Book a professional genealogist through GEN-FIND. Our presentation options include single lectures, all-day seminars (usually four one-hour sessions), or multi-day conferences. Even online or ZOOM lectures can be accommodated.
With GEN-FIND, your lecture and seminar investments come with everything you’ll need for a memorable event. All sessions come with handout masters, syllabus notes, and digital or projector visual aids, as relevant to the presentation. Plus, your guests will have the chance to interact; and all sessions end with a question-and-answer segment.
Your best bet is to plan your GEN-FIND speaker at least seven (7) months in advance. We do a lot of travelling, and our research keeps our associates fairly busy. However, short-notice seminars still can happen. Availability depends heavily on the date and the location, reach out to us for more information.
Below you’ll find GEN-FIND’s extensive lecture list, all of which are 60-90 minute sessions, other than the Luncheon-Dinner talks which are 30 minutes in length; or you can request a custom lecture to be developed to fit your subject matter by reaching out to us today.
- Genealogical Problem Solving: Professional Techniques for Everyday Success
Learn about useful and effective techniques to identifying and solving your genealogical problems & seemingly ‘brick walls’ from moving your research forward.
- Documenting Your Roots: Avoiding Perennial Problems of Poor Source Referencing
It seems to be a genealogical axiom that beginners and intermediate genealogists refrain or don’t know how to make good source referencing. There is a direct correlation of poor source documentation to sloppy genealogical evaluations and decisions – avoid these pitfalls.
- Preponderance of Evidence Principle: How to Establish a Case When No Documents Seem to Solve the Problem
Learn how to use either the Preponderance of Evidence (POE) principle and the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) to establish a well evaluated case when no documents ‘seem’ to solve the research problem directly nor indirectly.
- Genealogical Correspondence: Who, What When, Where, and Why
Receiving replies on genealogical correspondence can be hit & miss at the best of times. From the onset of your genealogical research, learn about the nack of writing effective genealogical correspondence by understanding — the who, the what, the when, the where and the why – forgetting results out of your correspondence almost every time.
- Tracing Your Ancestor Through Migration Patterns
How many of us have lost track of our ancestors during the process of genealogical discovery? Learn ways of tracing your ancestors thru migration patterns to try and ascertain what became of them. Understand reasons for their migration, how they migrated during the times, and why they migrated to the place they ended-up.
- Who Said I Had to Know Latin! A Summary of Latin for Family Historians & Genealogists
Prior to the 17th century, most of the known Christian world used Latin to create documentation; it was the way of the church and it was the Protestant and Catholic church members who did most of the writings. From this lecture learn some important Latin for use by family historians and genealogists to get one thru these early record collections.
- Getting Started With Your Genealogical Research and Staying Organized
As a beginner, learn methods for starting your genealogical research and keeping organized, for effective strategies in doing so from the onset will propel you into become an efficient researcher, evaluator, and documentor.
- Beginner’s Genealogy Workshop
Learn from this workshop techniques for beginning your family history research project, and methods for staying on-track with it.
- Advanced Genealogical Research Techniques and Getting the Most Out of Your Investigations
Once you understand genealogical research and have been conducting it for some time, learn now some very advanced genealogical techniques for getting the best results out of your investigations. Learn the practices of forensic study to deeply analyze why people did what they did and the decisions that they made in better understanding the best avenues for moving your research forward and beyond those ‘brick wall’ obstacles.
- Armchair Genealogy: Practicing Effective Long-Distance Genealogical Research
In the 21st Century, no more than now, is it possible to conduct your genealogical research primarily via never having to leave your home. So many resources – primary and secondary and circumstantial – have been digitized and placed online. Practice effective long-distance genealogical research by knowing how to conduct effective online searches thru knowing resources and strategies.
- Evaluating Your Evidence Along the Road and Avoid Taking the Wrong Path
One of the prime steps in the Preponderance of Evidence principle or Genealogical Proof Standard is evaluating your evidence, so to avoid taking wrong paths and making incorrect assumptions or assertions. Learn methodologies for effective evaluation of your genealogical evidence.
