Prior
to the twentieth century, it is typically difficult to locate and trace
a woman. Most historical records have been created for and/or about
men. If you’ve hit a brick wall in the quest to find information
about your female ancestors, this course covers strategies and key sources
to assist you with your research, and will guide you in the process
of writing “her” story.
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 six 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,
Slovak Pittsburgh, and the recently released, Sports Memories of Western
Pennsylvania (all by Arcadia Publishing), as well as numerous magazine
articles. Lisa has spent more than 17 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: Introduction
a. Why are the Women so Hard to Find?
b. Back to Basics: What Do You Already Know?
c. Investigating Home and Family Sources
d. Create a Data Sheet on Each Female Ancestor
e. Creating a Timeline for the Woman
Lesson
2: In "Her" Words
a. Diaries
b. Letters
c. Family Photographs
d. Clothing/Heirlooms/Jewelry/Keepsakes
e. Recipes and Traditions
f. Conducting an Effective Oral History
g. What Can Family Stories Tell You About Your Female Ancestors?
Lesson
3: Finding Clues in Public Records (U.S. & Canadian)
a. Making the Most of Marriage Records
b. Verify with Other Vital Record (birth, death, divorce)
c. Search the Census (U.S. & Canadian)
d. Peruse Other Public Documents (U.S. & Canadian)
e. Land Records
f. Tax Records
g. Probate/Guardianship Records
h. Investigate Immigration & Naturalization Records (U.S. &
Canadian)
Lesson
4: Leave No Stone Unturned
a. Other Methods for Locating Maiden Names
b. Cemetery and Burial Records
c. Funeral Home Records
d. Obituaries
e. Memorial Cards/Remembrances
Lesson
5: Tapping Underused Sources (U.S. & Canadian)
a. Finding Nuggets in Newspapers and Other Printed Sources
b. Military/Pension Records
c. Social Security Death Index
d. Insurance Records
Lesson
6: Special Considerations
a. Investigating the Circumstances of the Woman's Background
b. Social History
c. Naming Practices and Patterns
d. Cultural Considerations (Ethnicity, Rituals and Traditions)
Lesson
7: Telling "Her" Story
a. Importance of Telling and Documenting Your Female Ancestors' Stories
b. Character Sketches/Profiles
c. Audio/Video Recordings
d. Using Photographs, Documents, etc. to Enhance Stories
e. Specific Ways to Celebrate and Honor Your Female Ancestors
i. Scrapbooks
ii. Family Tribute Video (CD, DVD)
iii. Quilts/Other Memorabilia
iv. Web Sites
v. Books
Lesson
8: Overcoming Obstacles/Summary
a. Working Around the Brick Walls
b. Sample Writing Exercises
c. Sample Case Study
d. Summary
e. For Further Reading
|
Lisa A. Alzo