Genealogy

2023 State-wide Genealogy Lock-In
Friday, October 20, 2023
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Come celebrate Family History Month with us! DPL and the Denton County Genealogical Society are partnering with other libraries and genealogy societies across Texas to host the Annual Genealogy Lock-In.

You can "come and go" for select workshops, stay for the full day, or view the programs from home. Eight presentations, recorded specifically for this event, will be streamed throughout the day. Refreshments will be served but feel free to bring your own lunch. Librarians and volunteers will be available for one-on-one help, and tours of Special Collections. Sponsored by the Genealogy Network of Texas*.

The event is free, but registration is required for both virtual and in-person options.

Click Here to Register Starting October 1st

Please call (940) 349-8749 or email laura.douglas@cityofdenton.com with questions or for more information.

Agenda for the Day

Angela Breidenbach
9:00 - 10:15 a.m.
Secrets to Successful Writing & Publishing

Angela Breidenbach, Executive Director of the International Institute of Genealogical Studies

Gain a solid overview of the real writing world. Learn the “big picture” and key tools to take your writing to the next level. The presentation will explore a variety of important topics including style, editing, building a portfolio, marketing your work, and more!

Judy Russell
10:25 - 11:15 a.m.
Linking the Generations with Court and Land Records

Judy Russell, JD, CG, CGL, The Legal Genealogist
Sponsored by the Texas Research Ramblers Genealogical Society

It’s the single biggest issue genealogists face: how do we connect one generation to the next with reliable evidence? Vital records are excellent documentation, but they often don’t exist for the time and place we’re researching. We must make sure we’re not simply putting people into family lines because they share the same names. Using court and land records, we can often find the evidence needed to link the generations accurately.

John Versluis
11:25 - 12:15 a.m.
Visiting the Hill College Texas Heritage Museum

John Versluis, Dean of the Texas Heritage Museum at Hill College

This presentation will showcase the Hill College, Texas Heritage Museum with an overview of the Museum’s Galleries and Collection Division and highlight the holdings in the Museum’s Historical Research Center Division. This center is nationally recognized as a Civil War Repository with an extensive collection of maps, photos, and microfilm. Also available is an archive that contains files of soldiers’ letters, diaries, and unpublished manuscripts from all Texas wars.

Irene B. Walters
12:25 - 1:40 p.m.
Genealogy Basics: Start Searching for Your Ancestors Today

Irene B. Walters, Librarian, Family History Research Center at the Clayton Library Campus

Need info on the names, dates, and places your family lived? Interested in finding out how to track down your family stories? Come learn the basics you need to get started! Discover the tools available, starting with home sources and continuing with the types of created records that are useful for genealogical research and where they can be found. Also covered will be ways to stay organized by utilizing paper charts and forms or computer software.

Susan Ball
1:50 - 2:40 p.m.
Tame the Chaos Tiger: Organize Your Records and Research

Susan Ball, President TxSGS

How many times are the solutions to our brick walls found in records we already have? This presentation starts with taming the physical chaos caused by lack of organization and continues with taming the research chaos caused by poorly defined and overlooked research. Explore templates for organizational tools to help organize information and form a research plan.

Elizabeth Hodges
2:50 - 3:40 p.m.
Uncover Your Family’s Story Using the Periodical Source Index (PERSI)

Elizabeth Hodges, MA, MSLIS, Senior Librarian in the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center

Recently made free to the public, the Periodical Source Index (PERSI) is the premier subject index for genealogy and local history periodicals, and is produced by the staff of The Genealogy Center. Learn how to make PERSI your new favorite tool in your family history tool box!

Ryan Russell
3:50 - 4:40 p.m.
Placing Your DNA Matches on Your Tree

Ryan Russell, Genetic Genealogist, Open Door Genetics

When you take a DNA test, you'll receive a match list of mostly strangers. Who are these people, and how are you connected? This session discusses strategies for identifying your DNA matches and determining your common ancestors. Whether your goal is to collect more information about your ancestors or break through brick walls on your tree, gaining a better understanding of your DNA matches can lead to new discoveries.

Heather Mecham
4:50 - 5:40 p.m.
Checking on Czech Immigrants to the United States.

Heather Mecham, Research Specialist for FamilySearch

Identifying the town name of an immigrant ancestor is key to discovering Czech roots. Many United States records can reveal an immigrant’s place of origin. This class highlights United States record types key to Czech research. Learn about FamilySearch resources such as Czechia Guided Research which can help locate the correct Czech Archive once a town name is known.

*“The Genealogy Network of Texas” is the network of individual libraries/societies participating in this annual event. Each organization hosting their own event is tied together by the shared programs that are presented. Our goals are to provide the public a free educational opportunity, connect libraries and societies, and showcase the genealogy collections and resources across Texas.
Logos for all of the event sponsors.