What They Didn’t Write Down: Genealogy Through Oral History

“Grandma always said…” But was it true? Family stories are rich with emotion, mystery, and meaning—but they’re not always accurate. This session helps you navigate the space between memory and documentation. Whether you’ve heard tales of hidden adoptions, long-lost fortunes, or heroic ancestors, you’ll learn how to trace the origins of family lore, test its accuracy, and understand its context. We’ll explore practical tools for verifying stories using timelines, maps, newspapers, and records you may not have thought to check. You’ll also learn how to recognize patterns in storytelling, deal with conflicting accounts, and handle sensitive findings with care. This isn’t about disproving relatives—it’s about honoring their memories while discovering the facts. If you’ve ever wondered how much of the story was real—and how to find out—this session will give you the tools to investigate what they didn’t write down, and preserve it with both heart and accuracy.