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Genealogy and Family History: Getting Started

A guide to assist those interested in starting a family history project.

What Is Genealogy And Why Should I Care?

The Merrian Webster Dictionary defines it as:

1) an account of the descent of a person, family, or group from an ancestor or from older forms

2) regular descent of a person, family, or group of organisms from a progenitor 

3) the study of family ancestral lines

4) an account of the origin and historical development of something

Using Ehe TMCC Library To Learn About Genealogy

This research guide will help to meet the following objectives:

  • Understand what the definition of genealogy is and why it might be important for you to pursue it
  • Explore genealogy topics such as creating a family tree, locating family records, preserving your research, networking to collect additional information
  • How to use Social Networking to increase your genealogical research
  • Develop critical thinking skills by evaluating historical documents and information
  • How to use both print and eBooks, as well as Reference sources in your research
  • Becoming familiar with terminology used in the field of genealogy
  • Learn how to construct an effective online search for genealogical information
  • Understand how to effectively use a web search to find quality sources appropriate to your task
  • Learn which type of information source is effective for which part of a search
  • Learn which library databases contain information on specific genealogy subjects
  • Learn what a peer reviewed journal is and how to search for them
  • Learn how to use digital newspaper databases
  • Websites that will teach you new genealogical skills (Boolean/Advance Google searching, Cemetery Research, etc.)
  • Learn how to cite genealogical sources and write a research plan
  • Learn to use a variety of sources to locate information (paper, electronic, etc.) 
  • Learn how to visualize complex data sets using Mind Maps, apply it to your family tree
  • Using Table of Contents and back of the book index to save time
  • How do I pursue a career in genealogy? What are the professional organizations associated with it?
  • What is DNA Genealogy? What types of DNA testing is available?
  • What local resources are available for me to learn more about genealogy?
  • How do I write and publish my family history?
  • Sources for faculty and librarians, how to incorporate genealogical research across the curriculum

TMCC Research Guides will assist you with your research and documenting and writing your family history:

Beginning Genealogy

Start Here: Download And Fill Out As Much In These Charts As You Can. Organize it on paper before you put it online.

How to Fill out a Pedigree Chart

Use Social Networking To Further Your Research, Its Easy And Free!

Librarian (I am available for one on one appointments as well)

Sue Malek's picture
Sue Malek
Contact:
Truckee Meadows Community College
Elizabeth Sturm Library
7000 Dandini Blvd
Reno NV 89512
775-673-8260
Website
Subjects:Genealogy

TMCC Library Open Genealogy Lab

Due to COVID-19 our campus has temporarily closed. As a result the TMCC Library Open Genealogy is now meeting each week online via a live feed webinar format. If you would like to attend the Open Genealogy Lab by logging in from home, please contact Suzanne Malek at smalek@tmcc.edu. Thank you.​

TMCC Library Open Genealogy Lab

  • We meet each Friday in Library Room #210 from 11:30am-2:00pm
  • Free, open to everyone (students, faculty, employees and the public)
  • Free parking
  • No registration required
  • All skill levels welcome!
  • Get a free TMCC Library Card, check out our outstanding genealogy collection books!

Come in and learn new research techniques, hear guest speakers, collaborate and have fun while building your family tree. Please see the links below to read a variety of articles that have been published regarding our Open Genealogy Lab.

I am available for public presentations. To book me, please click here:

https://www.tmcc.edu/marketing-communications/media-support/tmcc-experts

Upcoming Faculty Professional Development Class

Friday, Aug 16, 2019:

Learn how the genealogical narrative essay provides a low-stakes, entry-level writing assignment that introduces students to the rigor of academic research, all the while doing it at a personally fulfilling level. This assignment can apply to courses across the curriculum, from English to Culinary Arts, from History to Geography, and more. The presentation will be divided into three sections: how family history can be incorporated into a course curriculum as a narrative essay assignment, how to find and use the library resources to support the paper, and how the Tutoring and Learning Center can assist students in the writing and revising stages.

Below are links to newspaper and magazine articles about the TMCC Library Open Genealogy Lab:

List of Upcoming Guest Speakers at the TMCC Library Open Genealogy Lab:

Friday, Jun 26 - Society of Hispanic Historical and Ancestral Research

Friday, Jul 3 - Campus closed for holiday

Friday, Jul 10 - Women who Paved the Way : Exploring Women Homesteaders and Suffragists - Homestead National Monument of America

Friday, Jul 17 - Dorothy Wray - How to Write a Family History

Friday, Jul 24 - John Berg - Intersection of Genealogy and History

Friday, Jul 31 - Amberly Beck - What Are the Records Really Telling Me? 

Fri, Aug 7 - Lisa Dougherty - Myths about Immigrant Ancestors

Friday, Aug 14 - Debra Basham - West Virginia Archives and History

Friday, Aug 21 - Michael L. Strauss, AG

Friday, Aug 28 - Robert S. Davis - The Strange World of Revolutionary War Records for the Old South

Friday, Sep 4 - Jeanette Sheliga - Sanborn Maps

Friday, Sep 11 - Michelle Wagner, Indian River Library (tentative booking)

Friday, Sep 18 - Sue Schack Jensen - Seattle Genealogical Society

Friday, Sep 25 - Roger Dombrowski - Stories and How I Researched Them

Friday, Oct 2 - Melissa Barker, Professional Genealogist

Friday, Oct 9 - Annette Burke Lyttle - Genealogical Proof for the Everyday Genealogist

Friday, Oct 16 - Gretchen Beilfuss Witt - Western North Carolina Genealogy 

Friday, Oct 23 - Marcia Maloney - Children of the Mayflower

Friday, Oct 30 - Campus closed for holiday

Friday, Nov. 6 - Jake Mangum, Librarian UNT Libraries - Using the Texas Portal

Friday, Nov 13 - Kori Tueller- AZ State Archives/State of AZ Research Library

Friday, Nov 20 - Chris Garmire, CA State Archives

Friday, Nov 27 - Campus closed for holiday

Friday, Dec 4 - TBA

Friday, Dec 11 - TBA

Friday, Dec 18 - Open Genealogy Lab Year End Gathering

Friday, Dec 25 - Campus closed for holiday

Friday, Jan 1 - Campus closed for holiday