In this skillshare, Mechanics' Institute members will explore the various aspects of genealogy research including methods, sources, and labor-saving short-cuts. Learn about Bay Area genealogy resources, best practices for searching Ancestry.com and other online research tools. This initial session will serve as a starting point for us, during which we will discuss specific topics of future genealogy skill-share sessions.
Please plan to stay for at least an hour (3:30-4:30 pm). The latter half-hour (4:30-5:00 pm) is reserved for participants to ask additional questions and to participate in extended learning and sharing.
About the Instructor
Steven Dunlap has worked at the Mechanics' Institute since July 2018. He has done his own genealogy research starting in 1999 having made use of Bay Area libraries and undertaken numerous family research trips to New York State, Luxembourg, Canada, and the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. A "transplant" from New Jersey, he earned a B.A. degree in History with a minor in Russian from Brothers College of Drew University (Madison, NJ) and an M.S. from the School of Library Service of Columbia University (New York, NY). He has worked in numerous different types of libraries: Columbia University, New York Public Research Libraries (Science and Technology Research Center), Chevron, Apple Computer, the public libraries of San Mateo, San Jose, South San Francisco, and SFPL; Golden Gate University Library, and Lane Library of Stanford Medical Center.
About This Series
Join us for the Exploring Library Resources at Mechanics' Institute skillshare series, where curiosity knows no bounds, and learning is a shared adventure! Discover the power of library resources such as Ancestry, JSTOR, Kanopy, Libby, and Value Lineāall at your fingertips and free to access for Mechanics' Institute members! Whether you're a seasoned researcher or just dipping your toes into the world of library resources, there's something for everyone in this skillshare series.
This is also an opportunity to meet our passionate library and programming staff, your guides on this exploratory journey. These sessions are led by fellow enthusiasts who are eager to facilitate an open and inclusive learning environment. Share your own understanding, learn from others, and become part of a vibrant learning community where knowledge flows freely.
Check out our upcoming schedule of Exploring Library Resources sessions:
- Value Line with Craig Jackson in the 3rd Floor Library Classrooms (April 5, 2024)
- Genealogy Research with Steven Dunlap in the 3rd Floor Library Classrooms (May 3, 2024)
- Kanopy with Andy Talajkowski in the 4th Floor Meeting Room before CinemaLit (June 7, 2024)
- Libby with Myles Cooper in the 3rd Floor Library Classrooms (July 12, 2024)
- JSTOR with Nico Chen in the 3rd Floor Library Classrooms (August 9, 2024)
- Registering for Events at Mechanics' Institute with Alyssa Stone in the 3rd Floor Library Classrooms (September 6, 2024)
Classes
Future Classes
Feb 3 - 12:00 pm
Berkeley Rep Docent Talk: The Thing About Jellyfish
Attendees of this docent talk will receive 20% off tickets for Berkeley Rep's 2024-25 season.
Feb 24 - 12:00 pm
Berkeley Rep Docent Talk: Uncle Vanya
Attendees of this docent talk will receive 20% off tickets for Berkeley Rep's 2024-25 season.