By Norma Dittman
Murray County News staff writer
“In the Beginning” is the title of a free, two hour class for beginner genealogy research that will kick off the first in a series of classes sponsored by the Murray County Historical Society, the Slayton Public Library and the Fulda Memorial Library.
Two classes, 2 p.m., and 7 p.m. will be held on Wednesday, April 17th, at the Dinehart Holt House, Slayton, MN. Meredith Vaselaar, Adrian, MN will be the presenter for the classes. All supplies will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your laptop.
Vaselaar stated, ”I’m starting out with information that is designed for beginners – people who have not done genealogy research, or have done very little. This first program is not for intermediate researchers. We will learn basic terminology and talk about what you look for to get started. I will also be handing out genealogy charts.”
She explained that during the second part of the two-hour class she will introduce a few free web pages that can be used as people begin their genealogy research. “Generally, my programs are a little more than we deal with free websites that people can research on. They will then have a working knowledge of researching genealogy. This program will get people on the right track, with some tools and insight into deciding what are authoritative sources.”
Vaselaar enjoys the history found in researching genealogy and has found it to be fascinating since before she was in her teens. “I got started when my mom and dad were researching her side, the Pommier family. Mom’s mother’s maiden name was Rupert. They were doing the Pommier side when I was nine. By the age of twelve, I was hooked. My uncle nicknamed me ‘MaryDeath’ because I have been into learning about dead people for a long time,” Vaselaar stated as she chuckled. “Mom is from Currie, so Murray County is very close to my heart.”
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