Thank you for joining us for this year’s genealogy event! This year, this event is being held virtually. Today’s programs are only available today (Friday, October 16, 2026). They will not be viewable after this event. Below, you will find today’s agenda with a description of each of the programs as well as information about each of our speakers. If you have any questions about today’s event, or have trouble accessing a video, please contact the Bartholomew County Public Library by calling (812) 379-1266.
    
Time:
9:30 AM

Length: 50 Minutes 		Building Your Digital Family History Archive, Difficulty: Intermediate
EvaAnne Johnson, Genealogy & Local History Librarian at Wilmette Public Library
While we are researching our family tree, we often collect a lot of digital files - from downloaded records and emailed documents to scanned photographs and mobile screenshots. What should we do with all these digital files, and how can we keep them organized? This presentation will cover the basics of digital preservation and outline practical steps for creating a well-structured Digital Family History Archive to safeguard your genealogy work.
  
Time:
10:40 AM

Length: 50 Minutes 		Cluster Research, or Discovering You’re Related to the Whole Block, Difficulty: Intermediate
Jessica M. Trotter, Genealogy Presenter and Researcher
As Aristotle noted, “Man is by nature a social animal” -he has family, society, and throughout history he has moved with them. This session includes tips, tricks, and examples of how researching the neighborhood and other associates of your ancestors can further your own research.
  
Time:
2:00 PM

Length: 50 Minutes 		Beyond the Family Tree: An Introduction to Oral History for Genealogy, Difficulty: Beginner
Adrienne A. Cain Darough, MLS, CA, Assistant Director and Clinical Associate Professor, Institute f
Genealogy often begins with documents, but it becomes powerful through storytelling. This presentation explores the fundamentals of oral history and how intentional interviewing can uncover context, culture, and connections that traditional records may miss. Learn how to plan, conduct, and preserve meaningful family interviews.
  
Time:
3:10 PM

Length: 50 Minutes 		Gen Z + Genealogy: Getting the Younger Generation Interested in Genealogy Research, Difficulty: Beginner
Carl Smith, MLIS, Manager of the Family History Research Center at the Clayton Library Campus
Do you have a passion for family history but are worried about who carries the genealogical torch after you? Join in for a special presentation on Gen Z + Genealogy- where we’ll discuss tips and tricks on how to foster understanding, communication, and participation with the younger generations, and ideas to better market genealogy to different age groups in ways that can increase interest in the topic all around.
  
This event was cosponsored by: