While you may think you’ve hit a brick wall with your research, have you tried using cluster and collateral search strategies to look for an opening? Researching non-direct relations as well as those friends and neighbors in your ancestors’ network can pay off in ways you might not imagine.

Learn why researching those in-laws, “shirt-tail cousins” and others who may not be a direct-line ancestor as well as “friends, neighbors and associates” can help you break down your genealogy research brick walls.

Thomas MacEntee is a professional genealogist specializing in the use of technology and social media to improve genealogical research and as a means of interacting with others in the family history community. He is a popular national speaker at RootsTech. He is also a blogger, educator, author, social media connector, and online community builder and has over 42 years of experience researching family history. Thomas somehow “fell” into the technology industry almost 40 years ago, leaving a lucrative career in information technology to pursue his love of family history and genealogy.

For more information, call the library at 229-985-6540 or email amcnair@mccls.org. Reservations are not required but are appreciated so we can provide adequate seating and materials.