Ever since Alex Haley documented his family history in Roots: The Saga of An American Family (1976), Americans have been on a growing quest to learn more about their own roots. The surge in interest has turned genealogy into one of the most popular hobbies in America, and a multi-billion dollar industry. Television programs like Who Do You Think You Are? and Finding Your Roots are examples of our ongoing fascination with connecting the dots. Possibly the biggest reason for the popularity of genealogy is the wealth of information that can be found online. In just minutes, you can discover more than you ever knew via Family Search, or by just doing some creative Googling!
Genealogy is far from an individual pursuit! Practitioners are eager to share their findings, tricks, and tips. It’s easy to find forums and message boards online; as well as local organizations that hold meetings and conferences.
As the history of the Workman and Temple families factors greatly into our exploration of Los Angeles history, we think about genealogy a lot at the Homestead! Over the years, many people have come to us for advice or to verify their research findings, and members of our staff have become increasingly skilled in conducting research. As a result, we’re pleased to announce the debut of an introductory two-part genealogy workshop called It’s All Relative: Researching Family History, taking place Saturdays, February 21 and March 7. Topics covered in the first session include getting started with your research, organizing your information, and learning about places to find information—both in person and online. The second session will provide attendees with an opportunity to share the progress made in their research (or to vent about where they got stuck!) and dig deeper into more advanced research tools and techniques. A few spots remain, so if this is a pursuit you are ready to begin, please join us! The fee is $25 for adults and $20 for students (12+) and seniors (55+). A resource folder and light refreshments are included.
__________
Thanks to Operations Assistant, Steven Dugan, for this post. He and Sherri Salmas will serve as instructors for the workshop.