FSGS Speakers Bureau

Karen Rhodes

Areas of Expertise

• Black Sheep Ancestors
• Florida State Census
• National Archives and Records Administration website,
• Paleography (old handwriting),
• Investigating anecdotal stories and family lore
• Blogs, podcasts, and Twitter for genealogy

Lecture Topics

Our Black Sheep Ancestors:  How to Approach Them 

This lecture presents suggestions on how to approach a very special class of ancestors:  our black sheep.  Possible avenues of investigation, including specific classes of documents, are discussed.  Emphasis is placed on the attempt to understand what might have been behind the behavior that earned the label “black sheep.”  The possibility of family objections to such research is discussed, and attendees are reassured that if they cannot bring themselves to delve too deeply into their black sheep, it is perfectly all right.  The center of the lecture is a case study involving my own black sheep ancestor.

 

Quirks of the Florida State Census

This lecture presents specific oddities, anomalies, and gems of information found in the 1885, 1935, and 1945 state censuses.  Problems discussed include the fact that these censuses come in different editions, the fact of missing sheets for certain counties or precincts, and problems of readability. 

 

Navigating the National Archives Website

This lecture aims at providing an overview of the National Archives’ huge and complex website.  Emphasis is placed on genealogical research, but broader aspects and uses of the National Archives website are also presented.  Main pages in the website are examined for their layout and the information they contain, as well as how they relate to other pages on the site.  Information on how to access the microfilm catalog, how to order copies of documents, and how to cite records in the National Archives is part of the presentation.

 

Family Legend – Truth or Fiction?

This lecture examines the phenomenon of family legends.  Usually there is a kernel of truth, however small, and this lecture discusses investigation techniques to apply to family legends.  Also discussed are sources to be examined for clues to the real story behind a family legend.  A case study is presented, using my great-great grandfather and a family legend that he “stopped off in Washington, D.C. to hear Lincoln’s inaugural on [his] way home from war.”

 

Reading Old Colonial Handwriting

This lecture discusses American colonial handwriting from the 17^th and 18^th centuries, discussing the materials used, letter forms, abbreviations, and handwriting styles.  Attendees are provided with tips on how to decipher difficult passages.  Examples from old letters, deeds, and censuses provide visual examples of paleographic problems.  Also available as part of this lecture or as a separate lecture is information on Spanish paleography from the 16^th through the early 19^th centuries.  Attention is given to the different hands (styles of writing), abbreviations, letter forms, spelling anomalies, and archaic word definitions.  Emphasis is on documents relating to the history of Florida.

 

Using Blogs, Podcasts, and Twitter for Genealogy

          This lecture discusses blogs (online journals), podcasts (online audio or visual broadcasts) and Twitter (a social networking tool) specifically for genealogists and family historians.  The origins of the words are provided, and a blog page is examined for its structure and features common to most blog pages.  There is discussion of Geneabloggers.com, a metasite which presents other genealogical blog links and other information about genealogical blogging.  Example blog pages are visited to show the variety of topics that can be found within the broad topic of genealogy.  Also discussed is the phenomenon of “blog carnivals,” a form of online magazine where bloggers post on a specific topic.  Two genealogical podcast sites are also visited, with sample audio clips from the podcasts.  Finally, the promotional and public-relations value of Twitter is discussed.  Where possible, this lecture provides live internet presentation of the blog and podcast sites.

Willing to travel up to 100 miles.

• Amelia Island Genealogical Society

• Jacksonville Public Library/Southern Genealogist’s Exchange Society Seminar

• Southern Genealogist’s Exchange Society Ancestry Day Seminar

• Southern Genealogist’s Exchange Society monthly meeting

Biography

In my adult life, I have had to reinvent myself a number of times, depending on circumstances.  My last iteration is in genealogy; at 62, I don’t think there will be another metamorphosis.  I have been a librarian, a registered nurse, and a military service member (enlisted and officer), among other occupations.

 

Genealogical Education:  Completed, with distinction, a 40-course program of study with the National Institute of Genealogical Studies, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  Field of Specialization: American Records.  This is a non-degree program administered by the Professional Learning Centre, Faculty for Information Studies, University of Toronto.

 

Member:  Southern Genealogist’s Exchange Society, New England Historic Genealogical Society, International Black Sheep Society of Genealogists.

 

Currently pursuing a post-baccalaureate degree in History and Spanish at the University of North Florida, specializing in Spanish colonial Florida history, with training in Spanish paleography.

 

My book, which will serve as a guidebook to the colonial, territorial, and state censuses of Florida, and selected supplements and substitutes, is in preparation at McFarland & Co., Inc., Publishers.