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Faces of NextGen LIVE! Meet Christine Woodcock
September 20, 2017
The NextGen Genealogy Network’s Faces of NextGen LIVE! is a popular feature hosted by Education Coordinator Eric Wells. In this recorded interview, get to know Christine Woodcock!
Want to say hello to your fellow young genealogists during a fun and informal interview with Eric? Let us know at [email protected].
Don’t forget to bookmark our YouTube Channel to keep up with the latest on Faces of NextGen LIVE!
Meet your NextGen Leadership Team – Beth Wylie
September 13, 2017
Name: Beth Wylie
Age: A lady never reveals her true age…40 something…
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
What is your role at The NextGen Genealogy Network? Secretary of the Leadership Team is my official title. I help out with graphic creation, promoting events on social media, anything that is asked. We are great about supporting each other as we all do this voluntarily between the spaces of our busy lives.
How did you hear about NextGen? I can’t recall exactly how I stumbled upon it, but when I learned about the organization, I immediately emailed about coordinating a meet up! I was so excited to find kindred spirits in my general age group. Melanie Frick was the first person that reached out, and I am very thankful that she did! I wish this group had existed when I was in my 20’s.
When did you first get interested in genealogy? My paternal grandmother was an amateur genealogist. I remember going to a Warner Brown family reunion in Union County, Arkansas when I was a small child, seeing all the boards with family photos. I inherited her manila envelopes full of her Goode and Goodwin records. She was also a proud member of DAR, so in my early 30’s I joined through her line. Additionally, I majored in history in college. Researching the past seems to have always been an important part of my life.
Do you have a specific area of expertise or interest? I don’t profess to be an expert in any particular area, but I do have a great deal of interest in Southern ancestry, migration patterns, etc. My roots are deeply Southern, for better or worse. Being Southern is a contradiction of emotions for me. I have explored these feelings some in my blog, lifeinthepastlane.org. Another area I have developed a recent interest in is oral history research. I hope to learn more about this in an upcoming webinar series with Baylor’s Institute of Oral History. People’s lives are what make family history so interesting. Knowing how to interview people, and capture their stories before they are lost, is something I think will make me a better genealogist.
What is your favorite type of genealogical record? Any record that has a family name on it?! That’s such a difficult question to answer! Some ancestors don’t want to give up their secrets, so for them any record I can find is my favorite. Death certificates are a personal favorite as I am always curious to know how people died. I love finding a lengthy obituary or book that may tell more about them as a person. I have paid a small fortune for a rare out of print book that had a whole section on my Garrison ancestors! Worth every penny.
If you could meet any ancestor, who would it be? I. Cannot. Pick. One. Peter Garrison, my 3rd great grandfather, because I know the most about him and feel like I know him. Prudence Patterson Hall, because she was supposedly a spy in a petticoat during the Revolution. My great grandmother Igou, because she got a divorce at a time when it was very rare and let her ex-husband and his family raise her first child. There’s a painful story there I want to know more about. I could go on…
Are you involved in any local societies/organizations? I am on the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Genealogical Society. It has been a great experience so far and I am looking forward to increasing our younger membership.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to a new genealogist? Take your time. Whether learning the foundations of good research, or actually researching your own family. Take your time to make sure you have verified sources, dates, etc. And, if you hit a brick wall, step away, knowing it may not be a brick wall forever. A distant cousin once told me that our ancestors will reveal themselves when they want to be found. I have always tried to think of it that way when I reach a point I can’t go any further. Time and distance often give me a fresh perspective when I return to the search.
Do you plan on becoming a Certified or Accredited Genealogist in the future? When my children are a little older and more independent, I plan to complete the Boston University Certificate Program in Genealogical Research.
Where can we find you online? (FB/Instagram/website/email
NextGen In Action!
September 10, 2017
The NextGen Genealogy Network is excited to launch our latest initiative – NextGen In Action!
We want to see photos of young genealogists like yourselves in action – researching at a repository, visiting the cemeteries, at genealogical conferences – you name it!
Snap a photo of yourself holding the ‘I am NextGen’ sign or wearing some NextGen merchandise (found at our Zazzle store).
Post it any of our social media sites using the hashtag #nextgeninaction, or email us at [email protected]. Once a month, all your NextGen in action photos will be posted on our blog.
Below are a couple of examples from our leadership team
Find us on
Twitter – @NextGenNetwrk
Instagram – @nextgennetwrk
Facebook – @Nextgennetwrk
We can’t wait to see you all in action!
Faces of NextGen: Meet Lisa Medina
September 6, 2017
Lisa Medina, 34, California
What five words would you use to describe yourself?
Caring, Intellectual,Pragmatic, Passionate and Introverted
Why genealogy?
I have harbored a strong affection for history since childhood, fascinated by vivid images, stories and figures of the past. When I discovered genealogy and the ways my ancestors related to the larger narrative of history, I was hooked. Also, I love research!
What’s the coolest discovery you’ve made?
There have been many, but what first comes to mind is the discovery that my grandfather and my husband’s aunt lived in the same small town in northern California at the same time. My husband and his family are from Guadalajara, Mexico, I grew up in Maine and my grandfather was from Oklahoma, so this was a very unexpected coincidence.
What are you working on this week?
I have picked up my research into the early life of one of my maternal great grandfathers, who was adopted and about whom little is known. I have been in communication with my mother’s cousin, who is the son of the eldest of my great-grandfather’s sons, and who is helping to guide my research by answering questions and confirming several discoveries based on oral histories.
What’s the number one secret to your success in genealogy?
Commitment to well-organized research. By remaining committed to the scope of my research projects and digging into the details, with as much structure in my research plan as possible, I am able to document my search and findings easily – and the details for narratives are available!
What superpower would you want to help you uncover your family history?
The ability to see into the past, of course! Also, full access to the Family History Library 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What are we most likely to find you doing when you’re not researching family history?
Spending time with my 5-month old and husband at Balboa Park or the zoo – two of our favorite family outings. When I’m not with my family (and also not researching), I am often swimming at my local YMCA.
Lisa can be found online at www.medinagenie.weebly.com
The NextGen Genealogy Network is made up of young genealogists with diverse backgrounds, interests, and experiences. Faces of NextGen showcases a different member of our community each month. If you would like to be considered for an upcoming feature, simply complete our questionnaire and submit a selfie.