Tuesday Night Classes
DNA 101 – The Foundations of Genetic Genealogy
A basic introduction to genetic genealogy and how it can be used in combination with traditional genealogical research. The course includes introductions to Y-DNA, mitochondrial DNA, and autosomal DNA testing, how each of these types of DNA is inherited, who you should have tested, where you should purchase these tests, and how these tests can be used for genealogical research. This course is a prerequisite for advanced genetic genealogy classes. 10 hrs. (4 nights).
Instructor: Van Horn Min: 8
January 22 – February 12 T
6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. $35
AncestryDNA
You’ve seen the ads on television. You may have even purchased a kit from them. Learn more about the test you took and the results you received from the most popular DNA testing company in the world. This genetic genealogy course is a must. 10 hrs. (4 nights).
Instructor: Van Horn Min: 8
February 19 – March 12 T
6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. $35
Researching Your DNA on the GEDmatch/FTDNA websites
What is the next step in your genetic genealogy research after you have finished your work at AncestryDNA? Next logical steps are uploading your results to GEDmatch and FTDNA, and both DNA websites can be intimidating. In this course, we will start at the beginning and look at some of its basic, but very important tools that genealogists can utilize in their research. 7.5 hrs. (3 nights).
Instructor: Van Horn Min: 8
March 19 – April 2 T
6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. $25
Advanced DNA Analysis
This course will introduce some advanced techniques used by genetic genealogists including the use of triangulated groups, chromosome mapping, visual phasing, and phasing. Will introduce third-party tools and examine how to analyze complex questions with DNA. 7.5 hrs. (3 nights).
Instructor: Van Horn Min: 8
April 9 – April 23 T
6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. $25
Thursday Night Classes
NEW Stories in Stone
Ever wonder what various gravestone symbols mean? Is everything "set in stone" completely accurate? Larry will walk you through cemeteries with tips on how to use cemetery and associated records in your genealogy quest. 5 hrs. (2 nights)
Instructor: Van Horn Min: 8
January 24 – January 31 TH
6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. $20
NEW Researching Your Civil War Ancestors
The American Civil War, fought from 1861-1865, affected nearly every man, woman, and child living in the United States. Almost 3.5 million soldiers are believed to have been involved. Given the dramatic impact of this conflict, if your ancestors lived in the United States during this time, it is likely that you'll find at least one Civil War soldier in your family tree. Locating a Civil War ancestor, whether it is a direct ancestor or a collateral relative, can provide another source of information on your family tree. This course will help you start your Civil War research journey. 5 hrs. (2 nights)
Instructor: Van Horn Min: 8
February 7 – February 14 TH
6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. $20
NEW Researching Your Revolutionary War Ancestors
The American Revolutionary War was fought from 1775-1783 and took place in all of the original thirteen states, Florida, Western Frontier, Canada, Caribbean, and even England. During the war, there were many records that make tracking down your Revolutionary War ancestor possible. So where do you start when you are trying to find your Revolutionary War hero? This class will set you on the right path. 5 hrs. (2 nights)
Instructor: Van Horn Min: 8
February 21 – February 28 TH
6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. $20
NEW They Came in Ships
The history of this country is filled with stories of immigrants, which, for many of us, means that our individual family histories are also filled with them. Many will find tracing these immigrant ancestors tricky or even frustrating. There’s just something about crossing the big, wide ocean that makes their trail grow a little fainter, a little harder to follow. This genealogy course may help you follow their footsteps back to the old country. 5 hrs. (2 nights)
Instructor: Van Horn Min: 8
March 7– March 14 TH
6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. $20
NEW Researching Your Family History on the Internet
The Internet offers a wonderful array of databases, records, and other resources for researching your family tree online. Knowing how and where to search online is a must for any genealogist using the Internet. This course will teach you how to search like a pro, find genealogy databases, and discover your family history on the Web at some of the top Internet sites. While our beginner genealogy class is not required to take this course, a basic understanding of genealogy research principles is strongly recommended. Register early since seating in this class is limited. 15 hrs. (6 nights)
Instructor: Van Horn Min: 8
March 21 - April 25 TH
6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. $50
Classes are subject to change and/or cancellation based on student registrations. Watch this blog or the WNC Mountains Genealogy Friends Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1842265692720098/) for any late date changes.
