Genealogy 101

Have you always wondered if you have Scottish or Irish ancestors? Perhaps you do but haven't quite figured out how to go about researching your Celtic roots. Join us on Saturday, August 3rd for one of two identical sessions to learn more!

- Morning session, 9am-11am
- Afternoon session, 1pm-3pm

We'll talk about the resources that exist in our community and beyond for researching Celtic heritage, including understanding different website subscriptions, DNA testing, local research options, and more! We'll go over the basics of how to do research, including recording information, questions to ask known relatives, and paper vs. digital record keeping. Irish and Scottish records and sources, some background on history and religion, and where to find online and "snail mail" records.

We share information on useful websites, including what sites exist, free vs. paid subscriptions, and handouts on sites that are helpful for Celtic research. Finally, the day will conclude with information about DNA testing. Find out which DNA sites provide helpful information, which ones work best to find cousins, and how to interpret one's ethnicity results.

This info session will be presented by Barbara Gorham Johnson of the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society. Barbara has been researching her family tree for over 20 years and has taught Beginning Genealogy classes, How to Organize One's Research, and DNA And Genealogy for several genealogy societies and other programs. She has a degree in Microbiology, has done research at the University of Washington, taught science with the Pacific Science Center, and is a retired Park Ranger. She lives in Mount Vernon and is a member of the Celtic Arts Foundation.

Advance tickets available below!