- They Had to Call Us Something – Clues to Family Names
Meander thru a discussion of first and family names to understand why our parents may have named us what we are and how to understand naming patterns & conventions for many of our British and European ancestors. Learn nicknames that may help you uncover additional birth names to search out during your research phase of your genealogical project.
- Citing Your Sources and the Standards for Acceptable Genealogical Documentation
Learn methodologies for citing your sources during your research and many of the standards genealogists follow for creating acceptable genealogical documentation so that it is meaningful and so someone else can re-find your documented record.
- “Proof” vs. “Evidence” – Evaluation of Historical Information
With this lecture, learn the difference between ‘proof’, ‘evidence’ and ‘information’ when it comes to evaluating historical information and creating an effective Preponderance of Evidence (POE) or Genealogical Proof (GPS) analysis.
See a topic you’re interested in for your event? Contact us today!
* Audio or visual recording is not permitted without prior written permission
- Newspaper Research for the Genealogist: Beyond the Usual
Newspapers can be a wealth of information to a researcher, aside from the usual birth , marriage and death/obituary notices. Learn some important aspects to newspaper collections, what they tell you, what they won’t tell you, and how to use them effectively in your genealogical investigations.
- So Uncle Joe was Buried at Sam Hill: Uncovering the Clues Hidden in the Cemetery
Cemeteries hold some exciting clues to understanding your ancestor, their community and the times that they lived in. Learn to uncover some of the often hidden or obscure clues in a cemetery that can provide you with a good understanding of your ancestor and others that lived in his or her community.
- The Elusive Ancestor: Using Unused Sources to Locate Your Relative
Take your ancestor from being elusive to being well-known and understood by using many unused or under-used record sources to locate your relatives and other blood connections.
- Using Professionals to Help Bridge the Ancestral Gap
One thing that genealogists need are peers that they can rely on. Professional researchers often know sources and strategies for effective investigations that you may not yet be familiar with. That includes professionals that can help you with your genealogical problem resolutions. Learn of elements to consider discussing with your hired professional genealogist & others to try and bridge those ancestral gaps.
- What a Wealth of Information in That Old Will!!
Last Wills and Testaments can be wealth of information for a family historian. The can learn a host of exciting bits of information of Wills that can help you pull together more on a person’s ancestry and descending generations. Learn some often elusive clues found in these document collections often overlooked.
- A General Overview of Graveyards and Their Full Potential as Sources for Genealogists
Learn from an expert professional, the full potential of graveyards and gravestones, including the record collections that come with them, in understanding your ancestors, the community, and the times that they lived in. Graveyards clues can provide one with an excellent source in multiple generational reconstructions of families.
See a topic you’re interested in for your event? Contact us today!
* Audio or visual recording is not permitted without prior written permission
- Genealogical Research Reports: Tips, Techniques & Standards for Documentation
As a professional genealogist preparing thousands of reports, learn some important tips, techniques and standards for formal documenting your genealogical findings in order to make them clear & accurate, whether it be for a paid client or just for yourself.
- Twenty-Five Tips in Sixty Minutes
In a sixty minute lecture, learn twenty-five important tips for staying focused and on-course with your genealogical research.
- Strategies for Aggressive Genealogical Research & Staying Focused
Learn a host of strategies for conducting aggressive genealogical research and keeping the project well-focused with sustained results.
- The Ancestral Trail: Genealogical Problem-Solving Through Case Analysis
The lecture, thru case analysis, looks at a series of genealogical problem solving analyses to keep one on the ancestral trail.
- Grandma’s Gone Hi-Tech: Following Her Paper Trail via Electronic Sources
Today, Grandma and Grandpa are as adapt at using electronic online sources as the young people. The lecture emphasizes the online sources available to everyone, including Grandma, to help may their genealogical paper trails and ancestral hunt truly effective and efficient.
