google-site-verification: google65e716d80989ba07.html The Armchair Genealogist: Speaking Topics

Speaking Topics


Speaking Topics



Getting Ready to Write
Writing your family history stories can be an overwhelming task.  Many family historians just don’t know where to start. In this one-hour presentation, Lynn will get you ready to write. Attendees will learn how to organize their research, their workflow, and their environment to become an efficient and productive writer.  Participants learn what kind of family history they want to write, create the perfect writing environment and develop a workflow to stay organized throughout their writing journey.  This Getting Ready to Write presentation can combine with our Getting Ready to Write Workbook, for a special price.

Bringing Your Ancestors to Life on the Page
This presentation is based on workbook number two,  Authentic Ancestors in our series Write Your Family History. Attendees will learn the tool of characterization. They’ll learn how to get to know their ancestor like they never imagined. They’ll learn where to look in their research to understand their ancestor and how to get to know them on an intimate level, even get inside their heads.  Once that intimacy is established they are free to their writing and ultimately their reader.

Putting it All Together
This full day workshop will help you put together a plan for your family history book and your first story. In the first half of this workshop participants look at the big picture and analyze the options for structuring and sharing their family history stories, what to consider before they begin to write.
In the second half of this workshop,  students look at structuring their first story.  How to find story ideas in their research, the elements of a story, and how to create and use a story map to plan their first story.

Why have you not interviewed your family?
We all know that our first step as a new family historian is to talk to the living, and yet, so many are intimidated by this task. In this one-hour presentation learn how to interview your family to help fill in the gaps in your research.  Overcome your fears and your relatives objections to being interviewed. Learn how to create the ideal environment, ask the right questions, and use the right tools to get the job done.

 Affordable Publishing for Family Historians
Worried that publishing your book means boxes of books collecting dust in your basement or a large cash payout you just can’t afford. Gone are the days of printing an expensive tomb of a book and gambling if and how many will sell. Today, there are so many more options for the family historian when it comes to publishing.  In this one-hour presentation, Lynn  guides students through the many options available, you’ll see examples, learn the costs before you begin and discover a few tips for managing and keeping those costs down.

Creating a Legacy Family History Book
A legacy family history book is that perfect combination of stories, pictures, documents and pedigree charts. It documents your family history in an engaging and compelling book for all ages. It will be cherished and handed down for generations to come; you’ll be proud to display it on your coffee table. In this one-hour presentation, Lynn guides you through the various elements and considerations that go into creating a beautiful legacy family history book that will be a keepsake for generations to come.

Creating a Legacy Family History Book with MyCanvas Software
A legacy family history book is that perfect combination of stories, pictures, documents and pedigree charts. It documents your family history in an engaging and compelling book for all ages. It will be cherished and handed down for generations to come; you’ll be proud to display it on your coffee table. In this one-hour presentation, Lynn guides you through the various elements and considerations that go into creating a beautiful legacy family history book that will be a keepsake for generations to come. In this 2 ½ hour workshop, students learn to create an impressive legacy family history book using the MyCanvas software.

Plan Your Own “Who Do You Think You Are?” Experience
Ready to hit the road, become a family history traveller and plan your own Who Do you Think You Are?  experience.  Learn to incorporate vacation time with family history research in this one-hour presentation.  We look at the various elements that go into planning a family history trip that doesn’t just involve days in the local archives. While we love those days, learn how to jump off the traditional tourist path and walk in your ancestor’s footsteps.  From pre-planning to packing, tour companies, guides and going it alone, we will give you the tools you need to plan your own “Who Do You Think You Are Experience?”

Facebook and the Family Historian
If you’re a family historian and not on Facebook then you’re missing out. Learn how Facebook can advance your genealogy knowledge and research.  In this one-hour presentation learn how to set up a Facebook page and use it to advance your family history research.

The Family History Story Map – Plotting Your Ancestor’s Story
This one-hour presentation provides you with the tools and knowledge to plan your first family history story. Learn how to plot a story using our Family History Story Map. With this map in hand, combined with a couple new tools we’ve developed for the family history writer you’ll be armed to create story after story. This presentation takes all the guessing out of what comes next in your story. No more writer’s block when you enlist our story map and plot your ancestor’s story.

Storyboarding Your Family History with Pinterest
Learn to use Pinterest to help you brainstorm and plan your family history story.  Pinterest isn’t just for recipes and DIY projects you’ll never get to. Use Pinterest to help you brainstorm, visualize and plan your next family history story.

Crafting Stories for Your Family History Blog
In this 2-1/2 hour workshop, you learn how to write blog posts that will take your family history blog to the next level.  Learn how to write a family history blog with a purpose, create an editorial calendar, turn your blog into a book. Don’t just write aimlessly, learn to craft stories for your blog that will draw out cousins, entertain family and be that first draft for that long-awaited family history book.
Armchair Genealogy for Beginners
Learn to find your ancestors online from the comfort of your armchair.  This presentation walks the beginner family historian through searching for their ancestors online. Students learn tips and tools find and record their discoveries on the Internet. Learn how to know which databases to pay for,  how to create an online tree and how to identify an online tree that has your family in it. Learn what’s free, what’s not, where to find learning resources to grow your knowledge of family history. This presentation will help you to devise an internet research plan, stay organized and learn to manage the vast world of internet genealogy.

Want to discuss having Lynn speak at your next function.  Don’t see a topic on the list? We can create a variety of topics from one-hour presentations to half-day and full-day workshops. Send us a note and let’s talk.

Contact Lynn

lynn@thearmchairgenealogist.com