Saturday November 6th

Track 1A: Genealogical Databases

 Session 1:   9 a.m. - 9:55 a.m.

Overview of Family Tree Maker - John Wise 

This review will cover all of the new features of the latest version of this widely used genealogy program and relate them to the various needs of the genealogist.  Special attention will be given to the various charts and reports that can be produced.

 Session 2: 10:10 a.m. - 11:05 a.m.

An Overview of Legacy Family Tree - Sherry Holthe, Millennium Corp.

 Importing an existing database in the form of a GEDCOM file will be shown first, followed by creating a new file in Legacy, entering data and creating reports to share with your family.

 Session 3: 11:20 a.m. - 12:15 a.m.

Introduction to The Master Genealogist - Ed Godfrey

 The basics of The Master Genealogist (TMG) will be presented.  Topics will include: starting a new project; setting defaults and preferences; managing screen layouts; importing data; adding people and events; adding and citing sources; and printing basic reports.

12:15 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.     LUNCH

 Session 4:   1:45 p.m. -   2:40 p.m.

Reunion Software: A Genealogy Program for the Mac - Gail Coie

 The features of Reunion, including its reports and family charts, will be presented along with a demonstration of how to enter data.  Learn how to add photos, create or open a GEDCOM, use Reunion's "lists" and customize a family tree.

 Session 5:   2:55 p.m. -   3:50 p.m.

An Overview of GedStar Plus - Sherry Holthe, Millennium Corp.

 GedStar Plus is a program for transferring and viewing your genealogical data files on your Palm OS PDA.  Converting Legacy, TMG and GEDCOM files to a Palm OS format and downloading them to your Palm computer will be covered first. The various GedStar database views and searches will be demonstrated, followed by how to add your own research notes.

 Session 6:   4:05 p.m. -   5:00 p.m.

Pocket Genealogist for the Pocket PC  - David Ault

 The Pocket Genealogist is a database program for searching and viewing your Legacy, TMG or GEDCOM data on a Microsoft Windows CE operating system PDA.  After converting and transferring a database file to the Pocket PC, you will learn how to navigate the software and retrieve the data.

Track 1B: Computer Search Techniques

 Session 1:   9 a.m. - 9:55 a.m.

Tips for Using the Seattle Public Library's On-line Catalog - Darlene E. Hamilton, Senior Librarian-Genealogy, Seattle Public Library

 The program will provide participants with information on (1) the arrangement of the catalog, (2) tips for using the various methods of searching, and (3) tips for locating genealogy titles in the catalog.

 Session 2: 10:10 a.m. - 11:05 a.m.

Getting the Most You Can from HeritageQuest Online - Kathy Turner

 Confused about how this database works?  We will start with a look at the Help screens and Dollarhide's Census Book. Next we will have a close look at how to search the census images for 1790‑1930, how to use the Books search feature, and how to locate PERSI citations. Finally, we will talk about the latest enhancements to the database and what is yet to come.

 Session 3: 11:20 a.m. - 12:15 a.m.

Using RootsWeb to Your Advantage - Ida Skarson McCormick

 Message boards are much more than queries now, and message boards and mailing lists work in tandem.  WorldConnect provides an alternative place to do a survey of a family.

 Session 4:   1:45 p.m. -   2:40 p.m.

Searching Ancestry.com - Sarah Thorson Little

 This talk will cover searching the major components of the site – US Federal Census indices and images, US Records Collection, UK & Ireland Records, Historical Newspapers, Family and local histories, Immigration records, newsletters and message boards.   

Session 5:   2:55 p.m. -  3:50 p.m.

Finding Your Counties and Communities on WorldGenWeb - Ida Skarson McCormick

 Looking for records, resources, and information about particular places in your family's history?  Learn how to find the sources in this family of free genealogy web sites.

 Session 6:   4:05 p.m. -   5:00 p.m.

Getting the Most Out of FamilySearch.org - Gary A. Zimmerman, Fiske Genealogical Foundation

 A quick review of how to use more effectively the Website of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City to search for people, to search for records of genealogical significance, and to search for a broad range of learning aids to assist in all aspects of genealogical research.

Sunday, November 7th

 Track 2A: Digital Aids & Publishing

 Session 1:   1 p.m. - 1:55 p.m.

Using Your Digital Camera - Laura (Hill) Wise

 After a quick review of features of a digital camera appropriate for a genealogist, Laura will discuss and demonstrate (1) taking pictures of documents, (2) transferring pictures to the computer, (3) organizing and annotating your pictures using the tools built into Windows XP.

 Session 2:   2:10 p.m. -   3:05 p.m.

Editing Digital Photos and Documents - Tim Dooley

 You've taken your photographs, scanned your slides/documents/photos/objects and collected e‑mail attachments. You've saved them and organized them on your computer.  But, they don't look as good as you would like.  They don't print very clearly, are too dark/light, have spots/cracks/holes. Your relatives complain that the images you send by e-mail are too large/small and they can't view them.  What to do?  Digital editing will solve the problems!

  Session 3:   3:20 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.

Computer‑Assisted Publishing - Laura (Hill) Wise

 After you’ve written your genealogy or family history you can add (1) pictures and diagrams, (2) lists of figures, (3) indices, especially of names and places, and a table of contents.  It is easy to do with a word processor such as Microsoft Word.  

 Session 4:   4:30 p.m. - 5:25 p.m.

Maps & Genealogical Travel  - Barbara (McGinnis) Raemer 

Using Internet sites and mapping programs, one can locate historical places, cemeteries, cities, and counties within your state of research.  They can also help you find your way on your next genealogical trip. 

Track 2B: Ethnic Background Research by Computer   

 Session 1:   1 p.m. - 1:55 p.m.                 

Irish Research: Finding the Place of Origin  - Ann (Moloney) Lamb

 Finding the place of origin of your family in Ireland is the key to using the existing records.  Learn how to find that location and what to do once you have it.  

 Session 2:   2:10 p.m. -   3:05 p.m.

German Genealogical Research by Computer - Darlene Schmidt Burt  

Do research on finding your ancestors/relatives in Germany without leaving the comfort of your computer chair.  Learn to surf the Internet in German even if you don't speak German.  Locate that tiny town your ancestor came from.  Find out how to translate that Deutsch word or find a German script to help in a document translation.  Learn German and cultural facts from great web sites. 

 Session 3:   3:20 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.

Researching in England- Steve Aberle  

If it's time for you to travel to England to research your family's history, you won't want to miss this presentation.  SGS member Steve Aberle will offer his practical suggestions on how you can conduct your own self-guided research trip to England, from organizing your records and planning your destinations to how best to get around in country and access the records facilities in order to optimize your research days. 

 Session 4:   4:30 p.m. - 5:25 p.m.

Scandinavian Research - Sarah Thorson Little

This lecture will cover the many resources available on the Internet  and on CD including emigration lists, censuses, parish records, library catalogues, maps, telephone directories, family histories, databases and mailing lists. Included will be Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland with a small section on Icelandic research. A brief overview of Scandinavian alphabets and patronymics will also be covered.