Most classes will be held online via Zoom
on Saturdays at 10:30 AM to NOON (ET).
Others marked * will be in-person only or hybrid.
The class fee is $10.00.
Click on the title of the class for more details and to register.
[Can’t attend? Register & check the option for a link to the recording – good for 4 weeks.]
Class schedule subject to change – check back here or call 802-871-5647 for confirmation.
January 27, 2024
Vermont Genealogy Library
If shows like Finding Your Roots have rekindled an interest in your family’s roots, maybe it’s time for you to take the next step. Join us on Saturday, January 27th, and learn how to start uncovering your family history. Lynn Johnson will help you learn best practices for conducting sound research as she explains different types of records, their value, where to find them, both online and in local repositories, and how to assess each piece of information to make sure it fits. Using examples from her family research, Lynn will also outline mistakes that can derail your progress and provide tips to help you avoid them.
Lynn Johnson became fascinated by the stories of her ancestors and how their lives fit into history. Lynn has taught elementary school and worked in a bookstore. She has volunteered for the Vermont Genealogy Library for many years, including serving as President of the Vermont French-Canadian Genealogical Society (VT-FCGS) for two years.
Class starts at 10:30 a.m. (ET) via Zoom on Saturday
February 3, 2024
Vermont Genealogy Library
Are you ready to put a little more meat on the bare bones of your family tree? A little bit stuck? Do your family members roll their eyes when you start talking about genealogy? Go beyond the basics in your search for your family history. Marcie Crocker will introduce the use of research logs, timelines, maps, and more. She’ll also touch on why you might want to put some time into the history, and the languages, that might be found in the area, as well as why you might want to research other family members, associates and neighbors.
Marcie Crocker is an experienced genealogist. She has been a long-time volunteer at the Vermont Genealogy Library and has served as President of the Vermont French-Canadian Genealogical Society (VT-FCGS). Marcie advises our library’s visitors on FindMyPast, FamilySearch and other databases.
Class starts at 10:30 a.m. (ET) via Zoom on Saturday
February 10, 2024
Vermont Genealogy Library
City directories were the precursors of telephone books, except that in addition to telling where your answer lived, they also tell what kind of work they did, and sometimes who they worked for. City directories can be key to filling in gaps in timelines. Lynn Johnson will demonstrate the many details of your ancestor’s life you might find in the various sections of these books. She will show how compiling the information can answer questions, while possibly raising new ones. She will also share organizing tips to use whether you’re tracing many people, or just one.
Lynn Johnson became fascinated by the stories of her ancestors and how their lives fit into history. Lynn has taught elementary school and worked in a bookstore. She has volunteered for the Vermont Genealogy Library for many years, including serving as President of the Vermont French-Canadian Genealogical Society (VT-FCGS) for two years.
Class starts at 10:30 a.m. (ET) via Zoom on Saturday
February 17, 2024
Vermont Genealogy Library
Many genealogists track their progress with research logs. These indispensable tools organize all those names, places, events, and records in one central place – often a table or spreadsheet. But even spreadsheets can run out of power if the load gets too heavy. The amount of information needed to solve our brick walls often requires tracking the records of dozens of individuals, or hundreds of the “DNA cousins” identified with genetic genealogy. Enter “Airtable.”
This free, online tool combines the relative simplicity of spreadsheets with the power of relational databases. In this talk, Ed McGuire will demonstrate how Airtable can identify all records mentioning a person of interest with a keystroke, or extract a list of the individuals who lived in a given village from mountains of data. If you’ve ever used a spreadsheet but now need more power, it’s time to learn about Airtable. This class will be a Zoom webinar.
Ed McGuire is president of the Vermont French-Canadian Genealogical Society (VT-FCGS). He is a frequent speaker on genealogy research, DNA testing and Irish family history. His personal research interests include his New England, New York and Quebec roots as well as Irish, English, French and German ancestry.
