The following is a press release issued by the Portsmouth, New Hampshire Public Library:

Program Type: Workshop, Genealogy

Age Group: Adult

Program Description

Presented by the library’s Special Collections staff and members of the Ranger Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), these events are free, open to the public, and appropriate for all levels of interest and experience. All levels will learn something new!

Ever feel like you’ve hit a brick wall in your genealogy research? You’ve scoured census records, birth certificates, and marriage licenses, but the trail seems cold. Fear not, fellow family history detective! John Barr, a professional genealogist, is here to show you the power of hidden treasures: derivative sources.

This program will take you on a journey beyond the typical primary documents. We’ll delve into the fascinating world of history books – how they’re created and the wealth of family records they can hold. John will unveil surprising examples of family information tucked away in these historical accounts.

The true magic unfolds as John demonstrates how derivative sources can act as breadcrumbs, leading you to the original documents that paint a vivid picture of your ancestors’ lives. Imagine adding context to their stories by understanding the historical events that shaped their world.

Ready to unlock these forgotten gems? John will introduce you to powerful tools like WorldCat and HathiTrust to locate obscure history books. And don’t forget your citations! We’ll learn the proper way to cite derivative sources so you can be sure your research is meticulously documented. Join us on this exciting adventure and discover the wealth of information in the world of derivative sources!

This program will be held on Zoom. Register for the link!

About the Presenter

John M. Barr is the proprietor of Old Northwest Genealogy, an Indiana-based genealogy research company specializing in the 18th and 19th centuries with an emphasis on Land and Probate records. With expertise in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Minnesota, John can also navigate research throughout the US. He is an active member of The Association of Professional Genealogist and has served as President of the Indiana Chapter of the APG. You can learn more about John at oldnorthwestgenealogy.com.