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Blog Entries: 1 to 10 of 54
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What Makes It a Brick Wall?
I was thinking about our next class on new strategies for brick wall busting and it made me wonder, “what creates a brick wall, why do they show up throughout our trees?” So, I started looking at mine to figure out what I needed to learn from our next speaker.
My first thoughts were:
- Were they brick walls or did I just stop at that point and not go back yet?
- Was it a brick wall because I couldn’t find their birth records or the parents or because I couldn’t find those records in the usual, much easier databases? Did I look anywhere else? Let’s see, how does the expression go, “Keep doing the same thing but expect different results…”
- Did I find records that conflicted with each other and wasn’t or didn’t try to clear up the conflict?
- Did the family member disappear from the records on purpose? How do I know if they have no more records to find whether on purpose or not?
- Is this just as far back as I can go?
It seems, as I think about all of this, that the issues fall into 2 camps. One being they really have no more records to find in history. The other, probably more common in my tree, I haven’t tried all the places I could to find the information. Have I just skipped the hard part or am I too focused on proof that I ignore potential hints?
It also reminds me of some recent reading about the difference between searching and researching. Do I just look to tag onto what other people have found searching for their connections that might be mine as well and when their trail ends, so does mine? Do I actually research, looking for new records in places that I haven’t looked yet? Do I actually find information and then triangulate the information to come to a reasonable conclusion? Do I even follow my own advice and start with a research question or objective that is clear, focused, specific? Why is it that we often know more than we actually follow through on?
I ask myself all these questions. Sometimes I think if I could just find 1 fact that I didn’t know before about the history my family lived in or the family member themselves, I could get back on track. Perhaps my next step is to learn to use databases that take me to Ireland or Scotland or Germany as I have evidence of those connections.
Here is my thinking, being a family historian is not easy. As an educator I know that sometimes going down an unknown path is not easy either. To learn new things we have to find a balance. A balance between too easy and too hard. If it is too easy, we get bored. If it is too hard, too far beyond our scope of reasonably challenging, we get overwhelmed and quit.
I watched a video of my grandson sitting in a toy box reaching for books outside of the box. If he couldn’t reach them, he would try with the other hand. He would grab the ones he wanted and then sit down to read in his comfy little box. He knew his objective, tried different strategies, and sat down to do it. I need to learn from a toddler!
Heidi Geise, education@hqrl.org
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Back To Our Blog Roots
Going back to our Blog Roots means we started this blog to share our learning and lets do that. Our 1st 2026 class was on Directories. What take aways do we have from our class on directories? My first one is that there are a ton of different types of directories, some more helpful for doing family history than others. Another big one for me is not to just skip right to the names you might be looking for, but to read that information in the beginning that explains what you are looking at in this directory, why it was created, what the abbreviations are, etc. Our speaker showed how all that beginning information could be rich in cultural and historical content.
I am not sure which comes first, understanding what you might be looking for or figuring out the best place to look for it. I’ll just take them one at a time and we can decide later which to do first. I kind of think it might be a combination or depend on the situation.
First let’s tackle “the what” I am looking for issue. Originally, city directories were largely for advertising. If you know where your ancestor worked or a business they owned, you could confirm that in a directory. Early city directories might give you names, addresses, spouses, etc. Some even said the individual had died or had moved. Sometimes you could find maps of the city or county or farm rural routes. Those were cool as you could find neighbors and those might have been other family members or associates.
There were directories for professionals, churches, fraternal organizations, hospitals, and just about any group that you might think of even a directory for “society people.” However, keep in mind that some of these were national directories, some city, some county, etc but not all directories could be found in every community. If you do find one that fits your needs, it is likely to be 6 months to a year old by the time the material is gathered and published. Just keep that in mind.
That takes us to finding them. There are the usual places like Ancestry and Family Search. This might be a great time to investigate the state archives, genealogical and historical societies and state libraries of the state you are interested in. Don’t be afraid to call them if you don’t see something searchable online. DonsList.net, Cyndi’s List, and the Allen County Public Library are a few additional locations to search. And don’t forget to check our own HQRL.
