W141, “Sources or Clues? Pitfalls of Using Published Genealogies and Online Trees,” a Board for Certification of Genealogists® Skillbuilding Lecture, 2:30 pm, Wednesday, 10 May 2017

A vast amount of information can be found in published genealogies and online trees. Using them saves time and is part of reasonably exhaustive research. But the data in these resources can range from good to poor. Julie will use a case study involving a family genealogy published in 1904 that inaccurately identified the wife of Jacob Lasher. She will demonstrate how copying and accepting research without corroborating the information with independent sources causes confusion and proliferation of errors.

T225, “Catholic Church Research in the Southeast,” 11 am, Thursday, 11 May 2017

The history of the Catholic Church in the Southeastern United States goes back to the earliest settlements and includes diverse cultures. France, Spain, Germany, and England all contributed to the Catholic heritage of this area. The Catholic Church has recorded and preserved a wealth of genealogical information. Come and learn about the different types of records and explore the cultural influences that impact research in the Southeastern states.

F354, “Using Emigrant Guides for Genealogical Research,” 4 pm, Friday, 12 May 2017

Do you have an ancestor who sailed across the ocean or traveled across the country looking for a new and better life? If so, they may have used an emigrant guide to help plan their journey and prepare for their new life. Join Julie for a look at the instructions and advice these fascinating guides provided to our emigrant ancestors.

About Your Speaker: Julie Miller, CG, CGL, FNGS, is a Northern Kentucky native who lives in Colorado. She is a full-time researcher, lecturer, and award-winning writer. Julie is chair of the NGS conference committee, former vice president of NGS, and was the chair of the 2010 and 2012 NGS conferences. She has been active in genealogy society management for over fifteen years serving on the boards of APG, ISFHWE, NGS, Colorado Genealogical Society, and Colorado Chapter of APG. Julie has been a volunteer at the National Archives at Denver for more than eighteen years.