Category Archives: female ancestors

Who Is Your Most Elusive Female Ancestor? Find Her Today with New Course!

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When I began my genealogy research some 30 years ago, I started with researching my maternal grandmother. In those days before online databases, I spent countless hours digging through old documents and corresponding with various archives and repositories for records to verify family stories.

In hindsight, choosing a woman for my first research project may not have been the best strategy since historically women are typically more difficult to track down. Eventually, I learned enough details about my grandmother’s life to write my book Three Slovak Women. I overcame many research challenges and I can help you find your elusive female ancestors.




March is National Women’s History Month and to celebrate, I’m excited to announce a brand new course Finding Your Female Ancestors available at Research, Write, Connect! 


This course is packed full of information from my 30+ years of researching female ancestors! 

Limited Time: Save 30% Off the Regular Price

Register today and save 30% off the regular price of $99 (now just $69.30 USD)

Use coupon code: MARCH19


Offer expires 31 March 2019 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time!


Here’s What You’ll Learn

By taking this course today, you will quickly overcome the common challenges of missing maiden names and male-dominated record sets to finally find the females in your family tree. Get strategies and methods to help you tell “her” story!

Course Highlights

  • Work on your own schedule.
  • Weekly Lessons: Pace your learning. You will receive four lessons emailed to you on a weekly basis (one lesson per week).
  • Tips and Techniques: Detailed lessons and instructional videos will show you successful strategies for finding your female ancestors.
  • Measure Your Progress: Checklists, worksheets, and self-graded assessments will help keep you on track and measure your progress.

Course Outline

Lesson 1: Getting Started
Developing a successful research strategy
Learn key steps for beginning your search

Lesson 2: Teasing Out Maiden Names
Strategies to Determine Maiden  Names
Seeking Out Vital Records and Other Resources
Naming Practices and Patterns

Lesson 3: Remember the Ladies!
Exploring Oral Histories, Family Traditions and Inner Circles
Women’s History 101
Tell Her Story

Lesson 4: Solving Special Research Problems
Advanced Tips
Brickwall Strategies
You Can Find Your Elusive Female Ancestors!

Course Wrap-Up
Summary
Additional Resources
Next Steps

Click here to start finding your female ancestors today!



[Thank you for your interest in my blog and products and your support through shopping the affiliate links. As a small business owner, I am grateful for your support!]


Copyright, 2019, Lisa A. Alzo, All Rights Reserved




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Time is Running Out – Save 50% on Webinar Bundles

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Time is running out for the sale on my popular webinar bundles!

Save 50% at checkout with coupon code JOY18  through December 31, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. EST.  

Click here to purchase now!

https://www.lisaalzo.com/webinars


Each bundle contains video file links for each presentation (hosted on Vimeo), plus the syllabus materials/handouts.

New Titles Added

Two new titles have been added:

Genealogy Dark Side Bundle


Three webinars and 14 pages of syllabus materials:

1. Cause of Death: Using Coroner’s Records for Genealogy – This presentation covers where to find coroner’s records and how to mine them for genealogy research clues.
2. Diseases, Disasters, Distress: Bad for Your Ancestors, Good for Genealogy!– This presentation will discuss five ways to learn how diseases, disasters, and distress may have impacted your family’s history.
3. Make Those Skeletons Dance: Exploring Your Family’s Dark Side – When you start digging into your family’s past, “You never know what you’re gonna get.” If you suspect a few black sheep lurking in your family tree, this session will show you how to hunt them down, bust through the speculation, and tell the real story.

Timesaving Tools for the Family Historian Webinar Bundle

Three webinars and 10 pages of syllabus materials:

1. Storyboard Your Family History – Learn how a storyboard can help you jumpstart and improve your writing.2. Scrivener for Easier Family History Writing Projects – Get an overview of how to use Scrivener for your writing projects.3. Trello for Genealogists – Learn how to use Trello as a virtual whiteboard for organizing and managing your research and writing projects.

Other Great Webinar Bundles

You can also get any of these webinar bundles for 50% off during the sale:

Share Your Stories Webinar Bundle

Finding Your Female Ancestors (Volume I) Webinar Bundle

Beginning Genealogy Webinar Bundle

Eastern European Genealogy (Volume I) Webinar Bundle

Click here to read my recent post on these bundles.

Sale Ends December 31st


All bundles are on sale for a limited time ONLY – save 50% at checkout with coupon code JOY18 through December 31, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. EST.  

Click here to purchase now!

More bundles will be added, so keep checking back, or sign up for my newsletter to receive notifications about new products.



