I have found that since taking on the Education Coordinators role at HQRL, that there are some amazing people out there sharing their knowledge about doing family history. They are incredibly helpful and giving of their time and vast knowledge and those of us taking their classes and learning from them are very fortunate. Tina Beaird has spoken to our group several times because she is one of those people. If you looking for classes to take on any genealogical website and her name comes up as a presenter, TAKE THE CLASS!

This class on Mapping Your Migrating Ancestors didn't disappoint. Tina pointed out for example the types of records to look for that might help you find where those ancesots moved from and to. She reminded us to look places we might not have expected such as wills and tax assessment. To look in state, federal and university archives and of course the many different kinds of maps available.

One suggestion was to always consider the time period you are looking at. An example of the importance of this tip is that many towns started up along railroad lines. When the railroad line disappeared, so may to have the town. I am curious to try using Google Maps to create a map that pins on it the different locations a family may have traveled / lived.This is something I didn't know you could do. 

My biggest take away / reminder from this class was not only the many, many resources available to find this information but also how the different resources and maps help to complete the story of our families. It is not only that they went from point a to point b but why. What was the travel like for them when they were traveling? Who might have been living near them that might be future family or that might have been left behind when they moved.

Thank you Tina for another great class. Now it is up to each of us to use what you have taught us. Education isn't just listening......it is the application of what we have heard.

Heidi