More Minneapolis and Hennepin County City Directories Now Online

Paula Stuart-Warren  City directories, GRIP Genealogy Institute, Hennepin County  , , , , , ,  2 Comments

Exciting news from the Hennepin County Library System! More online and free city directories have been added for Minneapolis and other cities in Hennepin County, Minnesota. The following can now be accessed from the already valuable online collection.

  • Bloomington, 1963-1966
  • Brooklyn Center, 1966-1982
  • Brooklyn Park, 1964-1980
  • Crystal, 1969-1983
  • Edina, 1941-1977
  • Golden Valley, 1951-1981
  • Hopkins, 1942-1977
  • Lake Minnetonka, 1940-1977
  • Minneapolis, 1859-1963
  • Morningside, 1962-1966
  • New Hope/Plymouth/Wayzata, 1964-1983
  • Osseo/Maple Grove, 1977-1982
  • Richfield, 1950-1976
  • Robbinsdale/Crystal, 1937-1981
  • Louis Park, 1933-1977

This announcement fits into one of the sessions I am teaching online June 23-27 . It’s part of GRIP Genealogy Institute and share about ways to learn things like this even before many others know about it! “Mining the Written Words of Repositories, Societies, and their Staff” is just one of the amazing sessions being offered in the virtual course, “Beyond Digging Deeper: Sources, Methods, and Practices.” More details at https://grip.ngsgenealogy.org/courses/beyond-digging-deeper-sources-methods-and-practices/

 

Oh, and the link to view the city directories is https://box2.nmtvault.com/Hennepin2/jsp/RcWebBrowse.jsp

 

 

 

Debuting 2025–2026 NEW Half-Day Single Topic Virtual Seminars

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

I love my webinar audiences. They listen and learn for an hour and then have great questions and comments that I love to address then or research more after the webinar. Questions at the end of some one-hour presentations show me that more info is needed on certain subjects. Commenters say “you didn’t mention” or “did you know about” and that tells me I need to expand on certain subjects. I have files and files of the information from my research but one hour doesn’t always allow for more to be included. I have a plan to remedy that.

In January 2025, I presented a half-day seminar on railroad records for the Peoria, Illinois, Public Library. It was accompanied by a handout totaling 22 pages. As that seminar did and any that I offer will have:

.• Background info on the subject
• What the records include
• Methodology for finding and using the records discussed
• Details on specialized finding aids to locate records
• A section related to the state or region in which the sponsoring organization is located
• Some have mini case studies related to the topic
• Time for questions, comments, and any warranted discussion


An extended handout for these events, covers all these sections with reminders of the content, tips, suggested books and articles on the topic, website links, and a section covering the region in which the virtual seminar is being presented. Handout distribution is sometime reserved for host organization members per the choice of the organization, especially if registration for the seminar is free. It’s a member benefit.

Whether the half-day seminar will be offered free or will have a cost to register is also the choice of the sponsoring organization and their budget. Education is not always free.

When an organization contacts me about doing a virtual presentation, I email a detailed set of details on my presentation services and the fees for different types of presentations and recording availability. I have updated that to reflect the NEW offering of a half-day seminar on one topic. More topics will be added later.

So, what are the initial half-day seminar topics?

  • Research in Railroad Records and Railroad History: Methods for Tracking Workers

  • The WPA Era? A New Deal of a Free Records Boon from the Government

  • Sources and Methods for Researching Native American Connections

  • Finding Astounding Family and Business Details in Manuscripts and Special Collections Repositories

 

Genealogical, historical, business, and community organizations may email me at PaulaStuartWarren at gmail.com for this information. Please provide me with some options as to when you might wish to schedule so I can check my calendar. I have open times throughout May-December of 2025 and into 2026

 

 

My April webinar is a Top 10 for April at Legacy Family Tree Webinars

Paula Stuart-Warren  Webinars  , ,  Leave a comment

From Geoff Rasmussen at Legacy Family Tree Webinars! Always a delight to hear good news from Geoff and the team.

 

 

“We’ve crunched the data and unveiled the Top 10 most-watched webinars of April 2025! Did your go-to genealogy gurus make the cut? Ready to discover fresh insights? This list is your passport to new learning adventures! With 2,404 classes in our exclusive Legacy Family Tree Webinar library, thousands of genealogists dive in each month to sharpen their research skills. These Top 10 (well, 30) were the absolute favorites this April! Have you explored these gems? Are your favorites on the list? Or are you about to uncover a hidden treasure? Let this inspire you to unlock new discoveries and make your genealogy journey even more thrilling!”

