Event Calendar

Join the Local History and Genealogy Room virtually for a full day of FREE family history research webinars. Watch from the comfort of your own computer!  This full day of sessions will be available on Friday Oct 16 only.  Watch one, watch them all!  The link for the sessions will be sent out the week of October 12, 2026.  Handouts will also be provided electronically. The lineup includes: 9:00am – 9:50am Building Your Digital Family History Archive EvaAnne Johnson, Genealogy & Local History Librarian at Wilmette (IL) Public Library While we are researching our family tree, we often collect a lot of digital files – from downloaded records and emailed documents to scanned photographs and mobile screenshots. What should we do with all these digital files, and how can we keep them organized? This presentation will cover the basics of digital preservation and outline practical steps for creating a well-structured Digital Family History Archive to safeguard your genealogy work. 10:00am – 10:50am Researching Your Scottish Ancestors Erika A. Ward, PGCERT (Genealogical, Palaeographic & Heraldic Studies) Do you have ancestors who emigrated from Scotland? Are you unsure of which records exist, how to use them, or where to find them? This class explores the rich landscape of Scottish historical sources- including census, church, civil, and immigration/emigration records- to help you uncover the stories hidden in your Scottish heritage. 11:00am – 11:50am Cluster Research, or Discovering You’re Related to the Whole Block Jessica M. Trotter, Genealogy Presenter and Researcher Learn how to start your genealogy journey or update your skills using a repeatable research process. Begin with what you already know, frame your research question, explore essential records, and organize your discoveries. 12:00pm – 12:50pm Unlocking Your Roots: Starting Your Genealogy Journey Barbara Coakley, Genealogy Researcher, Speaker, Author Learn how to start your genealogy journey or update your skills using a repeatable research process. Begin with what you already know, frame your research question, explore essential records, and organize your discoveries. 2:00pm – 2:50pm Beyond the Family Tree: An Introduction to Oral History for Genealogy Adrienne Cain Darough, MLS, CA Assistant Director and Clinical Associate Professor, Institute for Oral History Genealogy often begins with documents, but it becomes powerful through storytelling. This presentation explores the fundamentals of oral history and how intentional interviewing can uncover context, culture, and connections that traditional records may miss. Learn how to plan, conduct, and preserve meaningful family interviews.   3:00pm – 3:50pm Texas & Southern Genealogy Resources at the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History Margaret Schlankey, Assistant Director for Public Services, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, UT The Briscoe Center has a vast collection of resources helpful to genealogists with roots in Texas and the American South. This presentation will go over what’s available and how to access them. 4:00pm – 4:50pm Researching Your Revolutionary War Soldier: A Case Study Craig R. Scott, CG, FUGA, President and CEO of Heritage Books, Inc. A Revolutionary War ancestor can be a goldmine of information if you know where to look. This lecture aims to examine types of service, compiled military service records, pension applications, settled accounts, and where other documents can be found using a step-by-step methodology in a case study. 5:00pm – 5:50pm Gen Z + Genealogy: Getting the Younger Generation Interested in Genealogy Research Carl Smith, MLIS, Manager of the Houston (TX) Public Library’s Family History Research Center at the Clayton Library Campus Do you have a passion for family history but are worried about who carries the genealogical torch after you? Join in for a special presentation on Gen Z + Genealogy- where we’ll discuss tips and tricks on how to foster understanding, communication, and participation with the younger generations, and ideas to better market genealogy to different age groups in ways that can increase interest in the topic all around.