DCHA to Host Workshop on Genealogical Research
The Delaware County Historical Association will present “Finding Your Delaware County Roots” on Saturday, February 27th from 2 to 4 pm. The workshop will be held at DCHA on Route 10 north of Delhi. DCHA archivist Ray LaFever will discuss recommended approaches to researching your ancestors in Delaware County, using DCHA’s resources, other resources in Delaware County and resources beyond the county, including in print and on-line.
Ray’s early genealogical experiences were shepherded by the late H. Fletcher Davidson, for whom the DCHA archives and library are named. Davidson, the Bovina and Delaware County Historian, had spent years researching the genealogy of local families. When Ray began exploring his roots, he went to Fletcher for some information. Fletcher supplied ten handwritten sheets with information about some of Ray’s Bovina ancestors. Ray plotted the names on a genealogical chart and he was hooked!
As well as an amateur genealogist, Ray has been a professional archivist since graduating from SUNY Albany in 1985. After spending five years working for local governments in Albany and Dutchess counties, he spent 20 years working for the New York State Archives, providing advisory services on archives and records management to local governments and local historical societies.
Ray will share lessons he has learned as a professional archivist and as an amateur genealogist, including those learned from some of his early missteps in genealogical research. He also will discuss tips for keeping your collected information organized, and how to analyze the veracity of a resource. While some people can be dismissive of anything on the Internet, there is important information to be found there. Whether the information is on-line or in a book, you have to learn how to analyze it to determine its value. There will be time for questions and sharing of experiences.
Registration required by February25. Cost: $10 per person. Call 607-746-3849 or e-mail dcha@delhi.net to register.