ATTENDANCE IS VIA ZOOM ONLY.
English research has a way of humbling even experienced family historians. A name spelled three different ways, an age on a census that doesn't quite add up, a parish that suddenly belongs to a different county. Surprises like these can send a research trail in the wrong direction entirely.
In this session, accredited genealogist Karen Kowallis draws on nine of the most common traps English researchers fall into, showing how an unquestioned assumption, a same-named cousin, a mistrusted index, a wrong turn at a shifting parish boundary, can result in a family tree built on shaky ground. She'll share the habits that catch these errors early, helping you learn how to read what a record actually says, rather than what it appears to say.
You'll leave with a sharper eye for the assumptions that can derail your research.
Karen Kowallis is an Accredited Genealogist® professional specializing in English and United States research. Accredited in the England region, she also serves as a Commissioner for the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen?). A former mathematics educator, Karen brings a teacher’s approach to genealogy, helping researchers understand complex records, jurisdictions, laws, and historical context. She especially enjoys the problem-solving side of genealogy and piecing together clues from challenging records. Outside of genealogy, Karen enjoys traveling, communing with nature, spending time with her family, and solving puzzles. She currently lives in New York City.