I can’t possibly give you everything that our speaker shared. This Blog would go on for quite some time. One tip I will share is this. Directories are a good source for those years between censuses. If your family is in one community one census and a different one the next try this. Start with the earlier census and look for every year in that community until you don’t find them. Next go to the next census and work backwards every year in that community until you don’t find them. That should at least narrow your search. Hopefully, the 2 searches will meet up.
It seems we all have some work to do. I hope you can find 1 or two ideas in all of this that you can use. Often finding one idea will generate other ideas and options and you are off an running.
Until next time - Brickwall Busters!
Heidi Geise, education@hqrl.com
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Reflections
This Blog began just less than a year ago. It began from a suggestion from a class by DearMyrtle about habits of successful genealogists, one habit which was to share your learning. Over the course of this past year we have done that somewhat but I want to take us back to our roots and the beginning of a new year seems like a good time to do that.
Some people write New Year’s Resolutions, goals for self-improvement usually. Did you know that the second weekend in January is called Quitters Weekend because that is usually how long the resolutions last. Rather than resolutions, lets take a moment to “reflect” on what we learned and applied and what we would do differently. I don’t mean this to be about the blog but rather what you learned and applied to your family history over the course of the year.
Think about the classes that you participated in, the books that you read and/or the research that you did. What discoveries did you make and how did they help you tell your family story? What might you do differently?
Now take a look at the classes that are offered through HQRL. Will any of these classes help you progress in your work?
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8-Jan-26
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City Directories
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22-Jan
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Brickwalls
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5-Feb
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The Genealogy Roll-up: Essential shortcuts every genealogist needs
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19-Feb-26
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Midwest Continent Library
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5-Mar
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Naming Patterns
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19-Mar
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Dutch Records
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2-Apr-26
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WikiTree
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16-Apr
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Exploring the Community: Researching Beyond Your Ancestor
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7-May-26
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Beginning Genealogy
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21-May
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Ireland
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4-Jun
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Social History in Genealogy
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18-Jun
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Finding Missouri Ancestors
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9-Jul
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AI
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23-Jul
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Norweigians in America
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6-Aug
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German Church Records
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20-Aug
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Finding Records in What We Have/Power of Clues
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3-Sep
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Cemetery Resources
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17-Sep
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Getting the Scoop
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1-Oct
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One-Name Studies: What are they and how can they help your research
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15-Oct
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Beginning Genealogy
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5-Nov
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Collateral and Cluster Research
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If not these classes, where can you find additional learning opportunities.
Reflection is an important part of the learning process. It ties back into the idea of focus that we have talked about before. What is your Family History Focus? How will your learning help you to stay focused. What takeaways will we have when we reflect on the City Directories course?
Let’s find out!
Heidi Geise, education@hqrl.com
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Networking Benefits
I no more than posted the last blog issue when I got a newsletter in the mail from the McDonough County Genealogical Society out of Macomb, IL. I joined it a few years back as many of my Vance side were from that area including a Vance Family Cemetery where many were buried. The county is celebrating their Bicentennial. The first article was “Reminiscence of the Pioneer Life in McDonough County” by LD Wilhelm. This was followed by “A Snapshot Journey from Pioneers to Present: Vance and Wilson to Frowein. Both articles mention James Vance (1764-1835). James was my 4x Great Grandfather. Great timing!
There were lots of interesting historical connections that included several of my ancestors. It was pretty cool to see this information, see how it related to what I already have, and to connect with the MCGS to see if I can get some of their documentation to confirm a few details. One being whether he was born in TN as they have him or in Bucks Co, PA as I have him. My research has him moving to TN to become member of the Guard Right.
I mention all of this for 2 reasons.1st it was fun to see the information and 2nd because it validates the reason for joining some of these groups. Is there a Gen Society in an area that your family is connected to? You might look into them to see if you can support the work they do and it may pay off unexpectedly down the road. We all know how much support is appreciated. I did send them an email to try and get the information I mentioned above. I’ll let you know if I find out anything.
I have connected with a couple of groups this way. It is usually relatively inexpensive, $20-$40 and you end up with some connections that you might not have otherwise. I did that with the Ostrander Family Association as well, so I have one connection on my mom’s side and one on my dad’s.
My next step is to look at all the details from the records and articles and see what they add to my current information. Another step is to find Gen Societies or Family Associations for other lines that have valid connections. There is a Reno/Reneau Family Association that I have looked at but haven’t joined. That is connected with the Vance side so who knows?
