Ever watch “Who Do You Think You Are” or “Genealogy Roadshow” or “Finding Your Roots” with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.? Surely you’ve seen the numerous ads on TV regarding “where you come from” via DNA testing. Because of these television programs and the DNA ads more and more people are interested in finding out about their family history. After all those who came before you help make you who you are. Other researchers interested in genealogy may have a specific reason for studying their family history. What about those family stories? Are they really true? Maybe you think you are related to someone famous or you want to pass down a legacy to your descendants. Knowing how to research correctly helps with any of the above.
Senior Services of Alexandria is hosting a workshop on “Tracing Your Family Roots through Genealogy,” on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at the Beatley Central Library starting from 10 a.m. to noon with registration starting at 9:30 a.m. The purpose of the program is to give those who are new to genealogy good basic research skills to begin learning about their ancestry. If you have been researching your family history for a while, it will help with correcting any bad habits or help you realize what you haven’t been doing, but should.
There will be a discussion on how to start your research; online databases; the good, the bad and the ugly of online family trees; the basics of DNA tests; and how to fill out a pedigree chart and, if time permits, a family group sheet. Completing a pedigree chart will assist in understanding just what it is you really don’t know about your ancestors. A question and answer period will follow.
Those attending might want to make a list of what they “think” they already know about their ancestors such as names of grandparents, great grandparents, etc. along with dates and places of birth, marriage and death and where buried to aid filling in the pedigree chart. Attendees will also be given a list of books and website which will be helpful in doing your family research.
The Nov. 15 session is free and open to the public, with light refreshments. You can register online at seniorservicesalex.org or call 703-836-4414, ext. 110.
Sharon Hodges is a professional genealogist, author, and teacher having lectured in New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. She is a past grader for the National Genealogical Society Home Study Course and a graduate of the National Institute for Genealogical Research. She is a member of numerous local and national genealogical societies, on the Board of Governors of the Virginia Genealogical Society, and past president of the Mt. Vernon Genealogical Society.