AVAILABLE PRESENTATIONS:
 

If your society or organization needs a speaker, several programs are currently available. Lectures are generally 50-60 minutes in length. Each of the following lectures is provided as a PowerPoint presentation incorporating a host of graphic illustrations and case study material meant to teach, entertain, and challenge researchers:

"Colonial and Territorial Records of the Old Gulf South"
Prior to 1822, most of the Gulf South region of the country was governed by several colonial entities. As the region transitioned into  proprietorship of the United States, territorial legislatures generated records which reflected the laws and mindset of the American government. Although the primary emphasis of the presentation is to introduce the audience to the wide range of historical resources that are available, important elements such as land ownership, migratory ingress and egress of the region, and changing boundaries is also addressed.

"Flaming Records and Extinguished Researchers—Getting Past the Burned Courthouse"
The most disconcerting and discouraging aspect of genealogical research is the phenomenon of the burned courthouse and the loss of historical records. Despite the advent of the Internet and the plethora of online resources that have become available, researchers continue to struggle with issues related to the loss of records. This lecture addresses the frustrations and problems usually encountered with record loss and offers refreshing strategies to overcoming the daunting challenge confronting family historians.

"The Georgia Land Lotteries"
Georgia was the only state to utilize a lottery system for land distribution. This lecture explores each of the eight state-authorized lotteries held from 1805 through 1833, the laws and records respective to each lottery, the nuances associated with the issuance of grants, and the use of lottery records in genealogical problem-solving.

"Our Ancestors and Their Taxing Problems—Using Tax Records as Genealogical Resources"
Tax rolls represent some of the most unique resources available for genealogical study. But they also tend to be some of the most underused. This program introduces the audience to the subject of tax rolls and discusses their nature and value in solving genealogical problems.

"Is There a Doctor in the House?—Remedial Remedies for the Research Maladies of the Family Historian"
Improper methodology and failure to conduct thorough research can lead to “self-imposed” brick-walls. This program addresses the reasons how such brick-walls can stagnate the research process and offers innovative ways to overcome such barriers.

"Researching the Indian Wars of the Southeast, 1813-1858"
Several wars were fought against the indigenous tribes of the Southeast in the nineteenth century. The soldiers who participated included federal troops, as well as state militia and volunteer forces. However, determining ancestral participation can often be a challenge. This program provides an overview of the principle wars and gives valuable insight into the military records and non-military resources for productive research.

"Census Enumerators—Their Bloopers, Blurbs, and Benefactors"
Despite the criticism they have often received, census enumerators have provided a lot of interesting and helpful information to consider. This program debunks some of the myths surrounding the enumerators and also focuses on the humorous and positive aspects of their efforts.

"Pinchin’ Pennies with the Pension Board—A State-by-State Comparison of Confederate Widow Pension Applications"
Widows’ pension applications are some of the most popular records in the realm of genealogical research. But each of the states which issued Confederate pensions for widows differed in their respective laws and the specific criteria they required to approve widows’ claims. This program discusses the sundry pension laws of each state, the questionnaires that were used, and the limitations of pension research.

"What Saith the Law?—State Legislative Acts and Their Significance to Family History Research"
When faced with a difficult research problem, one of the most valuable resources to look for answers may be found in the session acts passed by state legislatures. This program discusses an array of subjects addressed in the various legislative acts during the nineteenth century and how they can enhance family history research. The focal states include Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.

"Dockets, Dossiers, and Distributions—Nineteenth Century Probate in the Deep South"
At some point in time, all researchers will have to familiarize themselves with the different records relative to the probate process. This lecture introduces the audience to the various records created in the process and emphasizes the genealogical value of those records.

"Federal-Land States and Their Land Records"
Throughout most of our nation's history, federal lands held in the public domain have been acquired by prospective settlers and distributed under terms expressed in various acts of Congress. The records generated in that distribution process often contain critical evidence that can be used in serious genealogical investigation. This PowerPoint presentation will entail a brief overview of the federal-land state system of distribution, with major emphasis on the various types of records generated through the Government land office in Washington, DC, and the local land offices in the relative federal-land states.

"Federal Land Patent Records—A Primer to Their Use and Value in Genealogical Problem-Solving"
Federal Land Patent records are valuable resources to those who know how to use them. This primer lecture covers all facets of the federal land patent process and provides case studies on how they may be used to enhance one’s genealogical research.