Copyright 2018, Lisa A. Alzo, All Rights Reserved

[Thank you for supporting The Accidental Genealogist by purchasing these products which are a part of the income stream for my writing/genealogy business]
http://theaccidentalgenealogist.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Sale Extended ~ 50% Off Webinar Bundles through 12/31/18

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Happy Holidays!  

I have extended the sale on my popular webinar bundles. Save 50% at checkout with coupon code JOY18  through December 31, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. EST.  

Click here to purchase now!

https://www.lisaalzo.com/webinars

Each bundle contains video file links for each presentation (hosted on Vimeo), plus the syllabus materials/handouts.

New Titles Added

Two new titles have been added:

Genealogy Dark Side Bundle

Three webinars and 14 pages of syllabus materials:

1. Cause of Death: Using Coroner’s Records for Genealogy – This presentation covers where to find coroner’s records and how to mine them for genealogy research clues.
2. Diseases, Disasters, Distress: Bad for Your Ancestors, Good for Genealogy! – This presentation will discuss five ways to learn how diseases, disasters, and distress may have impacted your family’s history.
3. Make Those Skeletons Dance: Exploring Your Family’s Dark Side – When you start digging into your family’s past, “You never know what you’re gonna get.” If you suspect a few black sheep lurking in your family tree, this session will show you how to hunt them down, bust through the speculation, and tell the real story.

Timesaving Tools for the Family Historian Webinar Bundle


Three webinars and 10 pages of syllabus materials:

1. Storyboard Your Family History – Learn how a storyboard can help you jumpstart and improve your writing.
2. Scrivener for Easier Family History Writing Projects – Get an overview of how to use Scrivener for your writing projects.
3. Trello for Genealogists – Learn how to use Trello as a virtual whiteboard for organizing and managing your research and writing projects.

Other Great Webinar Bundles

You can also get any of these webinar bundles for 50% off during the sale:

Share Your Stories Webinar Bundle

Finding Your Female Ancestors (Volume I) Webinar Bundle

Beginning Genealogy Webinar Bundle

Eastern European Genealogy (Volume I) Webinar Bundle


Click here to read my recent post on these bundles.

Sale Ends December 31st


All bundles are on sale for a limited time ONLY – save 50% at checkout with coupon code JOY18 through December 31, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. EST.  

Click here to purchase now!


More bundles will be added, so keep checking back, or sign up for my newsletter to receive notifications about new products.


Copyright 2018, Lisa A. Alzo, All Rights Reserved

[Thank you for supporting The Accidental Genealogist by purchasing these products which are a part of the income stream for my writing/genealogy business]
http://theaccidentalgenealogist.blogspot.com/atom.xml

It’s the Most Bundle-ful Time of the Year! 50% Off Flash Sale on Webinar Bundles

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In the midst of all the holiday shopping for your family and friends, why not treat yourself to the gift of genealogy education?   

I have received many requests asking whether webinars I have presented are available for purchase, so I have put together special themed “bundles” of some of my most popular presentations.


                                                 https://www.lisaalzo.com/webinars


Each bundle contains video file links for each presentation (hosted on Vimeo), plus the syllabus materials/handouts.

For a limited time ONLY  all currently available bundles are on sale – save 50% at checkout with coupon code JOY18  today through Sunday December 23, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. EST.  Click here to purchase now!

ONE NEW BUNDLE WIILL BE ADDED EACH DAY OF THE SALE!

Also, one new bundle will be added each day during the sale – so click here to check back.

Friday, 12/21/18 – Eastern European Genealogy Volume I Webinar Bundle (Okay, I am offering this one for sale today…)

Saturday, 12/22/18- Genealogy Dark Side Webinar Bundle (find those Black Sheep ancestors!

Sunday, 12/23/18 – Time-Saving Tools for Family Historians Webinar Bundle (just in time for the New Year!)


Current webinar bundles available:

New!  Eastern European Genealogy Volume I Webinar Bundle – just added!
Regular price $19.95 – now just $9.97!


Click here to purchase – use coupon code: JOY18

Includes:

1. 10 Ways to Jumpstart Your Eastern European Genealogy

2. Eastern European Maps and Gazetteers

3. Eastern European Church Records


Share Your Stories Webinar Bundle: Regular price $19.95 – now just $9.97!


Click here to purchase – use coupon code: JOY18

Includes:

1. Creating Family History eBooks: Your Blueprint for Success
               
2. Scrivener For Easier Writing Projects

3. The Write Stuff: Using Nonfiction Writing Techniques to Write a Better Family History

4. Bonus Video: Create a Fabulous Family History Tribute – Animoto Video Tutorial/Sample Tribute Video


Beginning Genealogy Webinar Bundle – Regular price $19.95 – now just $9.97!

