For Family History Month and Hispanic Heritage Month we share with you a holiday for remembering and honoring deceased family members and loved ones – Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. Essential to this holiday is the creation of ofrendas, or altars, that welcome the spirits of the deceased. The Hispanic Genealogical Society of Houston has created ofrendas that can be viewed from September 18th through November 3rd. Adults/Teens. No reservations required.
Join staff member Rodney Sam for a case study of how combining a paper trail with DNA results led to a previously unknown ancestor and confirmed family relationships.
Reservations required, please call 832-393-2600. Adults/Teens.
Learn ways for effectively managing digital genealogy files, including folder organization methods helpful for genealogists; file naming conventions; batch-changing file names; and best practices for backing up and sharing digital genealogy files. Additionally, discover resources available to genealogists in the Special Collections at the University of Houston Libraries. Guest speaker Melody Condron is a librarian at the University of Houston Libraries and specializes in information organization and personal information management. She has presented on genealogy-related topics at RootsTech, the Personal Digital Archiving Conference, and many public libraries.
In celebration of October as Family History Month, Clayton Library will join the Genealogy Network of Texas (GNT), for a collaborative event of streaming live webinars. The GNT is a state-wide initiative to connect libraries and societies, provide educational and research opportunities, and is spearheaded by the Genealogy Center of the Waco-McLennan County Library. Webinars will be broadcasted from libraries across Texas and projected on the Clayton Library Carriage House screen. No reservations required. Adults/Teens.
Don’t Forget the Ladies: A Genealogist’s Guide to Women and the Law | 10 AM – 10:50 AM In early America, women were all too often the people who just weren’t there: not in the records, not in the censuses, not on juries, not in the voting booth. The common law relegated women to “protected” – second-class – status and understanding how they were treated under the law provides clues to finding their identities today. Presented by Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL, The Legal Genealogist. Discovering Your Ancestors’ Land Holdings in the Texas General Land Office | 11 AM – 11:50 AM Learn how maps can be used in genealogical research. This will be an overview of how to use the archival maps, the GIS mapping system, and the original land grant records to find your ancestors. Learn how to use the Land Grant Database and search strategies to locate the survey in a particular county. Lecture will include a case study using the original GLO maps, GIS mapping system, and county records in determining the location of the heinous 1872 murder of Benjamin McKeever in Burnet County Texas. Presented by Kevin Klaus, Information Specialist Texas General Land Office (GLO) Archives and Records. Genealogy Basics: Getting Started on Your Family Tree | 12 PM – 1:30 PM Budding researchers will learn the basics they need to get started researching their family tree. We’ll cover the first steps to take to begin your research, starting with home sources. We’ll also cover the types of records that are useful for genealogical research and where they can be found. We’ll also cover ways to stay organized by utilizing paper charts and forms or computer software. Presented by Carl Smith, Genealogy Librarian, Montgomery County Memorial Library System. Organizing and Preserving Photograph Collections | 1:40 PM – 2:40 PM We all have mounds of old unidentified family photos sitting in boxes. This lecture will offer step-by-step direction in organizing, preserving, and cataloging these precious collections for future generations. Learn how to identify, digitize, and share collections using family trees and social media. Presented by Ari Wilkins, Library Associate at Dallas Public Library. Locating Ancestors on the Dawes Roll | 2:50 PM – 3:50 PM The Dawes Roll, created between 1898-1906, enrolled members of the Five Civilized Tribes living in Indian Territory. Learn why the roll was taken, how the process worked, and the steps to locating an ancestor who enrolled. Presented by Kathy Huber, Manager, Genealogy Center, Tulsa City County Library. Using Autosomal DNA Testing to Solve Genealogy Brick Walls | 4 PM – 5:15 PM Examine several case studies that will demonstrate how autosomal DNA testing can be used to solve genealogy brick walls. Examples will focus on AncestryDNA, but may also include other testing companies and services. Presented by Drew Smith, Assistant Librarian, Academic Services, USF Tampa Library, co-host Genealogy Guys Podcast.
