Opportunities to enhance your genealogical research skills

A great way to increase your genealogical research skills is to attend monthly programs offered by local genealogical chapters and/or annual statewide conferences. There you can acquire helpful tips and inspiration for continuing your quest. Two opportunities are provided below.

The Cuyahoga West Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society will host OGS President Margaret Cheney on Wednesday, March 18, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., in the Porter room at Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road. If you are interested in learning how to prepare great-looking documents for lineage applications or a family history book, Margaret will be presenting “Using Microsoft Word to Produce a Professional Looking Family History Book."

Also, Margaret will share the latest OGS news, including updates on the newly upgraded OGS website and the OGS 2020 Annual Conference, “Unlocking the Pieces,” held April 29-May 2, at Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Sandusky. This annual conference rotates among the Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati areas. So, if you do not attend this year, you will have to wait until 2023 for it to return to the Cleveland area. 

Invited speakers include Blaine Bettinger, genetic genealogist; Judy Russell, legal genealogist; Maureen Taylor, photo detective; Tony Burroughs, author of “Black Roots”; George Morgan and Drew Smith, internationally recognized for their GenealogyGuys podcast; and Cyndi Ingle of cyndislist.com, a genealogy research site. Registration fees are required for the lectures. Workshops, luncheons and banquets costs are separate. There is no fee to visit the vendors hall. For the most up-to-date information on the conference, visit www.ogsconference.org.

Note: You do not need to be a member of Cuyahoga West to attend their monthly evening meetings or afternoon help sessions. The public is invited, free of charge. For additional info, email cuyahogawest@gmail.com.