Machine Translation for Genealogists

Emily Sienkiewicz

It’s fast and cheap, but should you really be using that translation program or AI chatbot to translate documents for your family tree? This webinar will introduce machine translation, discuss how it works, explain what it can and cannot do, and help you decide when you can – and cannot – safely use machine translation in your family tree. Examples will be for French to English translation, but the principles should apply to other language pairs. About the Speaker: Bryna O’Sullivan is a Middletown, Connecticut, based professional genealogist and French to English genealogical translator. Bryna’s previous MGS webinar (available ONLY to MGS members in the member login area of the MGS website) was presented on …

Project Recipe: Weaving a Grandmother’s Letters into a Story

Emily Sienkiewicz

Insight from a published author about a book in progress This very special event features Kathryn Graven, acclaimed author of “Memoirs of a Mask Maker” as she discusses a new project in progress. This is a bit of a diversion from our usual Project Recipe events that focus on completed projects. There’s a special reason. Kathy’s recently published “Memoirs,” honors the women who helped her stitch her life back together after tragic loss. This deeply personal book pulls a narrative thread from Kathy’s personal story to share insight about tending grief and reclaiming joy. With decades of experience as a journalist to inform her process, Kathy is a pro. As you’ll read in “Memoirs of …

Internet Archive: A Gold Mine for Genealogists

Emily Sienkiewicz

We welcome our speaker Thomas MacEntee. He is a professional genealogist who specializes in the use of technology and social media to improve genealogical research and to interact with others. He will be presenting on the Internet Archive (http://www.archive.org). This is a free, online library which includes genealogy source documents such as census images, e-books and more. We will learn how to navigate this website. And how to use best search strategies to find and download a variety of materials — archival web-pages, e-books, videos, audio and more. This meeting is virtual only and free to all. But all who wish to attend (members and visitors) must register to receive the receive the e-mail with …

“RootsTech Wash Up Party” with Hilary Blanford

Emily Sienkiewicz

As RootsTech events wrap, let’s compare notes in a “wash up party!” The conference talks, exhibition halls, and special events of RootsTech get everyone in a lather about what’s new, what’s fun, and what they’ve learned. Let’s take a moment with Hilary Blanford of the East Surrey Family History Society to compare notes and wrap up the show as a community. Recording & resources free to Projectkin members At the conclusion of our program, Projectkin members will get a link to any shared links and resources, and the recording. This program will be held online via Google Meet. Google Meet runs in your browser, so there’s nothing to download. Recordings are generally available 2-4 hours …

“Fun with Genealogy!” with Sindi Terrien

Emily Sienkiewicz

Hook a kid on genealogy and you’ll give them the gift of their ancestors Genealogist, researcher, and author, Sindi Terrien was our Project Recipe speaker in January 2024 talking about creating your own Genealogy Activity Book. She returns during RootsTech to share ideas on inspiring the family to that love of ancestral stories. It’s not just kids who can have fun! Learn more about Sindi at FunwithGenealogy.com. Recording & resources free to Projectkin members At the conclusion of our program, Projectkin members will get a link to any shared links and resources, and the recording. This program will be held online via Google Meet. Google Meet runs in your browser, so there’s nothing to download. …

“Latest in writing tools for family historians” with Denys Allen

Emily Sienkiewicz

Can’t get to RootsTech? Denys is there for you! Noted author, Pennsylvania ancestor researcher, and writing coach Denys Allen has graciously offered to share her insights after touring the RootsTech exhibits and participating in conference programs during the show. Denys is a family history writer uniquely committed to both the crafts of genealogy and writing. Her stories cover eight generations of Pennsylvania ancestors, and taken her to the courthouses and archives of Berks, Blair, Centre, Chester, Clearfield, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Schuylkill, Snyder, and Union counties. Her candid perspective on the show will give you the sense of being there — without leaving the couch. Recording & resources free to Projectkin members At …

Using Permanent.org: Preserving the Digital Legacy of Your Family

Emily Sienkiewicz

Join us for a FREE virtual program on Feb. 20 at 2:30 p.m. ET! Join us as we explore the valuable tools of Permanent.org whose mission is to “preserve and provide perpetual access to the digital legacy of all people for the historical and educational benefit of future generations”. Kaitlyn Jarnagin is a trained digital archivist who is interested in making digital preservation accessible to everyone. She received her Master of Science in Information from the University of Michigan and has previously built digital preservation programs in university libraries and archives. She works as the Member Success Manager at Permanent.org, where she strives to ensure that all members accomplish their goals to preserve their digital …