Kitchen Round Table Talks
The Arkansas Genealogical Society is excited to announce the launch of a new Zoom forum called “Kitchen Round Table Talks.” Each month, we will select a genealogical topic or application to engage in a lively discussion among a group of participants online. To encourage participation, we limit the number of attendees, therefore, registration is required. In the event of a high demand for a specific topic, we can arrange an additional meeting to accommodate more participants.
We eagerly invite individuals to suggest topics of interest and encourage volunteers to lead discussions on subjects they are particularly passionate about. It is important to note that this initiative is a work in progress, and we anticipate making adjustments based on trial and error. Your participation and feedback are invaluable as we refine our approach.
To secure your spot, please register through the link below:
| Exploring the FamilySearch Library Tue Apr 18, 6:30 pm | We are excited to welcome Debbie Gurtler AG, Assistant Director, FamilySearch Library Debbie will familiarize us with the resources and options available to us, both online and on-site at the Salt Lake City location. This is a rare opportunity to gain knowledge and ask questions regarding one of the premier genealogical research libraries in the US, and meet the remarkable lady who oversees this domain! About the FamilySearch Library The FamilySearch Library is the largest genealogical library in the world and the flagship library for FamilySearch International. Our guests visit from all over the world to discover their ancestors. The library’s collections represent more than 10,000 archives and repositories from more than 100 countries. We have everything you need to discover your family from friendly, knowledgeable staff, web-enabled computers, scanners, preservation services, and interactive discovery experiences. To register for this free event, please use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/JUIa05JRRs2nM8K_J-TihQ Debbie Gurtler, Assistant Director of the FamilySearch Library During her employment at the Library, Debbie Gurtler has managed the Latin America, International, and Simplified Learning teams. Prior to this new assignment, she was the manager of the Latin American, German, and Slavic combined teams. As the FSL training coordinator, she oversees the training for volunteer staff. Gurtler holds 5 Accredited Genealogist (AG) credentials with ICAPGen℠. Accreditation shows competency in genealogical research for various specialties. Debbie is accredited in research in the United States Mid-south region, Spain, Mexico, Portugal, and Chile. She graduated with high honors from Brigham Young University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Family History and Genealogy. After working for 2 research firms, she was hired at the FamilySearch Library in 2011 as a Latin America research specialist. She became fluent in Spanish while living in Chile with her family. Debbie has taken research trips in the United States, Portugal, and Spain and is a popular presenter. She is an Arizona native and the mother of 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren. |
| DNA Oddities: Uncovering the Strange Truths of Genetic Research Tue May 15, 6:30 pm | DNA and biological reproduction are more complex than most people realize. Misunderstandings about how DNA is inherited can lead to false assumptions and confusing, seemingly contradictory results. This presentation reveals fascinating and little-known facts about DNA that are crucial for interpreting unexpected genetic findings. Topics include: the importance of centimorgans, DNA crossovers, vanishing twin syndrome, chimeras, and the impact of endogamy. Technical detail and jargon will be kept to a minimum, making these concepts accessible to all. To register for this event please use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/8a4cRDcnRASgNjgBiEFqWg Scott Lee is a retired software engineer that has researched his family history since 1979. He has served as an officer in several genealogical societies and lectures on genealogical topics. Currently, he is president of the Arkansas Genealogical Society. In 1995, he helped design the GEDCOM 5.5 standard for transporting genealogical data, improving its syntax to be more easily read by software and fixing several issues in date specifications. He created the calendar conversion website rosettacalendar.com and his date manipulation library (sdncal20) is used by many software packages including PHP which is used in more than half of all websites. Scott grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, but his work took him to Indiana, Oregon, North Carolina, and New York City. In retirement, he, and his wife, Deirdre, have returned to their families in Arkansas. His career included the medical field, engineering computer graphics, and consulting in the process of building reliable software. In retirement, he is working in the design of deep learning neural networks and software for genealogy. In his spare time, he enjoys writing science fiction, studying ancient calendars, writing open source software, keeping up with the latest advances in physics and astronomy, and of course researching his family history. |
| Tue Jun 15, 6:30 pm | TBD |
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