{"id":11191,"date":"2015-07-31T12:07:39","date_gmt":"2015-07-31T16:07:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=11191"},"modified":"2022-01-19T14:15:25","modified_gmt":"2022-01-19T19:15:25","slug":"the-evertons-genealogy-workshop-50-years-ago-hooked-me","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/the-evertons-genealogy-workshop-50-years-ago-hooked-me.html","title":{"rendered":"The Evertons\u2019 Genealogy Workshop 50 Years Ago Hooked Me"},"content":{"rendered":"

It was 50 years ago this week \u2013 25 July 1965 to be specific \u2013 that George and Ellen (Nielsen) Everton conducted their genealogy workshop in the lower-level auditorium of the Ferguson Library in Stamford, Connecticut<\/span>.<\/p>\n

\"photo<\/a>
Photo: George and Ellen (Nielsen) Everton. Credit: FamilySearch.org \u2013 KWZM-YNM George Baugh Everton, Sr. Memories Page<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

They were road warriors who routinely conducted classes and day-long genealogical workshops, teaching the basics of genealogy across the country. Their firm \u2013 Everton Publishers was founded in 1947 \u2013was active in publishing the long-running Genealogical Helper<\/em> magazine, how-to books, charts, forms and other support materials for family historians.<\/p>\n

The Evertons were terrific \u2013 funny, upbeat and personable \u2013 as they taught the basics of genealogy research. I had been working on my family history for several years, and this genealogy workshop was a game-changer for me.<\/p>\n

I was working at the Ferguson Library then, where I was \u201capprenticed\u201d to Grace Hope Walmsley (1885-1971), the long-serving genealogy reference librarian there.<\/p>\n

\"article<\/a>
Stamford Advocate (Stamford, Connecticut), 28 February 1968, page 14<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Up to that point I had kept my family tree and genealogy notes on the familiar yellow pads of paper, which I kept in a folder in my desk.<\/p>\n

Miss Walmsley was a skilled genealogist and teacher. Working with her got me started in genealogy. The Ferguson Library\u2019s Genealogy & Local History Room was always busy \u2013 and I learned from her about the books, documents and resources that were needed to document a family history.<\/p>\n

During a break in the Everton\u2019s genealogy workshop in 1965, they announced that they were giving away door prizes to the youngest and the oldest person attending the seminar.<\/p>\n

As one of the hosts of the family history event, I was standing along the side of the auditorium. George Everton said: \u201cThe winner of the door prize for the youngest person in the room is easy \u2013 it\u2019s him\u201d \u2013 pointing in my direction.<\/p>\n

I turned around to see whom he was pointing at \u2013 and realized he meant me! Ha.<\/p>\n

I went up to the front and he gave me a 12-generation family tree chart \u2013 which I started filling out and have never looked back.
\nI was hooked.<\/p>\n

I had been getting my genealogy skills from on-the-job training \u2013 but now the Evertons opened up more techniques, tools and a sense of what was possible. Their wonderful genealogy workshop was invaluable to me.<\/p>\n

Take the time to be trained in genealogy.
\nThere are online classes and webinars available 24\/7 on the Internet.<\/p>\n

Watch and learn at sites like:<\/p>\n