The full Expo program is available online.
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All sessions are listed alphabetically. For a list by time offered, please view the schedule.
Voices from the Valley, is a new audio documentary website featuring the people and stories of Southern Minnesota. Dave will discuss the origins of the project, play a few audio pieces, and explore how audio documentary might relate to those conducting genealogical research.
Dave Engen, Ph.D. is an MSU Associate Professor in the Department of Speech Communication and Co-Director of Voices from the Valley. In 2005 and 2006 he took courses in audio documentary at Duke University’s Center for Documentary Studies and for the past several years has worked to integrate audio storytelling into his teaching and research.
This is an introductory session about this popular genealogy resource. Topics will include: pricing, availability, searching tips, and content.
Instructor: TBA
Learning the “basics” of genealogy research can save many hours in the quest for your ancestors. There are some records to search as you get started that can save you hours of work. More information can be gathered the first time by following a few simple rules.
Instructor: Beth Mullinax, Irish Genealogical Society, Intl.
Census Records are the most important and most accessible records that we have for researching our ancestors. There are all kinds of information to be found on the census besides the usual family members, their ages and place of birth. You might even find the answer to your “brick wall”.
Instructor: Beth Mullinax, Irish Genealogical Society, Intl.
Gustavus Adolphus College houses records of the Minnesota and Red River Valley conferences, Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church and its successors. This presentation will focus on congregational records that include membership and pastoral acts.
Instructors: Jeff Jenson and Edi Thorstensson, Gustavus Adolphus College
Citizenship papers can provide a wealth of information about your immigrant ancestors, including birth dates, ports of arrival, last place of residence in the old country and next of kin. Learn about the historical process of naturalization, along with tips for doing research in these fascinating records.
Instructor: Alison Purgiel, Minnesota Historical Society Library
Free internet sites useful for most genealogy research.
Instructor: Amy Saulnier
See demonstrations of and learn more about Family Tree Maker, PAF, and more.
Instructor: Jeff Jenson, Gustavus Adolphus College
Instructor: Leonnie Osborne, North Mankato LDS Family History Center
Learn about the history of land records and what you might expect to find in them.
Instructor: Daardi Sizemore, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Get a tour of the MSU library with a special emphasis on genealogical and Minnesota resources.
Instructor: MSU Library Staff
New enhancements to databases featuring vital records and photographs allow users to add comments, additional information about family members, and link to other records and websites. This presentation will focus on WOTR (Write on the Record) a new annotation feature on the birth and death records indexes and photo and art database at the MHS and Placeography, a wiki focused on buildings and places that anyone can add to or edit.
Instructor: Tracey Baker, Minnesota Historical Society Library
Learn the basics of capturing and presenting family stories with digital audio equipment. Topics discussed will range from interviewing techniques to an introduction to the recording equipment available at the Blue Earth County Historical Society.
Instructor: Dave Engen, Minnesota State University, Mankato
History or Family History: the genealogical standard of proof is relevant. How it was applied to document the route used by the Army to escort the Dakota Indian family members to the Fort Snelling internment camp in 1862.
Instructor: Mary Hawker Bakeman, Park Genealogical Books
Learn how to tap into federal government documents for your genealogical research.
Instructor: Evan Rusch, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Resources available to find elusive birth, marriage, and death information in the 19th century.
Instructor: Mary Hawker Bakeman, Park Genealogical Books
If you have suggestions for sessions or are interested in being a speaker, please contact us.
