October 31, 2015, Saturday - Family History Fair 2015 at Central Library

Time: 9:00am - 3:00pm

Location: Central Library, Doty Board Room, 300 Nicollet Mall

Family History Fair 2015 at Central Library

Connect with expert genealogists and learn about state, local and library resources; learn to identify clues to your family history; find out how to use and evaluate DNA for family connections, and more. Visit resource tables, attend presentations and learn how to start your family genealogy. Register today.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Minneapolis Central Library and presented in collaboration with the Minnesota Genealogical Society.

Schedule of events:

9-9:30 a.m.
•Visit participating groups and resource tables

9:30-10:30 a.m.
•Welcome and Keynote: How Can I Find My Family? (Presenter: Cathi Weber) What kinds of resources are available and how can you access them to find out more about your ancestors? Learn how to use the clues in what you know to locate information in other records.

11 a.m.-noon
•Get Started in Genealogy: Me, Mom, Dad, Grandpa... (Presenter: Linda Westrom) Beginning genealogists start with the most available and accessible information — themselves. Although we think we know the basic info about our parents, grandparents, great grandparents, is it accurate? Are the family stories we've always heard accurate? Thus begins a fascinating opportunity to learn more about our heritage.
•Using DNA for Family History Research (Presenter: Alice Eichholz) DNA testing can provide helpful support for traditional genealogical research, bolster weak paper trails and disprove hypotheses about relationships. Learn about the available tests — Y, mitochondrial, and autosomal — and the testing companies that offer them so you can determine the most effective way to spend your DNA dollar.
•Genealogy Sources From Worldwide Libraries (Presenter: Joan Krey) Discover free genealogy resources including WorldCat, HathiTrust, Google Books, and American Memory, with information about the nuts and bolts of ordering materials through interlibrary loan.

12:45-1:45 p.m.
• Resources Free With Your Library Card (Presenter: Jeanne Bielke-Rodenbiker) Tax dollars pay for some fantastic online genealogy resources. Learn how access genealogical records and sources through Hennepin County libraries.
•Let’s Talk Lineage — Societies You Can Join (Presenter: Lois Abromitis Mackin) Do you have ancestors who sailed on the Mayflower? Fought in the American Revolution, the War of 1812 or the Civil War? Were they early settlers of Virginia, Wisconsin, Minnesota or other states? Learn about hereditary and lineage associations you and your family members may be eligible to join, and walk through the process of preparing an application.
• Free Online Genealogy Databases With a Focus on Minnesota Records (Presenter: Shirleen Hoffman) Expand your family history tool box with these 10 favorite no-cost genealogy websites.

2-3 p.m.
•Mining for Family History Treasures on FamilySearch.org (Presenter: Kim Ashford) Many researchers only scratch the surface of this free website and miss out on the wealth of information it contains. Learn how to dig deep and unearth valuable information to assist you in researching your family history.
•Finding Your Family in Newspapers (Presenter: J.H. Fonkert) Newspapers can be a great place to find interesting information and details about your family, from obituaries to stories of accidents to accolades. They are also a way to learn more about the social history of a community.
•Tour Minneapolis Central Library genealogy resources with Minneapolis Central librarians