1) Talk to your family
“Tips on Tracing Your Family Tree;
https://stlgs.org/media/freeforms/tips-on-tracing-family-tree.pdf
“Five Generation Chart” (free);
https://stlgs.org/media/freeforms/r101_five_gen_chart_form.pdf
“Family Group Sheet” (free);
https://stlgs.org/media/freeforms/r102-familygroup-sheet-2015.pdf
“Foundations of Genealogy, Part 1”;
Whether you are just beginning or you have been working on your family history for years, sometimes you just need to rethink your strategies. We’ll look at some ways to get organized and stay that way, review basic rules of genealogy, discuss the importance of citing sources, and see how timelines can help guide your research.
The handout for this class is here.
The digital recording for this class is here.
Password for the recording: PivCu@&3
2) Organize what you have
Census Sheets, Source Checklist and more (free)!
stlgs.org/resources/on-this-site/free-research-forms-2
Utilize Genealogy Software;
stlgs.org/resources/computer-lab/genealogical-software
-“Family Tree Maker”
-“Introduction to Roots Magic 8 for Windows and MAC”;
RootsMagic 8, the long-awaited rewrite of this popular genealogy software program, was released in October 2021. This introductory class introduces key features: creating a new tree from scratch; importing an existing tree from another program; adding and maintaining people, places, and media; and managing sources and citations. Note: This class is appropriate for people who have never used RootsMagic, or who have only used versions 7 or earlier.
The handout for this class is here.
The digital recording for this class is here.
Password for the recording: LG.ieK4q
-“Roots Magic 9 (Windows and Mac)…And a Bit More on RM8”
RootsMagic 9 was released in February 2023. This new version adds exciting new features to RM8, such as Associations (the FAN club), enhanced color coding, searches that can be saved, filters, and more. This class also covers additional RM8 features, such as exchanging data between RM, Ancestry, and FamilySearch. (Note: This class is appropriate for people who have a working familiarity with RootsMagic 8 or later.)
The handout for this class is here.
The digital recording for this class is here.
Password for the recording: yb+G1.%t
-“Reunion 14 for the MAC”;
Reunion is the most popular genealogical application for the Mac and version 14 is the latest update. We’ll go over some of Reunion’s basic features as well as examine many of the unique new features of this robust genealogy software. (Mac users who attend in person are welcome to bring their laptops with Reunion installed to the class, although it is not necessary.)
The handout for this class is here.
The digital recording for this class is here.
Password for the recording: 7&sM*Cw.
-“Legacy Family Tree, Version 10” (2 Handouts);
This course is designed for beginners or those relatively new to Legacy. Course content includes understanding the toolbar and personal options, documenting sources, data entry, simple reports, and tips and tricks. Highlights of the new Version 10 will be reviewed.
There are two handouts for this class; here AND here.
The digital recording for this class is here.
Password for the recording: W+u56Tkq
-“Advanced Legacy Family Tree”
Genealogical Websites
-Ancestry ($); “Navigating Ancestry.com”;
This subscription website is the most well-known of online resources for genealogy. The site contains millions of valuable records from all over the world, but it also can be difficult to use unless you know how to find what you need and avoid the misleading and erroneous distractions. We will look at federal and state record sets, reference materials, and other features of the site, explore some search strategies to help you find what you need, and assess the merits and pitfalls of the public member trees. (You do not need an Ancestry subscription to take this class, but you should have some familiarity with the site.)
The handout for this class is here.
The digital recording for this class is here.
No password is necessary to view this recording.
-FamilySearch (free); “Using FamilySearch Online”;
This class will go over the main sections of FamilySearch.org, one of the largest websites for free genealogy. The focus will not be on digital images but rather the various sections of this constantly changing website.
The handout for this class is here.
The digital recording for this class is here.
Password for the recording: e#U?5EgR
-My Heritage ($)
-WikiTree (free)
3) Don your “Sherlock Holmes” cap
Search for birth, marriage and death records
Search census records
-“Finding Answers in the Census”;
Few records shed as much light on individuals, families, and communities as census records, but the information contained in census records varies from year to year. Join us for an in-depth look at the development of the decennial federal census and the clues they provide that lead to other records.
The handout for this class is here.
The digital recording for this class is here.
Password for the recording: Jf#5ir^q
-“Foundations of Genealogy, Part 2”;
This class is a follow-up to the first session, and you are encouraged to watch part one first. Most genealogists begin with census research, but then what? We’ll look more closely at how to analyze those census records, how to get the most from vital records, and repositories and internet sites that can help you find what you need to be a better researcher.
The handout for this class is here.
The digital recording for this class is here.
Password for the recording: @Cg&%h2s
-“Secrets of the Census”
Secrets of the Census: Part 1
http://stlgs.blogspot.com/2025/09/secrets-of-census-part-1.html
Secrets of the Census: Part 2
http://stlgs.blogspot.com/2025/09/secrets-of-census-part-2.html
Secrets of the Census: Part 3
http://stlgs.blogspot.com/2025/09/secrets-of-census-part-3.html
Secrets of the Census: Part 4 (1870)
http://stlgs.blogspot.com/2025/10/secrets-of-census-part-4-1870.html
Secrets of the Census, Part 5: 1880;
http://stlgs.blogspot.com/2025/10/secrets-of-census-part-5-1880.html
4) Learn how to cite your sources
“Citations: You Hate Them But You Need Them”;
Citations can be the bane of a genealogist’s life, but without them, our work remains unfinished. Learn the pitfalls of having no citations and how you can simplify the process of creating them. We will work on strategies for preparing ahead, determining what the basic parts of a citation are, and making templates by copying and pasting. It’s a lot easier than you imagine!
The handout for this class is here.
The digital recording for this class is here.
Password for the recording: 6@Pm+3Np
“Citations: A Guide to Creating Proper Source Citations”;
https://stlgs.org/resources/on-this-site/citations-a-guide-to-creating-proper-source-citations
5) Review what you have
Create a Fan Chart
https://stlgs.org/fan-charts