In finding these connections you might be able to network with groups that have information that help you tell your family story. It isn’t every city the family lived in but there may be some locations that seem have been populated by your family groups. You can learn more about the history of the family and about the history of the locations. Were families connected to the industries that grew in those areas? You may even find that your family member was a pioneer or founding member of the industry or the community.
Maybe all of this will light a fire under my genealogical research. Have a great New Year!
Heidi Geise, education@hqrl.com
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Happy Holidays
I am looking forward to the beginning of 2026 and the new set of classes we have. I am hoping that it can jumpstart my family history that seems to have stalled. Between flood warnings and holiday preparations, it seems sitting down to work on research wasn’t really on the To Do list.
Do you get like that as well? I am hoping that some new ideas will jump out at me from the new classes. The first class is about directories. It will be a recorded class with an opportunity to ask questions on Zoom and then go from there.
Our second class is by a woman who has developed a new strategy for getting through those brick walls. We all have them. A new strategy might be just what we all need to get to the other side of those darned walls.
In February, we have a class by the author of The Essential Skills of the Occasional Genealogist. That sounds like me. It was a great read, and I know that it fits my description. I am no professional genealogist and sometimes the gaps in my ability to focus on family history gets all too wide. I get her newsletter and it is all I can do to not just copy and paste her suggestions into this blog. It really hits home for where I am at.
I don’t know if you have heard of the Midwest Continental Library but if you haven’t, take a look at the handouts from our beginning classes and the charts and forms we use in the library. You will probably find the name as the source for much of our material. It will be great to take a tour of what they have to offer and how we can all use them more efficiently.
Those are just the first 4 classes. I always find after taking a class that I have some fresh ideas that I can use in my own work. It re-energizes me, giving me someplace different to hang my research hat so to speak. It not that, it gives me a new way to think about accessing the material and perhaps find a little something new to focus on.
I hope everyone has a very happy holiday. This is the time of year where we create many of our family traditions and stories. My recommendation, enjoy the time. Don’t get so busy preparing and creating that you forget or are too tired to be involved. It’s like the photographer who takes hundreds of photos and isn’t in any of them.
With all that said, it is time to go prep meals for Wednesday and Thursday. Ham dinner for one and Chicken and Dumplings for the other. Talk about family history! If you are so inclined, talk about where those meals came from. I have no idea on mine.
PS Latte Day!!!
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Preparing for the Unexpected
Hasn’t this been quite a week? Somehow there wasn’t a lot of time or brain power left after putting out sandbags, packing “Get Set” bags, and waiting. It is the waiting that is sometimes the toughest. But the photos of the bags around the garage doors and the story of why they are there will make a good piece for our own family history. And I won’t forget that during this time my dog, an Aussie, apparently tried to herd a skunk out of the backyard. Yuk!
It did remind me that there are lots of good people in the world despite what we hear on the news. When the neighbors help to haul sandbags to our house and help spread them and we all get together in the street to decide if it is time to go or do we wait. Those are good people.
It also reminded me, as to family history, a couple of things. We need to write these stories down as they happen and put them away for future generations. I think we also need a list. I am into lists lately. But in this case a list of family history tasks. Those things that could take 10 minutes, those that take 30, those that take an hour, etc. Probably also a list of those that can be done without internet and those that need Wi-Fi.
It also might be a good time to have a few “go to” books that help you with your family history. Books that remind you of the steps for finding things or maybe it is history books that help you learn about the time and area that your family lived in. Or just a couple of good novels for a mind break!
As I am writing this another idea is a back-up. Do you have your family history backed up in the cloud, in an on-line program or on a flash drive. As I was deciding what to pack and what to put on higher ground, my flash drive go the selection. It is a lot easier to pack that up than notebooks and folders and file cabinets.
I hear the rain start again so I will put this away and return to my family decisions. Ironically, if this happens next year, the maintenance yard where we get the sandbags is walking distance from my house. Just so you know, We are all ok, so is the house, so is the dog, and I can’t speak for the skunk.
Hope everyone is safe, dry and ready for the holidays.
Heidi Geise, education@hqrl.com
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Just 1 New Finding Please!
Did you celebrate what you learned last year and make a plan for what you want to learn next?
