Washtucna Community Library hosts genealogy class

Those interested in tracing their family’s lineage have the opportunity to learn the basics of genealogy once a month at the Washtucna Community Library.

The library branch held its first Introduction to Genealogy Class on Feb. 22. The branch will continue to hold genealogy classes on the fourth Thursday of every month from 4-6 p.m.

The class is available to anyone who has an interest in genealogy, whether they are beginning to index their lineage, or they want to add to the work they have already completed on their family’s history.

When the East Adams Library District opened the Washtucna Community Library on Jan. 4, Branch Manager Pam Kraft said one of her goals was to provide programs for adults in addition to the activities for children. She started the class because she enjoys genealogy and had heard other teachers at Washtucna School discussing the subject.

Kraft approached genealogist Fran Miller about teaching a class at the library branch. She said Miller has been studying the subject for at least 40 years and “has a gift” for it.

Miller said her interest in genealogy began when she was 15 years old and she started collecting items and information about her family.

Over the years, Miller said she has done a great deal of research in her lineage and has one family line traced back to 600 A.D.

During the first class, Miller provided patrons with a pedigree chart and a family record sheet.

For the pedigree chart, people had to provide about themselves such as when and where they were born and married. They had to provide the same information for both their mother and father, along with when and where they died if they were deceased. Patrons also added information about their paternal and maternal grandparents and great grandparents.

Miller explained the family record sheet was for information about one person, their spouse and children.

During the class, patrons completed the sheets with their information. Miller also suggested they take both home to collect more documentation about their families.

This included including obituaries, marriage certificates and old newspaper clippings.

Miller advised the group to take the items they were collecting for their family and put them in a notebook.

Once people were finished filling out their sheets, Miller guided patrons to take the information and use it to create a free profile on FamilySearch.org.

According to their website, FamilySearch.org is a nonprofit family history organization dedicated to connecting families across generations. It allows users to create a family tree, upload photos and create a booklet to help them document information they have collected.

The website also allows users to view historical records on their ancestors, which could help during their research.

Miller said the website was created by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, however an individual does not have to be a member of the church to create an account on the site.

During each class, Kraft said patrons can come a class and speak with Miller, as well as access the library’s computers to upload their information onto FamilySearch.

For more information about the Washtucna Community Library’s genealogy class, contact Kraft at [email protected].