FEB. 20 -- North Hills Genealogists Meeting / 7:00 pm Tuesday Feb. 20 “The German Community in Allegheny City” will be presented by guest speaker Mr. John Canning of the Allegheny City Society at the 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 20, 2001, meeting of the North Hills Genealogists in the Northland Public Library, 300 Cumberland Road, McCandless Township, Pittsburgh, PA 15237. “The German Community in Allegheny City” will trace development of the German community in Allegheny City, including religious and fraternal organizations and prominent individuals. Focusing on the 19th century, this talk will be of value to all with “Germanic” ancestors in our region, encompassing those from Alsace Lorraine, Switzerland, and other German speaking areas in addition to those who immigrated from what we call Germany today. Mr. John Canning is a history teacher in the Mount Lebanon School district and a lifelong North-Sider, half in Brighton Heights and half in Allegheny West, who has always had an interest in local history and is an active member of the Allegheny City Society. The meeting is free and open to the public. ______________________________ BEGINNING GENEALOGY CLASS now being formed at the Community College of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA. Please note the cost is the same for this particular class whether or not you are an Allegheny County resident. WHO: Elissa Scalise Powell, CGRS will be teaching WHAT: a 5-week class covering how to begin searching for your family roots including a field trip to the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh to work on your own family research with teacher guidance. WHEN: Sundays, 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. starting on February 18, 2001 WHERE: CCAC, North Campus, 8701 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh, PA (on Rt. 19, one traffic light south of Cumberland Road) WHY: Because you want more information on how to find your ancestors! HOW MUCH: $39 for 15 hours of instruction HOW: Register with CCAC for course YCA-007-1411 via phone at (412) 237-2670 or (724) 325-6626, by fax (with credit card and SSN) to (412) 237-6504 or by mail to Registration, 8701 Perry Highway, Pgh, 15237. Walk-in registrations can be taken. MORE QUESTIONS? (412) 369-3737. ________________________________ Thursday, February 22, 2001, 7:30 p.m., Ben Avon Historical Society The Ben Avon Historical Society meetings are free and open to the public and held at the Community United Presbyterian Church of Ben Avon, 7501 Church Ave. "Your Own Detective Story: The How & Why of Genealogy" will be presented by Elissa Scalise Powell, CGRS. Each person's genealogy is their own detective story which must solve the who, what, when, where, and why of the family history. The five W's are briefly introduced with an explanation of "Why Genealogy?" Once the facts that answer the five W's start to emerge, the how of organizing becomes pertinent. Research tips, how-to's and how-not-to's are peppered throughout the presentation of an organizational system that includes the five essential genealogical forms, discussion of the home files, including proof and resource files; the working files, including what to take to the library; and a research tracking system. Internet sources and resources will also be shown and discussed. This lecture should give the beginner a solid foundation of how to record the information they gather with source citations, and confidence to know how to accomplish their goals - no matter which "Why Genealogy?" reason brings them here. ___________________________________________ Saturday, March 10, 2001, 10 a.m., WPGS meeting Western PA Genealogical Society monthly meetings are free and open to the public and held in the Lecture Hall of the Carnegie Library/Museum, 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213. "Messages From the Grave: Listening to Your Ancestor's Tombstone" will be presented by Elissa Scalise Powell, CGRS. Tombstones are the last monument to our lives on this earth. In their shape and inscribed symbols, they can speak of the lifestyle of the deceased or the attitude of death of the loved ones left behind. They are being destroyed by many factors which make them illegible or eradicate them altogether. Abandoned and "lost" cemeteries can be found through records and natural signs. Discussion includes ways to read "illegible" stones, which may be the last time a person may hear the tombstone "speak." This colorful slide lecture illustrates these techniques and shows what problems are encountered in reading a variety of markers. Internet sources and resources will also be discussed. For any questions, you may call the society's answering machine at (412) 687-6811. _________________________________________________ SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2001 SLIPPERY ROCK HERITAGE ASSOCIATION - 13th Annual Genealogical Workshop at Slippery Rock University Union Building, Slippery Rock, PA 16057 8:30AM - REGISTRATION (juice, cookies) 9:00 am Welcome - Helen Staiger, Workshop Chair Noon Buffet Lunch (pre-registration only), door prizes, vendor or library break 4:00 pm Close of workshop Speaker: Leslie Smith Collier - nationally known for her interesting and informative lectures. Enthusiastic, alive, funny - Leslie explains methods better than anyone! With her practical, 'how-to' handouts, Leslie will help explain in an hour what you didn't understand after months or years of research. Leslie is a former teacher and administrator and currently teaches in the community college system. She is a well known lecturer for NGS, FGS, GENTECH (national genealogical organizations), and has been the featured speaker at state and regional conferences. She is a member and Director of many genealogical societies. Program: FADED PAGES: Families With Few Records - Researching certain ancestors can make genealogists tear out what little hair is left on our heads. Learn to produce results when you find hopelessly unremarkable ancestors. What other avenues of research, records, time periods, and places are most likely to shed light on your darkest corners? Examples across American history give you a fresh perspective on problems. IN DEEDS I TRUST (and So Should You) - Do dry and dusty land records hold no allure? No! This is a case study of three generations of a pioneering family who lacked the genealogical foresight to leave a will or even a marriage record. Land records alone prove every genealogical question. Understand the significance of deeds. Examine their terminology to establish migrations and maiden names, to uncover occupations, to specify family relationships, to provide proof of marriage and death, and to identify allied families. HAVE YOU GOT IT ALL? - Psst...do you hanker to outmaneuver the dead? Are you convinced that your ancestors knew you were coming and deliberately hid the records? There is hope. Learn to rest easy, secure in the knowledge of having done everything possible to locate these records. Where must you look, and where are potential trouble spots? CLEANING OUT THE CLUTTER: Organizing Your Information! - It is possible, even with lots of paper, little time, and a tight budget. A suggested 'how to' for your files, document and photos, and computer. Includes info on both Internet and low-cost book publication. ALSO AVAILABLE: Photographer to copy your old photos from 9am-noon (deposit required); LDS computer database search; SRU Library research; vendors Registration: $28.00 (includes buffet lunch -- must be postmarked by March 22) POSTMARK AFTER MARCH 22, OR AT DOOR: $28.00 /lunch on your own (local restaurant map available) Please mail and make check payable to: SLIPPERY ROCK HERITAGE ASSOCIATION - GENEALOGY WORKSHOP BOX 511 SLIPPERY ROCK, PA. 16057 PLEASE TYPE, OR PRINT LEGIBLY - (please include phone # in case we need to contact you.) any questions: call Helen Staiger (724) 794-4627 or email: geniespeak@aol.com ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.