KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Recognizing the value of your story

• Ideas for sharing your family’s stories with future generations

What’s the difference between genealogy and family history? It’s the key to bringing your ancestors to life! If you’re a beginner, this seminar shows you how easy it is to start your family tree. Been working on it for years? Learn ways to kick your research into high gear while discovering creative ways to share with friends and family. Everyone’s family has fascinating stories… if you know where to look!

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Engaging kids and grandkids in discovering their roots

• Discover my best-kept travel secret

Family history vacations are fun and educational for all ages. Plan a weekend trip or immerse yourself in the culture and history of your immigrant ancestors at home or abroad. Discover how to track down distant cousins that may lead to lifetime relationships. Walking in your ancestors’ footsteps… it’s your personal traveling journey of self-discovery!

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Understanding your DNA results

• Tips for finding lost or distant relatives

Every day, DNA is unlocking secrets that some have tried to ensure would never be uncovered. An adoptee, armed with a DNA test and the burning desire for the truth, takes a wild ride on an emotional rollercoaster. He feels compelled not only to search for his birth parents, but also the immigrant ancestors who are responsible for his German ancestry. This journey ends with a powerful impact on the adoptee and a life-changing revelation for his new-found cousin.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• A moving story of a soldier’s life and the ravages of war

• Discover creative ways to honor your family’s military heroes

Nearly every family will have a military serviceman or woman in their tree. There are many creative ways to honor their service and share their accomplishments. My 2x great-grandfather, Jesse H. Lewellen, fought in five of the eight bloodiest battles of the Civil War. His life story will bring you along his journey from his early life, to his death, to his incredible memorial 107 years later. Get inspired to honor your veteran ancestor in a way that’s as unique as your family!

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Explore historical events leading up to Nazi era

• Understand the impact of these events on villager’s mindset

We all hear about the struggles of Americans and Allies in WWII. But what about the tragedies experienced by German villagers at the hands of Nazis? Learn about survival in war-torn Germany told through a child’s eyes. From the Hitler Youth to United States immigrant, to living out the American Dream, Kurt Roderer’s story fills in the WWII history that you didn’t learn in school. His personal account also provides insight into what your German ancestors may have experienced in their day-to-day lives.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Key tools for a cemetery research trip

• What is your ancestor’s grave telling you? Deciphering the clues

Cemeteries are some of the most beautiful places to visit. Not only do you have the opportunity to “meet” your ancestors, but so many clues abound just waiting to be discovered to further your research. Learn the keys to decipher those clues and how to plan your personal tombstone tour. Your ancestors eagerly await your visit!

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Embracing the truth of surprise relations

• Discover lesser-known records for African-American research

No matter how many years you’ve been researching your family, life-changing, surprise relations still pop up. Since the story of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings became known, we’re learning about slavery a little differently than what we were taught in school. Slavery research can be challenging, but not impossible. Embracing all facets of your family’s history can be both humbling and enlightening.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Compelling history of early Louisiana’s German settlers

• How can my “French” surname be German?

In one of Louisiana's oldest settlements, the number of Germans was so great that this area along the Mississippi River became known as the "German Coast." Learn why they came, the challenges they faced assimilating among the area's Frenchmen, and the numerous contributions they made to the 300-year-old history of Louisiana. You may be surprised to find out your French family origins are actually German!

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Assessing Risk vs. Reward; enhancing your life's adventures

• Conquering physical and emotional fears

So, your family research is stuck in a rut. Could YOU be the obstacle? Fearful of reaching out to a stranger? Is that fear physical or emotional? This seminar looks at carefully assessing Risk vs. Reward, exploring how you can enhance your research experience, and leading you on a path to those genealogy TREASURES!

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Understand what drives mortality rates over the past century

• How to predict YOUR longevity

What are the chances of you living to be 100? Any idea of what was considered “longevity” 100 years ago? Learn how genealogy research was approached at the turn of the century and how that compares to today. You may be surprised at who was the “expert” on the subject over 100 years ago. We’ll look at case studies and peek into the likelihood of you entering the Centenarian Club.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Strategies for planning heritage travel abroad

• Tips to find and connect with distant cousins

A trip of self-discovery starts with looking for just one grave – in my case, a great-grandfather who had passed away over 14 years before I was born. I never dreamed that first walk in my ancestor’s footsteps would lead me across the country and across the globe. This life-changing adventure will inspire you to see the incredible power of connection with “strangers.”

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Learn about the history of photography

• Discover the hidden clues in your old photographs

So, you think pictures don’t exist of your ancestors? Think again! Did a tragic fire or flood rob you of those precious photos? Or perhaps you know where they are, but a selfish relative is not open to sharing. There are ways to find those hidden treasures and it may be easier than you think. Start looking outside of your own family network… I’ll show you where to look.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The history of the US Census over 200 years

• Unique features of the 1950 census

Why is the 1950 Census so special? Maybe because YOU are in it! Get a glimpse into your family’s life as they adjusted to living in a post-WWII world. Learn the hidden details you can add to your family narrative. We’ll also take a peek at the 230-year history of the US Census.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Decipher hidden clues in death certificates

• Learn unconventional tools to compile a family narrative

Grief over losing my father quickly turned to SHOCK! The discovery of a WWII family secret taken to the grave leads to a 27-year search to uncover the TRUTH. Learn which research tools were key to unlocking this family narrative which could not be found in any public record or written in any form. What family secrets are you wanting to uncover?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Methods to Break through those brick walls

• Tips on keeping your research momentum

Are you frustrated by those brick walls in your family tree? Are you overwhelmed by not knowing where to start? Trouble keeping focused on your research goal? Perhaps you’re focused but have lost the momentum. I’ll reveal my 3 keys to successful research AND tips to keep the momentum and inevitably discover those genealogical gems.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Changes in census taking over 200 years

• Create rich family narratives from census records

What’s the backbone of family research? It’s the census records. Learn how to pick that low-hanging fruit and discover how easy it is to create an exciting family narrative from this one incredible data source. Also, explore the changes in the census throughout its 230-year history.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Step-by-step recipe for a successful & memorable reunion

• Learn Innovative and economical ideas

Learn innovative and economical ideas for putting on a reunion the family will talk about for years! It doesn’t matter if your reunion includes 20 people or 500, the recipe is the same. Get inspired to start planning a successful and memorable family reunion! Create the platform and watch the magic explode!

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Tips to find lost or distant relatives

• How to navigate family feuds and divisions

I know! Reunions can be a lot of work. But is it worth it? ABSOLUTELY! Come along with me on my journey of putting on two large family reunions and I’ll reveal the secrets to making connections that, for me, have lasted 30+ years. Is a family feud stopping you from planning a reunion? I’ve seen reunions actually mend family divisions. Remember… you CAN pick your family! Be the catalyst for the magic.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Tools and methods to help decipher German script

• Learn my favorite go-to websites for German research

Stop cursing the German cursive! German research can be intimidating and may seem pointless when you hardly know a word of German. It’s actually easier than you think! Learn useful tips on deciphering the handwriting and I’ll reveal some of my favorite go-to websites for German research.