Available Presentations Below
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Available Presentations
"What About Our Criminal Ancestors?"
“Prohibition Era: Gangs, Bootleggers and Law Enforcement, and the Records They Left Behind”
"Think Like a Detective: Applying Logic Games to Genealogy Research"
Explores the criminal side of our ancestral research, uncovering records that have often gone unexplored. We dive into the judicial system with a summary of the various jurisdictions, discuss an overview of criminal records potentially available, what information researchers can discover in those records, and where to find these untapped resources that can uncover new details and break brick walls for our ancestors. This session sheds light on court cases, police reports, prison registers, and newspaper accounts that may reveal hidden stories and redefine family narratives. Whether your ancestor was a petty thief or a career criminal, this presentation equips you with the tools and strategies to track down the paper trail they left behind.
"Think Like a Detective: Applying Logic Games to Genealogy Research"
“Prohibition Era: Gangs, Bootleggers and Law Enforcement, and the Records They Left Behind”
"Think Like a Detective: Applying Logic Games to Genealogy Research"
Genealogy research is like solving a puzzle—each document, record, and photo is a clue leading to the bigger picture. But how do you piece it all together efficiently? In this engaging session, we’ll explore how logic games and puzzles can sharpen your genealogy skills, helping you recognize patterns, eliminate false leads, and think critically about missing information. Through real-world examples and interactive exercises, you'll discover how deductive reasoning, strategic thinking, and problem-solving techniques can break through brick walls in your family history research. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced genealogist, this session will provide fresh strategies to level up your research skills!
“Prohibition Era: Gangs, Bootleggers and Law Enforcement, and the Records They Left Behind”
“Prohibition Era: Gangs, Bootleggers and Law Enforcement, and the Records They Left Behind”
“Prohibition Era: Gangs, Bootleggers and Law Enforcement, and the Records They Left Behind”
This fun presentation dives into the shadowy world of organized crime during Prohibition, focusing on the infamous gangs of Chicago and New York. This presentation unpacks the historical context, criminal empires, and law enforcement efforts that defined the era—while guiding genealogists on how to trace their own criminal ancestors through court, prison, and FBI records. Perfect for anyone curious about rum-runners, mobsters, or the family secrets buried in Prohibition’s paper trail. History has never been this unlawful—or this much fun to research.
“Locked Up in Leavenworth: Tracing Criminal Ancestors Through Federal Prison Records”
“Locked Up in Leavenworth: Tracing Criminal Ancestors Through Federal Prison Records”
“Prohibition Era: Gangs, Bootleggers and Law Enforcement, and the Records They Left Behind”
Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary is one of the most historically significant prisons in the United States—and it may hold the key to unlocking secrets in your family tree. In this session, we'll guide you through the rich records available for those incarcerated at Leavenworth, from mugshots and medical records to parole decisions and personal letters. You’ll learn how to access these federal records through the National Archives, how to tie them to court cases, and how to navigate privacy restrictions. This session includes a real case study and plenty of practical tips for uncovering federal criminal ancestors. Perfect for genealogists ready to explore the lesser-known side of family history.
“Behind the Walls: Genealogical Research in San Quentin State Prison”
“Locked Up in Leavenworth: Tracing Criminal Ancestors Through Federal Prison Records”
“Behind the Walls: Researching Criminal Ancestors in New York State Prisons”
San Quentin is California’s oldest and most infamous prison, with a history as complex as the inmates it housed. In this presentation, we'll explore how genealogists can uncover rich details about ancestors who served time at San Quentin. You’ll learn the historical context of the prison, what records exist (including mugbooks, intake logs, and parole files), where to find them, and how to interpret them in a family history context. Real case studies will show how these records can break down brick walls and bring forgotten stories to life. Whether you’re researching a black sheep ancestor or curious about prison records in general, this session will open the door to an often-overlooked resource in genealogy research.
“Behind the Walls: Researching Criminal Ancestors in New York State Prisons”
“Locked Up in Leavenworth: Tracing Criminal Ancestors Through Federal Prison Records”
“Behind the Walls: Researching Criminal Ancestors in New York State Prisons”
Discover the hidden stories of your ancestors who served time in New York’s most notorious prisons, focusing on well-known institutions like Sing Sing, Auburn, and Clinton Prison This presentation explores the rich genealogical value of prison records, the evolution of New York’s penal system, and how to locate and interpret the records they left behind. From intake registers and mugshots to conduct logs and parole files, these records can provide a wealth of genealogical data—offering not only details about the crime and punishment, but also valuable personal information about an ancestor’s physical traits, religion, literacy, family contacts, and life within the prison system. Perfect for anyone with roots in New York or an interest in criminal history and genealogical research.
The Criminal Genealogist
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