Resume
Tami Osmer Mize
Tami Osmer Mize is an author, lecturer, and researcher, specializing in the use of computers and the Internet for genealogical research, following industry-accepted standards and principles. She is the author of several blogs, including Relatively Curious About Genealogy, FindingFamilyStories.com, and the ConferenceKeeper.org website, a valuable resource for keeping up to date with events, contests, and volunteer opportunities within the genealogy community. Tami is also the Social Media manager and Evangelist for the app startup Joyflips.
You can regularly find her in the virtual world SecondLife in any of the genealogy areas, participating in or giving programs on various topics, or attending meetings of the SecondLife Virtual Genealogical Society (SLVGS) – the first virtual chapter of the Federation of Genealogical Societies. She was also the charter president and driving force behind the creation of the award-winning SecondLife chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists, the first virtual chapter of the APG.
Current Presentation Topics
I specialize in using technology for genealogy research, and I would be happy to prepare
a presentation on any topic that your group has a specific interest in.
The following are presentations that I regularly update and keep current:
Where Are MY Family’s Stories Online?
So great-grandpa didn’t write his detailed autobiography? Don’t fret – If your ancestors were in the US in the 1800 to early 1900s, they may have been mentioned in family or local history books, newspaper, or journal articles. Learn how to find your family stories online in digital print.
Finding Hidden Treasure in Online Library Websites
Whether you’re planning a research trip or researching online long-distance, library websites often contain a wealth of genealogical information. This presentation will discuss online digital libraries and archives, how to locate regional libraries and the treasures for genealogical research they hold.
Cool Tools for online genealogical research
An introduction to some very useful computer programs, browser add-ons, and websites (all with free versions) for brainstorming ideas, capturing images, organizing your online research finds, and more.
Cousin Bait – Using the Internet to Connect
You know that somebody out there has the family bible, or other pieces of information that could solve all of your brick wall problems, right? But how do you find them? This presentation discusses various ways places and ways to share your information online so that those incredibly distant relatives that you didn’t know you had can find you. Includes specific social media tricks, and various online tree sites to suite your privacy preferences.
Genealogical Education Opportunities from the comfort of your own home
There are so many things to learn, and the more you research, the more you want to learn! Immigration, military records, DNA, foreign ancestors… Discover the many opportunities available online, from the comfort of your own home, to build your research skills in both general and specific areas of knowledge – everything from individual topic-specific articles to full certificate programs.
Getting started on Social Media
Everybody talks about using social media sites for genealogy research – Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, blogs…. This session will give the basics on how and why you might want to set up free accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram, and how to start a simple blog, as well as some basic do’s and dont’s for each site.
Have You Really Looked Everywhere?
Sometimes your search requires thinking outside of the box! This presentation offers a checklist of websites that you might not have considered, as they aren’t specific to genealogy — websites that may just offer the clues you are looking for, including sites specific to occupations, ethnicity, religion, search engines, and more.
Disturbing the Dead
Where else might you look when you can’t find a tombstone or death certificate? Here are some online (and a few offline) sources to search out when and where your ancestor may have died, including newspapers, city directories, tax records, funeral homes, obituaries, family bibles, military records, and land records. Learn where to look to find these treasured sources, as well as examples of some of the amazing material found in them.
Giving Back to the Genealogy Community In Just 5 Minutes
Have five minutes to spare? 5 hours? Consider participating in any number of genealogy volunteer projects, from transcribing and indexing, to teaching and helping others get started. This lecture presents dozens of ways to give back to the genealogy community in anywhere from 5 minutes to 5 hours or more.