Genealogy Research Course
Description:
In the Moravian Archives Genealogy Research Course, students will learn various research methods and explore their own family history (or a genealogy project of their choosing.) Whether or not the Archives holds their family’s history in its collection, students will be able to research using other tools available at the Archives under the guidance of Assistant Director, Sabrina Garity. By the end of the course, students will have compiled a family tree and family history scrapbook, exploring various opportunities for building a story behind their lineage beyond names and dates. With access to services like Ancestry Library, students will be guided through research roadblocks that often occur with genealogy work.
This is a FREE course open to everyone.
Duration: 2 Hour Class per week on Wednesdays in September, Four Week Course (Additional time after class for additional research available until 4:30 p.m., scheduled time available throughout the week.)
Week One: Wednesday, October 15th 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Week Two: Wednesday, October 22nd 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Week Three: Wednesday, October 29th 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Week Four: Wednesday, November 5th 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Supplies Needed:
Notebook
Pencils
3-ring binder (or scrapbook)
Laptop
Use the form below to register for course, or use this link for the Genealogical Research Course Registration Form.
Course Outline
Week One–Establishing What You Know
In the first week of the GR Course, students will fill out the preliminary family tree as far back as they know. We will discuss what questions to ask family members, and resources they may have already found or that they have at their disposal, such as photo albums, family bibles, and more. Students will set realistic goals with the guidance of the instructor for what they hope to discover, questions they want answered, and reflect upon what emotional processes they may go through during their research.
By the end of Week One, students will have created the beginning of their research guide, started their family tree, and established their goals and created questions.
Week Two–Exploring Backwards
Students will use various tools to explore their family history, filling in the gaps and tracing names back as far as they can to fill out their family tree. At this point in research, we are seeking names, dates, and locations–not details. Students will be learning how to cite and refer back to sources for further exploration. Ideally, students will be able to complete the framework of their family tree to their timeline goal. Students will identify areas for further research and note problems they have encountered which will require additional time and attention.
Week Three–Research Roadblocks and Deep Dives
In an ideal world, family trees are easily completed, source documents are readily available, names don’t change (or repeat!)–but what’s the fun in that? In this week, we will explore ways to navigate roadblocks in research, how to provide evidence when traditional sources are lacking, and when to throw in the towel.
At this point, students will begin their deeper dives and will start putting “leaves” on the tree–adding in personal details where available, exploring the topics and themes they are pursuing, and building the story out.
Week Four–Putting the Story Together
In the final week of the course, students will complete their family tree to the best of their ability and compile their research into a scrapbook/family history book. Documents, pictures, maps, and other research will be assembled into the history book to allow further generations to access this information and, if necessary, to allow for the student to continue their research. Preservation practices will be discussed for original documents or images students may have that they wish to include.
The History Book will have a bibliography of sources to ensure research can be furthered and referred to in the future. Students will be invited to share their history and research with the class.
In this final class, we will discuss opportunities for documenting family history, such as a written narrative, oral histories, albums/scrapbooks, videos, and more.