PROGRAM:

Discover one of genealogy’s most overlooked resources—the school census. These records, often taken long before vital records existed, can fill critical gaps in family research, reveal the answers to family mysteries, confirm family migrations, and give a rare glimpse into daily family life and local history. Learn what they covered, when they were made, and where to find those that still exist. Bring your ancestors’ early years to life—one classroom at a time.

SPEAKER:

Billie Stone Fogarty, a professional genealogist since 1979, has taught genealogical skills to audiences of all ages on all levels from local through national and international both in person and virtually. She is founder and co-creator with Matt McCormack of a learning retreat for professional genealogists called Gen-Stock. She also, along with Dr. David McDonald, created the Genealogy Symposium, an intensive, state library & archives-based genealogy methods program based on the theme “Thinking Genealogically”. The inaugural Genealogy Symposium was hosted by the Oklahoma State Archives and the Oklahoma Historical Society of which Billie has been a statewide-elected Board member since 2007. She is the founder and principal of the family history research firm, HeritageTrackers, based in Oklahoma City, OK.