Workshop to help new researchers

Has your appetite for genealogy been whetted by television shows lately? If so, you are hardly alone. Two television shows have inspired a lot of people, many who have never researched their family histories, to start thinking about doing so.

The NBC show "Who Do You Think You Are?" and "Faces of America," a PBS program, trace the genealogies of prominent people and have inspired folks from different backgrounds to begin thinking about their family histories.

Viewers saw some of what genealogists on the shows did to uncover information on the celebrities' ancestors. Now, many may be wondering how to get started on their own genealogical research. Can the research processes followed in the show work for them?

Generally, yes.

An opportunity to turn the desire for more knowledge of your family's past into action will take place in Charleston soon. The Charleston Chapter of the South Carolina Genealogical Society will hold a workshop especially for people who are starting or restarting to dig into their roots.

"Introduction to Genealogy," the chapter's 2010 workshop, will be held April 24 at Cokesbury United Methodist Church in North Charleston. Those attending can learn basics such as what genealogy is and why people research their family histories.

They also can learn oral history techniques for genealogists and how to evaluate family traditions. In addition, they can learn about sources to search and what to look for as well as how to organize the information they find.

One-on-one genealogy sessions will be available immediately after the workshop to help attendees start their research, sort through problems, develop a research plan or find helpful resources.

The workshop will take place 8:30 a.m.-noon, at the church, which is at 4990 Dorchester Road.

Admission for Charleston Chapter SCGS members who register in advance is free, nonmembers, $5. Admission at the door for members is $6, nonmembers, $10. The pre-registration deadline is April 18.

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Those who join at the time they register get the member registration fee. Annual dues are $18 for individuals, $20 for families and $12 for associates (those already members of other SCGS chapters).

For information on the workshop, call Carl Hoge, president of the Charleston chapter, at 767-2133.

To obtain a registration form, visit www.charleston.scgen.org and click on "workshop."

View "Faces of America" at www.pbs.org/wnet/facesofamerica. The fourth episode of "Who Do You Think You Are?" airs at 8 p.m. Friday.

Reach Wevonneda Minis at 937-5705 or wminis@postandcourier.com.