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Categories: WikiTree Symposium 2024 | WikiTree Week

The WikiTree Symposium is part of WikiTree Week. Here is the event schedule.

Contents

Symposium Schedule

Here is the full schedule for WikiTree Symposium. Times are Eastern Time (either EDT or EST) and Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
Here's a time zone converter.

For details on the speakers, see here.


Follow this Google calendar to get reminders before each chat and/or subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on notifications.

To register go here. Anyone can watch the presentations but you need to be registered to receive updates, reminders and be eligible for any door prizes.

Friday, November 1, 2024

EDT UTC Speaker Presentation Description
8:00 AM 12:00 PM
Thomas MacEntee
Creating an Ancestor Sketch
Play the Creating an Ancestor Sketch.
Face it: most genealogists never get around to publishing that family history book based on their genealogy research. How about a different approach: producing short 3-5 page “sketches” about an ancestor? You’ll learn how to include a cover, photos, facts, family stories, source citations and more! And guess what, once you get a few of these ancestor sketches done, you can compile them together for one big book! Handout
9:00 AM 1:00 PM
Shelley Murphy
Uncovering Roots: Overcoming Challenges in African American Genealogy Research
Play the Uncovering Roots: Overcoming Challenges in African American Genealogy Research.
African American genealogy research presents unique challenges due to historical complexities and record limitations. This presentation will explore these obstacles and provide practical methods and strategies to navigate them effectively. Topics will include leveraging oral histories, understanding historical contexts, utilizing specialized databases, etc. Attendees will learn tips on locating records, connecting with communities, and preserving family stories. By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with some tools and insights to help uncover their search for African Americans. Handout
10:00 AM 2:00 PM
Alina Khuda
European Archives and Libraries: Tips and Challenges
Play the European Archives and Libraries: Tips and Challenges.
We will discuss how to Research Your Ancestors Overseas in European Archives and Libraries: types of sources preserved, repositories, how to start working with archives and libraries online and on site.
11:00 AM 3:00 PM
David Ryan
‘A Terrible Beauty’: Researching Irish Revolutionary Ancestors
Play the ‘A Terrible Beauty’: Researching Irish Revolutionary Ancestors.
The Irish have long held a reputation as fighters and revolutionaries. This was especially through in the years 1916 – 1922 when Irish separatists engaged in a bitter struggle for Irish independence against the forces of the British Crown. But this revolutionary past stretches back further to the closing years of the 1700’s and throughout the 1800s. This talk will discuss the history of Irish revolutionary movements and provide an examination of what sources survive and where to find information on ancestors who may have been involved.
12:00 PM 4:00 PM
Christine Cohen
Divorce: Not a New Phenomenon
Play the Divorce: Not a New Phenomenon.
Our ancestor's did divorce their spouses in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, this is not a new phenomenon. The court records generated contain details about the current and previous marriages, children, residences, and maiden names, plus affidavits from friends, associates and neighbors. The records can answer questions about a missing spouse, a sudden move to a new state and a mysterious widowhood. These records are often hidden in court houses, archives, historical societies and maybe online? Let's find them! Handout
1:00 PM 5:00 PM

