My Favorite Research Process

22 & 29 August 2026

We are excited to announce the new “My Favorite Research Process” workshop, hosted by the Cobb County Genealogical Society.

This free, virtual, two-day workshop will focus on the research process and how to find more information about your ancestors. These sessions will be engaging for both those starting their family research journey and experienced genealogists.

Dates: 22 & 29 August 2026

Time: 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM ET

Location: Virtual via Zoom. Register for free HERE.

• By registering for this workshop, you agree to receive email communications from Cobb County Genealogical Society.
• Refer to Important Zoom Security Information below.

Schedule:

August 22

9:30 AM – Welcome

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9:45 AM

Presenter: Tamara Adams
Topic: Before You Research: Where To Start Before You Start
Description: Not sure where to begin with your family history journey? One of the most common questions people ask when they decide to explore their family history is, “Where do I start?” This session will guide you through the essential first steps, including organizing what you already have, interviewing relatives, creating a simple family tree, and developing a research plan before searching online or visiting an archive. Through practical examples from a real family history project, you will learn how thoughtful preparation can save time, reduce frustration, and give you a clear roadmap and the confidence to begin your research.

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11:00 AM

Discussion and Networking

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12:00 PM

Lunch

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1:00 PM

Presenter: Cathie McCabe
Topic: Extra! Extra! Read All About It!
Description: Historical newspapers offer a wealth of social history and genealogical information! This presentation will teach you how to find newspapers that are relevant for your family, and how to use that information to either expand your family tree or glean important social context for your more elusive ancestors.

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2:15 PM

Discussion and Networking

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3:15 pm

Wrap-up and review

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August 29

9:30 AM – Welcome

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9:45 AM

Presenter: Debra Hansford
Topic: Imagine Their Stories
Description: Why go beyond names and dates — and how do we imagine stories more vividly using the clues they left behind? What did daily life feel like for the people in your tree? In “Imagine Their Story”, we’ll explore how to use historical clues to reconstruct meaningful, accurate story vignettes — and bring the past to life. This presentation will feature a brief demo of how to use AI as a tool to tell these stories.

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11:00 AM

Discussion and Networking

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12:00 PM

Lunch

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1:00 PM

Presenter: Andrew Bramlett
Topic: Finding Lost Communities: Understanding Maps and Property Records
Description: Encountering forgotten communities in your family tree can be a common occurrence, but how do you uncover where your ancestors lived? This presentation will explore the various ways to find cities and communities not on modern maps, using both historic maps and property records to understand how to locate these hidden parts of your family’s story.

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2:15 PM

Discussion and Networking

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3:15 PM

Wrap-up and Review

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Important Zoom Security Information: In 2025, one of our CCGS monthly meetings on Zoom was recorded without our permission and later posted on WebinarTV, in violation of the CCGS Photography and Recording Policy. Unfortunately, this type of online content theft is becoming increasingly common. For more information, see Thomas MacEntee’s article, “Zoom Bots Are Invading Genealogy Webinars: What Societies and Speakers Need to Know Now.” CCGS already uses several Zoom features to help keep our meetings secure, including required registration and waiting rooms. To add another layer of security, we now ask attendees to join meetings as authenticated Zoom users—that simply means you’ll need to be signed into a Zoom account to participate.

If you don’t already have a Zoom account, you can create one for free at www.zoom.us by clicking “Sign Up, It’s Free” and following the prompts to verify your email and set a password. You may join meetings through your web browser, or you can download the free Zoom Workplace app for your computer, tablet, or smartphone. A free account is all that’s needed to participate.

Please note: When you register for a CCGS Zoom event, Zoom will ask you to sign in with an account. If you already have a Zoom account, you’re all set. If not, it’s easy to create a free Basic account. Please let us know if you need any assistance – we’re happy to help.