History & Culture

Let the games begin! Sport, religion, and politics converged in the ancient sanctuary of Olympia, Greece in 776 B.C. with a simple foot race dedicated to Zeus. Every four years, athletes, dignitaries, emissaries, and tourists traveled to Olympia for the athletic-religious games that honored Zeus. Go back in time to learn what took place over the five-day period that attracted tens of thousands of people from all over the Greek-speaking world. These were not your modern Olympics! Instructor Bill McGowan.

Have you ever wondered to whom you might be related? The explosion of direct to consumer DNA test kits has opened the door to discovering your genetic makeup, your ancient origins, and potential family relationships. Genetic genealogy has emerged as an important tool for genealogists and
family historians. This course will teach you about DNA, what tests are available, how to use your DNA results to find family and how to use it in your genealogical research. Instructor: Andrew Hochreiter.

The famed ancient city of Ephesus, in Turkey’s picturesque Aegean region, attracts some 2.5 million tourists and history buffs each year. The well-preserved ruins of this port city were added to UNESCO’s prestigious World Heritage list in 2015. Considered one of the most important Greek trading centers, Ephesus survived multiple attacks and was conquered many times. You will discuss the history of this city, and virtually explore the library of Celsus and the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the Ancient world. Instructor Bill McGowan.

In the past five years, thanks to advances in technology, there has been a revolution in the way genealogists do their research and record their findings. Come learn about the huge repositories available online, some free and others with fees, to preserve your legacy 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 how 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.