613 Creekside Circle
Gurnee, IL 60031
USA

Phone: (847)281-9832

Business Phone: (847)281-9832
Email: sarah@vandeventer.net
URL: www.vandeventer.net

Contact between 10:00 am to 11:00 pm CT

Specialties:

When you cross an aerospace engineer (a.k.a. rocket scientist) with a teacher, librarian, and genealogist, you get a wide range of knowledge and a depth of experience rarely equaled. You also get complex topics explained in everyday language with enthusiasm and excellence. I like to talk about just about anything from basic to advanced topics. I'm particularly adept at making obscure and under-utilized resources understood. I am both tech-savvy and fond of dusty archives and court houses. I tend to focus on topics that are more unique. Many include demonstrations of internet resources.

Lectures:

A full list is on my website under Services_Presentations. I am constantly developing new lectures and I always refresh 'old' lectures before I give them again. Some available titles: 1) Beyond the Begats: Adding Biographical Detail to Your Genealogy; 2) A Genealogist’s Introduction to WorldCat (The Database of Library Catalogs); 3) Finding Online Newspapers; 4) Using NewspaperArchive.com; 5) Using Chronicling America (Newspapers at the Library of Congress); 6) Using Google News Archive; 7) Using Google Books; 8) Mapping Your Genealogy

Speaking Conditions:

Please provide either a PC projector or an overhead device, letting me know which. I can provide a PC projector if I have enough notice. If you provide a PC which you would rather me use, please let me know the operating system and version of Powerpoint (if any).

Previous Engagements:

A full list is on my website under Services_Presentations. So far, my most popular lecture has been "Beyond the Begats - Adding Biographical Detail to Your Genealogy." "A Genealogist’s Introduction to WorldCat" has also been quite popular.

Bio:

In 2009 I obtained a PLCGS from NIGS in Genealogical Librarianship (PLCGS - Professional Learning Certificate in Genealogical Studies; NIGS - National Institute for Genealogical Studies). I have been researching my family since 1994 and have had a surname website since 1997. After obtaining my MLIS (Masters in Library and Information Science) in 2003, I began moving towards professional genealogy. I am currently a member of APG and NGS. I have been on the APG's Publications Advisory Committee since early 2007. I also hold memberships in IL State GS, NEHGS, NYGBS, Lake Co (IL) GS, and Detroit SGR. My first career was as a NASA rocket scientist. My BS is in Aerospace Engineering and I worked in Houston's Mission Control where I honed my public speaking skills.