Carla Love Maitland
Do you know all the ‘tricks of the trade’ for using Google to research your family’s history? You may think you do, but even ‘seasoned’ researchers learned new ways to use that venerable search engine during the Tennessee Genealogical Society’s day-long seminar with Lisa Louise Cooke, which was held on Saturday, May 4, 2013, at the Pickering Center in Germantown, TN.
Ms. Cooke, who is the owner of Genealogy Gems and the host and producer of the Genealogy Gems Podcast, spent the day with TNGS members and visitors regaling the seminar attendees with truly exceptional tips, research strategies and overall exceptional advice designed to improve the family history research process for each person who was there. Ms. Cooke’s presentation was part of the Tennessee Genealogical Society’s annual ‘Spring Conference’ and was most certainly a delightful and entertaining day.
Ms. Cooke (who asked to be called Lisa) is a true professional, as one can clearly see by visiting her website. She is filled with knowledge and knows how to share that knowledge with others in a seemingly easy manner. Her presentation was filled with wit and charm and flowed so smoothly that everyone appeared shocked (and frankly dismayed) when each of her sessions came to an end.
The audience soaked in each word. The first session was filled with numerous ways to use Google for searching common surnames (such as Smith or Jones), and even more importantly, how to narrow down the search for those surnames that can also be used for other words in our language, such as Brown or Green.
During the second session the attendees took an amazing voyage on Google Earth as Lisa explained how to use that free tool to trace their family’s voyages and settlements in America. By searching vintage maps and overlaying them on today’s addresses, one can actually visualize (and often truly see) where ancestors lived. She shared tips on how to insert family photos and research notes, allowing anyone to create their family’s personal story that can even be shared with others.
Do you know all the ‘tricks of the trade’ for using Google to research your family’s history? You may think you do, but even ‘seasoned’ researchers learned new ways to use that venerable search engine during the Tennessee Genealogical Society’s day-long seminar with Lisa Louise Cooke, which was held on Saturday, May 4, 2013, at the Pickering Center in Germantown, TN.
Ms. Cooke, who is the owner of Genealogy Gems and the host and producer of the Genealogy Gems Podcast, spent the day with TNGS members and visitors regaling the seminar attendees with truly exceptional tips, research strategies and overall exceptional advice designed to improve the family history research process for each person who was there. Ms. Cooke’s presentation was part of the Tennessee Genealogical Society’s annual ‘Spring Conference’ and was most certainly a delightful and entertaining day.
Ms. Cooke (who asked to be called Lisa) is a true professional, as one can clearly see by visiting her website. She is filled with knowledge and knows how to share that knowledge with others in a seemingly easy manner. Her presentation was filled with wit and charm and flowed so smoothly that everyone appeared shocked (and frankly dismayed) when each of her sessions came to an end.
The audience soaked in each word. The first session was filled with numerous ways to use Google for searching common surnames (such as Smith or Jones), and even more importantly, how to narrow down the search for those surnames that can also be used for other words in our language, such as Brown or Green.
During the second session the attendees took an amazing voyage on Google Earth as Lisa explained how to use that free tool to trace their family’s voyages and settlements in America. By searching vintage maps and overlaying them on today’s addresses, one can actually visualize (and often truly see) where ancestors lived. She shared tips on how to insert family photos and research notes, allowing anyone to create their family’s personal story that can even be shared with others.
Carla Maitland and Lisa Louise Cooke share family stories. After lunch, everyone returned with eagerness to learn how to research and actually find those illusive newspaper articles and even ads that were written about or included the names of our family members even as far back as the early 1800s. Lisa shared ‘three cool tools’ to use in finding those newspapers, the best websites to search, and her five top tips for newspaper research. In the final session, the conference attendees learned how to become true detectives. Lisa shared guidelines that real detectives use to track down living persons. The revelations were truly awesome!
During each break and even throughout lunch, Lisa’s own books, video CDs, membership deals, and other offerings were literally snatched up by seminar members who wanted to make sure they could revisit and reinforce what had been taught during the day, and of course, learn even more.
Was your appetite whetted by reading this blog post? Would you like to know more about these topics? I urge you to visit Genealogy Gems and become familiar with Lisa and her podcasts, video CDs, YouTube productions, and numerous publications, which include the Genealogist’s Google Toolbox, Google Earth for Genealogy – Volumes 1 and 2, How to Find Your Family History in Newspapers, and Genealogy Gems: Ultimate Research Strategies. Some of the items on her website are free (the very useful genealogy research toolbar for one), but to get the absolute best of the best, consider a Genealogy Gems Premium Membership.
During each break and even throughout lunch, Lisa’s own books, video CDs, membership deals, and other offerings were literally snatched up by seminar members who wanted to make sure they could revisit and reinforce what had been taught during the day, and of course, learn even more.
Was your appetite whetted by reading this blog post? Would you like to know more about these topics? I urge you to visit Genealogy Gems and become familiar with Lisa and her podcasts, video CDs, YouTube productions, and numerous publications, which include the Genealogist’s Google Toolbox, Google Earth for Genealogy – Volumes 1 and 2, How to Find Your Family History in Newspapers, and Genealogy Gems: Ultimate Research Strategies. Some of the items on her website are free (the very useful genealogy research toolbar for one), but to get the absolute best of the best, consider a Genealogy Gems Premium Membership.
Lisa presents "Google Earth for Genealogy."
At the end of the day, everyone agreed on these things:
1. The Tennessee Genealogical Society definitely wants Lisa Louise Cooke to return for another seminar very soon!
2. Lisa is as pretty as her picture – and just as pretty inside as out!
3. Lisa Louise Cooke is a true professional who loves her work and truly enjoys sharing her knowledge with others!
Can you tell the seminar was a great success?
1. The Tennessee Genealogical Society definitely wants Lisa Louise Cooke to return for another seminar very soon!
2. Lisa is as pretty as her picture – and just as pretty inside as out!
3. Lisa Louise Cooke is a true professional who loves her work and truly enjoys sharing her knowledge with others!
Can you tell the seminar was a great success?
