Amy brings enthusiasm to all of her presentations. It’s never a dry lecture!

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The following are 60-minute presentations including time for questions and answers.

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Methods

The Genealogy Research Process: The WANDER Method
Genealogy research isn’t a matter of just getting more and more records. The drive to continually add more records leads us to going down rabbit holes, wasting time, and getting frustrated. It’s time to take a look at the research process so you can make more discoveries.
5 Search Strategies Every Genealogist Should Know
Sometimes records like to hide. That’s when you need to use a good search strategy. Here are 5 that every genealogist needs to know — including one that doesn’t even use a name!
Book It, Tweet It, Pin It: Using Social Media to Grow Your Family Tree
Social media isn’t just for posting pictures of the grandkids and cat videos. See how you can use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest to make more discoveries.
Citing Sources Without Stressing Out
Citing sources is one of those things in genealogy research that tends to make us kind of kind of twitchy. We know we should be doing it and we want to do them right… so we tend to stress out about it. But there is a key to thinking about citing sources—and it won’t raise our blood pressure.
Desperately Seeking Susan: Finding Females
Researching females can be difficult, but doesn’t have to be impossible. Learn the key elements to a successful search and see a real-life example of how it all fits together.
Evaluating Evidence and Its Source
Not all sources are created equal. Learn how to truly understand what that source is telling you (and what it isn’t).
Finding Ancestors Before 1850
Pre-1850 research can be difficult. The federal census does not list everyone in the household by name and many localities do not have civil vital records. This session will explore some record groups and research strategies for moving your ancestral lines beyond the mid-19th century.
How Do I Know That's My Ancestor?
You don’t want just anyone in your family tree — you want the right person. Learn how the concept of identity will help you keep from adding someone with the same name.
How to Keep Blogging When You Have Boring Ancestors
You want to blog, but your ancestors seem so…. boring. Here’s how you can keep your writing going. (Hint: Your ancestors weren’t actually boring.)
How to Milk a Source for All It’s Worth
Find a document. Pull out the fact you were looking for. Move on. If that describes your research, you’re probably leaving valuable clues on the table.
Timelines: The Swiss Army Knife of Genealogical Research
Timelines are powerful and versatile. Learn how to create them and how to use them to evaluate evidence, spot holes in your research, and generate leads for further investigation.

Sources and Resources:

Best Websites and Apps for Finding Local History
Understanding the location helps us understand our ancestors. Learn about the best websites and apps to do so.
Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker: Using Occupational Records
Exploring records created about occupation and employment can yield specific information about the ancestor, help place the ancestor in historical/social context, and spark ideas for further research.
Farms, Factories & Defectives: The 'Other' Census Schedules
When we talk about using the census, we generally mean the population schedule. Some census years had other schedules taken at the same time. Some of these can give us wonderful detail about our ancestors and the lives they led.
The Last Full Measure: Military Burials
Learn about the history of military cemeteries in the United States as well as the records created for military burials.
Mapping Your Family History
X might not mark the spot, but maps can still lead us to treasure: our ancestors! Let’s examine some different types of maps that you can (and should) use in your research.
Silent No More: Researching the Deaf in Your Family Tree
You might be surprised at the number of resources available for researching someone who is Deaf. These sources tell not only about the person, but also his or her family.
Taxes, Taxes, Taxes
Taxes have been with us even before we became a country. Let’s look at ways to use tax lists to help solve genealogical problems.
Ten Years is a Long Time: Census Substitutes for the In-between Years
The federal census gives us wonderful clues for our research, but the ten years between each census is a long time. What can be used in between and what are the strengths and weaknesses of these substitutes?
Using Land Records Effectively
Land records were kept in most jurisdictions before vital records. Because land was so important to our ancestors (and because the government needed to know who to tax), land records were kept on a consistent basis. Let’s explore the genealogical treasurers waiting to be found in land records.
What Do You Mean There's No Record?! Using Vital Records Substitutes
Civil vital records are key components to genealogical research. What do you do when your ancestor was born or died before those records were created? That’s when you need to look at other things – the vital records substitutes.
Written in Stone: Tombstones and Other Cemetery Records
Cemeteries can be peaceful places and a treasure trove of genealogical information. Learn how to evaluate tombstones and explore for other types of cemetery records.

Civil War

After Mustering Out: Researching Civil War Veterans
Those who served in the Civil War created nearly countless records after the war ended. Learn about these records for both Union and Confederate veterans.
Battling Buckeyes: Researching Ohio Civil War Ancestors
Ohio provided the third largest number of troops to the Union. Explore the records created by and about these soldiers.
For Benefit of the Veteran: Civil War Fraternal Organizations
After the war, many veterans joined fraternal organizations for camaraderie and support (both financial and emotional). Learn about these organizations and the records they created.
State and Local Records for Civil War Research
It isn’t just the Federal government and the National Archives that have records about Civil War soldiers and sailors. Explore the sources you’ll find at the state and local levels.

Ohio

Buckeye Beginnings: An Introduction to Ohio Research
Ohio, the first state formed from the Northwest Territory, was home to many of our ancestors. Whether they stayed their entire lives, or simply passed through on their way west, they created a state that is rich in history and bountiful in the records which genealogists desire.
Ohio's Jigsaw Puzzle: Understanding Ohio's Land Surveys
Many pioneers to the West migrated through Ohio. Unfortunately, Ohio’s twelve major land surveys can make researching land records confusing. Learn the ins and outs of the puzzle that makes up Ohio.

20-30 Minute Presentations

These are perfect for luncheons, banquets, and opening sessions.
Designed for general audiences, including non-genealogists.

The Genealogy on Your Bookshelf
A light-hearted look at genealogy in popular literature.
What Were They Thinking?! Records That Made Me Do a Double-Take
Whoever thinks records are dull and boring has never seen records like these.
You Have a Story, So Tell It
Everyone has a story and it is so important that we include ourselves in our family history. Inspiring for genealogists and non-genealogists alike.