- 20th Century Research – Effective Research Strategies for the Advanced Genealogist: The Forensic Case Study on the Estate of ‘Cyril Frank Keel’
Lecture analyses a forensic case that we conducted early on in our corporate history that undertook step-by-step effective research strategies to its positive resolution for the client – strategies that any one can employ!
See a topic you’re interested in for your event? Contact us today!
* Audio or visual recording is not permitted without prior written permission
- Genealogical Research in Alberta
This lecture discusses the major genealogical source collections in the province that all genealogists should become familiar with in order to effectively explore all the important source records of genealogical significance in Alberta.
- Genealogical Research in British Columbia
This lecture discusses the major genealogical source collections in the province that all genealogists should become familiar with in order to effectively explore all the important source records of genealogical significance in British Columbia.
- Genealogical Research in Manitoba
This lecture discusses the major genealogical source collections in the province that all genealogists should become familiar with in order to effectively explore all the important source records of genealogical significance in Manitoba.
- Genealogical Research in New Brunswick
This lecture discusses the major genealogical source collections in the province that all genealogists should become familiar with in order to effectively explore all the important source records of genealogical significance in New Brunswick.
- Genealogical Research in Newfoundland & Labrador
This lecture discusses the major genealogical source collections in the province that all genealogists should become familiar with in order to effectively explore all the important source records of genealogical significance in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Genealogical Research in Nova Scotia
This lecture discusses the major genealogical source collections in the province that all genealogists should become familiar with in order to effectively explore all the important source records of genealogical significance in Nova Scotia.
- Genealogical Research in Ontario
This lecture discusses the major genealogical source collections in the province that all genealogists should become familiar with in order to effectively explore all the important source records of genealogical significance in Ontario.
- Genealogical Research in Prince Edward Island
This lecture discusses the major genealogical source collections in the province that all genealogists should become familiar with in order to effectively explore all the important source records of genealogical significance in Prince Edward Island.
- Genealogical Research in Quebec
This lecture discusses the major genealogical source collections in the province that all genealogists should become familiar with in order to effectively explore all the important source records of genealogical significance in Quebec.
- Genealogical Research in Saskatchewan
This lecture discusses the major genealogical source collections in the province that all genealogists should become familiar with in order to effectively explore all the important source records of genealogical significance in Saskatchewan.
- Genealogical Research in the Yukon, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories
This lecture discusses the major genealogical source collections in the three Canadian territories that all genealogists should become familiar with in order to effectively explore all the important source records of genealogical significance in the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunvut.
- An Overview of Advanced Genealogical Research in Scotland
This lecture discusses the major and some important secondary genealogical source collections in the state that all genealogists should become familiar with in order to effectively explore all the important source records of genealogical significance in Scotland and the Scottish Islands.
- An Overview of Advanced Genealogical Research in Ireland
This lecture discusses the major and some important secondary genealogical source collections in the country that all genealogists should become familiar with in order to effectively explore all the important source records of genealogical significance in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
- An Overview of Advanced Genealogical Research in England & Wales
This lecture discusses the major and some important secondary genealogical source collections in the state that all genealogists should become familiar with in order to effectively explore all the important source records of genealogical significance in England and Wales.
- Dear Sheumas: Mother and I Miss You! Scottish Migrations Abroad – Precipitants and Patterns (1500-1900 AD)
Canada and many other countries were heavily affected by the immigration of the Scots. This lecture discusses the precipitants and patterns over the past 500 years that led to extensive Scottish migration to North America, Australia, India, South Africa, and other worldwide locations.
- Civil Registration in Canada & Its Impact on Genealogical Research
Civil registration in Canada has had huge impacts on conducting genealogical research in the country – some good and some bad for genealogists. The lecture discusses the history and rationale for civil registration, along with what its focus was, who it impacted & why in Canada, and how that impact reshapes our research on a regular basis in this country.
