I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I am presenting, for the first time, at the National Genealogical Society’s 2018 Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan this coming May. One of my two sessions focuses on Mexican research, the other on a tech topic.
Following is a list of classes that I think will be of particular interest to those researching Hispanic and Hispanic-American ancestors. Registration is now open for the conference.
I look forward to seeing you in Grand Rapids!
Hispanic-Focused Classes
An Introduction to Researching Your Mexican Ancestors
This overview explains key U.S. records for identifying immigrant origins, major Mexican record collections, naming conventions and name search strategies, and reference tools.
- Instructor: Colleen Greene
- Date: Saturday, May 5, 2018
- Time: 8:00 a.m.
- Track: Ethnicity
- Class Code: S404
The Other Side of Jewish Genealogy: Sephardic Research
In recent years, a massive increase in accessible Sephardic resources has assisted Jewish genealogists and Hispanic/Iberian genealogists in researching their roots.
- Instructor: Schelly Talalay Dardashti
- Date: Saturday, May 5, 2018
- Time: 4:00 p.m.
- Track: Religion
- Class Code: S453
Did you notice that the two Hispanic-focused classes take place on Cinco de Mayo? I have no idea if that was intentional or just a coincidence. 🙂
Classes of Particular Relevance
Though the following classes are not geared specifically towards Hispanic research, these topics are highly relevant.
Casting the Net: Denominational, Ethnic, and Specialized Newspaper Research
Denominational, ethnic, and specialized newspapers give a unique glimpse into the daily lives of our ancestors. Learn how these newspapers can fill a research gap.
- Instructor: Cari A. Taplin
- Date: Saturday, May 5, 2018
- Time: 2:30 p.m.
- Track: Religion
- Class Code: S443
WHY? These newspapers are invaluable for researching our Hispanic ancestors in the U.S. My friend Cari assured me that her lecture includes Hispanic examples.
Give Me…Your Huddled Masses Yearning to Breathe Free: Immigration and Naturalization
Learn how our ancestors were naturalized; when, where, and what records were created; and the information that might be found in these records.
- Instructor: Jeanne Larzalere Bloom
- Date: Wednesday, May 2, 2018
- Time: 11:00 a.m.
- Track: Immigration and Migration
- Class Code: W122
WHY? You’ll want to consult these records for your Hispanic ancestors who arrived after the U.S. became a country or after its expanded borders became final.
Native, First Nations, Indian: Researching Indigenous Peoples
The first residents of North America can be challenges to research, as oral history, stories are foundational. Learn to use geography, tribal resources, historic records.
- Instructor: Judy Nimer Muhn
- Date: Friday, May 4, 2018
- Time: 4:00 p.m.
- Track: DNA
- Class Code: F354
WHY? Many Hispanic-Americans have ancestors with North American indigenous origins.
Tracing the Tribe with DNA
The lecture will view the challenges of endogamous DNA and the fascinating and surprising discoveries gleaned from Autosomal, Y-DNA, and mtDNA projects.
- Instructor: Schelly Talalay Dardashti
- Date: Friday, May 4, 2018
- Time: 9:30 a.m.
- Track: DNA
- Class Code: F320
WHY? Our Hispanic ancestors tended to be highly endogamous.
Reading Immigrant Clues in Family Photos
Using case studies and examples, this special presentation illustrates how to read immigration clues in pictures taken in the United States and abroad.
- Instructor: Maureen Taylor
- Date: Friday, May 4, 2018
- Time: 9:30 a.m.
- Track: Tips and Techniques
- Class Code: F319
WHY? You might have inherited photos of your Hispanic immigrant ancestors, or those who stayed in the old country.
Unlocking Roman Catholic Records—the Catholic Heritage Archive
The Catholic church is one of the largest and oldest denominations in America. Findmypast is working on a landmark project to make these records easily accessible.
- Instructor: Jen Baldwin
- Date: Saturday, May 5, 2018
- Time: 9:30 a.m.
- Track: Religion
- Class Code: S413
WHY? Our Hispanic ancestors brought their faith with them to the U.S.
General Classes
I always learn something valuable to apply to my Hispanic research from any class. For example, I am not aware of any southern ancestors or African American ancestors in my lineage, but learning about the challenges of locating records for burned counties (a common occurrence in southern states during the Civil War) or strategies for tracing pre-Emancipation slave families significantly improves my own research and analysis techniques.
So take advantage of the vast offering of classes that focus on:
- Methodology
- DNA
- U.S. record collections
- U.S. state-focused repositories and collections
- Search strategies
- Technology tools
Just because only two sessions specifically focus on Hispanics, don’t rule out attending NGS 2018. If you attend and want to see more Hispanic classes offered at future NGS conferences, make a note of that on your feedback surveys.
If you do attend NGS and spot me, please come up and say hello!
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