From a How–To Article to a Case Study Lecture

Have you ever read a how-to article in a genealogical society publication that was stripped down, economical of language and so clear you wanted to do that search? I recently read an article like that in the National Genealogical Society Newsmagazine that got me thinking. I like lectures that are illustrated with a case study showing how one problem was solved, but doing so with suffiicient information that the listener could use the same process with his or her problem. Here's what I'm talking about.

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Lessons for Program Planners from Speakers’ Laments

Recently I spoke in a nearby city to a group of 25 genealogists. I had had to reschedule the event from the previous month and had generously given them a "deal": my lecture for half the usual fee, no charge for travel and no meal charges. I did however stipulate that I would need to get in 30 minutes early to set up, and they needed to supply a large screen. So what happened?

Preparing for A Research Trip to an Archive or Library

One of the great weaknesses in the genealogists who I served as a librarian for 22 years was their lack of advance preparation before visiting an archives, library or record repository of any sort. So a few years ago I prepared a lecture entitled "Romancing the Librarian" which is now a two hour workshop. Here's what we cover.

Power Point Failure: Let’s Try a Workbook

A few weeks ago I did a 2.5 hour workshop called "Evaluating Birth Marriage and Death Information" which I originally developed a year ago using overhead transparencies. I thought about it this afternoon while cleaning my office and finding one of the overheads. In converting the material to a PowerPoint illustrated workshop I was concerned about the size and clarity of the images of original and derivitive documents used. Lets be honest: to folks at the back some looked small and fuzzy.

A Kick in the Head with an Icy Boot

A distant relative once told me her granny's favorite expression was, "Smarten up or you'll get a kick in the head with an icy boot". I suspect that the expression has its origin in our shared heritage of ancestral loggers.

While out on the wet coast on my speaking tour I received just that icy boot to the head as a comment on an evaluation form. Here's what the anonymous person wrote.

Next Question, Please.

 Question and Answer sessions are often tagged on the end of genealogy lectures and are usually focussed on the topic of the lecture, or workshop. Recently I accepted the challenge  of my friend Jon, and open up the questions to anything on the minds of those attending. Most were beginners and intermediate level genealogists. They were asked to write out their questions in advance. The questions were collected after my lecture and while they got up for munchies, I guzzled water and reviewed questions. Here's a sampling:

Man Bites Dog: That’s News

On the Roadshow Tour of British Columbia I spoke in my home town at a free event for the Family History Center that was well attended because Dr. Jack Sevy, organizer, had an idea that I was of interest in the community despite my absence of over forty years. Here's what he did.

Cremated with Her Genealogy

Many years ago in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan I began a lecture on source citations with the tale of Larry's great Aunt Ida who bequeathed him her 30 years of genealogy research reduced to a few boxes.

Honing Speaking Skills

After each "roadshow" I spend a lot of time thinking about what worked and what did not work. There were moments that really zinged! And some less stimulating moments in my presentations. So while these thoughts were on my mind I wondered why I had not paid more attention to Merlin Waite my college speech  professor. So I went looking for what other speakers have done to hone their skills. Here are some ideas I found

Road Show Notes: The Door Prize

I offer a door proze at my presentations. Last night in beautiful Kelowna BC I had everyone fill in a slip with name and email. We drew the winner, and she got a prize worth $75.
The other slips had info as precious as the prize winners name– potential clients.
So today I entered them in my database and sent them a message asking if they had any follow up questions or comments. I`ll answer all responses, and in 6 weeks share something interesting with them so they remember me.
What do you think Will they remember me when they need a professional genealogist