Description

Harford County Public Library is offering its 4th Annual Genealogy Conference on Saturday, February 25, from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Bel Air Armory, 37 North Main Street in Bel Air. The conference kicks off with "Finding Your Ancestors: Resources and Search Strategies," led by Eva Slezak, assistant manager of the social science and history department at the Enoch Pratt Free Library/State Resource Center in Baltimore. Slezak will discuss search strategies and resources to avoid potential detours, possible ways to break through roadblocks and tips to finding missing information on the family tree. Angela McGhie, a professional researcher, lecturer and instructor, will discuss "Read All About Your Ancestors." This session will focuses on newspapers as a valuable resource--how to determine which newspapers were printed when your ancestors lived and how to access them now. McGhie will also discuss "Creating an Effective Research Plan" to help attendees learn how to focus a research objective and identify sources that may help with research questions. Shannon Combs-Bennett, a writer and lecturer on topics such as genetics and methodology, will address "Introduction to Genetic Genealogy" and discuss how genetic genealogy is a rapidly evolving tool for genealogists. She will follow up that discussion with "What Your Chromosomes Can Tell You About Your Family." The most common chromosome test can be helpful in locating cousins, determining ethnic heritage and finding more information on female ancestors. Resource table exhibitors include Enoch Pratt Free Library, Digital Maryland, Colonel Aquila Hall Chapter of the Maryland Sons of the American Revolution and Hereditary Order of the Signers of the Bush Declaration, Coyle Studios, Living Treasures: HCPL Oral Histories, FamilySearch, Maryland State Archives, Historical Society of Harford County and Gov. William Paca Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Space at the conference is limited and advance registration is required by visiting hcplonline.org or by calling any Harford County Public Library. There is no fee to attend the conference.