History & Culture

Many people have taken DNA tests but are confused about what to do with their results. This course will provide subsequent procedures to analyze test results, identify relationships of matches, and resolve genetic genealogy questions. The use of test company and third-party tools will be explained. This course is designed for students who have taken DNA: Trace Your Family History or have similar experience. Instructors: Andrew Hochreiter and Tom McCarriar. 

Explore the tomb of Queen Nefertari in the famous Valley of the Queens. Queen Nefertari was the first of the Great Royal Wives and great favorite of Ramesses II, one of the most powerful kings to rule Egypt. The tomb of Nefertari is one of the most beautifully painted tombs in all of Egypt and is often referred to as the Sistine Chapel of Egypt. You will explore this tomb in detail, accompanying Queen Nefertari on her transition to the next life and the trials she endured on her spiritual journey. You will also explore other tombs in the Valley of the Queens to highlight the power of the Egyptians’ belief in the afterlife and their unparalleled imagination and artistry as expressed in the tomb paintings. Instructor: Bill McGowan.

In the past five years, because of technology and the internet, there has been a revolution in the way genealogists do their research and record their findings. Come learn about the huge repositories, some free and others with fees, to preserve your legacy (the treasures you have discovered) and to break through your brick walls. In addition, learn how you can contribute to the growing online resources to assist others in their quest and to select genealogy software for your home. Instructor Davis Gardner is president of the Howard County Genealogical Society and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this topic.

Internet technology has done wonders for both amateur and professional genealogists. Join Davis Gardner of the Howard County Genealogical Society to take your next step in family research. Learn what to expect from DNA testing, how to handle elusive female ancestors and how to use maps
to understand your background. This course requires some computer skills but New Genealogy on the Internet is not a prerequisite.

Tea is the second most consumed drink in the world and considered the best beverage for health. Drinking tea dates back millennia, and the Chinese first began drinking it around 2000 BC. Tea isn’t just a drink, and across the world, millions of people enjoy the drink for many different reasons: Relaxation, spirituality, friendship, tradition and pleasure. For many cultures in the world, tea is a way of life. This session will deepen your understanding of the history and culture behind each cup, and provide you opportunities to taste different types of tea around the world. From the afternoon tea in England, mint tea in Morocco, green tea in China, to chai tea in India, yerba mate in Argentina, matcha tea in Japan and many others, the taste of tea can provide you a feeling of warmth, then a calm state of mind.

The Greek myths provide intriguing insight into human nature while providing clues into the origins and significance of the ancient Greeks’ own culture and ritual practices. In this course, you will explore the fascinating stories of the Greek myths—stories that explain the creation of the world
and the lives of the gods, goddesses, heroes and heroines. Starting with the birth of the world, through bloody wars like Troy and Thebes, heroic acts of Hercules and childish pranks by Hermes, and touching stories of motherly love in Demeter and Persephone - the scope of the Greek myths will astound and delight you. Instructor: Bill McGowan.

Dedicated to the goddess Athena, the Parthenon was built to celebrate the triumph of Athens against the Persian invasions of Greece in the mid-5th century B.C. For over 2,500 years, it has stood on the Acropolis of Athens as a proud symbol of the enduring legacy of Classical Greek civilization. Explore the art, architecture and history of this magnificent temple through the ages as it remains a sentinel over the city of Athens, a testament to the triumph of Athenian democracy.

The Rosetta Stone is one of the most famous archaeological artifacts in the world. In this course, you will explore the fascinating history of this amazing treasure, first uncovered by French Napoleonic troops in Egypt in 1799, and the race between the French and the British to decipher the mysterious language of the ancient Egyptians. The stone’s true significance lies in the tripartite inscription incised on the stone, each written in a different script- Egyptian hieroglyphics, Egyptian Demotic, and Ancient Greek, which would prove to be the key to solving the puzzle of deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. Instructor Bill McGowan holds an M.A. degree in Latin and Greek from Fordham University in New York City.