There
are a handful of "cluster" Eastern European communities throughout
the United States that blossomed during the immigration influx of the
late 19th and early 20th centuries. This class will continue on from
the basic research class, focusing on how to expand your research beyond
your own family into a more community-oriented protocol, how to network
with fellow researchers through groups and societies, to establish a
mutually beneficial relationship with others researching ancestors from
the same village/area, as well as how building a core group of individuals
who can consolidate research projects, organize gatherings/reunions,
share information, develop a Web site, and more!
Bio:
Lisa A.
Alzo
Lisa Alzo,
grew up in Duquesne, Pennsylvania, and earned a Master of Fine Arts
degree in Nonfiction Writing from the University of Pittsburgh. She
is the author of five books: Three Slovak Women, Baba's Kitchen: Slovak
& Rusyn Family Recipes and Traditions (both by Gateway Press), Finding
Your Slovak Ancestors (Heritage Productions), Pittsburgh's Immigrants
and the recently released, Slovak Pittsburgh (both by Arcadia Publishing),
as well as numerous magazine articles. Lisa has spent more than 15 years
researching her Slovak roots. She is the Second Vice President for FEEFHS,
and also serves as on the Board of Directors for the Czechoslovak Genealogical
Society International. Lisa is a frequently invited speaker for national
conferences, and genealogical/historical societies. For more information
see www.lisaalzo.com
LESSON
TITLES
Lesson
1: Identifying Cluster Communities in the United States
A. How to Locate "Cluster" Communities (Czech, Polish, Russian,
Slovak, etc.)
B. U.S. Maps
C. U.S. Census Records
D. Immigration Data (Ellis Island database; Steve Morse's tools; traditional
microfilm research)
E. Local Newspapers
F. Analyzing, Interpreting and Organizing Your Data
G. Preserving Eastern European Heritage in the 21st Century through
traditions, food/recipes and religious/social customs
Lesson
2: Other In-depth U.S. Records Research
A. Church Records
B. Military Records
C. LDS Family History Catalog
D. U.S. Passport Applications
E. Fraternal Societies and Other Organizations
F. Historical Societies, Libraries, Museums and Universities
G. Other/Miscellaneous Records
Lesson
3: Utilizing National Groups/Societies
A. National Organizations - General
FEEFHS
Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International
Society for Czech and Slovak Arts & Sciences
B. Ethno-specific
· Austrian
· Carpatho-Rusyn
· Croatian
· Czech
· German
· Hungarian
· Lithuanian
· Polish
· Romanian
· Russian
· Serbian
· Slovak
· Slovenian
· Ukrainian
· Yugoslavian
· Other
C. Finding a Local Chapter
D. Eastern European Conferences
Lesson
4: Oh, Canada! Checking Across the Border
A. What if Your Ancestor Settled in Canada?
B. Vital Records
C. Census Records
D. Immigration and Naturalization Records
E. Land and Property
F. Probate and Other Court Documents
G. Military Records
H. Other
Lesson
5: Online Resources: Searching Smarter
A. Family Search
B. Ancestry.com
C. Cyndi's List
D. Ellis Island Database
E. Steven Morse's Web Site
F. Genealogy.com
G. FEEFHS Web Site
H. LinktoYourRoots
I. HALGAL
J. RootsWeb
K. Jewisgen.org
L. Google
M. GenSmarts
N. Linkpendium
O. MyHeritage.com
P. Genealogy Bank
Lesson
6: Finding Eastern European Cousins
A. Building on Lesson 1
B. Networking Protocols
· Web and Directory Searches
· Newspaper/Journal/Magazine and Other Publication Advertisements
C. Message Boards
D. Classes
E. Planning a Trip to the Ancestral Homeland
Lesson 7: Village-Based Associations
A. Should You Form One?
B. Who's in Charge?
C. Funding issues
D. Identifying a Core Group of Individuals
E. Consolidating Research Projects
F. Fundraising and Other Projects
G. Sharing the Work
H. Recruiting "New Blood"
I. Keeping the Momentum Going
J. Expanding the Circle to the Ancestral Village
K. Making Contact with Relatives and Others in Homeland
L. Planning a Gathering or Reunion
Lesson 8: Publishing and Sharing Your Information with Others
A. Options for Publishing and Sharing Information
· Traditional Print Forms (newsletters, booklets, etc.)
· Electronic Publishing (e-books, electronic newsletters, CDs/DVDs)
B. E-mail Lists
C. Web Sites
· Public Web Site
· Private Web Site (myfamily.com)
D. Revising and Updating Information
G. Miscellaneous Resources
|
Lisa A. Alzo