THE MAKING OF A FAMILY HISTORIAN
There’s no time to lose capturing a life or family story. There is healing and celebration, discovery and closure in this timeless expedition. This on-line course is a beginner’s journey from organizing, researching to writing and publishing family histories designed to give participants the framework and tools to tackle their own family history projects.
Five modules are comprised of between 3-5 classes plus an opening class that sets the stage and a closing program which celebrates your learning and accomplishments. The entire series is structured to be taken in its entirety or separate modules as needed.
Join Mary Patricia Voell, personal historian, professional speaker, adult educator and family history coach as she helps you celebrate your family story.
Five modules are comprised of between 3-5 classes plus an opening class that sets the stage and a closing program which celebrates your learning and accomplishments. The entire series is structured to be taken in its entirety or separate modules as needed.
Join Mary Patricia Voell, personal historian, professional speaker, adult educator and family history coach as she helps you celebrate your family story.
SETTING THE STAGE | BENEFITS OF GENEALOGY & FAMILY HISTORY
Why We Want to Tell our Story | What Motivates Us | The Payoff | On Time | On Lost Stories | On Memory | On Science and Research | For A Future Yet Unknown
Cost: No Charge | One Class
Date: TBD
Cost: No Charge | One Class
Date: TBD
Module One: ORGANIZE | CREATING ORDER FROM CHAOS
There is proven methodology for organizing and managing family history and genealogical work. During these face-to-face hands-on workshops learn how to pull together the multitude of papers and photos to more efficiently manage, search and share your family treasures more efficiently.
Course Content
First Things First | Strategies & Systems for Organizing | Oh No! Not More Files | Forms & Charts for the Journey | The Phoebe Method. | Organize Early and Often | Preserving Heirlooms | Photos | Saving & Storage | Tools & Tips for Staying Organized | Disaster Planning | Old School. New School. Knowing Your Resources | The Three P’s of A Well-organized Historian.
Series Cost: $120 - Four Classes
Fall Series: August 9, 16, 23, 30, 2025 | Central Standard Time: 9:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
First Things First | Strategies & Systems for Organizing | Oh No! Not More Files | Forms & Charts for the Journey | The Phoebe Method. | Organize Early and Often | Preserving Heirlooms | Photos | Saving & Storage | Tools & Tips for Staying Organized | Disaster Planning | Old School. New School. Knowing Your Resources | The Three P’s of A Well-organized Historian.
Series Cost: $120 - Four Classes
Fall Series: August 9, 16, 23, 30, 2025 | Central Standard Time: 9:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
Module Two: RESEARCH | OLD SCHOOL. NEW SCHOOL!
So many resources. So much information. Learn how to fine tune your research, explore on-line sources, and discover local possibilities of valuable information. This program may include field trips to local sites.
Course Content
Where to Begin? | The Language of Genealogy | What’s in a Name | Knowing Your Resources & Gathering Your Tools | Oral Histories & Interviews | Capturing, Entering & Transcribing | Search Tips | Onsite & Online | Vital Records | Birth, Marriage, Death Records | Divorce and Adoption | Federal, State & Local Government Records | Census Records | Naturalization & Military Records | Ethnic Resources | Wills, Probate, Land, Tax and Court Records | Libraries & Collections | Churches | Cemeteries | Passenger Lists | Brick Walls | Beyond Vital Records | Directories, Newspapers, Maps | Family Tree Software.
Series Cost: $150 - Five Classes
Fall Series: September 6, 13, 20, 27. October 4, 2025 | Central Standard Time: 9:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
Where to Begin? | The Language of Genealogy | What’s in a Name | Knowing Your Resources & Gathering Your Tools | Oral Histories & Interviews | Capturing, Entering & Transcribing | Search Tips | Onsite & Online | Vital Records | Birth, Marriage, Death Records | Divorce and Adoption | Federal, State & Local Government Records | Census Records | Naturalization & Military Records | Ethnic Resources | Wills, Probate, Land, Tax and Court Records | Libraries & Collections | Churches | Cemeteries | Passenger Lists | Brick Walls | Beyond Vital Records | Directories, Newspapers, Maps | Family Tree Software.
Series Cost: $150 - Five Classes
Fall Series: September 6, 13, 20, 27. October 4, 2025 | Central Standard Time: 9:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
Module Three: Writing | STORY-BY-STORY
There is insight and discovery, creative self-expression and accomplishment in writing your family history. This five week course introduces you to family history writing and leads you through the who, what, when, where, why and how, moving from organizing and researching to writing the stories that surround you. It's never too early, or too late to take the steps toward leaving a family storybook that will be treasured far into the future.
