Genealogy Workshop Helps Historians Further Research The Past

Attendees and speakers interact at Saturday’s genealogy seminar at the Oskaloosa Public Library

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Genealogy is the studying of families, tracing a family’s lineage back through the generations, and is also a hobby that many take very seriously.
This weekend, the Keo-Mah Genealogical Society hosted a workshop Saturday at the Oskaloosa Public Library.

Scheduled to run from 10 am to 4 pm, it had sessions covering such subjects as tombstone reading and restoration, The Revolutionary War, The War of 1812 and the Civil War.

The workshop helps the Keo-Mah Genealogical Society instruct its current membership in needed skills, as well as attract new membership and raise funds for its library.

The idea to hold the workshop also came up because of the anniversaries of the Civil War and the topics are not often discussed in the area, making for an educational and historical seminar.

Ricky Bickle was the guest speaker covering tombstone reading and restoration. Bickle began with the Find A Grave website while he was researching his family tree.

At that point, he started photographing markers that were in his area while he was on active duty in the Air Force.

His interest in restoring markers came while he was photographing a marker. He noticed how badly deteriorated the marker was, and thus began his involvement in replacing old deteriorated markers.

The Revolutionary War was presenter Barbara Hammer’s portion of the day. She presented resources that could be used when researching for ancestors during that time period.

Hammer is the State Chair of the Volunteer Genealogists Committee of the Iowa Society of Daughters of the American Revolution as well as the Vice Regent of the Jean Marie Cardinell Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter in Des Moines.

Hammer is also a trustee of the Keo-Mah Genealogical Society.

Barbara Hug discussed the War of 1812 and presented tips on researching ancestors from that period. Resources discussed included various internet websites.

Hug is the Past President of the Iowa Genealogical Society and is the Chapter Registrar of the Grinnell – Newton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Mark DeGeest presented information about the Civil War. Sources of information that include books, genealogical societies and internet resources were all discussed.

DeGeest is also a trustee of the Keo-Mah Genealogical Society.

DeGeest enjoys research on Native Americans and enjoys reading about the Revolutionary War and its battles.

The cost for the workshop was $25.00 for those that pre-registered, $30.00 the day of, and included a catered meal.

If you would like to know more about the Keo-Mah Genealogical Society they can be reached by phone at 641.673.9373, or on their website www.keo-mah.com