Workshops
Interested in booking a genealogy workshop?
If you’re a member of a historical society, library, museum, or another educational institution, we can arrange a genealogy workshop to meet your group’s specific needs.
Workshops can be presented in a lecture style or as a hands-on experience. During the hands-on workshops, participants have the opportunity to learn and practice concepts being taught within the class session.
Spring Events
Beginner-Friendly
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This course will cover the some of the skills and records used in basic genealogical research. We will cover the following topics:
-How to get started researching your family tree.
-What is a pedigree chart and how to fill it out.
-Basics on how to organize your research and your records
-Where and how to access different record types such as the Census, birth, marriage, and death records.
-What are some pitfalls to avoid and how to work around possible road blocks.
During the last part of the course, there will be a few in-class actives to practice some of the new skills you’ve learned. -
Dive into the exciting world of genealogy with professional genealogist Mica L. Anders, and unlock the stories of your African American ancestors. In this workshop, Mica will introduce the tools you need to begin your family history journey, highlight uniquely African-American sources, and help you uncover your family's stories to honor their legacy.
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The tie between genealogy and genetics has been getting a lot of attention lately as DNA kits, like AncestryDNA and 23andme, have become more popular. There are a lot of things to be learned from testing your DNA. Come learn more about the basics of DNA kits, how to use the results to further your genealogical research, and what to do when you receive matches that you never expected.
During the last part of the course, there will be a few in-class activities to practice some of the new skills you’ve learned. -
The tie between genealogy and genetics has been getting a lot more attention lately as DNA kits, like AncestryDNA and 23andme, have become more popular. There are a lot of wonderful tools and things to be learned from both the field of genealogy and in DNA kits. They both have a lot to offer in family history research. Yet there are drawbacks and misunderstandings to both.
Come learn more about both fields and see how they can work together to help you learn more about yourself and your family history.
Focused Topics
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Join professional genealogist Mica L. Anders to explore African American life in the Midwest during the formative years of Midwestern statehood from the 1850s to the 1880s. This class reveals the stories of communities and individuals who contributed to the region's early development. We'll explore the multifaceted roles of the early residents as homesteaders, barbers, shop owners, Civil War veterans, and more. Through a blend of personal narratives and historical records, we'll examine the challenges and triumphs of these early residents.
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When researching white European ancestors, it can be easy to overlook how whiteness affected their lives and how white privilege has impacted the availability of information and documentation about them. Professional genealogist Mica L. Anders will discuss what's missing from traditional genealogical practices, how genealogy can inform or reveal racial/cultural identity, and give ideas for using genealogy in transforming historical harm. This class assumes a basic understanding of racism and white privilege.
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Do you suspect your ancestors were enslavers or benefited financially from the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade? Have you found documents identifying enslaved people among the records for your ancestors? Professional genealogist Mica L. Anders will discuss how to examine census records, probate files, and property records and the potential emotions associated with identifying enslavers in your family.
This workshop will also provide tips on researching the descendants of the enslaved and provide ways to use genealogy to transform historical harm. -
Do you know who lived in community with your ancestors? Were they from homogeneous towns and neighborhoods or did they live and work side-by-side with people from different cultures? The answer might surprise you.
Redlining, sundown towns, restrictive covenants, and problematic race relations have all but erased the history of early diversity in some communities. Professional genealogist Mica L. Anders will discuss how to uncover the stories of African American farm laborers, barbers, and others who lived in community with your ancestors and explain why it is important to expand your research to tell the true story of where your family came from. -
The Civil War touched the lives of most Americans in the late 1800s. Civil War Military Pension files provide a unique portal into that time. These historic documents reveal much more than just which side a soldier fought for and their military service record. They tell stories of ordinary people and how they lived during this time. They even reveal stories of lost loves, secret affairs, and for some, reveal who their slave owner may have been and what their life was like while enslaved. Join professional genealogist, Mica L. Anders, and hear about this unique set of documents. Learn how to find out about your own Civil War ancestors and how to obtain copies of their files.
