Clark County Genealogical Society May Classes

Photographing Family Heirlooms, Artifacts, Photos and Documents

Saturday, April 30, 2022 – 10 am-noon

Clark County Genealogical Society and Library

Local technology expert Steve Young’s jam-packed two-hour class will instruct you in the use of digital SLR cameras. Bring your own DSLR camera and learn how to incorporate a lightbox when photographing family heirlooms, artifacts, photos and other documents.  He will touch on technical aspects of lighting and exposure for best results and will also suggest some best practices when using thumb drives, USB cards and readers to move images to your computer. Steve will also provide suggestions for using these images to connect with your relatives by creating documents or through social media. To reserve a place in the class, call the Clark County Genealogical Society and Library at 360-750-5688, sign up at the CCGS library, or send an email to education@ccgswa.org. To reserve a place in the class, call the Clark County Genealogical Society and Library at 360-750-5688, sign up at the library, or send an email to education@ccgswa.org. Fee: $15/members; $20/non-members.

Getting Started Tracing Your Family Tree

Tuesday, May 3, 2022 – 10 am-noon

Clark County Genealogical Society and Library

Local genealogist Brian Runyan will get you started researching your family tree. Topics include collecting information from the family, family group sheets, pedigree charts and genealogy database program. Start your research with the right tips and techniques. To reserve a place in the class, call the Clark County Genealogical Society and Library at 360-750-5688, sign up at the library, or send an email to education@ccgswa.org. This introductory class is free.

Quickly Organize Your DNA Matches with the Leeds Method Webinar

Wednesday, May 4, 2022: 11 am-12:30 pm

Clark County Genealogical Society and Library

When you take an autosomal DNA test, you get a list of people who share DNA with you from common ancestors. Genealogist Diane Leeds uses “Shared Matching” to create colorful groups of these matches. Each group is likely related to you through one part of your family, and many people get four groups based on their four grandparent lines. This method is based on DNA, not trees, so it is also often effective in cases of unknown parentage. This free Legacy Family Tree Webinar presentation will help you create a Leeds Method chart, understand your results, and use that chart to learn more about your family tree.

There’s Gold in Them Thar Probate Records

Tuesday, May 10, 2022 – 10 am-noon

Clark County Genealogical Society and Library

Local genealogist Dale Deatherage will teach about the types of documents found in probate files, where they can be found, and why they should be an important part of genealogy research. Dale has been working on family history for nearly 20 years. He has been especially interested in a fourth great grandfather who fought in the Black Hawk War. Dale has attended numerous national institutes and enjoys sharing knowledge learned in these learning situations.  To reserve a place in the class, call the Clark County Genealogical Society and Library at 360-750-5688, sign up at the library, or send an email to education@ccgswa.org. Fee: $15/members; $20/non-members

Indirect Evidence – A Case Study Webinar

Wednesday, May 18, 2022: 11 am-12:30 pm

Clark County Genealogical Society and Library

This Connecticut-based, indirect evidence case study will highlight techniques for researching a woman whose maiden name is known, but her parents are unknown due to deficiencies in the vital records. In this free Legacy Family Tree webinar, techniques will be demonstrated that rely on forming hypotheses and gathering evidence to test those hypotheses.Thorough research of neighbors and associates (the FAN principle) will yield enough evidence to tie this woman back into her family. Records used include pre-1850 census records, deeds, probate, church, and court. Death records of family members provide the final clues that tie them all together.

Accessing Genealogically Relevant Materials In Your Bunny Slippers

Tuesday, May 24, 2022 – 10 am-noon

Clark County Genealogical Society and Library


articles and other non-vital record materials without leaving home. Genealogist Brian Runyan will provide his tips for some of the many ways of getting the right content in front of your eyes.To reserve a place in the class, call the Clark County Genealogical Society and Library at 360-750-5688, sign up at the library, or send an email to education@ccgswa.org. Fee: $15/members; $20/non-members.

Understanding the History of the U.S. Census Webinar

Wednesday, May 25, 2022: 11 am-12:30 pm

Clark County Genealogical Society and Library

Just who was it that created the documents genealogists typically turn to first? What rules did they follow? How long did they have to complete their job? How big is an enumeration district? These questions, and more, probably occur to anyone doing extensive research in the U.S. Census reports. This free Legacy Family Tree webinar reviews the staffing, training, search for accuracy, penalties for non-cooperation, and bureaucracy of the U.S. Census from 1790 through 1950.