One-Hour Presentations Listed Below
Programs Perfect for Your Library or Genealogical or Historical Society
Please email pnila70@outlook.com for availability. I am available to speak in-person or online. My in-person rate is the same as online within 100 miles of Chicago.
Finding Genevieve Behrend — Turning a Brief Wikipedia Entry into a Full Biography
What can you do with just 400 words? In my case, I turned a short Wikipedia entry on Genevieve Behrend into a richly documented, 30,000-word biography spanning 1875 to 1950. Along the way, I uncovered four marriages, a Cook County divorce, an unrecorded suicide, and the fascinating life of a French immigrant who left her mark on the New Thought movement.
In this case study, you’ll see how I blended direct and indirect evidence, mined primary sources, and followed unexpected leads to connect the dots. Whether you’re writing family history, a biography, or just chasing down a stubborn ancestor, the methods I’ll share can help you transform scattered facts into a compelling and well-supported life story.
Publishing Your Family’s Story as a Historical Anthology Using Kindle Direct Publishing
Like many family historians, I’ve wondered how best to preserve my research for future generations. After weighing several options, I chose to publish my work as historical anthologies through Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). In this program, I’ll share practical ways to organize your genealogical research into a cohesive collection of stories, along with tips and tricks for setting up your word processing files for a smooth upload to KDP.
We’ll walk through the process from start to finish, covering what you need to know about ISBN numbers, copyright, cover design, indexing, and citations. I’ll also give you a behind-the-scenes look at my current project—Migration to Holly Pond, Alabama: Quakers to Baptists, 1700–1930—to illustrate how these strategies work in real life. Whether you’re new to publishing or ready to refine your approach, you’ll leave with the tools to turn your research into a lasting, professional-quality historical anthology.
From Paper to Pixels: Digitizing and Preserving Your Family History
Are you ready to transform decades of paper files, photographs, and family documents into a streamlined digital system? Whether you’re just beginning with a shoebox of letters or managing a lifetime of research binders, this program will guide you through the essential tools and techniques for successful digitization. We’ll explore:
- Choosing the right scanner — from flatbeds and handhelds to auto-feeders and phone apps, with real-life examples of what works best for photos, fragile documents, and bulk projects.
- Organizing digital files — practical tips for naming, folder structures, and keeping your system consistent across projects and devices.
- Preserving and protecting your work — strategies for backups and storage, including cloud services and external drives, so your digital archive is safe for future generations.
By the end, you’ll have a roadmap for turning your family’s history into an accessible, well-preserved digital collection.