Genealogy
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Retreat
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Autobiography
Biography Nancy Calhoun is the head of the Genealogy and Local History Department at Muskogee Public Library. Her previous work experience includes publishing, newspaper work, teaching, and black and white photography darkroom. Her education includes a B.A. with a double major in English and history, a B.S. in vocational home economics with a minor in photography, and a M.S. in curriculum and instruction. She has also been employed in a city library and in a university library. Her genealogy quest began with listening to stories told by her paternal grandfather who came to Oklahoma from Virginia in 1909. His ancestors were some of the earliest recorded residents of southwest Virginia when they appear on pre-1750 land records. Her research adventure began when she took a genealogy class at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, in the early 1970’s. She has been expanding her education in genealogy at every opportunity since that time, including attending three Conference in the States sessions held by the National Genealogical Society. She quickly found that her history studies in graduate school, writing skills, and photography interests were a great combination with genealogy. She believes that timelines are a valuable tool for genealogists. They can take many forms including history of an area, geographical changes, or an individual’s life. Historical knowledge can provide the key to where to find valuable records. Simply putting down the facts and dates can provide insight on where to look for additional information and what is missing.
Web Information
Session Information: During the “Timelines” presentation she will discuss various types of timelines and how they can be used by genealogists. A specific geographical area may have changed boundaries and names during a 100 year time period. Knowledge of this will allow the researcher to know where to look for records. Ancestors may have lived their entire lives in one area, yet county and even state boundaries may have changed. She will also discuss different types of timelines. The presentation will conclude with a case study using her Hendrix line as an example of genealogy research, examining it to determine what’s missing and where to look. |