Lunch Break


2:00 PM 6:00 PM
Linda Yip
Finding the records for "impossible" genealogy - lessons learned from a Chinese genealogist
Play the Finding the records for "impossible" genealogy - lessons learned from a Chinese genealogist.
Not all genealogy is equal. In this presentation, Linda breaks down the components of what makes a genealogy "impossible," the tools for overcoming the brick walls, and how even what was once considered "impossible" is achievable to the Genealogical Proof Standard. This is for you if you are embarking on genealogy for underrepresented groups with Canadian and US examples. Handout
3:00 PM 7:00 PM
Sara Cochran
Hopping Down the Paper Trail
Play the Hopping Down the Paper Trail.
The records our ancestors left behind often lead us to other records, and sometimes take us down a rabbit hole. Learn how to scour those records for the next clue, and how to prioritize those clues so that you stay on track. Handout
4:00 PM 8:00 PM
Melanie McComb
Using AI in Family History Research
Play the Using AI in Family History Research.
Have you wondered how Artificial Intelligence might be able to help your family history research? In this presentation, Senior Genealogist Melanie McComb will discuss exciting possibilities for using AI to support your research—including assistance with report writing, digitally restoring family photos, and more. Handout
5:00 PM 9:00 PM
Connie Davis
Genealogy Best Practices:
What cook-offs can teach us about the Genealogical Proof Standard
Play the Genealogy Best Practices:What cook-offs can teach us about the Genealogical Proof Standard.
What does cooking have to do with genealogy? Maybe a little, maybe a lot! We will explore the process of genealogy (and cooking) to understand how the Genealogical Proof Standard can help all of us produce a better product, be it a meal or our efforts on WikiTree. Handout
6:00 PM 10:00 PM
Sarah Hewitt
What's new at the
New Zealand Society of Genealogists
Play the What's new at theNew Zealand Society of Genealogists.
2024 has seen lots of new initiatives and resources at the New Zealand Society of Genealogists. Come along and see what's new and how it can help you with your New Zealand research!
7:00 PM 11:00 PM
David Allen Lambert
Researching your Accused
Salem Witchcraft Ancestors
Play the Researching your AccusedSalem Witchcraft Ancestors.
Learn about the important primary and secondary resources to discover your ancestors who was accused of witchcraft in Salem in 1692. This lecture will cover resources to uncover not just those accused, but the accusers, judges, and others involved in the Salem Witchcraft Trials. Handout
8:00 PM 12:00 AM
Melissa Barker
Breathing New Life Into
Your Boring Ancestors
Play the Breathing New Life IntoYour Boring Ancestors.
There is no such thing as a boring ancestor! Many genealogists will say they have boring ancestors because they can't find records or information for them. Learn from a seasoned genealogist and archivist how to locate records and information to bring those boring ancestors back to life! Handout
9:00 PM 1:00 AM
Cheri Hudson Passey
From Name Collection to Name Confirmation: Adding Leaves to the Right Branch
Play the From Name Collection to Name Confirmation: Adding Leaves to the Right Branch.
In our desire to find family and build our tree, we may be guilty of name collection instead of name confirmation. Learn steps to help slow down, take a good look, and verify in order to add leaves to the right branch. Handout

Saturday, November 2, 2024

EDT UTC Speaker Presentation Description
9:00 AM 1:00 PM
Sandy Patak
More than Moonshine: Join the table of Appalachian Ancestors for meals & stories
Play the More than Moonshine: Join the table of Appalachian Ancestors for meals & stories.
Uncover your family's history through the flavors of Appalachia. Combining centuries of Appalachian cuisine with the compelling stories of the people who created it. Discover the stories behind mountain-grown ingredients to cherished family recipes, that showcase their ancestry and culture, passed down through generations. From the mountains to the kitchen table, discover the profound connection between food, family, and the culture of Appalachians. Handout
10:00 AM 2:00 PM
Kathryn Lake Hogan
What Happened to Mean Old Mr. Simons?
Play the What Happened to Mean Old Mr. Simons?.
Researching a collateral line of the Simons family of Norfolk County, Ontario, unearthed a shocking discovery about the death of John F. Simons. Through the examination of various records, the character of Mr. Simons is learned and how his behaviour greatly affected those who knew him.
11:00 AM 3:00 PM
David Ryan
Tracing Your Irish Surname History
Play the Tracing Your Irish Surname History.
For many people researching their family history, the biggest clue to their Irish connections comes from a surname in their family tree. But how can we tell if a surname is Irish and where do Irish surnames come from? This talk will examine some of the most common Irish surnames and their surprising origins, including those brought to Ireland from elsewhere. It will also go into detail on some of the best sources for researching your Irish surname history.
12:00 PM 4:00 PM
Christine Cohen
Cousin Baiting & Cousin Stalking
Play the Cousin Baiting & Cousin Stalking.
We will discuss the many ways to reach out to distant living cousins to help you expand your pedigree chart forward in time. You may find family treasures, photos, DNA test takers and information that will break down a brick wall. We will explore online trees, lineage societies, cemetery indexes, obituaries in newspapers, living people finder websites and social media. Handout
1:00 PM 5:00 PM
Lianne Kruger
One Ancestor at a Time:
The Process of Research
Play the One Ancestor at a Time: The Process of Research.
After you have gathered what you know, it is time to begin the researching process. Deciding an online or desktop tree, which will be discussed. Following the Genealogical Proof Standard, begin entering in each ancestor along with their information. Upload all documentation and enter the citations for that ancestor before going on to the next. Use extensive and planned research for unknown information. Handout
2:00 PM 6:00 PM
Shaunese Luthy
Using U.S Census and State Census Records
Play the Using U.S Census and State Census Records.
How and where to search through both the US Census and the State Census records and how they work together. Handout
3:00 PM 7:00 PM