Class starts at 10:30 a.m. (ET) via Zoom on Saturday
February 24, 2024
Vermont Genealogy Library
This workshop is designed as a follow up to last week’s class, or for those already using Airtable. The workshop will provide the basic skills required to quickly convert a research log into a powerful relational database with Airtable. Sort and group records and people by locations, names, relationships, and events. Find every friend and associate of an ancestor with a few keystrokes. Airtable allows you to efficiently mine all the evidence you’ve collected from years of research.
Participants will start from an existing research log and leave the workshop with a simple, working database. If your research has been stymied by a brick wall with dozens of subjects generating hundreds of records, or if you are overwhelmed by the complexity involved with DNA test results – then Airtable may be the answer. A detailed handout and a starting template will be provided to all attendees.
Ed McGuire is president of the Vermont French-Canadian Genealogical Society (VT-FCGS). He is a frequent speaker on genealogy research, DNA testing and Irish family history. His personal research interests include his New England, New York and Quebec roots as well as Irish, English, French and German ancestry.
Workshop is $15, and starts at 10:30 a.m. (ET) via Zoom on Saturday
February 24, 2024
Vermont Genealogy Library
57 River Road RT117
Building on the right when entering
Essex Junction, Vermont
This free, members-only, workshop will be held from 1-3 PM at the Library. Class size is limited; however, an additional workshop may be held at a later date depending on interest.
DESCRIPTION: You’ve done the research, found your ancestors, and discovered their stories. How are you sharing those stories and preserving your work for the future? Join this writing workshop to discover the process of telling a compelling story from the facts you’ve found. We will also learn how to find and fill in more details to bring the story—and your ancestors—to life.
We’ll spend the first half our workshop looking at how it’s done and the rest of the time actually starting to write our own stories. Come prepared with an ancestor story idea, as many facts as you have, and your preferred writing method (paper or digital). Choose a single incident or small slice of life for one ancestor or family group for your first story. If comfortable, participants may share first drafts and ideas for feedback and support. With sufficient interest, the writing group meetings may be ongoing in the future.
Ann Whitman has been writing and editing books, magazines, newsletters, product instructions, and web-based content for more than 30 years. She coached two kids through high school English and is happy to report that both adults continue to write thoughtful and creative stories.
Class starts at 1 p.m. (ET) in-person at the Library on Saturday
March 2, 2024
Vermont Genealogy Library
57 River Road RT117
Building on the right when entering
Essex Junction, Vermont
In pursuit of our ancestors, we occasionally run into a person we cannot fully identify by our general method of research. In these situations, we need to make adjustments on how we tackle the problem. There are several levels of attack to break through these “brick wall problems.” Here, Drew will address the first level to hopefully solve the problem by a methodical approach to uncover any research on this subject by others. Sometimes, this will give you the answer you need or provide clues to further research. This technique can be used over and over to further your research request.
Scott Andrew Bartley is a genealogist, archivist, librarian and editor specializing in Vermont, Mayflower lineages, and colonial New England. Formerly librarian/archivist at NEHGS, former editor of Mayflower Descendant and FamilySearch Massachusetts Wiki, he is currently editor of Vermont Genealogy and the lead researcher for the study project “Early Vermont Settlers to 1784 Study Project” at NEHGS.
Class starts at 10:30 a.m. (ET) in-person at the Library and via Zoom on Saturday
March 9, 2024
Vermont Genealogy Library
This class shows how genealogists can organize their research materials using a FREE tool from Microsoft called OneNote. For many years, OneNote has been adopted by academics, business people and genealogists worldwide for managing notes. The power of OneNote is in its ability to combine all kinds of media – photos, articles, website and even audio clips or video clips. Since this class has been offered over the last 2 years, several members of our Society have started using OneNote.
Start your move away from paper and manila folders, and instead organize photos and articles, PDF files, word docs, and use links to outside sources. In this class, Dwight will review the basics of OneNote to show its capabilities, along with examples of it in use for research. Attendees should be familiar with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint or Excel. An understanding of MS OneDrive, or cloud-based tools like Dropbox, or Google Drive, is also recommended, but not required.
