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Virtual: Westward Expansion with Katherine R. Willson

The 2023 Grace Keith Genealogy Keynote Speaker

Learn where to look for records generated by cowboys, traveling preachers, midwives, Harvey Girls, and other service-providing occupations during America's westward expansion.

Please join us for two lectures given by this year's Grace Keith Genealogy Keynote Speaker, Katherine R. Willson!

Join us again at 10:45 a.m. for Introduction to Genetic Genealogy: Using DNA Tests for Family History. Sign up here!  

America’s Westward Expansion: Records of Travelers & Service Providers will discuss the records generated during our ancestors’ westward trek across America, the online and offline locations of those record sets, and helpful search strategies that will allow us to create a fuller picture of our ancestors’ experiences. This presentation will include discussions on cowboys, traveling preachers, midwives, Harvey Girls, and other service-providing occupations during the western migration.

Katherine R. Willson (Dexter, Michigan) is an engaging & dynamic genealogy lecturer at local, regional, and national events; a full-time researcher for private clients; and a genealogy educator for 20+ years. She is the founder and Past President of the Virtual Genealogical Association, past President of the Michigan Genealogical Council, past board member for the Association of Professional Genealogists, and a course coordinator and instructor at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. Katherine authored The Genealogist’s Guide to Grand Rapids, Michigan as well as the Genealogy on Facebook list, a catalog of 17,000+ genealogy/history links on Facebook, found at SocialMediaGenealogy.com.

This event is free and open to everyone; however, registration is required.

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