Announcement: FRGS Spring Lecture Series Saturday March 22, 2014

For those in the Fredericksburg, VA area, I wanted to pass on this information about the spring lecture series presented by the FRGS and CRRL.  Hope to see you there!

Fredericksburg Regional Genealogical Society

Spring Lecture Series

In Conjunction With The Central Rappahannock Regional Library

Come join us and learn how to collect and share your family stories!

Saturday March 22, 2014

Lectures will be held in the Auditorium of the CRRL

1201 Caroline Street

Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Doors open at 8:30 am

Program is from 9 am – 1 pm

Light refreshments will be provided by FRGS

For more information please call the CRRL at 540-372-1144 

Or email FRGS at FRGSVA@gmail.com | http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vafrgs/

Lecture 1: Writing Genealogy: Using the Elements of Narrative to Tell Your Family's Story

Genealogy is more than just names and dates in a lineage-linked database or on a pedigree chart . . . it's about people, places, and events in historical context. The building blocks of genealogy are similar to the narrative elements that writers use to craft memorable stories: character, plot, setting, and motivation. Learn how to make your family's story unforgettable!

Presenter: Madaleine J. Laird

Madaleine spent last summer pulling records at the National Archives for the Genealogy Roadshow research team. She serves as copy editor for Casefile Clues, an electronic publication written by Michael John Neill. She has attended Samford University's Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research several times, even earning her survival badge for the Advanced Methodology and Evidence Analysis course taught by Elizabeth Shown Mills. In 2012 Madaleine was awarded the Kansas Historical Society's Edward N. Tihen Historical Research Grant. She used the funds to record 360 names inscribed on a quilt in the Society's Kansas Memory collection.

Lecture 2: Gathering Family Stories: Conducting an Interview

Documents and records only tell part of the family story.  Family members can tell the rest of the story that is not in the documents and records.  What is the best method to obtain that information and what should be done with it once it has been gathered?

Presenter: Charles S. “Chuck” Mason, Jr., CG

Charles S. “Chuck” Mason, Jr. is a Certified Genealogist, specializing in Southern New Jersey and 19th and 20th Century Death Records.  He is a Past President of both the Fairfax and the Mount Vernon Genealogical Societies and the NIGR Alumni Association.  Chuck is a grader for the National Genealogical Society's home study course and serves as the NGS Awards Chair.  In addition to his many volunteer activities, he teaches genealogy classes for the Fairfax County Parks and Recreation. Chuck is a co-host of Tracing Your Family Roots at Fairfax Cable Television Channel 10.  Rebroadcasts of the show can be viewed at their website at tracingroots.nova.org.