Genealogy Conference – Skeletons in Your Closet

Saturday, October 9, 2021 between  10 am – 12 pm and 1 pm – 3 pm

The Society will host a special Genealogy Conference celebrating Family History Month.

Session 1: Genealogist Mary Schweers

Mary Schweers is a graduate of the Boston University Genealogical Research Certificate Program in 2011, She later completed additional training at Boston University on Forensic Genealogy. She has been a volunteer with the Historical Society of Harford County for 10 years and has taught in the Genealogy Program for 7 years.

Skeletons in the Closet, through out history people have always sought the best pedigree of ancestors. However, no family is perfect and those who were unmentionable included criminals, divorced women, the insane and military deserters. Stories were passed down in families of infamous ancestors, heroic deeds and tragic circumstances. In current times the political and social culture has produced more skeletons to deal with and reconcile.

Session 2: Iris Barnes, PhD

Dr. Barnes is an experienced and award-winning historian and educator. Her scholarship interests range from Civil War to Civil Rights with a particular focus on the tenacity and resilience of African Americans who survived and thrived against the odds.

A current political and social focus is the amendatory rapprochement of families who participated in the slave trade and ownership, with the families who were enslaved. For many this involves the complicated study of African American history and genealogy. Dr. Barnes will provide insight on the issues, history and resources available on this subject.

Session 3: Uta Allers

Uta is a native German and English speaker who has expertise and provides services in translating and transcribing documents from World War I and II, German and Jewish veterans, survivors and family histories that are written in regular and old German Scripts. Her work includes translating interviews for the US Holocaust Museum, translating books by Holocaust Survivors and archival documents dating from the 1700s.

Ms. Allers will present a briefing on the history of the Old German language and the type of documents you may encounter.

Session 4: Christopher Smithson

Chris Smithson is a native Marylander and a current resident of Baltimore, Maryland. He started doing genealogy research at the early age of 8 and has continued for over 30 years. He is active in several lineage societies as well as several local historical and genealogical societies.

Mr. Smithson will present “My Ancestors Lied” an entertaining lesson on the fact that our forefathers often twisted the truth and his experiences with these discoveries.