February 6, 2025
7:00-8:00 PM
Location: Zoom
This is an archived workshop, meaning it is no longer a live event. You can purchase access to the recording and associated learning materials for this workshop. Once purchased, you will receive an email with the password to access the contents below. If you are a recurring donor of any amount, you receive full access to the catalog of archived Brush Up Workshops.
Workshop Description
Genealogy is the study of family lineage. Understanding who you are and where your people came from can be transformative, because it enhances resiliency and strengthens identity. When you know who you are, you show up differently in the world. You navigate life with greater confidence. Studies have shown that people who know their family history are more successful overall–in any field. This one-hour virtual workshop introduces genealogy basics to participants and explores the connection between genealogy and archaeology. Participants will examine case studies where each discipline informed the other. Understanding the tools available for genealogical research is useful for archaeologists and those interested in delving into their own family histories.
About the Instructor
Gigi Nelson is an accomplished speaker, genealogist, and historian. Born in Los Angeles and raised in an Army family, she spent her school years living all over the country and overseas. She holds both a BA (Columbus State University) and a Master’s degree (University of Alabama) in American History, and taught college-level history courses and other related subjects. After ten years of teaching, she switched careers and became a military historian with the U.S. Air Force and completed two deployments downrange as a combat historian. In 2017, she finally settled down in Washington, DC, where she switched careers again and began to pursue her passion for genealogy.
That passion led her to create the Majani Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit genealogy club for Black youth. When she realized there were no books specifically introducing Black young adults to genealogy, she wrote and published one herself. For the Culture: A Genealogy Handbook for the Cool Kids is a labor of love with lots of pictures and activities to get youth started on their genealogical journey of connecting to their ancestors and finding strength, resilience, and self-identity in their Black heritage.
What to Expect
As part of Archaeology in the Community’s Brush Up series of workshops, participants will receive:
- a certificate of completion
- expert instruction and Q&A during the live virtual workshop
- a copy of the presentation slides
- a video recording of the session
- a document of resources and key points
- a short quiz to test understanding