Lecture Topics

Marian Pierre-Louis, the principal researcher for Fieldstone Historic Research, regularly speaks at Historical Societies and Genealogical Conferences. Her talks range from Genealogy to House Histories to African American research.

Click here for Marian's Lecture Schedule or to Book a Talk

PDF version of Lecture Topics

Topics

New Talks for 2012 (click for descriptions)

* 10 Brick Wall Tips for Beginners
* 10 Brick Wall Tips for Intermediate Researchers
* Brick Walls: Cracking the Case of Nathan Brown's Parents
* Plan Your Way to Research Success!
* Finding African Americans In Land Records
* Check With the In-Laws!
* The LaCroix Orphans: Focus on Guardianship Records
* Name Changes in the Age of Ellis Island (1892-1954)
* New Clues from Old Headstones: Using gravestones to find   unexpected sources
* Why Genealogists Should Care about Carvers

Genealogy
* Pirates and Prisoners: The Registry is more than just    Deeds
* Two chairs and a pair of spectacles: Discovering your    ancestors in Probate Records
* Deeds & Probate: A Powerful Combination
* Looking After the Poor: Finding Your Ancestors in New    England Poverty Records
* Cemetery Research for Your New England Ancestors
* Don’t Call Your Relatives, Let Them Call You!

House Histories
* Researching the History of Your House
* Discovering Immigrant Voices through House History    Research
* House History Workshop

African American
* 10 Strategies for African American Research
in New England
* Poor, Black and Landless in New England: The Case     Study of Ishmael Coffee
* Early African American Communities in New England

Genealogy

Pirates and Prisoners: The Registry is more than just Deeds
Deeds are an important research tool. But a trip to the Registry of Deeds can provide much more than just deeds. A deposition can reveal biographical information about your ancestor or provide the names of the men who worked at the local mill. You can even find information about pirates and prisoners. Learn about using deeds, depositions, mortgage deeds, land plans, certificates and much more. These often forgotten records might be just what you need to solve genealogical mysteries.

Two chairs and a pair of spectacles: Discovering your ancestors in Probate Records
Probate records can reveal more than who inherited the house. They can provide the names of children and grandchildren as well as offer a window into the lives of your ancestors through estate inventories. Probate records can reveal land owned in far away states that you never knew about. There can be records for those who died without wills as well. This lecture explains the benefits of using probate records such as wills, guardianships, estate inventories and administration.

Deeds & Probate: A Powerful Combination
Did you know that all the members of a family may be named in an old deed? Have you ever tried to get a close-up view of what your ancestors wore and the tools they used from an estate inventory? Learn how to use the records of the Registry of Deeds and Probate Court to further your genealogical research. Deed and probate records can help resolve brick walls as well add breadth to your ancestor’s personal story.

Looking After the Poor: Finding Your Ancestors in New England Poverty Records
Discover how your not so wealthy New England ancestors may have left behind a wealth of information found in town poverty records. Come find out about “strangers taken in”, “warning out” and settlement law. Marian Pierre-Louis will take you into the depths of New England town records to reveal the hard to find information about your elusive ancestors. This is one of my most popular lectures.

Cemetery Research for Your New England Ancestors
Locating the gravestones of your New England ancestors can help propel your genealogical research.  You may find new information on the gravestones or discover unknown ancestors buried nearby.  Researching gravestones in New England can be a little different  than other parts of the United States. This talk will help you get the most of your New England cemetery research.

Don’t Call Your Relatives, Let Them Call You!:
How genealogical smarts and a little web savvy can send your distant cousins right to your inbox
Harness the power of the internet to get the attention of your distant relatives. A website, blog and even Facebook can be used effectively to find family members who can help in your genealogical research. Using the internet is easier than ever these days. Learn how to create a well thought out blog or website that will provide enough genealogical data to attract your distant cousins without giving away your future manuscript. You don’t have to have a fancy website to have an effective website. Discover the recipe for success that balances design and content.

House Histories

Researching the History of Your House
You can research the history of your house whether it is 20 years old or 150 years old. Marian Pierre-Louis will introduce where to find the deeds to your house, how to chain a deed, and locating other sources of information such as the US Federal Census records. Come learn some tricks to get the most out of your house history research. This talk is appropriate for both beginners and those who have some research experience. Note: This talk can be altered as either a beginner or an advanced research talk. It will also be customized to your town/county.

Discovering Immigrant Voices through House History Research
House history research in larger urban areas provides for fascinating results. Two-family and multi-family homes often provide a microcosm of the waves of immigrants that have passed through a city in different generations. Learn to celebrate different types of housing and all the secrets they can reveal. Similar to the house history talk above but more appropriate for cities with an emphasis on the immigrants who lived there. Note: This talk will be customized for your city/region.

House History Workshop
This workshop is a hands on session to get your audience researching their homes right away. A classroom setting with computers and internet connection is ideal. The workshop can be 2-4 hours in length depending on your requirements.

African American

10 Strategies for African American Research
in New England
Researching African Americans in New England is a little bit different than the rest of the country. Learn 10 tips that will get your research on track quickly.

Poor, Black and Landless in New England: The Story of Ishmael Coffee
Ishmael Coffee was the son of a former slave. He was poor and never owned property. Discover how this African American left behind a wealth of records for his descendants to find. Through this case study learn to trace your New England African American ancestors.

Early African American Communities in New England
An overview of early African American communities in New England, their unique characteristics, and strategies for getting the most out of your research. Timeline discussion important dates in New England African American research. This talk covers the years from 1638 to 1850.

Click here for Marian's Lecture Schedule or to Book a Talk