Lunch Break


4:00 PM 8:00 PM
Debbie Gurtler
First Steps for Research in Puerto Rico
Play the First Steps for Research in Puerto Rico.
Do you have ancestors from Puerto Rico? This presentation will highlight the basic resources you will want to use for researching your ancestors from the Isle of Enchantment. This includes census, civil registration and Catholic Church records. Handout
5:00 PM 9:00 PM
Lianne Kruger
Vlogging to Record Family Memories
Play the Vlogging to Record Family Memories.
Do you have family treasures that have been handed down through the generations and you have them now? Do you like them? Do your children like them? Do you have room for them? Do you want them out of the house as soon as possible but you can't just throw them away because there are too many memories. Do you have family history stories that you want to share visually? Do you want to record history of houses or areas the family have lived? Have you written a family history and realized that no one wants to read it? (no matter how well it is written). This session will discuss ways to record, in short videos, these items and history so that future generations will know their family history in a way the next generation will enjoy. Handout
6:00 PM 10:00 PM
Sandy Patak
Bonding Over Branches: Exploring Genealogy and Research with Global Friends
Play the Bonding Over Branches: Exploring Genealogy and Research with Global Friends.
Tap into your worldwide friend network to help you research and collaborate on genealogy resources that you are unfamiliar with. Break brick walls, get insight about histories and cultures, and share the passion and knowledge for genealogy and research..
7:00 PM 11:00 PM
Eleanor Brinsko
I Love to Tell the Story:
How to present your genealogical research
Play the I Love to Tell the Story:How to present your genealogical research.
With the holidays coming up, it is the perfect time to present and share your family history with family members! How do we share the information with others? How do we preserve what we have found for future researchers? In this lecture, Eleanor Brinsko will lay out some important questions, such as have you found all the information that will be found, who is the intended audience, and what is the best format to present and preserve this information that should not be lost again? Handout
8:00 PM 12:00 AM
Sarah Hewitt
What's new at the
New Zealand Society of Genealogists
Play the What's new at theNew Zealand Society of Genealogists.
2024 has seen lots of new initiatives and resources at the New Zealand Society of Genealogists. Come along and see what's new and how it can help you with your New Zealand research!

Sunday, November 3, 2024

EST UTC Speaker Presentation Description
9:00 AM 2:00 PM
Maureen Taylor
5 Ways to Use AI for Your Genealogy
Play the 5 Ways to Use AI for Your Genealogy.
AI is constantly in the news. It's a tool that can have you working smarter, not harder when it comes to your family history. Summarizing documents, analyzing photographs, writing biographies from your research, helping you find new research avenues and double-checking your work are all ways that AI can help. Both ChatGPT and Perplexity will be featured through 5 examples. Handout
10:30 AM 3:30 PM
Drew Smith
Understanding Copyright and Plagiarism
Play the Understanding Copyright and Plagiarism.
Concerned about the legal and ethical issues surrounding genealogical materials? This presentation explains what copyright is, what is and isn’t protected by law, how to legally use others’ copyrighted work, and how to avoid committing plagiarism. Handout
12:00 PM 5:00 PM
Christine Cohen
Online Cemetery Websites
Play the Online Cemetery Websites.
We will review the many awesome resources such as deceased online, FindAGrave and BillionGraves and others to advance your research. They have US and International information. I’ll also detail how you can help fellow genealogists by volunteering to take photos of gravestones, transcribe headstones or create memorials for posting online and connecting with cousins. Handout
1:30 PM 6:30 PM
Kathryn Lake Hogan
So, Your Ancestor Was Canadian, Eh?
Play the So, Your Ancestor Was Canadian, Eh?.
You've discovered a Canadian ancestor in your family tree. Now what? In this presentation, you’ll learn where to find the best records and resources, including censuses, provincial archives, historical newspapers, and more, to help you learn about your Canadian ancestry. Handout
3:00 PM 8:00 PM
Jon Marie Pearson
30-Day BootCamp -
Sharing Your Family History on Social Media
Play the 30-Day BootCamp -Sharing Your Family History on Social Media.
To launch a 30-day BootCamp that guides participants through the process of sharing their family history on social media, with daily prompts and activities designed to build storytelling skills, foster community engagement, and enhance research collaboration. They will come away from this presentation with a digital workbook to help them create 30-days of content to share on social media. Handout
4:00 PM 9:00 PM
Debbie Gurtler
First Steps for Research in Puerto Rico
Play the First Steps for Research in Puerto Rico.
Do you have ancestors from Puerto Rico? This presentation will highlight the basic resources you will want to use for researching your ancestors from the Isle of Enchantment. This includes census, civil registration and Catholic Church records. Handout


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