10/14/2026
REGISTER to participate in the History Center Genealogy "Lock-in" Conference via MPL's website calendar, which you will see highlighted in blue on the calendar.
It is this Friday, Oct 16 from 9:00am-4:45 in MPL meeting room B. Free
Clues From the Past Genealogy Lock-in
Marion Public Library
October 16, 2026
9 – 9:30
Registration and refreshments
9:30 – 10:45
Building Your Digital Family History Archive
11:00 – 12:00
Cluster Research or Discovering You’re Related to the Whole
Block
12:00 – 1:00
Lunch
1:15 – 2:15
Beyond the Family Tree: An Introduction to Oral History for
Genealogy
2:30 – 3:30
Researching Your Revolutionary War Soldier: A Case Study
3:45 – 4:45 Gen Z+ Genealogy: Getting the Younger Generation Interested
In Genealogy Research
SESSION Descriptions:
1. Building Your Digital Family History Archive
EvaAnne Johnson, Genealogy & Locak History Librarian at Wilmette Public Library
While we are researching our family tree, we often collect a lot of digital files - from downloaded records and emailed documents to scanned photographs and mobile screenshots. What should we do with all these digital files, and how can we keep them organized? This presentation will cover the basics of digital preservation and outline practical steps for creating a well-structured Digital Family History Archive to safeguard your genealogy work.
2. Cluster Research, or Discovering You’re Related to the Whole Block
Jessica M Trotter, Genealogy Presenter and Researcher
As Aristotle noted, “Man is by nature a social animal” -he has family, society, and throughout history he has moved with them. This session includes tips, tricks, and examples of how researching the neighborhood and other associates of your ancestors can further your own research.
3. Beyond the Family Tree: An Introduction to Oral History for Genealogy
Adrienne Cain Darough, MLS, CA Assistant Director & Clinical Associate Professor, Institute for Oral History
Genealogy often begins with documents, but it becomes powerful through storytelling. This presentation explores the fundamentals of oral history and how intentional interviewing can uncover context, culture, and connections that traditional records may miss. Learn how to plan, conduct, and preserve meaningful family interviews.
4. Researching Your Revolutionary War Soldier: A Case Study
Craig R. Scott, CG, FUGA, President & CEO of Heritage Books
A Revolutionary War ancestor can be a goldmine of information if you know where to look. This lecture aims to examine types of service, compiled military service records, pension applications, settled accounts, and where other documents can be found using a step-bystep methodology in a case study.
5. Gen Z+ Genealogy: Getting the Younger Generation Interested in Genealogy Research
Carl Smith, MLIS, Manager of the Family History Research Center at the Claton Library Campus
Do you have a passion for family history but are worried about who carries the genealogical torch after you? Join in for a special presentation on Gen Z + Genealogy- where we’ll discuss tips and tricks on how to foster understanding, communication, and participation
with the younger generations, and ideas to better market genealogy to different age groups in ways that can increase interest in the topic all around.
Send a message to learn more
