How to Research and Market Your Family History
March 28, 2026 9:00 AM
- 10:00 AM
When & Where
Saturday, March 28
9:00 – 10:00 AM
Online & in SOTV Rooms 16-17
What to Expect
This talk is based on Garry Moore’s experience and lessons learned in writing his latest family history book, "Adam Campbell Family History: Scotch-Irish Ancestry and 19th Century American Migration," which was published in 2025.
This class will be held on site and on Zoom.
The registration deadline is March 26 at 1:00 PM. The Zoom link will be sent out on March 26.
About the Speaker
Garry is a fifth-great-grandson of Adam Campbell, who was a pioneer in North Carolina before the American Revolution. Garry has been researching Adam’s ancestors and descendants for over 50 years.
Discussion Topics
Researching & Writing
- Personalizing your history using your skills and background
- Incorporating Y-DNA, autosomal DNA, and mitochondrial DNA into your research
- Getting to know your ancestor’s neighbors
- Incorporating local and national history, culture, and the norms at the time of your ancestors
- Going beyond just dates: creating stories about your ancestors (villains, heroes, religion, ethnicity, Native American and enslaved persons connections)
- The value of maps and land records
- Military records and what they can tell you
- Keeping track of descendants
- The importance of a good quality, attributable photographs
- Privacy concerns
- Sourcing, copyrights, and acknowledgements
- Discovering the unexpected
Publishing, Marketing, & Distribution
- Why you might need an editor, graphic artist, and publishing expert
- Self-publishing, print on demand, and e-books
- How long does it take and timing the publication
- Marketing using an author website, social media, Substack, Ancestry, FamilySearch, libraries, genealogical societies, museums, etc.
- Memorable keepsakes
- Publishing costs and royalties
Shepherd of the Valley is committed to welcoming people of all abilities and working to understand and meet the needs of our congregation. If you need an accommodation, modification, or assistance to fully participate in this event, please contact Pastor Peter Harrits. We may not be able to meet all requests at this time.