Click here to purchase – use coupon code: JOY18

Includes:

1. Online Genealogy for Beginners and Beyond

2. Tracing Your Immigrant Ancestors

3. Taming Your Inner Packrat Part 1 and Part 2


Finding Your Female Ancestors (Volume I) Webinar Bundle – Regular price $19.95 – now just $9.97!


Click here to purchase – use coupon code: JOY18

Includes:

1. Ladies First: Finding Your Female Ancestors

2. Ten Ways to Tell Your Female Ancestors’ Stories

3. Three Slovak Women: Telling the Story of One Slovak-American Family Using Oral and Social History


More bundles will be added, so keep checking back, or sign up for my newsletter to receive notifications about new products.




Copyright 2018, Lisa A. Alzo, All Rights Reserved


[Thank you for supporting The Accidental Genealogist by purchasing these products which are a part of the income stream for my writing/genealogy business]

http://theaccidentalgenealogist.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Black Friday Weekend Bonanza: 50% Off Webinar Bundles by Lisa Alzo

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I have received many requests asking whether webinars I have presented are available for purchase, so I have put together special themed “bundles” of some of my most popular presentations. 

https://www.lisaalzo.com/webinars



Each bundle contains video file links for each presentation (hosted on Vimeo), plus the syllabus materials/handouts. 

For Black Friday weekend, all currently available bundles are on sale – save 50% at checkout today through Cyber Monday! Offer expires on Monday,  26 November 2018 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Current webinar bundles available:


Share Your Stories Webinar Bundle: Regular price $19.95 – now just $9.97! 
Click here to purchase – use coupon code: stories18


Includes:
1. Creating Family History eBooks: Your Blueprint for Success
2. Scrivener For Easier Writing Projects
3. The Write Stuff: Using Nonfiction Writing Techniques to Write a Better Family History
4. Bonus Video: Create a Fabulous Family History Tribute – Animoto Video Tutorial/Sample Tribute Video


Beginning Genealogy Webinar Bundle – Regular price $19.95 – now just $9.97!
Click here to purchase – use coupon code: beginner18


Includes:
1. Online Genealogy for Beginners and Beyond
2. Tracing Your Immigrant Ancestors
3. Taming Your Inner Packrat Part 1 and Part 2

Finding Your Female Ancestors (Volume I) Webinar Bundle – Regular price $19.95 – now just $9.97! 
Click here to purchase – use coupon code: females18


Includes:
1. Ladies First: Finding Your Female Ancestors
2. Ten Ways to Tell Your Female Ancestors’ Stories
3. Three Slovak Women: Telling the Story of One Slovak-American Family Using Oral & Social History


More bundles will be added, so keep checking back, or sign up for my newsletter to receive notifications about new products.



Copyright 2018, Lisa A. Alzo, All Rights Reserved

[Thank you for supporting The Accidental Genealogist by purchasing these products which are a part of the income stream for my writing/genealogy business] 

http://theaccidentalgenealogist.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Back for a Fifth Year: Fearless Females: 31 Blogging Prompts to Celebrate Women’s History Month

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In March 2010, I launched a series of 31 blogging prompts for celebrating and honoring the “fearless females” in our family trees. Many bloggers participated and I was asked if I planned on running them again. I’m happy to say that this series is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year.

So, to mark National Women’s History Month (beginning Saturday, March 1), I’m listing the 31 prompts below. 

You can choose to do some of them, or all of them–there’s no pressure–it’s meant to be a fun exercise to focus on the women and make sure their stories are told!  

Enjoy!

Also, watch this blog for other ideas, prompts, and tips to learn about your female ancestors.

————–
Fearless Females: 31 Blogging Prompts to Celebrate Women’s History Month


[Group of young womenreading in library of normal school, Washington, D.C.]Library of Congress, (Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1864-1952, photographer.); REPRODUCTION NUMBER: LC-USZ62-100288 (b&w film copy neg.) DIGITAL ID: (b&w film copy neg.) cph 3c00288 http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3c00288

Blogging Prompts

March 1 — Do you have a favorite female ancestor? One you are drawn to or want to learn more about? Write down some key facts you have already learned or what you would like to learn and outline your goals and potential sources you plan to check.

March 2 — Post a photo of one of your female ancestors. Who is in the photo? When was it taken? Why did you select this photo?

March 3 — Do you share a first name with one of your female ancestors? Perhaps you were named for your great-grandmother, or your name follows a particular naming pattern. If not, then list the most unique or unusual female first name you’ve come across in your family tree.