The Top 10 for April 2025

Foundations in DNA 2 of 5: Understanding and Using Y-DNA and mtDNA by Blaine Bettinger, Ph.D., J.D

Translating, Transcribing and Summarizing Documents Using AI by Thomas MacEntee

Beautifully lay out and print your family history book on any budget by Rhonda Lauritzen

DNA Meets the Paper Trail: Pedigree Triangulation Strategies for Early 19th-Century Research by Diana Elder, AG, AGL

Picture the Past: An Introduction to AI Images for Family Historians by Steve Little and Mark Thompson

Neglected Gold in Older Genealogical and Historical Periodicals by Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FMGS, FUGA

Organizing Your Genealogy Files by Drew Smith

Finding Great-Granny’s Family: Four Words and DNA by Cathie Sherwood

“A Matrimonial Advertiser:” Tracing the Treacherous Trail of an Early 20th-Century Romance Scammer by Sharon Hoyt, CG

From Research to Writing: AI Tools for Genealogists by Nicole Elder Dyer

 

A $49.95 annual membership in Legacy Family Tree Webinars provides handouts and access to more than  2,400 past webinars and 9,500 pages of accompanying syllabus material. My affiliate link for memberships is  http://legacy.familytreewebinars.com/?aid=1739. 

My webinar syllabus on periodicals is 6 pages long with tips, reminders, and lots of links! Don’t forget that the accompanying syllabus for each webinar is a membership benefit.

 

 

Minnesota State Capitol mall to honor tribal nations with a Tribal Flag Plaza

Paula Stuart-Warren  Minnesota, Native American  ,  Leave a comment

29 April 2025 on Minnesota Public Radio.

Many of my readers know of my years of extensive Native American research for Tribes and individuals. I was pleased to learn about the Tribal Flag Plaza being built on the Capitol Mall in the beautiful area of the Minnesota State Capitol building. The mall area has several such dedicated areas.

Excerpts from the story: “The state’s Capitol Mall will see some changes over the next decade. The Capitol Mall Design Framework aims to develop the mall into a welcoming space for more Minnesotans and to represent the state’s diversity better.”

“The design plan includes a Tribal Flag Plaza, located in the Lower Capitol Mall. The plaza will feature flags from each of the 11 federally recognized tribes in the state. He says the board worked with tribal liaisons from the Office of Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan to coordinate meetings with tribes.”

Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan is a member of one of those 11 Tribes, the White Earth Nation.
.https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/04/29/minnesota-state-capitol-will-honor-tribal-nations-with-a-tribal-flag-plaza

 

National DNA Day April 25th means sales on DNA testss

Paula Stuart-Warren  Uncategorized  Leave a comment

“National DNA Day is a unique day when students, teachers and the public can learn more about genetics and genomics. The day commemorates the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003 and the discovery of DNA’s double helix in 1953.” https://www.genome.gov/dna-day.

Check the various genealogy DNA testing companies (Ancestry.com, FamilyTreeDNA, MyHeritage, 23andMe, and Living DNA) to see what test kit sales are available to commemorate this day.

 

Volunteer month and week needs us to participate in the genealogy world

Paula Stuart-Warren  Genealogical Societies, Uncategorized, volunteers  , , ,  1 Comment

April is National Volunteer Month and this week, 20-26 April, is National Volunteer Week. Last night I did some thinking about my volunteer activities over the years. You don’t need to read all these, but it might give you some ideas of where you can be of help. The friends and colleagues I gained from all these added to my quality of life and my genealogy life. I gained but so did the communities that I and others have served.

My point is that genealogy should not always be a singular activity. Volunteering is networking. Over the worktable or a lunch table you might find someone who knows about researching in the new to you county in New York. Another committee member might know which is the best index for birth and death records in one of your ancestral states. Volunteer time is not wasted time but is excellent helping and learning time. What have you done as a volunteer in our genealogy community? First, join some genealogical and historical societies and get involved. Start by offering short-term help and see how and where you fit in. It is work but we all need to do our part. What are you doing to be a volunteer and to honor other volunteers this week and at any time throughout the year?


• In high school, I was a Red Cross volunteer and was a candy striper at a hospital for a while. I was working two jobs so there wasn’t a lot of free time.

• When my children were in elementary school, I was a volunteer chaperone, on a fundraising committee, and some other activities. It was a great way to meet more of my children’s friends and their parents. I did one volunteer job for my oldest granddaughter’s school.

• Then came genealogy. I joined the Minnesota Genealogical Society and checked yes on the membership form asking if I wanted to be a volunteer. One of the smartest moves of my life. Served on the Board of Directors, ran the library, started the education program, served on multiple committees. All were part of my own genealogy education.

• Served as an officer of the Association of Professional Genealogists, President of the Northland Chapter of APG, served on the Professional Management Conference committee, and other committees. I also served on committees for the Board for Certification of Genealogists.

• Served on several committees for the National Genealogical Society and a joint one for the NGS and FGS.

• Served on the Board of Directors of the former Federation of Genealogical Societies and on various committees. Co-chaired three of the annual conferences and for many years on the conference committee. Began the first blog for FGS.

