Genealogy TV

Are you the kind of person who likes going to lectures on genealogy? Have you ever wished for family history programs to be available on TV? Well, since late 2006, Roots Television has been available for viewing on the Internet. The best part? Most of the videos are absolutely free! Posting about Roots Television has been on my “to do” list for quite a while, but like everything else lately, my intentions are good, but my follow through, not so much. Four, count them, four posts within the last week have tie-ins with this subject. 

First, Randy Seavers of Genea-Musings (http://randysmusings.blogspot.com/) posted “Genealogy video workshop survey” which talks about his participation in a Family Tree Magazine survey on the subject of Genealogy video workshops. Though the Roots Television videos themselves are not interactive, they are instructional and the survey itself raises some interesting questions and possibilities. Randy's previous post, “Tracing Immigrant Origins” (http://randysmusings.blogspot.com/2008/02/tracing-immigrant-origins.html) gives links to some wonderful FREE lessons on Genealogy.com. I know that some of you have expressed an interest in researching your immigrant ancestors, so you will want to check out Randy's post.

By coincidence, one of the Roots Television videos that I liked is from the Ancestors Series and is titled, “Immigration Records.” Another video that I am spotlighting below is a two-part video also of the Ancestors Series, “African American Research.” In part two, Tony Burroughs is interviewed about the subject. According to Wally Huskonen of Ohio Genealogy Blog (http://ohiogenealogyblog.blogspot.com/2008/01/african-american-research-seminar-at.html), Mr. Burroughs will be conducting a seminar on February 9 at the Sandusky Library Program Room. The program will run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information about the seminar and registration, see the Sandusky Library's own blog, and post at http://sanduskyhistory.blogspot.com/2008/01/program-announcement-african-american.html. Small world isn't it?

Below are links to just 10 of Roots Television's videos. These are just a sample of what is available and were chosen to given you a taste of the diversity of topics. 

1. “Allen County Public Library: Genealogy Center” http://www.rootstelevision.com/players/player_libraries.php?bctid=1155088315 If you are planning a trip to the Allen County Public Library, this is a must see. Two parts - 9 min 18 sec, 7 min 31 sec

2. “Ancestor Series: Immigration Records” http://www.rootstelevision.com/players/player_ancestors-series.php?bctid=1364182927 One part - 24 min 27 sec 

3. “Ancestor Series: Probate Records” http://www.rootstelevision.com/players/player_ancestors-series.php?bctid=1363158562 I like this particular video because it also stresses the importance of land records along with the probate records One part - 24 min 24 sec 

4. “Ancestor Series: African American Research” http://www.rootstelevision.com/players/player_ancestors-series.php?bctid=494613998 This is the video that includes an interview with Tony Burroughs who will be speaking this coming weekend at the Sandusky Library. Two parts - 11 min 8 sec, 13 min 08 

5. “Ancestor Series: Military Records” http://www.rootstelevision.com/players/player_ancestors-series.php?bctid=296735389 Four parts - 4 min 8 sec, 7 min 17 sec, 7 min 22 sec, 5 min 41 sec 

6. “DNA and Your Roots by Gina Paige” http://www.rootstelevision.com/players/player_conferences.php?bctid=1109182279 While this video pertains to African American DNA, Gina uses diagrams to explain Y-DNA testing and Mitochondrial DNA testing in such a way that even I finally was able to say, “Oh, I get it!” and really mean it. Plus, Gina's perky personality is fun to watch. One part - 38 min, 17 sec 

7. “Using the Grid for Easier Photo Restoration: A tutorial for Adobe Photo Shop and Adobe Shop Element” http://www.rootstelevision.com/players/player_preserving-the-past.php?bctid=1293602305 One part - 3 min, 16 sec 

8. “The Socks to America” http://www.rootstelevision.com/players/player_rootsliving.php?bctid=1178173384 Who says genealogists don't have a sense of humor! One part - 3 min, 8 sec 

9. “Research Process” http://www.rootstelevision.com/players/player_howto.php?bctid=232321301 Twenty-six parts! 

10. “Roots Book Series: Finding Your Hispanic Roots with George Ryskamp” http://www.rootstelevision.com/players/player_hispanic.php?bctid=281859724 After watching this video, I wish I had Hispanic roots! George Ryskamp gives some excellent tips on researching your Hispanic heritage. Four parts - 8 min 7 sec, 7 min 32 sec, 9 min 17 sec, 2 min 35 sec Until Next Time — Happy Ancestral Digging!

Note this post first published online, February 4, 2008, at Desktop Genealogist Blog at The News-Messenger Online http://www.thenews-messenger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=BLOGS02

© 4 February 2008, Desktop Genealogist Unplugged, Teresa L. Snyder