Georgia Archives to host genealogy event in October

The Georgia Archives will host its sixth Annual Archives and Genealogy Day on October 6.

This free event will be held at the Georgia Archives, located at 5800 Jonesboro Road in Morrow, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. It consist of two “tracks.” Track 1, led by Laura Williams Carter of Athens, is “Beginning Basics of Genealogy” and focuses on basic resources, citing sources and everything participants will need to know to get started in genealogy. Space is limited, so a reservation is required. Go to bit.ly/OctGenReg and complete the form.

For Track 2, Donna Weathers, professional genealogist, will speak from 9:30 a. m. until 10:30 a.m. on “Genealogy Research Trip Planning.” This columnist will speak on “DNA Testing Done, Now What?” from 10:45 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. I will cover the latest news in DNA, third party testing, and where to go to learn more. Also, I’ll discuss DNA Central, the latest national DNA coordinating effort.

Daniel Horowitz Garcia, StoryCorps regional manager, will speak from 12:45 until 1:45 p.m. on “Saving Your History by Sharing Your Story.” The final session, a panel discussion, will be held from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. The theme will be “Resources and Methodology.” Panel members will include, besides this columnist, Emma Davis Hamilton, Joanne Smalley and Barbara Stock. Questions for the panel may be submitted at the site or ahead of time at bit.ly/OctGenReg, select Track 2. For more information, contact Penelope.cliff@ usg.edu, call 678-364-3710, or see GeorgiaArchives.org.

DNA advice, make a screen save or photo of a match

One of the national DNA experts has advised anyone who is adopted and doing DNA testing to be sure to make a screen save or photograph of any close (high level) match in case the person you match with, when contacted, decides to go private, thus removing their information from view. This would include making a printout, if possible, of any family tree they might have posted.

Alaska research

The September issue of Family Tree Magazine contains an Alaska State Guide including the following major websites: Alaska Digital Archives (vilda.alaska. edu), the Alaska Historical Society (alaskahistoricalsociety.org), the Alaska State Archives (archives.alaska. gov) and lots more. If you have Alaska connections, it’s worth checking out.