America250! Genealogy Workshop

America 250! Genealogy Workshop

Saturday, September 21st, 2024 | 10:30am-3:30pm

Madison-Jefferson County Public Library Auditorium (420 W. Main Street, Madison, IN 47250)

Join us for a day of family history discovery hosted by Madison’s John Paul Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution. Our nation’s 250th anniversary is coming in 2026, and you may have a Patriot in your family! Workshop presentations will cover DNA/Genetic Genealogy, DAR Genealogical Research System Databases, County Records, and the Library’s Local History & Genealogy Resources. Ideal for intermediate level researchers, but beginners are certainly welcome. The workshop speakers and a team of volunteer genealogists will also be available for hands-on help throughout the afternoon providing assistance in African-American research, online genealogy research sites, DAR & Sons of the American Revolution applications, and locations of patriot graves within Jefferson County, Indiana.

The event takes place in the Library Auditorium with presentations before and after lunch and hands-on help and research opportunities later in the afternoon. Additionally, two concurrent OPTIONAL breakout sessions are available in the afternoon. Breakout pre-registration required. Seating is limited (12 people MAX/ each breakout)

• BREAKOUT #1: Using County Courthouse Records in Your Research [Location: Conference Room located behind the library’s main check-out desk]
• BREAKOUT #2: Using MJCPL Local History & Genealogy Collections in Your Research [Location: Local History/Genealogy Room, library second floor]

Your ticket ($15 per person) includes a light lunch of sandwiches, chips, cookie/brownie, and bottled water.

Check-In & Venue Information:

• Doors open @ 10am
• Please check in at the Registration Table in the Auditorium
• Easy free parking is located on Elm Street, adjacent to the Madison-Jefferson County Public Library
• The Auditorium entrance on Elm Street is handicap accessible, but the Main Entrance on Main Street is also available. There is an elevator available to reach the second floor area.
• Please bring your laptop/tablet/smart phone device to access the library’s internet as the computers in the library are available only on a first-come-first-served basis.
• Library wifi is jcplguest. No password.
• Copies from the library’s wireless printer are 10 cents/B&W, 25 cents/color
• For your comfort in the Auditorium, bring a light wrap or dress in layers.

Meet the Presenters

DNA 101: The Basics of Genetic Genealogy (followed by Q&A)

• Led by Phyllis McLaughlin
• Phyllis Coding McLaughlin is the author of Images of America: Carroll County and Images of America: Trimble County (Kentucky). She has been an avid family historian since 1991 and is trained in genetic genealogy. A veteran journalist, McLaughlin’s genealogical interests include Colonial New England and Virginia, research in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, and Ontario, Canada, as well as the institution of slavery as it existed in the United States and its lingering effects since 1861. She and her husband live in Milton, Kentucky, across the Ohio River from Madison, Indiana.
  

Using DAR Genealogical Research System Databases in Your Research

• Led by Theresa Green
• Theresa Green is a member of Eagle Creek Chapter DAR in Indianapolis. She is the Indiana DAR State Registrar and is a member of the State Application Team. She has served as Volunteer Genealogist State Chair and currently serves as East Central Division Vice Chair for Lineage Research. Aside from her duties with DAR and her interest in genealogy, Theresa enjoys scrapbooking, gardening, sewing, hiking, and traveling.

Breakout Sessions

Breakout Session 1 - Using County Courthouse Records in Your Research

• Led by Lynne Keasling
• Although born in Wisconsin, Lynne Keasling has been a Hoosier for over 30 years. She has been the DAR The Hoosier Elm Chapter Registrar in Harrison County, Indiana for 30 years and has recently served several terms as Indiana DAR State Lineage Research Chair. She enjoys genealogy research and has done courthouse and original newspapers abstracts for books for over 20 years as well as producing Harrison County genealogy books on everything from Inquests to divorces--all from original records.

Breakout Session 2 - Using MJCPL Local History & Genealogy Collections in Your Research

• Led by Camille Fife, Jefferson County Public Library Local History Coordinator
• Camille Fife has written or co-authored 26 National Register of Historic Places nominations, in 19 different Indiana counties. She was also the primary researcher for Madison’s National Historic Landmark designation, which provided more than 1,600 historic buildings with the United States’ highest preservation honor. She served as preservation planner with the City of Madison for several years. Camille lives in Madison where she continues to practice preservation and advocate for cultural resources throughout Indiana.