Solve Your Genealogy Mysteries —  Think Like a Detective! 

Register Now!

 

Whether your genealogy mystery is from the Cold Case File or already on the Crime Board of Brick Walls, this is the place to be to learn new techniques to solve your research problems.  This seminar features:

• National lecturer, columnist, and renowned genealogist Michael John Neill
• Keynote address by Bob Bason, President-Elect 
• Two classes on genealogy techniques and technology especially for those new to genealogy  
• BookNook and the Used Book Shop with intriguing books and genealogy-related products
• Optional, gourmet box lunch served at 221B Baker Street Pub ($10; deadline for lunch is April 20.)
• Amazing items in our SBCGS drawing; each attendee receives one free ticket for the drawing  
• Course syllabus
• Snacks and beverages

The price for this jam-packed, day-long seminar, is still $30 for members. Register before April 16 to take advantage of this deal! Click on the "Register Now!" button on this page where you be able to pay, choose lecture choices, order your box lunch, and get more information about the seminar.

SPEAKERS

Michael John Neill  is a native of West-Central Illinois and was raised on a grain and cattle farm in Hancock County where many of his ancestors began settling in the 1850s. He’s written on genealogical research and methods since 1987 for a wide variety of genealogical publications including Ancestry, Genealogical Computing, the Genealogical Helper, and Heritage Quest. Michael is a columnist for Ancestry World Journal and a Board Member for the Federation of Genealogical Societies. He also is on the mathematics faculty at Carl Sandburg College, Illinois and coordinates and instructs the annual week of genealogical computing workshops held at the college.

Robert E. Bason is the President-Elect of the Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society and has been researching genealogy since 1985.  Before retiring at the end of 2005, he was a fundraising consultant for 42 years to over 200 charities across the nation, including serving as Assistant Chancellor for University Relations at UCSB and Group Vice President for Development and Marketing at Planned Parenthood Federation of America in NY City.  He now serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Global Justice Center in NYC.

Cari Thomas has investigated her ancestral trails since 1995, with successes into the 1500s. Her research includes PA, IN, NYC, GER, FRA (Alsace & Lorraine), IRE and ENG; but she has done much of her detecting from right here in Santa Barbara. Cari has taught Beginning Germanic Genealogy in our Adult Ed system since 2006; she has also presented five programs for the SBCGS and other societies, taught a variety of classes at the Sahyun, and speaks to local groups.

Merna McClenathen has been researching her family for more than 30 years and is a “Pioneer Member” of the SBCGS. She leads the  monthly “Computer Genealogy” special interest group and has presented her program, Paper Free Filing System for Genealogists on a number of occasions, most recently during  SBCGS’s October “Family History Month.” Merna has traced her family to the Mayflower in this country and to the early 1600’s in Germany. She belongs to the “First Families of Hamilton County, Ohio,”  “Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War,” and the “National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.”