Introduction to Genealogy Workshop
Tues, Aug 23 at 6:00pmFree admission. Light refreshments and babysitting will be provided. We will cover topics such as DNA testing, genealogy mapping, family history resources, and more!
Have you seen the popular TV shows Who Do You Think You Are, Genealogy Roadshow or Long Lost Family, where individuals connect with their ancestral roots or biological families? It’s no surprise that the hobby of genealogy has dramatically increased in popularity over the last decade.
Did you know that beyond an interesting hobby, knowing about one’s family history has been proven to be a powerful tool to help children cope in today’s world? In an Emory University study published in the Journal of Family Life, it was documented, “Children show higher levels of emotional well-being if they know stories about relatives who came before them…[because] family stories provide a sense of identity through time, and help children understand who they are in the world.”
“Children show higher levels of emotional well-being if they know stories about relatives who came before them…[because] family stories provide a sense of identity through time, and help children understand who they are in the world.”
Many people have the desire to connect with their roots and to leave a family legacy for the future generations, but they aren’t sure where to start. Maybe they’ve been told family stories, but the details are a bit fuzzy and they would benefit from some fact-checking. Or maybe their parents and grandparent were tight-lipped about the past, so they really know very little and would like to fill in the gaps. These individuals want to take the scattered bits and pieces of their family’s history and put them into a cohesive form that can be shared and preserved for the future.
In the not-to-distant past, family history research required trips to courthouses or libraries near and far to browse through dusty, forgotten records, or crank reels of microfilm in hopes of finding a shred of evidence about the family. Now historical records are being digitized at a rapid rate with online availability at websites like Ancestry.com or FamilySearch.org. And to top things off, it’s now easy to share stories and historic photos via social media or our smartphone apps.
Modern technology and science are also making family connections possible with DNA testing in the fast-growing field of genetic genealogy. Often decades-old brick walls that cannot be solved with traditional research alone are being toppled by the submission of a saliva sample in a test tube. The possibility of connecting with genetic cousins or learning more about one’s ethnic roots has attracted nearly 4 million people to DNA test in just the last 5 years. Have you thought about what your DNA might tell you?
Getting started with family history research can be fun and addicting! There are many tools and resources online that the search can literally begin in your armchair in your pajamas. Having a basic foundation in the knowledge and methods to get started will help maximize your success in discovering new information about your family.
Do you have a famous (or infamous) character somewhere in your family tree? Do you know the stories of your heritage, culture and traditions? Would you like to put names to the faces in that old album of unidentified photos? Do you want to connect with cousins with whom you share the DNA of your ancestors? It’s all about discovering, sharing and celebrating the lives of those who came before us, who made us uniquely who we are today.
Wills & Wellness Estate Planning will be hosting a special Introduction to Genealogy program by professional genealogist and national speaker Deena Coutant. Deena will inspire you to get started with your own personal journey of discovery and will guide you down the path of genealogical success. Come learn how to incorporate your family history, DNA, photos and stories into something special to be preserved for future generations.
DNA test kits will be available for purchase at the end of the class. Free admission. Light refreshments and babysitting will be provided.
Please RSVP here – https://willsandwellness.com/genealogy-workshop/