Tying up Loose Ends is the theme for the 36th Annual Family History Workshop Saturday, October 1, 2011, at Minnesota State University Moorhead.

The Family History Workshop features Dae Powell, designer and operator of ShoeString Genealogy. ShoeString Genealogy's mission is to provide "Family historians with information about how to research their ancestors both on the Internet and in libraries and other repositories." Powell will inform you about locations for free and inexpensive information and the relative value of each.

Powell's sessions will include "Avoiding Errors and Mistakes," with methods to avoid them; "Cluster Research," finding information about individuals connected to your direct ancestors; "Female Ancestors;" and "Google Secrets" (if you use Google only for simple searches, this is for you).

The workshop schedule will provide information to begin family history research, with additional information about beginning research in Germany, Ireland or Poland. It will provide suggestions for increasing success with topics such as the 10 best new web tools of the past 10 years, tricks to crack the top genealogy web sites, techniques to mine census records, ways to "decorate" your family tree and how to validate and document your stories. Attendees can learn about newly developed Norwegian resources, researching colonial ancestors, genealogy clues on and in photographs, the French presence in the Midwest and Polish genealogical research. It's a great place to learn how to write, publish and disseminate your family history.

The Family History Workshop runs from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on October 1, 2011, in the Comstock Memorial Union on the Minnesota State University Moorhead campus (located at 615 14th Street South, Moorhead, MN). The luncheon program will feature a keynote speaker and presentations of family history research awards. An exhibit hall featuring booths for more than twenty organizations and vendors will be open throughout most of the day.

The workshop cost of $40 includes four lectures of your choice, the workshop syllabus with all of the lecture handouts and coffee breaks. The noon luncheon is provided at no additional cost for those who pre-register with payment received by September 23. Walk-in attendees are welcome. A limited number of luncheon tickets will be available for walk-in registrants on a first-come basis.

Family History Research Award Entries must be received by September 1. For more information about the workshop, the presenters, the family history research book contest, and pre-registration materials visit www.heritageed.com or contact Continuing Studies, UPO Box 82, 1104 - 7th Ave. S, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Moorhead, MN 56563, or (218) 477-5862. The 36th Annual Family History Workshop is sponsored by the Heritage Education Commission of MSUM. Check us out on Facebook by clicking on our Facebook link on the left side of the screen.

Workshop 37 has been scheduled for Saturday, October 6, 2012.

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