• Volunteered with a religious archive and at a county historical society. Great way to learn about the inner workings of these.

• All of this added to my experience, knowledge, education, abilities, and provided many special connections. I served along with some pretty incredible and caring people.

 

 

My next two virtual presentations are “in” New Hampshire and Washington

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

April 26, 2025. Saturday Virtual Presentation as part of the New Hampshire Society of Genealogists Virtual Spring Conference. Three speakers on writing and publishing. My topic is “A Baker’s Dozen: Easy Ways to Begin Writing Your Family History” and registrants receive a syllabus and access to recordings of the sessionshttps://www.nhsog.org/conferences.


May 17, 2025. Saturday Webinar. South King County Genealogical Society. 10:00 a.m. PDT, Noon CDT. Happy to be going back to the SKCGS. My topic “The WPA Era: Free Records Boon from the Government” is accompanied by a handout. It includes WPA and New Deal info for every researcher plus some special Washington and Oregon projects that are available to researchers. https://www.skcgs.org/home


These are followed by several weeks of me working intensely on my 14 presentations for the virtual week of GRIP Genealogy Institute June 22-27, 2025. I know the other instructors will be doing the same. For more details and registration links visit the details on my Speaking tab above. Each includes an extensive syllabus, instructor and student interaction, and two week access to the session recordings!

Digging Deeper: Sources, Methods and Practices (I am the Coordinator and an instructor in 11 sessions and we have several other fabulous instructors.)

The Spirit of the Inland Seas: Research in the Great Lakes Region (Cari Taplin is the Coordinator and I am one of the instructors for 3 sessions.)

 

Legacy Family Tree Webinars 1/2 price for new members!

Paula Stuart-Warren  Webinars  ,  Leave a comment

From the team at Legacy Family Tree Webinars. 15th Anniversary special for new members.

To celebrate the 15th anniversary of Legacy Family Tree Webinars, we’re giving you 50% off a full year of genealogy education. For a limited time, you can become a member for just $25!

Claim your $25 membership now >>
Offer valid for new memberships only, and expires on April 30, 2025 at 11:59PM. https://legacy.familytreewebinars.com/checkout.php?retain_errors=Y&retain_notices=Y&template_package=lfts_4039-1457468776-v3&coupon_codes=spring25

Fifteen years ago, we launched our very first genealogy webinar. More than 2,000 classes and millions of discoveries later, we’re still passionate about helping people like you uncover their family’s past—one story at a time.

With your membership, you’ll get:

✅ Anytime access to 2,300+ webinars from 456 of genealogy’s best educators
✅ 9,400+ pages of syllabus materials you can download and keep
✅ This year’s members-only monthly series: “AI for Genealogists”
✅ Our exclusive series: “The Best of Elizabeth Shown Mills: Genealogy Problem Solving”
✅ This year’s 24-Hour Genealogy Webinar Marathon recordings
✅ All-new classes added weekly
✅ Access to our bonus TechZone videos and Webinar Shorts—a collection of 20-minutes-or-less instructional videos

What our members are saying:

“A 7-minute TechZone presentation of yours enabled me to break through a decades-long research brick wall.” – Sandy from North Carolina

“I just found my grandparents marriage license last night in New York after the MyHeritage webinar.” – Karen from Pennsylvania

“Hooray! I just found the 2nd marriage for my maternal great-grandfather – something I’ve wanted to know for YEARS!!!” – Leah from Washington

Whether you’re just starting your tree or you’ve been researching for decades, there’s always more to discover—and now’s the perfect time to dive in.

Get your $25 membership now—offer ends April 30 >>

Thanks for being part of our journey. We can’t wait to see what the next 15 years will bring!

 

 

 

Upper Midwest Genealogy Institute Registration, April 21st!

Paula Stuart-Warren  Institutes, Minnesota Genealogical Society, Uncategorized  , , ,  Leave a comment

If you’ve checked my Speaking calendar lately you likely noticed this listing.

August 8-9, 2025. Two-day in-person Institute as part of the Minnesota Genealogical Society‘s education programs. The NEW Upper Midwest Genealogical Institute (UMGI)! Join us for this special institute held at the Midwest Genealogy Center in the Saint Paul/Minneapolis suburb of Mendota Heights. Amidst other great presenters, I am presenting two sessions. Full details https://mngs.org/upper-midwest-genealogy-institute.

“The 2025 UMGI focuses on finding and using records to solve Upper Midwest research problems. UMGI’s Upper Midwest focus includes Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, the Dakotas, and neighboring portions of surrounding states.”

REGISTRATION IS OPEN on Monday, 21 April 2025. Visit the UMGI page on Monday to register. Before then visit https://mngs.org/upper-midwest-genealogy-institute to learn about the lineup of sessions, instructors, hotel arrangements, and other details.