Genealogy Workshop: GPS — A Tool to Help Keep Your Research on the Right Track, Thursday June 20

Presented by the library’s Special Collections staff and members of the Ranger Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), these events are free, open to the public, and appropriate for all levels of interest and experience. All levels will learn something new! 

Forget chasing your tail! Building a strong family tree relies on casting a wide net with reliable sources. This way, you avoid assumptions, clear up inconsistencies, and remember – sometimes our ancestors weren't spelling bee champions! That's where the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) comes in. It's a roadmap to sift through the information overload, ensuring you build a tree based on evidence, not guesswork. 

Join Professional Genealogist Dave Robison as he walks us through the core tenets of the GPS. By following a few simple elements, you can become a master researcher, efficiently uncovering your family's true story, one record at a time. So, ditch the guesswork, embrace multiple sources, and let the Genealogical Proof Standard guide you towards a rock-solid family tree. 

About the Presenter 

A native of Western Massachusetts, Dave Robison is the direct descendant of several passengers of the Mayflower, a few dozen Revolutionary War Patriots and a scattered trace of Canadian ancestors. He descends from a large sampling of New England ancestors as well as a large sampling of ancestors from the deep South. Dave has held many key positions in a variety of genealogical societies, including Chairman of the New England Regional Genealogical Society (NERGC), president of Western Massachusetts Genealogical Society, Connecticut Genealogical Society, Genealogical Speakers Guild, and many others. He holds a certificate of Boston University’s genealogy program as well as a variety of similar resources. Since the year 2000, he has taught a variety of classes and lectures in genealogy research from coast to coast. 

He lives in Chicopee, Massachusetts with his wife, Karen, a retired RN and between them, they have 5 children and 3 grandchildren.