Thank you for registering for the online course, Louisiana Family History Research: Four Centuries of History and Genealogy
Characterized by the convergence of diverse cultures—primarily French, Spanish, African, Native American, and Caribbean—Louisiana embodies a unique blend of people, geography, and history; a unique blend that has had a lasting impact on how family historians trace their Louisiana roots. While the Indigenous people and cultures of Louisiana have existed for millennia, this four-week online course will focus on the four centuries since colonization. Going century-by-century, each class will explore the historical context, records, and research strategies critical to making headway in your family history research and uncovering the stories of your Louisiana ancestors!
This course includes four 90-minute classes and exclusive access to handouts and recordings of each presentation. These recordings and all course materials will be available for the foreseeable future.
COURSE SCHEDULE
August 7 – Class 1: Seventeenth Century Louisiana: Colonization and Conflict Presented by Rhonda R. McClure
August 14 – Class 2: Eighteenth Century Louisiana: A Confluence of Cultures Presented by Kyle Hurst
August 21 – Class 3: Nineteenth Century Louisiana: From Louisiana Purchase to Statehood to Reconstruction Presented by Melanie McComb
August 28 – Class 4: Twentieth Century Louisiana: Industry and Manufacturing Presented by Hallie Kirchner
COURSE HANDOUTS
Class 1 Handout
Class 1 Slides (Large)
Class 1 Slides Worksheet
Class 1: Additional Resources Shared in Live Lecture
Class 2 Handout
Class 2 Slides (Large)
Class 2 Slides Worksheet
Class 3 Handout
Class 3 Slides (Large)
Class 3 Worksheet
Class 4 Handout
Class 4 Slides (Large)
Class 4 Worksheet
Class 4: Additional Resources Shared in Live Lecture
RECORDED PRESENTATIONS
Class 1: Seventeenth Century Louisiana: Colonization and Conflict
Live broadcast: 08/07/2024
Presented by Rhonda R. McClure
Running time: 1:43:22
Class 2: Eighteenth Century Louisiana: A Confluence of Cultures
Live broadcast: 08/15/2024
Presented by Kyle Hurst
Running time: 1:46:16
Class 3: Nineteenth Century Louisiana: From Louisiana Purchase to Statehood to Reconstruction
Live broadcast: 08/21/2024
Presented by Melanie McComb
Running time: 1:35:10
Class 4: Twentieth Century Louisiana: Industry and Manufacturing
Live broadcast: 08/28/2024
Presented by Hallie Kirchner
Running time: 1:18:52
OTHER RESOURCES
Archived Webinar: Louisiana Research: Go-To Published Resources
INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Kyle Hurst, Senior Genealogist of the Newbury Street Press, holds a B.A. in both History and Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin in Madison and a Master’s certificate in Museum Studies from Tufts University. Kyle joined American Ancestors in 2008 and specializes in research in the mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New England, and various European countries. As of this year, she contributes a quarterly column for American Ancestors magazine. She is the author of several genealogies including Ancestors and Descendants of Charles Le Caron and Victoire Sprague, which won the 2020 National Genealogical Society Award for Excellence in Genealogy and Family History.
Hallie Kirchner, Genealogist has a B.A. in History with minors in Art History and German Language and an M.A. in Historic Preservation. She joined American Ancestors in 2019 after several years of working in architectural restoration and preservation in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her previous work experience includes the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society, the West Virginia Railroad Museum, and Bender Library at American University. While at the NYG&B, she was part of the research team who compiled the popular New York Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer. She is also a long-time volunteer for Unclaimed-Persons.org, assisting coroners in locating next-of-kin of deceased individuals. Her areas of expertise include, 19th-century America, Germany, New York, New York City, Norway, Italy, westward migration, immigration history, and descendancy research.
Rhonda R. McClure, Senior Genealogist is a nationally recognized professional genealogist and lecturer. Before joining American Ancestors in 2006, she ran her own genealogical business for 18 years. She was a contributing editor for Heritage Quest Magazine, Biography magazine, and was a contributor to The History Channel Magazine and American History Magazine. In addition to numerous articles, she is the author of twelve books including the award-winning The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Online Genealogy, Finding your Famous and Infamous Ancestors and Digitizing Your Family History. She is the editor of the 6th edition of the Genealogist’s Handbook for New England Research. Her areas of expertise include, immigration and naturalization, late 19th- and early 20th-century urban research, missionaries, State Department Federal records, New England, Mid-West, Southern, German, Italian, Scottish, Irish, French Canadian, and New Brunswick research as well as Internet research, genealogical software and online trees.
Melanie McComb, Senior Genealogist assists library visitors, both on-site and online, with their family history research. She also provides lectures on a variety of genealogical topics. Melanie holds a bachelor of science degree from the State University of New York at Oswego. Her areas of research interest include Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Kansas, Prince Edward Island, Québec, and Ireland, and she is experienced in DNA, genealogical technology and social media, Jewish genealogy, and military records.