Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Keeping Records Open in Massachusetts: A Workshop for Genealogists




The Massachusetts Genealogical Council and the Boston Public Library are co-sponsoring a two-hour workshop on Saturday, December 5, 2015, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon in the Commonwealth Salon at the Central Library in Copley Square.

Many of the records that genealogists use are generated and stored by the government, from vital records to deeds and court records. To ensure records access, genealogists need to learn what new bills are being introduced on Beacon Hill and what budget decisions are being made. This workshop will discuss the legislative process, focusing on when and where genealogists can get involved to let their legislators know what is important to them.

We will show you how to search for bills affecting different topics, and how to track them through legislative committees and floor votes. We will differentiate between first, second, and third readings, locate contact information for state representatives and senators, and discuss how to communicate clearly.

The workshop will be presented by Barbara Jean Mathews, CG, FASG, a professional genealogist. A Board-certified genealogist since 1996, Barbara was appointed a Fellow of the honorary American Society of Genealogists in 2014. Her passon for records access and preservation has led her to serve as Federal Records Director of the Massachusetts Genealogical Council. She will be supported by other Directors from the Council.

Photograph by Mark Buckawicki and made available on Wikimedia.