Genealogypalooza Webinar Schedule
Learn from family history experts in our Genealogypalooza event, featuring a full day of informative webinar sessions!
Pick from the topics below and come to the North Branch Library, Friday 18 OCT 2025 from 10:30am - 5:30pm.
Drop in and out, or come for the full day!
Session #1 - Introducing the Retro Tech Lab: Digitize Family Memories 10:30am - 11:20am
Mark Dellenbaugh, MA, MLIS, Genealogy and Local History Librarian at the Arlington Public Library (APL)
Learn about APL’s experience of pitching, creating, and operating our new Retro Technology Lab and about personal digital archiving in general.
Includes a demonstration of some of the equipment and software used (for converting audio and video tapes, 8mm & Super8 film, photos, negatives, slides, etc. to digital files) interspersed with lessons we’ve learned so far.
The presentation concludes with stories of our most memorable patron encounters & heart-warming moments of family memories preserved.
Session #2 - U.S. Naturalization: The Records, The Laws and the Impact 11:30am - 12:20pm
Irene B. Walters, Librarian Houston Public Library’s Family History Research Center at the Clayton Library Campus
Discover the history of naturalization laws and requirements in the United States and how this affected your ancestors and their naturalizations. Learn how to utilize naturalization records for genealogical research.
Session #3 - So You Discovered You Have a Colonial Ancestor. Now What? 12:30pm - 1:20pm
Craig R. Scott, MA, CG, FUGA, President and CEO of Heritage Books, Inc.
Create a research plan for your colonial ancestor using available records in free and subscription databases. Examine existing law in the time-period, the land process and the probate process.
Look for muster and payrolls. Learn how to use the state archives to enhance your search. Of course, it all varies by place and time, so you need to know when and where you are at all times.
Lunch on your own with conversations 1:30pm - 2:00pm Bring a brown bag, or a light lunch and come and share your story, finds, or ask questions!
Session #4 - I’ve Found My Irish Immigrant Ancestor. Now What?
Claire Bradley, MA, Director of Irish Studies of the International Institute of Genealogical Studies
Lucky enough to have identified a place of origin for the Irish ancestor? Depending on when the person emigrated, there are several ways to approach your next research avenue.
Learn how to begin finding resources available online. We will discuss offline resources in Ireland, what research can be arranged remotely and what must be done in person.
Explore planning a research trip to Ireland and how to use DNA test results to enhance your work.
Writing Your Family Story: Learning to Assess and Compile Your Research 3:10pm - 4:00pm
Emily Coffman Richardson, Genealogist with KinSearchers, Director-at-Large, TxSGS
Writing our story and that of our ancestors is truly a key result of a genealogist in the 21st century.
The stories need to be written with either our voice or our hands. As genealogists we must get out of the habit of “hunters n’ gatherers” and learn to assess and then compile to write the stories that we are finding.
This program will teach you the keys behind these components so that you can move to becoming a researcher and a storyteller.
Getting Started with Your Genealogy 4:10pm - 5:30pm
Laura Douglas, Head of Special Collections, Denton Public Library
Are you curious about your family history, just not sure how to start? It may be easier than you think. In this session we will discuss the basic concepts and processes of genealogical research, the first steps in gathering information, how to locate and evaluate records, and how to find free or low-cost training to grow your genealogical skills.
Join Us at Genealogypalooza
1
Explore
Dive into a full day of informative sessions.
2
Connect
Network with fellow genealogy enthusiasts.
3
Discover
Uncover new insights about your family history.
