School is back in session and Windsor’s official 375th birthday month is finally here!  It’s an excellent time to learn more about the history of your own family by taking up genealogy, the fastest growing hobby in North America.   Genealogist Edwin W. Strickland  II’s enthusiasm for his subject is infectious; besides giving you all the basics you need to begin, he’ll show you why so many people get caught up in the quest to discover their family trees and know their ancestors better.  The Exploring Family History Series takes place on four consecutive Wednesday evenings at Windsor Historical Society from 7-9 p.m., starting September 3, and continuing on September 10, 17, and 24th.  Participants may attend one or several sessions or the whole series.  The cost is $15 per session and $50 for the series.  Reservations must be made prior to each week’s program date.

 

The September 3rd session is all about getting started.  Strickland will bring an old trunk filled with some of his own family artifacts -- things you are likely to find in your own home: a family bible, copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates, obituary clippings, photograph albums, inscribed napkin rings.  He will show you how these artifacts and documents are like pieces of a fascinating puzzle that shows you where you came from and who you are.  Why do people get started on genealogy?  What mistakes do people tend to make when they are self-taught (Ed wants you to know he’s made many of them!) Participants in this workshop will receive forms they can use for organizing family data and a preview of future sessions which will  deal in more depth with the kinds of records genealogists use to determine names, occupations, dates, and the trail backwards into their ancestry.

 

During session 2 on September 10, Strickland will concentrate on vital records genealogists use:  church records, birth and death records, marriage certificates, cemetery records, bible records and where one finds them.  What’s at the Connecticut State Library?  What records are commonly found at the Town Clerk’s office?  What records do historical societies usually hold?  And what kinds of compendiums of ancient records exist?

 

Session 3 on September 17th continues the examination of records, this time concentrating on probate, land, census, and immigration records.  Participants will become familiar with what these records look like, where they are found, and how to use them to flesh out family history data. 

           

During the final session on September 24, Ed Strickland will show what city directories, newspapers, and military records can add to your family history quest, as well as discussing genealogy software and use of the internet.   At this point, participants should have the confidence to begin their own search and the knowledge of a world of resources that can be tapped for help. 

 

Ed Strickland is Past President and Genealogist for a group called the Descendants of Founders of Ancient Windsor (DFAW).  On Saturday, November 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the DFAW is sponsoring a group of experienced genealogists who are members of the Connecticut Professional Genealogists Council to be on hand at the Society to give individual consultations, help and advice on problems and challenges encountered in the pursuit of genealogy.  This Genealogy Road Show is free to all.