Heinz History Center to host virtual genealogy workshops

The Senator John Heinz History Center might be closed during the covid-19 pandemic, but the museum’s Detre Library & Archives are exploring family histories with two virtual genealogy workshops this month.

The workshops will feature live presentations from renowned genealogists and examine historic records and electronic resources.

“We wanted to provide our virtual visitors with a rich experience,” said Brady Smith, director of marketing for the Heinz History Center. “These workshops are typically very popular, they often sell out.”

On May 16 from 10 a.m. to noon, the museum will host an African American Genealogy Workshop exploring the family histories of African and Native American peoples with genealogical expert Angela Walton-Raji and Alaina Roberts, assistant professor of history at the University of Pittsburgh.

Walton-Raji will discuss methods of searching for joint ancestry.

Roberts will talk about her work focusing on Native land in Indian Territory in which the former enslaved people of the Chickasaw, Cherokee, Creek, Seminole, and Choctaw Nations and African Americans were able to obtain land, build communities, and enjoy certain rights and freedoms.

“This is the first African-American genealogy workshop that will also focus on Native American peoples. So, we’re excited about that,” said Smith.

On Sunday, May 31, from 1-5 p.m., the museum will host its first-ever Scottish Genealogy Workshop with internationally renowned genealogist Paul Milner. The program will feature live presentations to help advance Scottish genealogical research, question and answer sessions, and interactive networking opportunities.

Archivists Jenny Barr and Sonia Prescott from the Presbyterian Historical Society in Philadelphia will provide an overview of church records in its holdings that document Scottish Americans in Western Pennsylvania.

“The Scottish Genealogy Workshop is something that our archivists have wanted to do for a while and it’s important because the Scots-Irish peoples have had a huge impact on the Pittsburgh region. They go all the way back to William Pitt and why we’re called Pittsburgh,” said Smith.

Both workshops will be conducted virtually via Zoom. Those interested can register online at www.heinzhistorycenter.org/events.