Webinar World

Yesterday (Saturday 17 Jan) I "attended" a webinar on genealogy research hosted by Tom MacEntee. This was not my first webinar, but it was the first one I attended that was put together by Tom, and I have to say, it was very impressive. The handouts were extensive and comprehensive; his presentation was well organized and easy to follow; and the Q&A between him and the attendants (yes, you get to ask questions in real time and get answers) was useful and informative.

This particular webinar was about using a research log - with a fabulous template supplied by Tom - and how to evaluate the evidence you find in your research. He went through the template step-by-step and laid out his evidence evaluation tools and strategies with equal organization. The price I paid ($9.95) for a three-hour "class" (two ninety minute sessions with a half-hour break in between) was worth every single penny. I am attending another "boot camp" on 31 Jan (Scrivener) and there are more in the pipeline.

The next one is Newspaper Research Strategy Boot Camp on 31 January 2015. You can learn more about it by clicking here.

Why am I sharing this?  Well, for those of you who benefited from the recent "using our blog" presentation or viewed the video of it that was uploaded to YouTube, you have gotten a feel for how useful such a tool is. Add interaction, Q&A, handouts and a knowledgeable presenter, and you have a fabulous way to learn something new without leaving the comfort of your home.

If you would like more information on Thomas and his upcoming webinars, you can visit (and subscribe) to his blog, HackGenealogy.

If you scroll through the archives for Digging Into Roots Together (see right side-bar), you will find four other posts - On Line Genealogy Webinars, Free Webinars from Legacy Family Tree, On-Line Webinars and More Free Webinars, listing genealogy education you can access from the comfort of your home.  Of course, a Google or Bing search will produce many, many more sources.

Hope you will take advantage of this valuable resource.

-- submitted by Denise Doyon