-based services (free and fee based).

No experience needed to participate in this course, which is designed for the beginning genealogy researcher or someone reentering research work after a break.

Supplies: Students may bring a personal laptop computer to use, if desired, as well as an electronic storage filing option (external hard drive, thumb drive, etc.). It is recommended that all students have computer/internet access outside of class, as well as a program to read adobe files and a current membership to an online family tree making system. An active account with Ancestry.com is recommended.

NOTE: This class will be held in-person at the Ivy Tech Bloomington Main Campus in a classroom that accommodates Zoom participation, if preferred. Additionally, if you need to miss a class and would like to review the material covered that day, we do have the ability to Zoom-record the meeting upon request and with the consent of other participating students.