"Reading the News for Clues—Pains, Pitfalls, and Pleasures of Newspaper Research"
Albeit newspaper research can often be very difficult, it can also be rewarding to those who persevere. This program identifies the problematic aspects of studying antiquarian newspapers and offers helpful tips which can lead to successful newspaper research. Numerous examples are included.
 

PREVIOUS PRESENTATIONS:
 

"Federal-Land States and Their Land Records"—presented at the May meeting of the Genealogical Society of South Brevard, Melbourne Public Library—Brevard County, Florida (May 2009), Jacksonville Genealogical Society (August 2009), and Marion County Genealogical Society (October 2010)

"The Old South" (4 session workshop)—presented at the annual workshop of the AlaBenton Genealogical Society of Calhoun County, Alabama
Ayers Room, Public Library of Anniston—Calhoun County (July 2008)

"Dockets, Dossiers, and Distributions—Nineteenth Century Probate in the Deep South"—presented at the October meeting of the Amelia Island Genealogical Society, Nassau County, Florida (2007), and Levy County Genealogy Society (January 2009)

"Federal-Land States and Their Records" (4 session workshop)—presented at the annual workshop of the AlaBenton Genealogical Society of Calhoun County, Alabama
Ayers Room, Public Library of Anniston—Calhoun County (July 2007)

"Researching Georgia's Records and Repositories"—presented at the April meeting of the AlaBenton Genealogical Society of Calhoun County, Alabama (2007)

"Researching the Indian Wars of the Southeast, 1813-1858—presented at the quarterly meeting of the Florida Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists (October 2006), the Imperial Polk Genealogical Society Seminar in Lakeland, Florida (March 2007), the Levy County Genealogy Society (October 2007) and the Indian River Genealogical Society (November 2010)

"Pinchin' Pennies with the Pension Board—A state-by-state comparison of confederate widow pension applications"—presented at the quarterly meeting of the Alabama Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists (September 2006)

"Is There a Doctor in the House?—Remedial Remedies for the Research Maladies of the Family Historian"—presented at the monthly meetings of the Alachua County Genealogical Society of Alachua County, Florida (October 2005) and the AlaBenton Genealogical Society of Calhoun County, Alabama (November 2005), and at The Villages Genealogical Society, The Villages, Florida (September 2006)

"A Brief History of Early Benton/Calhoun County, Alabama: 1813-1865"—presented at the March meeting of the AlaBenton Genealogical Society of Calhoun County, Alabama (March 2003)

"Researching the Indian Wars of the Southeast, 1813-1858"—presented at the January meeting of the AlaBenton Genealogical Society of Calhoun County, Alabama (January 1998)

"Have You Read Your Newspaper Lately?—Researching Nineteenth Century Northeast Alabama Newspapers"—presented at the January meeting of the AlaBenton Genealogical Society of Calhoun County, Alabama (January 1997)

"Alabama’s Gold Rush, 1831-1861"—presented at the April meeting of the Etowah County Historical Society (April 1996)

"Special Resources in Alabama Research: Using the Legislative Acts of Alabama"—presented at the January meeting of the AlaBenton Genealogical Society of Calhoun County, Alabama (January 1996)

"Alabama’s Gold Rush, 1831-1861"—presented at the February meeting of the Calhoun County Historical Society (February 1994)

"They Came to Jacksonville"—presented at the April meeting of the Jacksonville Heritage Association, Jacksonville, Alabama (April 1993)

"Alabama: The Contact Mecca of Colonial Trade with the Indian Tribes of the Southeast; Utility Glass in the Indian Trade"—presented at the November meeting of the Jacksonville State University Chapter of the Coosa Valley Archaeological Society (November 1992)

"Introduction to Genealogy"—presented at the July meeting of the Fraternal Order of Scottish Rites in Oxford, Alabama (July 1992)

"Claims and Testimonials: A Humorous Look at Nineteenth Century Advertisers"—presented at the January meeting of the Jacksonville State University History Club, Jacksonville, Alabama (January 1992)

"North Carolina Marriage Bonds"— presented at the monthly meeting of the AlaBenton Genealogical Society of Calhoun County, Alabama (January 1992)
 

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