Thanksgiving Library Schedule

Wednesday, November 27: Closing at 5PM
Thanksgiving, November 28: Closed
Friday, November 29: Closed
Saturday, November 30: Open
Friday, December 6: Closed for Staff Development Day
Enjoy the time with family and friends. We are thankful for our patrons!

Sign Up Here!

Get Curated Reading Suggestions on Selected Topics Sent Right to Your Inbox.
Sign Up
Katy Eckstein

Katy Eckstein

PR and Marketing Assistant
Posted on:
Picture of Archive Staff Member Joan Wood

Did you know that more than 102 million people research their family history? You can be one of them! The questions often asked are where do I start, and how do I find what I need? 

Our Beginner Genealogy Workshops are for individuals who are just starting in their genealogy quest or who have started and need assistance. The workshops include a five-step process that covers the basics of ancestry research.

What are the five steps?

  • Identifying what you already know about your family.
  • Deciding what you want to learn about your family.
  • Selecting a record to search.
  • Obtaining the records.
  • How to use the information gained.

Workshop Dates:

Saturday, March 25, 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Handley Library

Saturday, May 13, 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Bowman Library

Archives staff member Joan M. Wood (pictured to the right) will lead the workshops and be available to answer questions and assist attendees with their research. 

Joan started her journey into genealogy in 1979 by researching her own family history. Since that time, she has effectively researched records in the United States, Sweden, Scotland, and a variety of other places, accumulating over 2,000 family names. Working for more than ten years at the Stewart Bell Jr. Archives, she has enjoyed assisting patrons with a variety of historical and genealogical questions and teaching clients how to use the resources available to them. She has presented many family history workshops dealing with a variety of genealogical topics. She spearheaded the creation of the Family History Hunters program, which meets on the 2nd Thursday of the month at Handley Library in the Benham Gallery (Lower Level).

Upcoming Family History Hunter Dates:

Thursday, March 9, 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

Thursday, April 13, 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

Thursday, May 11, 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

Thursday, June 8, 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

Let us help you get started on your genealogy quest! Register for one of the above programs today! Free and open to the public. All knowledge levels and interest levels welcome.