Hoffman Center offers genealogy course

The Hoffman Center will host a four-week “Introduction to Family
History” course in January. Class sessions will be held on
Tuesdays, Jan. 10, 17, 24 and 31, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the
Hoffman House Studios next to the Manzanita Library. The tuition
will be $40 for all four classes.

Instructor Karen Merrill Martin has been doing genealogy
research for over 20 year. She holds a Certificate in Genealogical
Studies from the National Institute of Genealogical Studies
affiliated with the University of Toronto.

Martin published her first family history book in 2010 and was
recently named first runner-up in a family history writing contest
sponsored by Family Tree Magazine and Abbott Press.

“Family history can be many things,” said Martin. “From ‘I just
want to put a scrapbook together of these old photos,’ to a
scholarly text with footnotes and charts, to a novelized version of
an ancestor’s life story.”

This class will offer students ideas on where to start, and help
them decide where to go from there. Topics will include organizing
files, protecting documents, researching vital records, making
courthouse trips, and finding online resources.

“We will also discuss how to keep track of your family and your
research either by hand or computer,” said Martin. “Whether you are
a beginner or someone with more experience, there will be lots to
learn in this class.”

For more information, contact Martin directly at
kmmartin@nehalemtel.net. A registration form is available online at
hoffmanblog.org.