Don’t Forget the Ladies: A Genealogist’s Guide to Women and the Law | 10 AM – 10:50 AM
In early America, women were all too often the people who just weren’t there: not in the records, not in the censuses, not on juries, not in the voting booth. The common law relegated women to “protected” – second-class – status and understanding how they were treated under the law provides clues to finding their identities today. Presented by Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL, The Legal Genealogist.
Discovering Your Ancestors’ Land Holdings in the Texas General Land Office | 11 AM – 11:50 AM
Learn how maps can be used in genealogical research. This will be an overview of how to use the archival maps, the GIS mapping system, and the original land grant records to find your ancestors. Learn how to use the Land Grant Database and search strategies to locate the survey in a particular county. Lecture will include a case study using the original GLO maps, GIS mapping system, and county records in determining the location of the heinous 1872 murder of Benjamin McKeever in Burnet County Texas. Presented by Kevin Klaus, Information Specialist Texas General Land Office (GLO) Archives and Records.
Genealogy Basics: Getting Started on Your Family Tree | 12 PM – 1:30 PM
Budding researchers will learn the basics they need to get started researching their family tree. We’ll cover the first steps to take to begin your research, starting with home sources. We’ll also cover the types of records that are useful for genealogical research and where they can be found. We’ll also cover ways to stay organized by utilizing paper charts and forms or computer software. Presented by Carl Smith, Genealogy Librarian, Montgomery County Memorial Library System.
Organizing and Preserving Photograph Collections | 1:40 PM – 2:40 PM
We all have mounds of old unidentified family photos sitting in boxes. This lecture will offer step-by-step direction in organizing, preserving, and cataloging these precious collections for future generations. Learn how to identify, digitize, and share collections using family trees and social media. Presented by Ari Wilkins, Library Associate at Dallas Public Library.
Locating Ancestors on the Dawes Roll | 2:50 PM – 3:50 PM
The Dawes Roll, created between 1898-1906, enrolled members of the Five Civilized Tribes living in Indian Territory. Learn why the roll was taken, how the process worked, and the steps to locating an ancestor who enrolled. Presented by Kathy Huber, Manager, Genealogy Center, Tulsa City County Library.
Using Autosomal DNA Testing to Solve Genealogy Brick Walls | 4 PM – 5:15 PM
Examine several case studies that will demonstrate how autosomal DNA testing can be used to solve genealogy brick walls. Examples will focus on AncestryDNA, but may also include other testing companies and services. Presented by Drew Smith, Assistant Librarian, Academic Services, USF Tampa Library, co-host Genealogy Guys Podcast.
Dinner Break | 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM
Breaking Brick Walls by Finding Living Cousins | 6:15 PM – 7:15 PM Perhaps a second, third, or even a fourth cousin might have some information about your mutual great or great-grandparents that just might break one of your brick walls. This presentation focuses on finding those living relatives. Shelby will walk you through some internet steps and send you home with website addresses for follow-up research. Presented by Shelby Rowan, Family Historian, President of Texas Research Ramblers Genealogical Society in Bryan/College Station. Census Sense: Clues & Conundrums for Intermediate Researchers | 7:25 PM – 8:30 PM This presentation focuses on federal census headings and codes, alternate federal censuses, state censuses, and their use in our research. The partnership between the national census website and the use of state censuses in revealing information about our ancestors is demonstrated, as is the value of a research timeline. Presented by Patti Gillespie, B.A., M.S., Owner – Family Lines & Stories.
Breaking Brick Walls by Finding Living Cousins | 6:15 PM – 7:15 PM
Perhaps a second, third, or even a fourth cousin might have some information about your mutual great or great-grandparents that just might break one of your brick walls. This presentation focuses on finding those living relatives. Shelby will walk you through some internet steps and send you home with website addresses for follow-up research. Presented by Shelby Rowan, Family Historian, President of Texas Research Ramblers Genealogical Society in Bryan/College Station.
