Archives for March 2025

Several free genealogy programs will be offered this week covering: artificial intelligence and surname problems.

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library will present “Research Tips for Unique Family Names” on Wednesday, April 2 at 6 p.m. Struggling with misspelled or altered ancestral names? Learn key strategies like wildcard searches, soundex systems, and linguistic patterns to uncover hidden family records. This session will help you track your ancestors—no matter how their names were recorded.

To register, go to: https://cmlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/67abc19a2a99913600cc636d

Legacy Family Tree Webinars will present “GPTs for Family History” on Thursday, April 3 at 8 p.m. Eastern time. Explore the cutting-edge world of Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPTs) and their applications in family history in this webinar. Learn about the various GPT models available, how they can be utilised to enhance your genealogical research, and the benefits they offer in terms of efficiency and creativity. The session will also provide a guide on how to create your own GPT tailored to your family history needs, from data preparation to fine-tuning the model.

To register, go to: https://familytreewebinars.com/webinar/gpts-for-family-history-unlocking-the-potential-of-ai/

Ontario Ancestors will present “Solve Your Picture Problems” on Thursday, April 3 at 7 p.m. Pictures tell a brilliant story about our ancestors. But what do we do when pictures have problems. No writing on the back? Too many conflicting names and dates? Unfamiliar faces? Come learn the antidote to these dilemmas and finally use those pictures in your research.

To register, go to: https://ogs.on.ca/april-webinar-solving-your-picture-problems-allyson-maughan/

The Southern California Genealogical Society will present “Genealogy in the Digital Age” on Saturday, April 5 at 1 p.m. Eastern time. Explore how genealogists can enhance their research, organization, and writing using a range of free technology tools. Designed for both novice and experienced genealogists who are looking to optimize their efforts without breaking the bank. The program will cover four key areas: organization, research, writing, and plotting land deeds.

To register, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3342129865413771862

Several free genealogy webinars will take place this week covering: researching female ancestors and cemetery research.

North San Diego County Genealogical Society will present “The Value of Using Maps” on Tuesday, March 25 at 1 p.m. Eastern time. Maps are one of the great resources for finding clues about the lives and lifestyles of our ancestors. Maps can show us when and where boundaries changed, help to recreate a community, plot migration routes, and aid in visualizing a view of the community. This program will look at the many available maps to help pinpoint your ancestors. Atlases, historical maps, military maps, fire insurance maps are all terrific sources.  To register, go to: https://nsdcgs.org/program-meetings/

The Boston Public Library will present “A Beginner’s Guide to Cemetery Sleuthing” on Wednesday, March 26 at 6 p.m. Your local cemetery is a time capsule. Each headstone is plastered with clues about the deceased, those who once walked where you’re walking now.  A simple step through the hallowed gates can bring you on an adventure to explore symbolism, workmanship, and local history. Learn about the meaning behind cemetery iconography, abbreviations, epitaphs and more.

To register, go to: https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/677d535059163a2f0038dc1f

AARP will present “How Digital Tools Can Help You Discover Your Family History” on Wednesday, March 26 at 3 p.m. Eastern time. You don’t have to be a genealogy expert to research your ancestry and find out about your family history. We’ll discuss some of the most popular digital tools available and explore their features. Learn about how to access free resources, including those available from public libraries, and explore websites offering tips and guidance on creating your own digital family tree.

You do not need to be a member of AARP. To register, go to: https://local.aarp.org/vcc-event/genealogy-explore-your-roots-with-digital-tools-fkn23byj695.html

Allen County Public Library will present “Discovering Female Ancestors” on Thursday, March 27 at 6:30 p.m. Female ancestors often leave fewer records behind, but their lives were pivotal in shaping our families and communities. In this program, learn how to navigate unique challenges in tracing women’s genealogies, discover valuable resources, and explore creative strategies to uncover the rich histories of the women in your family tree.  To register, go to: https://acpl.libnet.info/event/12920287

Several free genealogy webinars will be offered this week, covering: Irish genealogy and artificial intelligence.