Hands-On Workshops
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Get ready to become a genealogy detective alongside professional genealogist Mica L. Anders in our interactive workshop, "Solving Genealogical Mysteries: Case Studies." In this workshop, we'll present captivating real-life genealogical mysteries that will help you hone your skills as a family history detective. Throughout this session, you'll learn and practice research strategies to crack these captivating cases.
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned researcher, this workshop promises an exciting exploration of the unknown within genealogy. Get ready to embrace your inner genealogy detective and uncover hidden stories. -
Unlock Your Family's Past with Census Records!
Whether you're new to genealogy or seeking to expand your research skills, this hands-on workshop, led by professional genealogist Mica L. Anders will help you make new and exciting discoveries in your family history.
During the session, you'll learn the secrets to effectively using both U.S. and state census records to trace your ancestors, expand your family tree, and uncover fascinating details about your relatives' lives. With Mica's guidance, you'll dive right into action, searching for your family members in the census records on Ancestry and FamilySearch. Discover the richness of your family's past through the lens of census records. -
Have you started your genealogy research? Are you looking for next steps in the process? Bring in newspaper clippings, pedigree charts, death and marriage records, family photos and a notebook to help crack your genealogy mysteries. Genealogist Mica Lee Anders will present a process of building a foundation and strategy for identifying vital documents that will help with your ancestry’s puzzle.
*This workshop is for high-beginning to low-intermediate researchers. Pre-registration is required.
Multi-Day Events
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Have you started your family research & hit a wall? Do you like being around like-minded people so you can finally nerd out with genealogy?
Mica L. Anders (Anders Genealogical Services) is hosting a 3-day immersive genealogy workshop. Participants will have the opportunity to gain new skills, receive hands-on research experience, and potentially find answers to their family history questions during this collaborative workshop.This weekend workshop is the perfect opportunity to build on your existing research skills and discover how to find the answers to your questions. Each attendee is encouraged to bring one or two research questions to investigate as a group. Participants will work collaboratively alongside professional genealogist Mica L. Anders to try and solve each attendee's research question.
Have you started your family research and hit a wall? This workshop is for you.
Do you like learning tips and tricks from other researchers? This workshop is for you.
Do you like being around like-minded people so you can finally nerd out with genealogy with other enthusiasts?This workshop is for you.
Meals provided.
SPACE IS LIMITED -
Mica L. Anders (Anders Genealogical Services) hosts a 3-day immersive DNA workshop.
I got my DNA test results back, now what?
Maybe you got some surprising information, or you just want to know the details behind the names and information on your report.
We can absolutely help you with that.
AND…we want to empower you to do some investigating on your own.
Enter: Reconnecting with Your Ancestors - a DNA-focused retreat. It’s happening soon and we’d love to have you join me. We debated on using the word ‘retreat’ because people have some preconceived notions about that.This is a bit of an un-retreat in that: You’ll go home each night and sleep in your own bed
Each day we’ll get cozy, have plenty of snacks and really nerd out on genealogy
We’ll focus on real connection with each other and our family trees (no awkward icebreakers)
Participants will have the opportunity to gain new skills, receive hands-on research experience, and potentially find answers to their family history questions during this collaborative research retreat.
Meals provided.
SPACE IS LIMITED -
Create a work of art that is as unique as your family.
Do you enjoy crafts, computers, and family history? Spend this week researching your ancestors and learning about family trees. You will create a multi-generational family tree to showcase all you’ve learned during the week. We encourage you to bring family photos to incorporate into your final piece.
Each day I worked with the students to create and expand their family trees. We would spend the beginning of each day learning techniques such as: how to properly do research, how to interview living relatives (and to double check the accuracy of their stories), how to cite and organize information and records, & how to proceed when you think you're stuck.
After each interactive lesson (usually 30 mins max), the students would spend the next two hours of the class researching their families online and printing off relevant documents. The last 30 minutes were used to organize the records found, properly update their pedigree charts, and make a quick research plan for the next day. The last two days, the final hour was used to work on their family tree posters and/or books. They'd then present them to their families in a brief presentation after the final class period.