I did go back and review some of my old findings on a family that I have been challenged by for years. I found answers to why they may have moved from Tennessee to Illinois and how they were able to make the move. Evidence that my male ancestor worked as part of the “Guards Right” and the payoff was in land that he later sold providing money to move to Illinois. I also found evidence that there was more than one woman with the name Agnes Penquite and the other one is in the quaker records not mine.
While I was watching yet another football game, I googled, “Were there any Quakers in the Ostrander-Hartzell Families” which is another line of my family. My sister is convinced that there were stories. AI came up with no quakers, however, there is a large Ostrander Family Association page that claims the name is unique enough that we are all related. There is a book that their researchers have been working on and evidence that takes everything back to 1600s. About that time Ohio lost to Indiana (football not 1600s) and I didn’t read further but I sent the link to myself and can’t wait to dig into this. Maybe a group to join.
One thing I am learning is to be open minded about the possibilities. Don’t assume you know something and head down that trail as if it were true. Think about all of the possibilities and then prove them true or false. I have been trying AI as it can pull things together and then I can decide fact or fiction or find a resource that I may not have found yet.
Another thing I am learning is that there are no shortcuts. Or I should say the only shortcut is to do things thoroughly in the first place. Don’t skip over possibilities or potential documents because you don’t think they will help. LOOK AT THEM! Decide if an answer is to be found correct or not based on the facts that it provides not wishful thinking. Family history is not easy, and it isn’t quick.
I get frustrated and wonder if I have gone far enough. I haven’t found anything new for a long time…I must be done. Then I remember my beginning lessons in genealogy, “why am I doing this work?” Is my “why” still relevant? Have I completed the task to the satisfaction of my “why”? If the answer is yes, it is time to find another “why” or a new hobby. If the answer is no, what am I missing? What steps have I skipped? What do I do now or where do I get help?
Let’s see where all that takes us! So far it hasn’t led to any breakthroughs but that could be from 10 hours caring for a toddler and then 2 days later 12 hours with him. But I can sing the Bluey song and the opening of the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and the Hot Dog Song.
Just one new finding might do the trick!
Heidi Geise, education@hqrl.com
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You Are A Family Historian
Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and ate turkey only as long as you wanted to. One of my family memories growing up was all the creative ways my mother could find to transform the Thanksgiving meal into amazing leftovers.
As you are preparing to head to the next feast, think about your family history goals for next year. We have talked a lot about doing research with a plan, that follows your purpose for doing research in the first place. This is a good time to reflect on what you have accomplished and celebrate all you have done. And make plans for what you would like to tackle next.
Take a moment to think about this last year.
- What are 3 things you did differently to work on your family history in 2025?
- What are 3 new sites you visited to do research?
- What were 3 things you wanted to learn about your family history in 2025 and did you learn them? What were you hoping to learn that you still are looking for?
- What were 3 things you learned in 2025 about how to do family history.
Now, take a moment to think about what comes next.
- What 3 things are you wanting to discover about your family history in 2026? What are your research plans for each?
- Of the new sites you visited in 2025, which will you continue to go to for your new research? What are 3 new sites that you will explore in 2026 as you continue your work.
- Have you made any plans as to how you will share your learning? What are your plans, and have you started to implement them? If not, why not?
- What help do you need to move forward in your work?
Here are some ideas to get you started. This is my spot for shameless class plugs.
Classes: January: a) City Directories b) New Strategies for Addressing those Brickwalls
February: a) Essential Shortcuts Every Genealogist Needs b) Virtual Tour of the Midwest Continental Library
March: a) Naming Patterns b) Dutch Records
April: a) What is WikiTree and How to Use It b) Exploring the Community: Researching Beyond Your Ancestor
Here is another idea. Use affirmations! What do I mean? Don’t think, “I do family history and hope to find information.” Rather, “I am a family historian and today I will …” You don’t have to believe you are a pro. I used to tell people I as a photography “want-a-be” or I dabble in family history. I don’t have to believe I am a professional photographer or a professional genealogist. It is about your mindset!
You are a family historian!
Heidi Geise, education@hqrl.com
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Put the Family in Family History
Coming to you early for the busy week ahead.
