Hearthside - The House That Love Built

Hearthside to Host Genealogy Series

Have you ever wondered about your great-grandparents or who came before them? Or have you wanted to explore your family history, but you had no idea how to get started? Here’s an opportunity, for young and old, to learn how to become a genealogy detective, and join in one of the most fulfilling and rewarding experiences you can have.

Hearthside will host two workshops on genealogy during October. These workshops are designed to get people more engaged in history through learning about their own ancestry. Family history research provides for personal discovery that will continue to benefit your descendants for generations to come.

On Sunday, October 17th from 1:00-3:00 p.m. the workshop, “Creating Junior Genealogists” will focus on getting kids excited about learning about their own family history. The interactive family workshop is designed to connect the generations. Parents and/or grandparents are encouraged to bring a child, age 9-12, to learn the steps they can take together to explore information about their family, where to find it, and how it may be documented so that your family’s stories may be passed on to the next generation. Each family is asked to bring an object to the session they feel best represents their heritage.

On Tuesday, October 26th from 7:00-9:30 p.m., “Genealogy 101: A Primer on Tracing Your Family Roots,” is a beginners workshop geared toward adults who wish to learn how to start their family genealogy project and tracing their roots. Topics include the various methods of family history research, what information is needed, where to locate it, conducting family interviews using memory-provoking questions, best ways to document the information you find, and how to use family photographs in identifying people and places from the past. Using local sources in your research and sources, both online and others outside the internet, will also be covered.

“History is not just about other places and other people’s lives. It’s about us; we are all part of history,” states Kathy Hartley, President of the Friends of Hearthside. “Today, more than ever, it’s important for this generation to learn where they came from and begin to value their history; without a sense of pride and appreciation for the past, the stories of our heritage and even our historic buildings will disappear with the next generation.”

Attendance at the workshops is limited, and tickets must be purchased in advance. The cost is $7/adult for either workshop and $3/child. Attendees are asked to bring a notebook and writing instrument with them. A packet of resource materials will be provided at each workshop to take home. Both workshops will be led by Lincoln author Karen Frisch Dennen, author of “Creating Junior Genealogists,” and “Unlocking the Secrets in Old Photographs,” available for sale at the workshops. At the conclusion of each workshop, Karen will be signing copies of her genealogy books, as well as her latest novel, “Murder Most Civil.” Refreshments will be served and the house will be open for touring.

Proceeds from the event help support the continued restoration of Hearthside. To purchase tickets, call 401-726-0597.

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