[Genealib] Re: Online Genealogy Class

[Libby Feil]

Hi, all!

In addition to teaching "Genealogy 101"-type sessions that mention 
online genealogy, I have taught both 1-shot "courses" and short 
series of classes on internet genealogy.  They have been a big hit 
with patrons.

I find that more people are interested in Ancestry than in any other 
website or database, so I have offered entire classes just on 
Ancestry.  I focused on search strategies.  You can see my program 
slides for one such class on my department's website 
(http://www.libraryforlife.org/aboutsjcpl/departments/localhistory/programs.html). 
(The slides are in the "Past programs and classes" section under "All 
About Ancestry.com."  BTW, these slides are typically downloaded 
100-200 times per month.)

I have also given a less detailed "Finding Your Ancestors Online" 
class, which introduced RootsWeb, USGenWeb, FamilySearch.org, 
Archives.gov, and my department's website--including both our 
homegrown and subscription genealogical databases.  (Our commercial 
genealogy databases are Ancestry Library Edition, HeritageQuest 
Online, New England Ancestors, and several historical newspaper 
collections.)

A few previous responders said that when they teach these classes 
each attendee sits at a computer.  If you go that route, I would 
recommend adding a "prerequisite" to the class:  require folks to 
have completed your library's "basic internet skills" class. 
Otherwise you may find yourself spending more time explaining the 
mouse than actually covering online genealogy.  I found this to be 
such a problem, in fact, that I do not teach this way anymore.  The 
more computer-literate people get frustrated by the repeated basic 
questions from the less advanced folks, and the less advanced people 
start to panic if you ask them to hold their questions.  Now, I use a 
regular meeting room without computers, and give them a handout that 
contains the highlights of my presentation.  This has worked much 
better for me.

Dee Whiting mentioned using PowerPoint rather than live websites.  I 
always do this as well.  That gives me the option of using the web if 
I can, but means that it is not a disaster if I can't get to the 
internet.  Becky Hill said that "It is rare that the whole internet 
has not worked (never)," but I think she misunderstood Dee's point 
that sometimes one's CONNECTION to the internet can be on the fritz. 
I have had this happen while I was giving a presentation, and only 
the fact that I had screen shots in my PowerPoint presentation 
allowed me to continue.

However you end up structuring your class(es), Gail, I think you'll 
find that your patrons will be really excited.  Good luck!


>From: genealib-request at mailman.acomp.usf.edu
>Date: Tue,  4 Nov 2008 12:01:06 -0500 (EST)
>From: "Gail Grunst" <ggrunst at rlalibrary.org>
>Subject: [Genealib] Online Genealogy Class
>To: <genealib at mailman.acomp.usf.edu>
>
>Our patron's are asking for a class about searching online for their
>ancestors.  My question is has anybody done a class about searching
>online?  I use online sources all the time, I'm just not sure how to go
>about teaching it.  Any suggestions?  Does each person have a computer
>or do you do more of a demonstration on a big screen? 
>
>By the way I just did a basic genealogy class for the first time on
>October 25th.  It was a big hit!  Thanks to all of you for your
>suggestions and encouragement.
>
>Gail Grunst
>Head of Circulation
>Round Lake Area Public Library District
>906 Hart Rd, Round Lake, IL 60073
>Phone: (847) 546-7060, ext. 111
>e-mail:  ggrunst at rlalibrary.org
>Fax:     (847) 546-7104
>URL:     http://www.rlalibrary.org

-- 

Elizabeth "Libby" Feil, Librarian
MA, MLS
Manager, Local & Family History Services
St. Joseph County Public Library
304 So. Main Street
South Bend, IN  46601

574-282-4621
l.feil at sjcpl.org
AIM:  sjcpllibby
http://www.libraryforlife.org/localhistory/
To subscribe to our monthly Local & Family History
e-newsletter, email me at l.feil at sjcpl.org


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