Join me May 1 for genealogy webinar on State Archives and Branch Archives

Paula Stuart-Warren  Archives, Legacy Family Tree Webinars, Webinars  , , ,  Leave a comment

I am thrilled to announce that I’ll be doing a brand new free and live webinar the afternoon of Friday, May ,1, 2026 for Legacy Family Tree Webinars. My topic is Insight into State Archives: ARCs, IRADs, ONAHRs, and Other Branches and there will be a syllabus of six pages for those who are members of Legacy Family Tree Webinars. I’ll be covering several states with these branches and their surprising indexes, databases, and how they operate.

Registration is open! You can join me live for free, listen to it for a week afterward, or sign up for a membership to get ongoing access to this and other presentation handouts and the massive on-demand library.

Register and learn more: https://familytreewebinars.com/webinar/insight-into-state-archives-finding-records-in-regional-branches/?ref=566036

Join Legacy Family Tree Webinars to access that and my other webinars at any time. It also provides access to almost 3,000 other webinars by an exciting array of other presenters plus 11,000 syllabus pages. https://legacyfamilytree.com/product/membership/?ref=566036

I appreciate you using these affiliate links to help keep this blog going.

Are you ready for the GRIP course Digging Deeper: Records, Tools, Skills? Info part 2.

Paula Stuart-Warren  Education, GRIP, GRIP Genealogy Institute  , , , , ,  Leave a comment
  1. How do I know if I am ready to participate in this intermediate course?
  • Have researched basic censuses, some vital records, and some newspaper research. Imagine going further into these and then finding more after some sessions.
  • Need ideas for where more records can be found online and in libraries, archives, courthouses, and other places?
  • Know that keeping track of where you found a record is vital and you need to be better yet flexible at that.
  • Need some hand holding along your journey?
  • Know that great instructors are ready to help.
  • Realizing that suggestions from or for another researcher also clicks on the proverbial light bulb in your mind.
  • Ready a few laughs, too.

2. Methodology help. For this course, it’s part of what you grasp from a specific record that may not jump out on first look. Interpreting what it tells you and what it leads to is vital. How does it connect to other records that you didn’t know about? How do certain records provide answers to questions you weren’t aware of! Where are those records for your ancestral areas?

3. Interactive parts. A melding of minds, new ideas, hands-on work, learning from each other, and investigating some of these things in breakout sessions. Analysis can be time consuming and frustrating. But jumping to conclusions or only selectively reading is worse. Apply the new knowledge and resources right away in collaboration with others. Every year we hear from students that this was an important part of the week’s learning.

4. Making the instructors smile. Joining us in the course makes all the instructors happy. Interacting with students and sharing our experience and knowledge is why we do this course. I chose the instructors for multiple reasons and you will totally understand that during the course week. Seeing the students’ smiles and their comments is a big part of this.  

Let me know if you have any additional questions, either before or after you register. Post here or send me an email at paulastuartwarren at gmail.com  

Learn about the sessions, instructors, and register via https://grip.ngsgenealogy.org/courses/digging-deeper-records-tools-and-skills/

 

Image of woman and computer are courtesy of PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

 

 

National Library Week April 19-25, 2026

Paula Stuart-Warren  Libraries  , ,  Leave a comment

Do you know what libraries in your area have to offer? A simple library card can open up a world of reading, researching, recreation, and extensively beyond. “National Library Week as a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support.  All types of libraries – school, public, academic and special – participate.”

Books, databases, videos, reference specialists, classes and activities for all ages, newspapers, magazines, technology help, computers, printers, study rooms, and the list could go on and  on. Interests in genealogy, crafting, painting, cars, computers, gardening, and many more things can be fortified.

Learn more by checking the ALA website and the websites of libraries big and small. https://www.ala.org/conferencesevents/national-library-week-history

Do you know about the 2026 honorary chairperson, Mychal Threets? https://www.ala.org/news/2025/12/award-winning-librarian-and-reading-rainbow-host-mychal-threets-to-serve-as-2026-national-library-week-chair

 

Register for an intermediate level genealogy course that is Digging Deeper? Definitely.

Paula Stuart-Warren  Genealogy, GRIP, GRIP Genealogy Institute  , , , , ,  Leave a comment

I’ve had several questions about the course Digging Deeper: Records, Tools, and Skills that is part of the virtual week of learning via the GRIP Genealogy Institute this June 22-26. Others may need the same information. This is a rather long post, but it should help. I’ve pulled this out of some responses to emails and other discussions with some who have already registered and others who are in the thinking stage. A later post will provide more help on deciding if you are ready for this course.