The Midwest Genealogy Center will present “Researching World War I Heroes” on Sunday, March 16 at 3 p.m. Learn how to research World War I soldiers’ service records and find information that speaks to their experiences during the war. This information can help us understand what it was like to serve and give voice to their stories.

To register, go to:  https://www.mymcpl.org/events/106004/researching-world-war-i-heroes-hybrid

AARP will present “Getting Started on Your Irish Genealogy” on Monday, March 17 at 7 p.m. Jump-start your Irish ancestry research in this virtual genealogy workshop where you’ll learn about helpful online resources and how to navigate them.

To register, go to: https://local.aarp.org/vcc-event/getting-started-on-your-irish-genealogy-pznfwvjkwch.html

Genealogical Society of New Jersey will present “Documenting Family History in the Digital Age” on Wednesday, March 19 at 8 p.m. This presentation will explore three essential pillars for modern family historians: sharing research on public platforms, transforming raw facts into meaningful stories, and creating a dedicated family history archive.

To register, go to: https://www.gsnj.org/2025-webinar-series-your-roots-pursuits/

Legacy Family Tree Webinars will present “Tracing Your Ancestor Back to the Old Country” on Wednesday, March 19 at 2 p.m. Although most American records do not specify immigrants’ exact places of origin, by doing a wholistic study of an entire family, it’s often possible to determine exactly from where they came. Learn about the different kinds of records that can help determine an immigrant’s exact place of birth, such as parish records, ship manifests, naturalization petitions, social security applications, alien registrations and more!

To register, go to: https://familytreewebinars.com/webinar/off-the-boat-tracing-your-ancestor-back-to-the-old-country/

Florida State Genealogical Society will present “Use AI to Research Your Family Photos and Letters” on Thursday, March 20 at 8 p.m. Discover how artificial intelligence is transforming genealogy research. Learn how AI can help you uncover the family history treasures hiding in your family documents and letters. Intended for people new to AI, this accessible webinar will show you how to simplify turning your family archives into a goldmine of useful information.

To register, go to:  https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_H2scDvE5SNK-ZYZlPgcpOw#/registration

Several free genealogy webinars will take place this week covering Irish research and artificial intelligence.

Rock County Genealogical Society will present “Using A.I. to Translate, Transcribe & Summarize Genealogical Documents” on Tuesday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Learn how to harness the power of artificial intelligence to assist in translating, transcribing, and summarizing a variety of genealogy records. A handwritten baptismal record from the 1800s? No problem. A faded newspaper obituary? No problem. We’ll cover the best AI platforms as well as how to craft a solid prompt to get you the results you need. Learn how to harness the power of artificial intelligence to assist in translating, transcribing, and summarizing a variety of genealogy records. A handwritten baptismal record from the 1800s? No problem. A faded newspaper obituary? No problem. We’ll cover the best AI platforms as well as how to craft a solid prompt to get you the results you need.

To register, go to: https://www.rcgswi.org/events–speakers.html

St. Louis County Public Library will present “Free Websites for Irish Genealogy Research” on Thursday, March 13 at 3 p.m. Eastern time. Explore how to access and use several free websites for your Irish family history research.

To register, go to: https://www.slcl.org/events/virtual-program-free-websites-irish-genealogy-research

Allen County Public Library will present “Tracing Your Irish Roots” on Thursday, March 13 at 6:30 p.m.  Discover the fundamentals of Irish genealogy research in this beginner-friendly session. Learn about key record types, such as church registers, civil records, and Griffith’s Valuation, and gain insights into navigating online resources to uncover your Irish family history. Whether you’re just starting or hitting roadblocks, this presentation will provide the tools you need to begin tracing your ancestors from Ireland.

To register, go to: https://acpl.libnet.info/event/12920325

Contra Costa Genealogical Society will present “FamilySearch.org Tips, Techniques and Surprises” on Thursday, March 13 at 9:30 p.m. Eastern time. This presentation will provide you with additional tools that will give you some alternatives to conducting basic searches. It will introduce you to tools with which you may not be familiar.

To register, go to: https://cccgs.net/eventListings.php?nm=47&tf=1#er101