**This is the first session in a two-part workshop**
Genealogist and Librarian Heather Kisilywicz will talk about how to get started with researching your family history.
In this hands-on workshop, Heather will introduce the essential tools for beginning your family history journey, helping you avoid common pitfalls and frustration. The talk will cover basic terminology and key documents, ensuring efficient and speedy research as well as conducting oral history interviews. Learn valuable tips for organization and create a plan to uncover your ancestors.
This event will be held in the Maker Lab near the Reference Desk.
Participants will have access to a laptop and go through the steps with Heather to learn how to search on Ancestry.com. This is part of a two series workshop. The second session is Tuesday July 7th at 5:00pm.
Registration is required. Spots are limited.
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Heather Pouliot Kisilywicz is a cultural heritage professional with expertise in collections management, historical research, and information literacy. She is the Archivist at the Tomaquag Museum, Rhode Island’s only Indigenous-led museum. She also founded Ancestor Answers LLC, a private research firm specializing in forensic genetic genealogy. In recognition of her commitment to preserving and interpreting Rhode Island’s rich history, the Speaker of the House appointed Heather a commissioner to the RI250 commission.
Heather holds a Master of Library and Information Science and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Rhode Island, as well as a certificate in Investigative Genetic Genealogy from Ramapo College. As a forensic genealogist, she successfully identified three unidentified human remains cases.