Maine Genealogical Society

MGS 2022 Fall Workshop and Annual Meeting (Members click here for a video link to the meeting) was held Saturday, October 1, 2022.

Guest Speaker:

Diane L Richard, MEng & MBA, Mosaic Research and Project Management (MosaicRPM), www.mosaicrpm.com, has been doing genealogy research since 1987 and since 2004 professionally focused on the records of North Carolina and southern states. She regularly contributes to Internet Genealogy. She has authored over 500 articles on genealogy topics.  Since 2016 she has been the editor of the North Carolina Genealogical Society (NCGS) journal. As a speaker, she has delivered webinars and in-person talks about the availability and richness of records documenting southerners, pursuing formerly enslaved ancestors and their descendants, genealogical research tips, techniques, tools and strategies, under-utilized resource collections [online and on-the-ground], and much more. She has appeared on Who Do You Think You Are? (Bryan Cranston episode).

1. Genealogical Gems Found in Ledgers.

Business/organization ledgers document everyday business transactions for most families. This program focuses on many kinds of ledgers created by Maine, North Carolina, and businesses. It highlights where these ledgers can be located and what can be learned from them. In addition to placing individuals and families in space and time, there is relationship information, family, employer/employee/enslaved information. Don’t forget our female ancestors. Every kind of ledger examined mentions women transacting business. We will explore ledgers from the 18th to 20th centuries. Do not assume that your ancestors will not be listed! Plan to become hooked on using ledgers as a genealogical resource!

2.  Sign of the Times: Timelines in Genealogy

Timelines are very visual. Creating a multi-columned matrix can help you focus on missing gaps, seemingly contradictory information, previously invisible relationships, and so much more. Color-coding or other distinguishing methods can highlight locale or surname overlaps, related records, etc. These are not simple linear timelines. Using multi-column matrices places very complex information in an easy-to-see format. What you construct are “living” summaries too. As you acquire new data, add it in! Besides helping you visualize information, timelines save you from constantly referring to your paper (or digital files)! As you summarize your data, it’s not unusual to have questions jump out at you – insert a comment. Find a “gap” in your knowledge -- add it to your “to-do” list. Have you put your project aside for a while? Review your timeline for all the critical details as you resume your research. Want to ensure meeting the requirements of the Genealogical Proof Standard? Timelines are a great resource! And, no special software is needed! You’ll never regret making a timeline!

This meeting was for members only.  If you are not a member, consider joining to enjoy the perks of this free workshop and other benefits of membership in the  Maine Genealogical Society.

You can find out more about membership on our Membership webpage.