Paula Stuart-Warren, Certified Genealogist®, FMGS, FUGA

Paula is an internationally recognized genealogical educator, researcher, and consultant focusing on unusual resources, manuscripts, methodology, and analyzing records. She also specializes in railroads, the WPA, and Native American records. She has spent extensive research time at libraries, courthouses, libraries, state archives, historical societies, and at various locations of the U.S. National Archives. She is currently a coordinator and instructor for the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh, has presented courses for several other institutes and academies, and continues present virtual seminars and webinars across the U.S. and in Canada. She is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Federation of Genealogical Societies, the Minnesota Genealogical Society, and the Association of Professional Genealogists.

She is descended from eight ancestral countries and has researched family connections across the U.S. and Canada. She has an educational website and blog at http://genealogybypaula.com and is enthusiastic about sharing knowledge and continuing education.

 

August 5, 2023 - Hybrid Meeting and Webinar

Register whether you plan to attend in person at the library
or virtually via Zoom: OCCGS-08-05

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about
joining the Zoom meeting. The Library opens at 9:00 am for in-person attendees.

10:10 am PDT - Tho' They Were Poor, They May Have Been Rich in Records

So many researchers put up artificial brick walls because their ancestors weren't landowners, were perennial renters staying one step ahead of the bill collector or didn't leave behind a ten page will listing all the children. Many researchers figure that the trail runs cold, but that is far from the truth. Our poorer relatives are traceable, and, because they were poor and often needed some kind of assistance, may have left more helpful records than one might think. Some of the record keepers made side comments about our poorer ancestors in these records which may lead to other sources and relationships. The various records, sources for tracking them down, and dealing with the sometimes-painful aspects of the information found will be discussed. Visuals will demonstrate the extensive information which may be found. The examples span many states and time periods and both private organizations and government agencies at many levels.

11:15 am PDT - The WPA Era: A Free Boon for Research

During tough economic times in the 1930s and 1940s, U.S. government programs put many people to work. Under the auspices of the Works Progress/Projects Administration, the Historical Records Survey workers created a goldmine of records that are useful for today's genealogists. Record transcriptions, courthouse record descriptions, manuscript inventories, indexes to newspapers and vital records, cemetery details, city/county histories, and histories of businesses and families may exist for your ancestral locale. We will discuss many of those WPA creations, some of which you may already use regularly, and where others may be found today. We will also discuss the online explosion of WPA materials that provide researchers with access.

 

Handouts, when available, will be in Member's Only on the Speaker Handouts/Webinars page.