April 9, 2011: One Incredible Genealogy Seminar

One Incredible Seminar was planned and co-chaired by Diane and Cari. They along with many volunteer helpers are to be commended for a successful event attended by over 210 genealogists eagerly looking to further their research options and education. They were not disappointed. Two highly acclaimed speakers, Lloyd deWitt Bockstruck and Dr. Roger P. Minert presented a full day of lectures on Saturday.  

 

On the evening before, Lloyd Bockstruck answered many questions about U.S. and German research.  Dr. Minert's flight was delayed in San Francisco, so he was not able to participate in the Q & A. Forum.

Pizza  and salad were served to registered attendees and volunteers Friday night

On Friday night Cari spoke about Saturday's seminar with three Utah travelers, Terry, Susan and Marilyn. They drove over 11 hours, four of that though snow in Utah, in order to arrive Friday night.

Dr. Minert's four lectures were given in the sanctuary of the Goleta Presbyterian Church. Topics were German church records in the U.S., marriage and courtship in Germany 1500 to 1800, church records in Germany and conducting family research in Europe.





German church records are very difficult to read if you are not familiar with German script.  Fortunately, most church records have the surname underlined.  Cari Thomas teaches a lesson on writing and reading German script in her Adult Ed Germanic Genealogy class, which begins at the Wake Center on on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Lloyd Bockstruck gave his lectures in the conference room of the church. They included the Revolutionary War--Patriots and Tories, early U.S. migrations from Trans-Appalachia to the west bank of the Mississippi - 1763 to 1850, probate records and deeds, and Huguenots and Quakers in America.

It was a long day but well worth the time spent.

 Dr. Minert gave the keynote address on the Top 12 Self-Defeating Behaviors in Germanic Family History Research (from the perspective of a professional researcher). These behaviors can be applied to most any other research areas besides Germanic.  Here are a couple:  Relying principally on the work of other researchers, clinging tenaciously to family legends,  and disregarding possible changes in religious affiliation.

That's a Wrap! HOW-TO Seminar with 'The Genealogy Guys'

A grand time was had by all at the Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society's annual Seminar on Saturday, March 6!

Over 165 attendees enjoyed a variety of topics ranging from "The Genealogist as 'CSI'" to "Where's the Book with My Family in It?", as well as Census Research expert techniques and understanding the family history that resides in our DNA. 

Our Keynote Speaker, esteemed Santa Barbara City College History Professor Emeritus, Dr. Curtis Solberg, started the day off on a touching & personal note as he described his search for Norwegian roots and showed us a film he produced highlighting these Norwegian immigrants to the Midwest.

And did we learn to "Social Network"!

The Podcast Parlour Cafe was abuzz with polka music and images of our ancestors, both on the walls and in a running digital display. 

The Seminar Raffle was a big hit, with the Grand Prize of an Ancestry.com World Deluxe annual subscription won by lucky Claudia C and several other attendees winning prizes such as a Godfrey Library subscription, World Vital Records subscription, discount for Family Tree DNA testing and 1 Hour Consulting with 3 local genealogy experts.

Last minute Book & Sales shopping was greatly enhanced by the live & lively sounds from the jazzy "Newcats" band, from the Santa Barbara Youth Music Academy.

The day ended with the podcast recording of Episode #199 of "The Genealogy Guys" semi-regular weekly radio program.   

The Genealogy Guys Podcast
Episode #198 even gives a preview of the day and a wonderful review of our Sahyun Library by two professionals genealogists who know a great research facility when they see one.

Santa Barbara Genealogy Society Sahyun Library

Thanks to the more than 40 volunteers that made this event such a successful, educational, and fun for all (Flowers by Lydie)! 

(And special thanks to those whose efforts held the rain at bay until the seminar was over.  Whew!)