Family History Workshops
A different program on the second Saturday of each month!

The Kentucky Genealogical Society joins the Kentucky Historical Society with a series of free family history workshops each month at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History. Topics range from how to begin documenting your ancestry to specialized resources for experienced genealogists. A light lunch is available at a cost of $6 payable at the door when requested in advance. Registration for these free workshops is required by noon of the previous Friday.

For more information or to register, contact:

Martin F. Schmidt Research Library Reference Desk
(502) 564-1792, ext. 4460
KHSrefdesk@ky.gov


2013 Schedule
Family History Workshops are held on the second Saturday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.


Saturday, May 11, 2013
Speaker: Pamela Lyons Brinegar, CG
Topic: Researching Women

Where O Where Can They Be? – Researching Women Part One
Female ancestors, especially those who lived prior to the early twentieth century, are often difficult to trace. Our family trees may contain a woman’s likely first name, but little else. Some resources are typically more useful than others, but there is no single path to solving these mysteries. Patient researchers who learn methods can be rewarded for their effort and may even reach defensible conclusions in the absence of records. A short case study, “Did Sally Chism Exist?” illustrates the teasing out of slender threads of information that are suggestive of a Scott County Kentucky woman’s lost identity. We may also find women who did not build families of their own. Should we spend our valuable time on those who left no descendants? “Finding Julia P. Robinson,” is the unexpected story of an African American woman from Lexington, Kentucky.

Casting a Wider Net - Researching Women Part Two
Studying the societies in which our female ancestors lived will inevitably lead to researching collateral relatives as well as family friends and neighbors. Our understanding of local customs can be bolstered by an examination of lawsuits, manuscripts, family papers, and other ephemera held by repositories. These items can often substitute for vital records, confirm relationships, and even surprise us. When Polly L. Ficklin of Fayette County, Kentucky died of cholera in 1849, she left property in trust for many of her enslaved individuals, especially the women. Depositions given almost a half century later laid essential groundwork for bringing forward the documented stories of these women who lacked legal surnames and marriages, left no known written journals, and died before vital records were commonplace.


Saturday, June 8, 2013
Speakers: Bill Best and Cheri Daniels
Topic: Family Heritage Gardening

Session 1: Following the Flowers: Bringing Color to Your Family History through the Plants and Flowers They Left Behind
When visiting the homes, cemeteries, back roads and villages of your ancestors, it is important to cast a very watchful eye on the plants and flowers lurking in the surroundings. KHS Librarian, Cheri Daniels, will cover the fascinating stories and traditions associated with the living clues left behind.

Session 2: Heirloom Seeds: Appalachia's Gift To The World
Guest speaker and author, Bill Best, will explore the wondrous world of heirloom seeds and the family stories/experiences that are a fundamental part of this world. Mr. Best, author of the newly published book, "Saving Seeds, Preserving Taste: Heirloom Seed Savers in Appalachia," was also a professor, coach, and administrator at Berea College for 40 years. His work also includes being a founding charter member of the Lexington Farmers’ Market, the Berea Farmers’ Market and serving for several years as the director of the Sustainable Mountain Agriculture Center located near Berea, Ky. This session will introduce you to the remarkable people who have used grafting practices and hand-by-hand trading to keep alive varieties that would otherwise have been lost.

Special Event Following the June Second Saturday Workshop!
The Heirloom Garden Party in the Cralle Day Garden
Enjoy some light refreshments, stroll through the garden, visit a few heritage/heirloom gardening vendor booths, and join in a plant exchange!
To participate in the plant exchange: Just bring small, potted* samplings of your favorite plants/flowers/herbs to exchange with others! Exchange rate will be based on size. *Disposable/plastic pots please – nothing fancy.


Saturday, July 13, 2013
Speakers: Kandie Adkinson
Topic: Kentucky Land Records

Session 1: Soldiers, Settlers and Such: The Fundamentals of the Kentucky Land Patent System
Revolutionary War Bounty Land Warrants, Corn and Cabin Claims, Treasury Warrants, and tips for using Tax Lists to determine property location.

Session 2: Accessing Kentucky Land Patents on the Secretary of State’s Website
What is available online, what is not available online, printing tips and the importance of cross-referencing channels.


August 2013
There will not be a Family History Workshop for the month of August. Please make plans to attend the Kentucky Genealogical Society's Annual Seminar with J. Mark Lowe on Saturday, August 3rd. Information and registration forms can be found on the KGS website at www.kentuckygenealogicalsociety.org


September - December 2013 workshops

Details to be released soon, check back for updates!