East Tennessee Historical Society

Have you been bitten by the "genealogy bug"? Are you curious about learning about your family's role in American history? If so, the East Tennessee Historical Society has several lectures and workshops just for you. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned genealogist, ETHS offers programming to fit your specific needs. Check here often to find out about upcoming genealogy programs and events.

Dates and Lecture Topics for 2008:

 

Sat., Jan. 19:  GENEALOGY ON THE INTERNET WORKSHOP.   Instructor: Dr. George K. Schweitzer, PhD, ScD. Students use an individual computer to learn to explore the seven major internet genealogical sites. Limited to 22 participants. Pre-registration and a valid e-mail address are required for this workshop. Call 865-215-8809 to pre-register beginning Jan. 3.

 

Sat., Feb. 16:  BEGINNING GENEALOGY. Instructor: Anne Blomquist, MEd. How to begin your ancestor research using  family, governmental, library, and electronic resources.  

 

Sat., Mar 15: CHEROKEE GENEALOGY. Instructor: Dr. George K. Schweitzer, PhD, ScD. History of the Cherokees, colonial contacts and records, early federal supervision and records, removal records, removal compensation records. Using the records to find a Cherokee ancestor.

 

Sat., April 12: GENEALOGY ON THE INTERNET WORKSHOP. Instructor: Eric Head, BA, Knox County Archives.  Students use an individual computer to learn to explore the seven major internet genealogical sites. Limited to 22 participants.  Pre-registration and a valid e-mail address are required for this workshop. Call 865-215-8809 to preregister beginning March 27.

Sat., May 3:  DNA FOR GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH. Instructor: Dr. George K. Schweitzer, PhD, ScD. The principles of DNA dating, how far back it can go, and what it can and cannot do for your ancestral searches.

  

Sat., June 14:  USING COUNTY RECORDS IN YOUR FAMILY SEARCHES. Instructor: Doris R. Martinson, MLS, CA, Head, Knox County Archives. How to use county records (births, civil court, criminal court, deaths, deeds, divorces, probate, tax, wills) for investigating ancestors. Examples from the extensive resources of the Knox County Archives will be shown.

 

Sat., July 19: GENEALOGY ON THE INTERNET WORKSHOP. Instructor: Dr. George K. Schweitzer, PhD, ScD. Students use an individual computer to learn to explore the seven major internet genealogical sites. Limited to 22 participants. Pre-registration and a valid e-mail address are required for this workshop. Call 865-215-8809 to preregister beginning July 2.

 

Sat., Aug. 16: 10am-noon THE MCCLUNG GENEALOGICAL COLLECTION. Instructor: Steve Cotham, MA, MLS, Manager, McClung Historical Collection. The book, microfilm, manuscript, and internet facilities of the McClung Historical Collection, and how to use them to advance your genealogical research.

 

Sat., Sept. 20:  REVOLUTIONARY WAR GENEALOGY. Instructor: Dr. George K. Schweitzer, PhD, ScD. How to trace your Revolutionary War ancestor, and find his service, pension, and bounty land records.

 

Sat., Oct.18: GENEALOGY ON THE INTERNET WORKSHOP. Instructor: Eric Head, BA, Knox County Archives.  Students use an individual computer to learn to explore the seven major internet genealogical sites. Limited to 22 participants. Pre-registration and a valid e-mail address are required for this workshop. Call 865-215-8809 to preregister beginning Oct 2.

 

Sat., Nov 15:  repeated 10am, 11am, 1pm & 2pm JUMP-START YOUR GENEALOGY IN NINETEEN MINUTES. Instructor: Dr. George K. Schweitzer, PhD, ScD and staff of the East Tennessee History Center. This class is designed to give a starting point for those who wish to do genealogy research but do not know where or how to begin.  Participants must provide beforehand some basic knowledge of their parents’ and grandparents’ backgrounds, such as places and dates of births and deaths; using this information as a starting point, most families can be traced back to the 1850s using online census records and vital records. A knowledgeable genealogist will assist each person registered for this workshop in the online research. Limited to ten participants per class. Pre-registration is required and begins Oct 28. At that time, go to www.knoxlib.org to download a registration form, or call 865-215-8809 to have one sent. The registration form includes a three-generation ancestral chart that must be filled out as completely as possible and returned to the East Tennessee History Center by Nov 7.

 

Sat., Dec.13: 11am-4pm CHRISTMAS GENEALOGICAL WORKSHOP. Mentors: Staff of the East Tennessee Historical Society, the McClung Historical Collection, and the Knox County Archives. Six instructors will be available in the McClung Historical Collection to assist you personally with research 11am-4pm. Limited to 30 participants. Pre-registration and a valid e-mail address are required for this workshop. Call 865-215-8809 to pre-register beginning Nov 24.

• Unless noted otherwise, these lectures will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the East Tennessee History Center in the first floor auditorium, 601 South Gay Street.  The main entrance to the ETHC is located on the corner of Gay Street and Clinch Ave. across from the Tennessee Theatre.
• There will be a one-hour break for lunch on your own.
• These lectures are free and open to the public, and pre-registration is not required unless specifically noted.
• Unless there is a special event, evening and weekend parking is free at the State Street, Locust Street and Market Square garages, all located within two blocks of the East Tennessee History Center.
• Lectures are co-sponsored by the East Tenessee Historical Society, the McClung Historical Collection – Knox County Public Library, and the Knox County Archives.