Free Online Learning Opportunity – Free Online Genealogical Resources

Mr. and Miss Wolverine, Bayfield Wolverines Yearbook 1972. Courtesy Pine River Library.

Join the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) on Tuesday, October 19, at 1 pm MST for free a one-hour informational genealogy webinar using DPLA resources, presented by members of the DPLA the Outreach and Accessibility working group and Allison Ryall, Genealogy Specialist for the Orange County Library System. The DPLA is a free online database providing easy one-stop-searching of digitized historic collections found at institutions across the United States.

Currently the DPLA includes 553,965 unique digitized historic items from 63 institutions in Colorado and Wyoming. Participating Colorado and Wyoming institutions and their collections continue to grow so there are always new stories to discover. You and your patrons can discover oral histories, family photographs, personal histories, yearbooks, obituaries, and so much more.

The webinar will cover some DPLA basics, such as search techniques and a metadata overview, as well as genealogy tips and tricks. Allison will provide several case studies using DPLA resources and highlighting how to navigate DPLA’s collection and use available primary source sets. Attendees will become familiar with the various DPLA resources that are relevant to genealogy research and will gain insight in genealogical search strategies.

Allison Ryall is the Genealogy Specialist for the Orange County Library System (OCLS) and an instructor in Boston University’s Genealogical Research Program. In addition, Allison works with a variety of law enforcement agencies assisting them in solving cold case violent crimes using genetic genealogy. Previously, Allison worked with the National Genealogical Society as their Advertising and Marketing Manager and Graphic Designer and served as a grader for the National Genealogical Society’s Home Study Course. Allison also served as the conference tri-chair, program chair, and Ancestors Road Show Chair for the New England Regional Genealogical Conference and as the conference chair for the Association for Professional Genealogist’s annual conference.