This class may be followed by a virtual training offering if there is sufficient interest.
Dwight Fowler has been an amateur genealogist for 40 years. His ancestors are predominantly from Colonial America, especially Connecticut and Massachusetts. He is a direct descendant of Philip Fowler, who landed in Ipswich, MA on board the Mary & John in 1634, as part of the Puritan Migration from England. Dwight volunteers at the Vermont Genealogy library, managing the network and computing resources of the library.
Class starts at 10:30 a.m. (ET) via Zoom on Saturday
March 12, 2024
Vermont Genealogy Library
57 River Road RT117
Building on the right when entering
Essex Junction, Vermont
As part of the 2024 Burlington Irish Heritage Festival, the Vermont Genealogy Library is again hosting a FREE in-person presentation by Ed McGuire entitled, “Researching Your Irish Ancestors.” This talk will provide a brief history of Irish immigration to North America and then cover some of the major problems facing Irish researchers. Ed will discuss techniques for finding your ancestors’ parish and he’ll highlight the major record sets in Ireland. The talk will also cover major new collections that have appeared online recently and provide a handout listing key references and links to some helpful online resources. This will not be recorded for future viewing.
Ed McGuire is president of the Vermont French-Canadian Genealogical Society (VT-FCGS). He assists with Irish research at the library, speaks often on the topic, and holds a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University. His great-grandparents came to Connecticut from the counties of Donegal, Limerick, and Kilkenny.
Presentation starts at 7 p.m. (ET) in-person at the VT Genealogy Library on Tuesday
March 16, 2024
Vermont Genealogy Library
Do your eyes glaze over when you see long footnotes with source citations? Do you think you would never need to know how or want to deal with those? Abby Miller will try to persuade you that citations can be helpful to you. She will give you some examples and pointers from her own experience for understanding their usefulness and how you can more easily make useful source citations yourself.
Abby Miller had a casual genealogy early on, due to her father’s interest. She became serious about it when she inherited her father’s collection in 2008, taking online classes, attending conferences, and putting her new knowledge into practice. She has published a family history book and a journal article and currently has another article under review. She has also put together successful applications for Mayflower Society membership and supplemental DAR patriots.
Class starts at 10:30 a.m. (ET) via Zoom on Saturday
April 6, 2024
Vermont Genealogy Library
The website www.FindMyPast.com has an extensive collection of resources specific to the United Kingdom, plus Canada, Australia and New Zealand. We will explore resources including British and Irish Newspapers, Parish Registers, Workhouse and Poor Law records, Military records, Census records; including the just released 1921 schedules. Also, migration around the world by your ancestor throughout the British Empire.
Christine Cohen is a long-time member of the Whittier Area Genealogical Society (WAGS), and is currently the Program Director. In addition to WAGS, she is also a member of the El Redondo Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Society of Daughters of Holland Dames, and the Association of Professional Genealogists.
Christine’s interest in genealogy began in 1977 with the airing of the TV mini-series “Roots” and was piqued when she found a typed pedigree chart of her Dutch heritage from the New Netherlands in the 1660’s. She is a native Californian, a graduate of UCLA in Political Science and has recently retired to pursue her genealogy interests full time.
Class starts at 10:30 a.m. (ET) via Zoom on Saturday
April 13, 2024
Vermont Genealogy Library
Discover the surprising hidden French foundations of North America, north to south, ocean to ocean. Delve into the rich Franco-American history of North America and learn how your own family may have played a part in its expansion throughout different eras.
From the courageous voyages of Verrazano in 1524, to the pioneering efforts of Champlain in the Saint Lawrence Valley, to the influx of Huguenots from the 17th century all the way to the 19th century. From Fort Pentagouet at Castine in Maine to the Gulf of Mexico to Los Angeles and the Pacific Northwest. Uncover the secrets of the fur trade and other ventures that shaped the course of history. Explore the tumultuous events of the Acadian Grand Derangement and the fight for American independence. We will also delve into the Louisiana territory under France and Spain, the Quebec Grand Hemorrhage, and breathtaking westward exploration, exploitation, and expansion.