As the GRIP website states, This may be your course! It covers 19th through 21st century US records, online resources, “hidden” records, analysis, and methodology. This course often serves as preparation for other GRIP courses . . . If you answer yes to any of the following questions, this course is for you.

  • Are you past the beginning stages of researching your family history?
  • Have you researched online but know there is more elsewhere or that you have missed some resources?
  • Do you need a stronger foundation before taking advanced or specialized courses?
  • Are you not yet comfortable with in-depth evaluation of documents, deciding what to do next, and delving into less commonly used collections?

When we have checked basic records and done online searches but still have missing details, we need more leads and to do a better job of analyzing records. We will dig deeper into a variety of records, some you may have never heard about, and where they are found. There will be hands-on and interactive activities, small group discussions, and full class interaction.


Why should I participate in an intermediate level course? Even a couple of these reasons provides a reason to take this course.

1.  It’s time to understand more about specific 19th through 21st century U.S. resources.  
2.  Have tough research issues to solve. and not sure where to go next.
3.  Need to gain additional resources as far as vital records, newspaper collections, probate, and even court records involving our families.
4.  Realization that records not found online are needed.
5.  Understand that it’s vital to solid genealogical research to go beyond the basics to learn more about each person, place, and time period.
6.  Have questions about doing more intensive work online and in libraries, archives, and historical societies.
7.  Have a genealogy question that needs a good answer? This is the course for  you. We have the answers or know where to direct you.
8.  Receive an online syllabus of almost 200 pages filled with reminders from the sessions, online resources, “hidden” records, analysis, bibliographies, and methodology.
9.  Indexes and finding aids that not everyone knows about.
10.  Are you past the beginning stages of researching your family history?
11.  Have you researched online but know there is more elsewhere or that you have missed some resources? (Even free ones!)
12.  Do you need a stronger foundation before taking advanced or specialized courses?
13.  Are you not yet comfortable with in-depth evaluation of documents, deciding what to do next, and delving into less commonly used collections?

14.  The wealth of knowledge and experience from the five instructors.

Register soon so you receive an early welcome letter with more information and details for receiving help to solve one of your U.S. research problems. You don’t want to miss this opportunity!

p.s. BONUS. Sessions will be recorded and available through Friday, 10 July 2026, at 11:59 PM ET.

https://grip.ngsgenealogy.org/courses/digging-deeper-records-tools-and-skills/


 

New video tutorials for Chronicling America newspapers

Paula Stuart-Warren  Newspapers  , ,  Leave a comment

The Library of Congress has new video tutorials about using the great newspaper collection called Chronicling America. The collection is huge, searching is a bit discombombulated after a recent updating but generally falls into place after a few searches. Thankfully these new aids will help further! I know what I am going to be watching tonight. Full video and description of the segments is here https://guides.loc.gov/chronicling-america/tutorials?loclr=eacam.

Genealogist Morton Ferrier at work again in The Hop-Picker Murders

Paula Stuart-Warren  Reviews  , ,  Leave a comment

A book review. A book I finished weeks ago. Suddenly moving out of my apartment meant that review had to wait. That meant today I had to skim back through the book. Remembered enjoying this book, how it entertained, made me think, and then look at places in England on maps. That would be Nathan Dylan Goodwin’s The Hop-Picker Murders. Murders in the past but no gorry details. My kind of story. 

A woman contacts forensic genealogist Morton Farrier about some mysteries and loss of lives in the past. Her long-deceased aunt left a journal with some confusing entries that connected to the family’s first quarter of the 20th century tenure as hop-pickers. The history loving side of me enjoyed learning more about the life of hop-pickers and how much they relished the time away from the city. Morton also learned more about those lives, the murders, the people, while also undergoing some challenges in his own life. Chapters move back and forth between the present and the past and that worked for me as long as I paid attention. My final guess on the hop-picker murderer? Let’s pretend I had that correct.

An enjoyable read that includes using genealogy standards and techniques, knowledge about the places, and investigating to figure out what happened to long-buried people. Goodwin pulls all that together and kept me intrigued. THEN at the end of his book, he explains his research, where he researched, what is real vs fiction, people who contributed historical information, and provides a list of books that helped in the accuracy of the story. Only problem is that the book ended.  

https://www.nathandylangoodwin.com/ for more information. Available in hardcover, paperback, kindle.

FamilySearch and New York state library and archives work together

Paula Stuart-Warren  Digitization, New York  , , , ,  Leave a comment

Due to moving out of my apartment and still unpacking (and trying to figure out where some things are) I am behind in sharing press releases related to history and genealogy. It’s likely you read about this collaboration a few days ago, but in case you didn’t, please read on.

Press releases were received from FamilySearch and several organizations in New York. The following paragraphs are from those and at the end is a link to more information, including some cool statistics. My hope is that the work continues and includes more original records.

