Presentations
As we have added more content from our past presentations, and will continue to do so, we now have a web page dedicated just for that. Check back often to see more content available!
What's New at the Indiana Archives
We were fortunate to have Vicki Casteel of the Indiana Archives visit to give us an overview of genealogy resources available to the public. Missing from the presentation video is her brief discussion of the future new location for the Archives, across the canal from the Indiana Historical Society, Construction is underway and they are set to move there sometime in 2025.
All About Carthage
Carthage resident Joe Whitfield joined us to share fascinating information about this town in Ripley Township, along the Big Blue River. We are hoping to be able to provide his presentation graphics to go along with the audio of his presentation.
Gowdy … the History of
We were fortunate to welcome Larry Stout of the Rush County Heritage group, who gave a delightful presentation on his hometown of Gowdy. We have the audio from his talk available below. We also have a picture of his poster board and the pamphlets he had available at the presentation.
Research Military Records From Home
Our scheduled August presenter had to cancel at the last minute, but we were fortunate that Allison DePrey Singleton, the Genealogy Services Manager at the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center, graciously offered to fill in. We were pleased to have her on August 13th, and proudly offer the Zoom video of her presentation.
Here are some web links from her presentation:
Online military documents in the National Archives
Search for "Civil War Pensions" in the National Archives (possibly a dead link)
DAR Digital Resources for Genealogical Research
Using the Genealogical Research System (GRS)
FamilySearch query for Rusch County, Indiana
FamilySearch Research Wiki
The Ancestor Hunt free newspaper site (Caveat: RCGS Webmaster tried this site and was re-directed to pay sites. YMMV)
Online military documents in the National Archives
Search for "Civil War Pensions" in the National Archives (possibly a dead link)
DAR Digital Resources for Genealogical Research
Using the Genealogical Research System (GRS)
FamilySearch query for Rusch County, Indiana
FamilySearch Research Wiki
The Ancestor Hunt free newspaper site (Caveat: RCGS Webmaster tried this site and was re-directed to pay sites. YMMV)
Kick-Start your Genealogy Research - Ideas for Research Projects
On February 12th, 2022, Katrina Cooper presented a program based on a Family Tree University class by Sunny Jane Morgan. Ideas for research projects that will make you want to delve back into your family history, twelve projects - one for each month.
Probate Records - Proof of Life, After Life
On May 8th, 2021, John Barr of Old Northwest Genealogy presented a Probate Records program for the Rush County Genealogical Society. John asks, while we remember to research probate records most of the time, the question could be raised: do we remember to search all probate records? What are probate records, and where do we look for them?
How to Set Up a Genealogy Spreadsheet
On February 13th, 2021, Carol Jones presented a program on preparing a Genealogy Spreadsheet. Such a spreadsheet can be used to organize data on several different individuals in order to determine relationships. She used her search for family relationships of her Great Grandmother Cynthia Ann (Marsh) Killian, who was “adopted.” Maybe it will help you break down a brick wall.
The Presentation Audio is an MPEG 4 Audio file with the m4a file extension. If you are not sure how to play this file or have difficulty playing it, you may find help here. The Spreadsheet is a Microsoft Excel format, and the Presentation Slides file is a Microsoft Powerpoint show file.
Discovering Your Genetic Genealogy
On October 10th, 2020, Denise Anderson-Decina from the Central Indiana DNA Interest Group (CIDIG) gave a Zoom presentation on DNA research, topics included the following: what is Genetic Genealogy; how do we inherit DNA; what to expect with DNA results; understanding variations in ethnicity results; ethical issues with DNA testing; helpful tools, and others. This was an intermediate level discussion of DNA research, and a follow-up to her presentation for RCGS last year. Below are presentation materials.
German Genealogy: Researching Ancestors from U.S. to Germany
On September 12th, 2020, Kent Robinson, former President of Palatines to America, gave a Zoom presentation on German genealogy. Below is the presentation outline, complete with web references.
Preparing for a Genealogy Research Trip –
presented by Katrina Cooper and Carol Jones
We usually go on a trip together to a Genealogy Library, but with COVID, we felt it best to make our plans for next year and make the most of our next trip. In lieu of a field trip this year, we opted for a presentation on August 8th, 2020 on tips for a successful genealogy trip. Some of the presentation materials are available here.
Early Land Records in Indiana
On June 13th, 2020, professional genealogist John Barr gave a presentation on early land records in Indiana. The following is the syllabus for his presentation in PDF format.
Tips on Using family Tree Maker and Ancestry.com
On February 8th, 2020, our President Carol Jones presented her tips on using Family Tree Maker, Ancestry.com, etc.
to facilitate research.
This file is an MPEG 4 Audio file with the m4a file extension. If you are not sure how to play this file or have difficulty playing it, you may find help here.
to facilitate research.
This file is an MPEG 4 Audio file with the m4a file extension. If you are not sure how to play this file or have difficulty playing it, you may find help here.
On May 9th, 2020, after a few test runs using Zoom, we repeated Carol's presentation on Ancestry tips. The following is a video of that presentation, which begins shortly after the 4:00 minute mark of the video.
David and Ball Cemeteries Restoration, Part Two
On November 9th, 2019, our own member Joel David gave an update presentation on his work preserving and restoring the David and Ball Cemeteries, which after several years is now essentially complete.
Gathering Genealogical Information from the Cemetery
On June 10th, 2017, Marilyn Yager presented "Gathering Genealogical Information from the Cemetery". Discussion included the 5 must-take photos as well as safe techniques for reading and cleaning stones. An audio capture of her presentation is available for download below. We now have the associated powerpoint presentation as well, you can download it here!
Knowles Shaw, "The Singing Evangelist"
On May 13th, 2017, Larry Stout of Orange Township gave a presentation on his research into the famed Knowles Shaw, "The Singing Evangelist". We have an audio capture of his presentation available for download below.
Family Photographs: From Daguerreotype to Digital
On March 11th, 2017, photo preservationist Joan Hosteler presented her program, "Family Photographs: From Daguerreotypes to Digital". You can view her presentation online here, or download the powerpoint file directly. We have an audio capture of her presentation and it is available for download below. Please note, Joan skipped over some of the latter slides in her powerpoint presentation on Saturday.
This file is an MPEG 4 Audio file with the m4a file extension. If you are not sure how to play this file or have difficulty playing it, you may find help here.
A History of Mays - Its Commerce, Culture, and People
On January 21st, 2017, Marilyn Gray Roberts presented "A History of Mays - Its Commerce, Culture, and People". We have an audio capture of her presentation and it is available for download below. This file is an MPEG 4 Audio file with the m4a file extension. If you are not sure how to play this file or have difficulty playing it, you may find help here.
Gravestones
On November 12th, 2016, Jeannie R. Regan-Dinius, Director of Special Initiatives for the Department of Natural Resources Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology, gave a wonderfully informative presentation on Gravestones. She spoke of cultural and religious traits of stones and those from different time periods, as well as the changing symbology and material from which tombstones are made. We have an audio capture of her presentation and it is available for download below.