Course Content:
Types of Narratives | Writing Overview | Taking the First Step | Timelines and Storyboards | Thinking Outside the Data | Your Inner Critique | What’s Holding You Back? | Gaining Confidence | Get Ready! Get Set! Write! | Historical Context | From the Past, Through the Present, Into the Future.
Series Cost: $150 - Five Classes
Fall Series: November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2025 | Central Standard Time: 9:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
Types of Narratives | Writing Overview | Taking the First Step | Timelines and Storyboards | Thinking Outside the Data | Your Inner Critique | What’s Holding You Back? | Gaining Confidence | Get Ready! Get Set! Write! | Historical Context | From the Past, Through the Present, Into the Future.
Series Cost: $150 - Five Classes
Fall Series: November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2025 | Central Standard Time: 9:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
Module Four: PHOTOS! PHOTOS! AND MORE PHOTOS!
Course Content:
Organizing and Putting to Use the Kodak Moments | Documenting the Past for the Future!
Series Cost: $120 - Four Classes
Winter Series: TBD | Central Standard Time: 9:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
Organizing and Putting to Use the Kodak Moments | Documenting the Past for the Future!
Series Cost: $120 - Four Classes
Winter Series: TBD | Central Standard Time: 9:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
Module Five: FRONT MATTER. BACK MATTER. PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Course Content:
From Transcript to Manuscript | Self-Publishing Family History Books | Printing | Costs | Hiring Professionals
Front Matter/ Back Matter Cost: $120 - Four Classes
Summer Series: December 6, 13, 20, 2025 | Central Standard Time: 9:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
Winter Series: January 3, 10, 17, 2026
From Transcript to Manuscript | Self-Publishing Family History Books | Printing | Costs | Hiring Professionals
Front Matter/ Back Matter Cost: $120 - Four Classes
Summer Series: December 6, 13, 20, 2025 | Central Standard Time: 9:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
Winter Series: January 3, 10, 17, 2026
FROM INSPIRATION TO CELEBRATION
Cost: No Charge
UPON THE COMPLETION OF A SERIES | Central Standard Time: 10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
UPON THE COMPLETION OF A SERIES | Central Standard Time: 10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
Entire Series (All Modules)
| 2024_-_class_registration_form.pdf |
ABOUT LEGACIES' CLASSES
Zoom Video Communications
The Online Classes are held using ZOOM Video Communication, a U.S.-based company operating from San Jose, California that provides cloud-based video communications. Offering both cloud meeting and webinar software, Zoom is most known for Zoom Video Conferencing, also referred to as "Zoom" by users combines video conferencing, online meetings, and mobile collaboration into one platform.
One need not have a Zoom account to register and participate. A ZOOM log in e-mail will be sent prior to each class and participants simply click and run to enter the private classroom. If you would like to check it out beforehand visit zoom.us.
Payment Options
Online Registration. Complete Registration Form and make payment online through PayPal.
Mail-in. Print out Registration Form and mail to: Legacies, LLC | 2212 Stonecroft Drive, Grafton, WI 53024. Make check payable to Legacies, LLC.
Fees include The Making of a Family Historian E-Book materials that will be sent as attachments during the duration of the course.
Refund Policy
A full refund will be issued if requested ten days prior to first class. No refunds or credits will be issued after that date. All refunds must be requested by e-mail or phone.
Contact Info
To register or explore other programs and presentations provided by Legacies, contact Mary Patricia Voell at [email protected].
Zoom Video Communications
The Online Classes are held using ZOOM Video Communication, a U.S.-based company operating from San Jose, California that provides cloud-based video communications. Offering both cloud meeting and webinar software, Zoom is most known for Zoom Video Conferencing, also referred to as "Zoom" by users combines video conferencing, online meetings, and mobile collaboration into one platform.
One need not have a Zoom account to register and participate. A ZOOM log in e-mail will be sent prior to each class and participants simply click and run to enter the private classroom. If you would like to check it out beforehand visit zoom.us.
Payment Options
Online Registration. Complete Registration Form and make payment online through PayPal.
Mail-in. Print out Registration Form and mail to: Legacies, LLC | 2212 Stonecroft Drive, Grafton, WI 53024. Make check payable to Legacies, LLC.
Fees include The Making of a Family Historian E-Book materials that will be sent as attachments during the duration of the course.
Refund Policy
A full refund will be issued if requested ten days prior to first class. No refunds or credits will be issued after that date. All refunds must be requested by e-mail or phone.
Contact Info
To register or explore other programs and presentations provided by Legacies, contact Mary Patricia Voell at [email protected].