Are you hosting or visiting for the holiday festivities? Large gatherings or quiet social events? Now for the tough question. Any plans to share your family history findings or gather more information from family at the events? One friend of mine has talked about posting the family tree and just letting people look at it. The stories aren’t there but maybe some conversation starters.
Our gatherings are small. No real opportunity to share more stories at them. As I write that, a couple of thoughts cross my mind. Maybe it would be a good time to just ask how people feel about knowing their family history? What do they want to know if anything and how would they want to learn about it? It can be as short or as long as people want it to be and the baby and 3 dogs will let it be. That would be a logical step in our household.
Another idea that came to mind is a gift my sister-in-law gave my husband a few years ago for his birthday. We got a pencil bag in the mail filled with folded strips of paper, 65 I think. The activity was to pull out a paper and read what was on it. Each paper had a memory on it. For example, “ordering the awful, awful burger” or “releasing our turtle ‘Ichabod’ back to the Mississippi River.” When each paper was pulled and read, there was an opportunity for a story. My husband would tell us what the story was about, when it happened, etc. We did a few at a time when we got together. It was actually quite fun and filled with lots of laughter. I don’t recall if there were stories to be saved for when the grandkids were older, but it is possible. He was a rock-n’-roll musician in Reno.
You could do that the way my sister-in-law did it for us. I think you might even be able to give everyone a few cards to write a memory starter or 2 of their own, throw them into a fishbowl, a pull them out over the course of the event. Or maybe it is questions they put on the cards. It could be fun.
The real issue here is how you can share your hard work or gather more information to continue your work on your family history. And do it in a fun, stress-free way. What are your ideas? Have you already done things in the past? And of course, doing it all while basting the turkey, mashing the potatoes, snatching bites of the meal along the way. (There was the time I put a piece of pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream on my sister’s chair….yes, just before she sat down. Who was more angry, Mom or my sister?)
Whatever you decide to do or not do with the family and your family history, make it a great holiday season. Make more memories to put in your future family history writing.
Heidi Geise, education@hqrl.com
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Ideas for Your Feedback
Early because I can!
Here is a little something for you to chew on for a while. Our last speaker, Sue Schlichting, shared more ideas about how we could get people in the door at HQRL Some were ideas that we have tried or at least talked about, but I thought I would roll out a couple of thoughts for you to think about and share your thinking with each other and me.
- A German special interest group she belongs to invites “folks to meet and put their heads together to solve genealogy problems and share their German heritage and successes. One group does hybrid sessions. At the holidays, they asked everyone to bring a treat from their German heritage to share. If you joined virtually, you were supposed to show, tell about and enjoy your own treats. It was a fun way to honor the tradition and share with others.” You could do the same for various other special interest groups. We could do something before or after a speaker on a special interest topic.
- ” The Omaha public library does a couple of things to help bring folks in. In March, they hold a Genealogy Week celebration. Every day has something different to offer. And every day that week, the local genealogy society staffs a time where they help people get started with their family history or help them problem solve their challenges. It has been a popular program. They end the week with a major speaker in the library.” It wouldn’t have to be in March and it wouldn’t have to be as grand as our previous Autumn Quests. It too could be hybrid.
- “There are special interest groups meeting monthly on DNA, German, Viking, Polish, Writing, etc.” at the Omaha Public Library.
So now it is your turn. I know we have some interest in Germany, Scotland, DNA, and Prussia. Where else? We may have some specific states of interest or where people have met challenges. We certainly have DAR and Civil War groups. Where might your focus area or topic be. Perhaps we could start a chart in the library where it can be seen and see what interest groups get the most traction. If we get enough interest, we could schedule some interest group time and with some quality promotion get people in to join these groups. They can be self-governing, other than scheduling to avoid conflicts.
Along the same lines, I am looking for some of our own people for a “grow-our-own” speaker program. Do you have a topic, database, strategy, etc. that you feel passionate about and would like to share with your fellow family historians? If you are concerned about teaching, I would certainly be willing to support you in that area. Let me know!
I know that there has been some of this in the past. Maybe it is time to dust the idea off and see where it takes us. Maybe nowhere or maybe it fills the library. Kind of like my research. Sometimes it goes nowhere and sometimes I find something amazing!
Just my thoughts. What are your thoughts.
Heidi Geise, education@hqrl.com
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