Census Sense: Clues & Conundrums for Intermediate Researchers | 7:25 PM – 8:30 PM
This presentation focuses on federal census headings and codes, alternate federal censuses, state censuses, and their use in our research. The partnership between the national census website and the use of state censuses in revealing information about our ancestors is demonstrated, as is the value of a research timeline. Presented by Patti Gillespie, B.A., M.S., Owner – Family Lines & Stories.
No reservations required. Adults/Teens.
Join your fellow researchers for extended research hours and socializing. The library will close at 5 PM and then re-open at 6 PM.
Reservations required, you MUST register for Genealogy After Dark: Extended Hours to attend the extended hours, please call 832-393-2600. Adults/Teens
In Clayton Library’s monthly orientation we cover the process of research and discovery in the beginning steps of a family history project. Following this brief introduction, we examine the resources available at the Clayton Library and their organization, as well as how to plan an effective visit to the Library.
Beyond the usual sources engaged in family history research, manuscripts are challenging yet rewarding. Manuscripts and the special collections sections of a library might help answer the “why” or “how” of your family history research questions. This research can be time consuming and difficult, but can result in a broader and more detailed story of your family. Presented by staff member Sue Kaufman.
Quarterly meeting of the Clayton Library Friends Executive Board. The Board meets in the CLF Board Room located on the second floor of the Clayton House. All members are invited to the CLF Board meetings and, with a submitted request, you can address the Board. Please come and see what we are doing on your behalf.
Join staff member Franklin Smith for the inaugural meeting of a quarterly DNA discussion series. Each session will begin with a brief presentation on DNA topics after which the session is open for group discussion and comment. Sample topics range from reasons to test, types of test, test providers, analyzing results, basic terminology, and using 3rd party tools. This group is oriented towards those just beginning their DNA journey, but is open to all experience levels.
Ever wonder how to join the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)? Representatives from local DAR chapters will be at Clayton Library for consultation and research help in preparing lineage papers for submission to the DAR.
Discover resources to help you find a missing cemetery, including strategies to find out where the grave was moved and what you can do to document your findings. Presented by staff member Melissa Hayes.
Hosted by the Texas State Genealogical Society, the 2018 Family History Conference, Journey through Generations, brings you sessions with a wide variety of topics from many of the nation’s top family history experts. Workshops and sessions are aimed at strengthening your research skills no matter what your level or area of expertise might be.
Learn from leading family history speakers and educators. Visit companies and organizations providing products and services that will benefit your research. Connect with old friends and make new ones Leave TxSGS 2018 with a renewed enthusiasm for family history and ready to tackle those challenging research projects.
Whether you are just starting to research your family tree or have been an avid genealogist for years, the 2018 TxSGS Conference is an event you won’t want to miss
Visit TxSGS for more information
Jump Start Your Holiday Family History Project
Holiday times are the best times to discover family history stories. A number of genealogy societies have meetings at the Clayton Library either monthly or quarterly. Why not visit one of these groups in November to learn more about them and get ideas that will help discover your family history during this holiday season? No reservations required.
The Clayton Library Friends Annual Meeting will be held on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Registration will start at 10:15 and the meeting will start at 10:30 in the Carriage House Meeting Room at Clayton Library.
Our featured speaker is Bennett Greenspan, founder and current CEO of Family Tree DNA. His presentation is titled: Genetic Genealogy—It's Past, Present and Future.
The Clayton Library Friends General Meeting will be held on Saturday, February 9, 2019. Registration will start at 10:15 and the meeting will start at 10:30 in the Carriage House Meeting Room at Clayton Library.
The Clayton Library Friends General Meeting will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2019. Registration will start at 10:15 and the meeting will start at 10:30 in the Carriage House Meeting Room at Clayton Library.
The Clayton Library Friends General Meeting will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2019. Registration will start at 10:15 and the meeting will start at 10:30 in the Carriage House Meeting Room at Clayton Library.
The Clayton Library Friends Annual Meeting will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2019. Registration will start at 10:15 and the meeting will start at 10:30 in the Carriage House Meeting Room at Clayton Library.
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