- Locating and Using Canadian Census Records to Propel Your Research
One of the most used (and sometimes least understood) record collections in Canada are census records. Many of the major census enumerations we all know about, however there are numerous others, as well as census-substitutes, that were created and which are housed locally and regionally, un-digitized, that may hold clues to your ancestors whereabouts and family structure in this country.
- Lack of Sources in Canada: Using Homestead Records to Extend Your Search Results
With the young age of Canada, and the haphazard collection, many non-extant, in this country, one that holds significant important because of he wealth of information that they can provide on immigrant ancestors and their families are various forms of homestead record collection and land records created in Canada. This lecture discusses many of those, how to access them and how to interpret their contents in helping one build their family tree.
- The Scottish Clan System – Were My Family Scottish Clansmen?
This lecture discusses the Scottish clan system and how it affected the development of Scotland, including the relevant genealogical records that it sometimes created. The discussion also looks how the clan system affected life in Scotland and how it sometimes resulted in forced immigration of many to other countries.
- Adventure, Free Land, Gold! Northwest Migration of Immigrants
Often amongst the immigrants at ports in Europe, England, Scotland, and Ireland was the call of “adventure, free land, and gold” to be found in Canada. This lecture discusses that cry by the masses seeking a better life, and how those immigrants made the migration to Canada to find their adventure, aspirations of free land, and to sometime meet the though of gold riches that the country could provide them with. In many ways it established the mosaic of this country for which it is known today.
- Migration Routes of the Fur Traders and Voyageurs
The lecture will look at the various migration routes of the fur-traders and voyageurs (both French and English) that set out to primarily work the lucrative fur trade that British North America offered, but also how it impacted settlement in this region.
- Digging Up the Past: A Review of the Repositories & Available Records in Western Canada
We will take a look at the host of many repositories that are available to researchers in Western Canada that hold thousands of genealogical collections for a region that is young and sporadically settled only since the mid-1800’s. Most of these collection are not consistently kept and the absolute majority have never been digitized.
See a topic you’re interested in for your event? Contact us today!
* Audio or visual recording is not permitted without prior written permission
- Digging-Up the Past: Serious Study or Unearthing Grandma’s Skeletons?
This luncheon or dinner addresses the subject matter of genealogy as serious study or are we just digging up the dirt and skeletons of ancestral past left buried. It is a commentary on the hobby, and for some the professional, of genealogical investigations in our current climate and social culminations of propriety and privacy.
- Dear Editor: Excerpts from the Genealogical Mailbag
Addresses the many inquiries by interested genealogical clientele with questions that run the gamut of interesting, to entertaining, to bizarre, to downright scary! They show the framework of genealogical study from every angle of researcher possible and our entertaining, if nothing else, take-away of comments and questions by researchers of all kinds.
- Gee, Isn’t This Going Well: More Finds & I’ll be Back to Noah!
There isn’t a day goes by that our staff don’t get some interesting comments about how well a prospective client’s research has gone. The address is a light-hearted look at those persons in ‘serious study’ that actually believe that they have gotten their family history’s back to Noah -yes the Noah of the famous Ark and Genesis in the Bible – or incredibly further! Remember at this point you’re only ten generations back from The Adam & Eve! What can one say so just smile, nod and commend them for having such a grand day!
- Tales from the Travelling Genealogist – Ah, Salt Lake, It Must Be Thursday!
A light-hearted commentary on the traveling genealogist – whom we all know! Someone, (maybe you) who hit the road all in the hopes of finding those big scores in the archives with our family history! As a traveling professional genealogist it is worse, for many of us hit the same clients and archives on much the same day of the week! Gone are the days when you thought that you could rely on armchair genealogy to get your break-through to Moses!
See a topic you’re interested in for your event? Contact us today!
* Audio or visual recording is not permitted without prior written permission
GEN-FIND offers genealogical knowledge, experience, and a worldwide resource network that achieves high-quality results. Contact our team of qualified genealogists for a free consultation. If you find a better-written price for the same quoted service, we will beat that price by 10%.