March 4 — Do you have marriage records for your grandparents or great-grandparents? Write a post about where they were married and when. Any family stories about the wedding day? Post a photo too if you have one.

March 5 — How did they meet? You’ve documented marriages, now, go back a bit. Do you know the story of how your parents met? Your grandparents?

March 6 — Describe an heirloom you may have inherited from a female ancestor (wedding ring or other jewelry, china, clothing, etc.) If you don’t have any, then write about a specific object you remember from your mother or grandmother, or aunt (a scarf, a hat, cooking utensil, furniture, etc.)

March 7 — Share a favorite recipe from your mother or grandmother’s kitchen. Why is this dish your favorite? If you don’t have one that’s been passed down, describe a favorite holiday or other meal you shared with your family.

March 8 — Did one of your female ancestors leave a diary, journal, or collection of letters? Share an entry or excerpt.

March 9 — Take a family document (baptismal certificate, passenger list, naturalization petition, etc.) and write a brief narrative using the information.

March 10 — What role did religion play in your family? How did your female ancestors practice their faith? If they did not, why didn’t they? Did you have any female ancestors who served their churches in some capacity?

March 11 — Did you have any female ancestors who died young or from tragic or unexpected circumstances? Describe and how did this affect the family?

March 12 — Working girl: Did your mother or grandmother work outside the home? What did she do? Describe her occupation.

March 13 — Moment of Strength: share a story where a female ancestor showed courage or strength in a difficult situation.

March 14 — Newsmakers? Did you have a female ancestor who made the news? Why? Was she famous or notorious? Did she appear in the social column?

March 15 — Write a six-word memoir tribute to one of your female ancestors.

March 16 — If you could have lunch with any female family member (living or dead) or any famous female who would it be and why? Where would you go? What would you eat?

March 17 — Social Butterfly? What social organizations or groups did your mother or grandmother belong to? Sewing circle, church group, fraternal benefit society or lodge? Describe her role in the group.

March 18 — Shining star: Did you have a female ancestor who had a special talent? Artist, singer, actress, athlete, seamstress, or other? Describe.

March 19 — Have you discovered a surprising fact about one of your female ancestors? What was it and how did you learn it? How did you feel when you found out?

March 20 — Is there a female ancestor who is your brick wall? Why? List possible sources for finding more information.

March 21 — Describe a tender moment one of your female ancestors shared with you or another family member.

March 22 — If a famous director wanted to make a movie about one of your female ancestors who would it be? What actress would you cast in the role and why?

March 23 — Create a timeline for a female ancestor using your favorite software program or an online timeline generator such as OurTimelines.Post an image of it or link.

March 24 — Do you share any physical resemblance or personality trait with one of your female ancestors? Who? What is it?

March 25 — Tell how a female ancestor interacted with her children. Was she loving or supportive? A disciplinarian? A bit of both?

March 26 — What education did your mother receive? Your grandmothers? Great-grandmothers? Note any advanced degrees or special achievements.

March 27 — Do you know the immigration story of one or more female ancestors? Do you have any passenger lists, passports, or other documentation? Interesting family stories?

March 28 — Do you remember your mother’s best friend? Your grandmother’s? How and where did they meet? How long were they friends? What activities did they share?

March 29 — Create a free Fold3 Memorial Page or a Genealogy Trading Card at Big Huge Labs for a female ancestor. Some of you may have created your own card back in September 2009 following Sheri Fenley’s post over at The Educated Genealogist. This time, the card is for your female ancestor. Tell us about who you’ve selected and why and then post a link to what you’ve created.

March 30 — Did you receive any advice or words of wisdom from your mother or another female ancestor?

March 31 — Pick one female ancestor and write a mini-profile (500 words or less).

BONUS: Take all of your postings and turn them into a memory or tribute booklet for future generations.

Post an entry on your Blog when you have created your tribute. Tell us how you did it (what format, how you printed it or digitized it, etc.).

Copyright, 2010-14, Lisa A. Alzo
All Rights Reserved
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Watch “Silent Voices” Webinar for Free During March

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In celebration of National Women’s History Month, I’m offering free viewing access via my website to my “Silent Voices: Tips and Tricks for Tracing Female Ancestors” webinar I presented last year (March 2011). Click here to access the video.

The video will be available to view for free through March 31st.

[Please note: The video is in .wmv format and may not play on Macintosh computers or some other systems].

For additional instruction, please check out my course: “Grandmothers, Mothers, and Daughters–Tracing Women” offered through the National Institute for Genealogical Studies.


Copyright 2012, Lisa A. Alzo
All Rights Reserved

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