Our ultimate goal is to meticulously map French exploration, trade, and settlement that occurred throughout North America from 1524 to 1845.
Suzanne Blanchard is a former editor and attorney, community planner, and longtime member and volunteer at the Vermont French-Canadian Genealogical Society and Vermont Genealogy Library. She is currently the Society’s Vice President.
Class starts at 10:30 a.m. (ET) via Zoom on Saturday
Postponed to Fall 2024
Vermont Genealogy Library
In 1774, under the leadership of Richard Montgomery and Benedict Arnold, Colonial troops invaded Canada. Today we can identify many of our French-Canadians ancestors who assisted these troops in their efforts to wrest control of Canada from the British. Eventually the 1st and 2nd Canadian Regiments were formed and some of our ancestors fought side by side against the British with the English colonists on what is American soil.
This class will explore the history of these forays into Canada, the conditions the troops endured and touch on the Canadian regiments, also known as “Congress’ Own” regiment. A handout will be provided with resources to assist attendees in identifying their own ancestral ties to this time in history.
Jane Duchesneau Whitmore is an experienced family historian and educator who lives in Vermont. She holds a Master of Science in Teaching degree from Antioch University New England. Her family’s roots in Quebec are long and deep with all eight of her great-grandparents from French Canada. She volunteers at the Vermont Genealogy Library and, though her specialty is French-Canadian research, she helps people of all ethnicities discover their family history. Jane is a long-time member of the Vermont French-Canadian Genealogical Society and former board member. Through our library, she hosts a monthly special interest group for members with French-Canadian family ties.
Class starts at 10:30 a.m. (ET) via Zoom on Saturday
April 20, 2024
Vermont Genealogy Library
57 River Road RT117
Building on the right when entering
Essex Junction, Vermont
Our family trees inevitably contain some ancestors who are either hard to locate or difficult to separate from other people with similar names. Even when we find a person in the right place with the right name, we still need to establish that this is actually our person and not a member of another family. Resolving these cases often involves the use of additional resources beyond our familiar censuses & vital records. One approach is the FAN Principle (Family – Associates – Neighbors) also called ‘Cluster Research.’ In this talk Joanne will discuss the basic research technique involved, the types of sources to locate and some examples employing the principle. She’ll also identify a couple of case studies for those who wish to see the FAN Principle in action.
Joanne Polanshek is a professional genealogist whose interests and expertise include Vermont, Quebec and Lebanese ancestral research. She holds a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University and is a frequent speaker at the Vermont Genealogy Library, focusing on genealogical methods and research standards.
Class starts at 10:30 a.m. (ET) in-person at the Library and via Zoom on Saturday
May 4, 2024
Vermont Genealogy Library
57 River Road RT117
Building on the right when entering
Essex Junction, Vermont
Anyone who has researched their American French-Canadian heritage back to Canada knows how original names have been changed. Sometimes the trail gets obscured by not recognizing “dit” name variants. At other times, both a first and last name has been corrupted, garbled, or loosely translated. In many other instances, ancestral knowledge was simply lost.
Suspecting that one of his U. S. History students had a French-Canadian name, Michael Dwyer once asked what the family’s ethnic background was. Answer: “Farmer.” Neither the student nor anyone in his family had the faintest idea of their roots back to the pioneers of New France. In this presentation, Dwyer draws on forty-years-worth of case studies of French names lost in Vermont and the research steps and resources he took to rediscover them. He will draw upon new research studies since his last presentation.
Michael Dwyer, a member of the Vermont French-Canadian Genealogical Society and past presenter, is a Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists (https://fasg.org/). He has served as editor of Vermont Genealogy and has published dozens of scholarly articles and enjoys sharing stories from his forty years of experience.
Class starts at 10:30 a.m. (ET) in-person at the Library and via Zoom on Saturday