New Online Workshop: Register Today!
Gift or Join Our online Genealogy Workshop Series!
by Genealogist Liz Sonnenberg
Examples of genealogy books published by Modern Memoirs, Inc.
Have you always wanted to investigate your family history but did not know how to begin? Have you become overwhelmed by all of the information available on the internet, or wondered if it is even correct? Or perhaps someone you love feels this way and would like guidance on how to learn more about their family history? Modern Memoirs is here to help with an online workshop series on best practices for conducting genealogical research. The program provides a solid foundation for people who are new to genealogy and offers good reminders of key concepts for those who are more experienced.
online workshop schedule
Starting Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. EST, Modern Memoirs Genealogist Liz Sonnenberg will lead five weekly, hour-long, live sessions via video conference to delve into the following topics:
Week 1: Tuesday, January 7
Introduction: Seeking the true story—We will talk about what motivates us to do this work, look at a set of core principles to guide us in our research, and review several websites that help us find what we’re looking for.
Week 2: Tuesday, January 14
Analyzing Evidence: How do you know what you know?—We will look at how to analyze sources, information, and evidence to help us “prove” our knowledge of family history.
Week 3: Tuesday, January 21
Gathering and Organizing Information, Part 1: Be methodical!—We will discuss collecting information we already have and putting it in order. Then, we will begin to conduct searches on the internet and put those findings in order, too.
Week 4: Tuesday, January 28
Gathering and Organizing Information, Part 2: Keep being methodical!—We will continue exploring online search techniques and then examine the loads of clues to be mined from census records.
Week 5: Tuesday, February 4
Reporting Your Findings: Complete your research and share it with others!—We will conclude with tips on how to report and publish our findings.
Meet the Presenter
Modern Memoirs Genealogist Liz Sonnenberg holds a BA in journalism and linguistics from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. After decades of work in newspapers and publishing, Liz completed a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University, which emphasizes professionalism and adherence to the Genealogical Proof Standard. As a professional genealogist, she brings to her work at Modern Memoirs the conviction that one of the most important things you can do for your loved ones is to share your genealogical discoveries with them. She is honored to help clients research their ancestry, document and organize findings, and preserve and craft their family stories.
cost for workshop
The total cost is $250 per participant, with a minimum of six participants needed to run the series. Please contact Genealogist Liz Sonnenberg for more information, or to inquire about how you can bring this series to your site. To sign up yourself, or give the gift of enrollment to someone else, click here.
Cancellation Policy: Registrants who cancel their enrollment up to seven days before the date of the first session will be granted a 75% refund. Cancellations falling one to six days before the first session will be granted a 50% refund. Modern Memoirs will retain the balance after any refunds against administrative costs. Refunds will not be granted on or after the date of the first session. Any participant who is unable to attend a live session will be given access to a recording of the meeting for a limited time, with the understanding that materials may not be shared with anyone outside of the group's enrolled members.
Workshops for Hire
GENEALOGY WORKSHOP: Learn to Investigate Your Family History
The Online Genealogy Workshop Series described above can also be conducted in person for your organization, expanded or reduced to fit the group’s schedule and needs.
Please contact Genealogist Liz Sonnenberg for more information, or to inquire about how you can bring this program to your site.
WRITING WORKSHOP: Once Upon a Memory: Writing from Personal and Family History
In a program suitable for senior citizen groups, libraries, heritage organizations, and other civic and community organizations, Modern Memoirs President Megan St. Marie will provide a brief overview of her company’s services aimed at documenting, researching, preserving, and publishing personal and family histories. She will then guide participants through a series of writing prompts that will invite them to draw on their own memories and family histories. The goal will be to demonstrate how engaging in writing and life-review work can be a means of fostering self-discovery and deepening familial connections. Participants will be encouraged, but not required, to share their work as time permits, and there is no obligation for them to further engage Modern Memoirs services.
This writing program can be expanded or reduced to fit your group’s schedule and can be conducted in person or remotely via video conference.
Modern Memoirs President, Megan St. Marie, is a published, award-winning children’s book author and scholar under her maiden name, Megan Dowd Lambert (www.megandowdlambert.com). Much of her work as a Lecturer at Simmons University was devoted to examining child readers’ responses to illustration and book design. This background in book arts and an investment in actively listening to children respond to literature now translate into Megan’s commitment to actively listen to Modern Memoirs clients as they share their personal and family (hi)stories, while helping them turn their memories and research into beautiful, heirloom books.