Featuring
Kenneth W. Heger, PhD
&
Debra A. Hoffman, PLCGS
----- The presentations will describe an ongoing MAGS project to identify new records of our German ancestors living near Bremen and Bremerhaven.
“How the Weser River Project Can Help You Research Your Ancestors”
The session will provide an overview of the Project, focusing on the variety of records it encompasses, and the products the Project will create to help researchers access records. It will walk you through the organizations that created the records, identify the way the records are organized, highlight the topics the records cover, and list the products the Project will create, such as name-searchable databases and reference reports.
“The Weser River Project Uncovers New Sources & Provides Greater Access”
Genealogists are always searching for records containing vital statistics and personal information on their ancestors. The Weser River Project discovered new sources that provide information on precisely those topics, e.g., births, marriages, deaths, estates, questions of citizenship, and emigration information. This presentation will provide information on the sources and case studies of what information can be found and how to access it. It will also update participants on how the Project is facilitating access to the records.
“Something New: Maritime Records Uncovered Through the Weser River Project”
The records the Weser River Project focuses on contain unique sources of maritime records that are of importance to those researching families along the East Coast or those interested in the maritime industry. Sources include crew lists, passports, information on ships and their owners and captains, and sometimes even passengers. This presentation will provide details on the sources and share examples.
“Using Visual Images to Spice Up Your Ancestor’s Life”
In addition to textual documents, a goal of the Weser River Project is to identify postcards, maps, drawings, etc. that can illustrate someone’s biography or provide visuals to complement documentary research. This lecture will focus on the story of two Germans who emigrated from Bohemia to Baltimore via Bremen. It will be based exclusively on using visuals (i.e., postcards, maps, etc.) to illustrate that journey, and serve as an example of how you can add this aspect to your research.