Office of Cultural Education Announces Collaboration With FamilySearch To Expand Access to Genealogy Records

Documents from the New York State Library and New York State Archives to Be Made Available for Free

The New York State Library and New York State Archives are working with global nonprofit genealogy organization, FamilySearch(link is external) International, in an exciting effort to expand access to some of the state’s most important ancestry records and historical collections, the New York State Education Department’s Office of Cultural Education announced today. Through this collaborative effort, thousands of records will be made available online in digital format for the first time, providing researchers with greater access to the documents from anywhere in the world.

Since January 2026, Mark and Lynne Hamp, a retired couple from Utah, have been scanning books from the New York State Library’s collection for digital access on FamilySearch, the largest genealogy organization in the world. Important collections the Hamps have scanned so far include family histories, with plans to include local histories and genealogy periodicals, such as society and family association journals. As FamilySearch volunteers, the Hamps will remain in Albany until the end of the year.

New York State Librarian Lauren Moore said, “We could not be more excited to welcome Mark and Lynne. Digitizing our physical collections has always been a priority and this collaboration advances our mission to responsibly preserve and maintain these invaluable works. While we always look forward to assisting genealogists in person at the Library, providing increased online access to important reference books opens the door to new research opportunities for those unable to travel to the Capital Region.”

Viviane Davis, Collections Manager at the FamilySearch Library said, “The books we are scanning at the New York State Library are especially significant because they preserve materials that are both rare and deeply rooted in the local communities. The collection includes many unique local family histories, as well as county and local histories, many of which are not widely available elsewhere and provide invaluable insight into regional heritage, migration patterns, and community development. By digitizing these works, we are not only safeguarding fragile, often one-of-a-kind resources but also making them more accessible to researchers, genealogists, and the public. These books will be added to FamilySearch’s digital collection(link is external) online, ensuring that these important historical narratives remain available for generations to come.”

https://www.nysed.gov/news/2026/office-cultural-education-announces-collaboration-familysearch-expand-access-genealogy

 

Genealogy research issues? A course that provides some assistance!

Paula Stuart-Warren  GRIP, GRIP Genealogy Institute  , ,  2 Comments

One of the many reasons I love coordinating and teaching in a certain course is that we provide a chance for a student’s ongoing genealogy issue to be solved or at least a path provided. I’m beginning work on my mid-April letter to those registered for the upcoming June 22-26 GRIP Genealogy Institute virtual course, “Digging Deeper: Records, Tools, and Skills.” This letter will provide the registered students with extra details about the course and the interactive parts. One section is about the opportunity to participate in an interactive group consultation to provide research ideas and paths to solve problems, brick walls, and even simple issues in this U.S. course. A professional genealogist leads the discussion, and other students add their ideas for the person presenting the research problem. Everyone knows something different and should feel comfortable contributing ideas.

I look forward to what the students send in and make some notes immediately that may help them when their case is discussed. Already registered so you will receive this letter? Great! Not registered yet? Don’t miss this opportunity! More details on the rest of the course sessions, instructors, and registration link: 

 

Digging Deeper: Records, Tools, and Skills

MyHeritage DNA kits Easter Sale

Paula Stuart-Warren  DNA  ,  Leave a comment

News Release from MyHeritage.

MyHeritage DNA has an Easter sale for just $19.90 in the U.S. (excluding CA, WA, and MD). Order a MyHeritage DNA kit . On the MyHeritage website, free standard shipping for 2 kits. Be sure to check all the details on the order page and especially for when this deal expires. 

“To put that in context, MyHeritage DNA helps people uncover their ethnic origins across 79 ethnicities, find relatives around the world, and unlock powerful genetic genealogy tools — all from a simple cheek swab. It’s one of the easiest and most impactful ways to grow a family tree and make meaningful discoveries.”

 

 

Online Seminar: Understanding Ancestral Occupations

Paula Stuart-Warren  Railroads, Seminars  , , ,  Leave a comment

The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society presents individual webinars and multi-day seminars among other educational offerings. In May, “Work, Craft, and Calling: Understanding Ancestral Occupations” is an online seminar.  As one of the presenters, I am doing a special version of my railroad talks, “Research in Railroad Records and History: Methods for Tracking Workers.” It has more of a New York and surrounding states slant along with some of the basics for railroad research. 

May 15 & 16, 2026, 10:30 a.m.–4:15 p.m. ET | Online via livestream

“This online two-day seminar will explore eight different professional paths of our ancestors as well as available resources and how to locate and interpret key records. All sessions will be recorded and made available to registrants for on-demand viewing through July 16, 2026. Early registration discount ends April 13, 2026, so ensure $26 in savings now! Learn more and register.”