From Re-conquest to Conquest: Ruy Diaz de Mendoza and his wife Catalina Salazar: Granadinos of      the  New World

     Synopsis: New discoveries about this couple and their ancestors placing them in a historical

                      prospective, and providing a connection between the re-conquest of Granada and the

                      Conquest of Mexico and Peru.

Juana, Are you Gonzalves, or Gone? Dealing with Surname Flexibility 

     Synopsis:  Women taking their mothers’ surnames or a child who has a surname different that either parent; such flexible surname patterns characterized Spanish language research before 1750. Learn about those different patterns and how they can impact your research.

 When Direct Evidence is Lacking: Applying Evidentiary Concept To Hispanic Research (2hr workshop)         

      Synopsis: Having trouble finding your great grandmother, because the parish was burned?  When    records are missing or limited, research in Spain and Mexico requires the application of sound evidentiary principles.  This class explores those principles with examples from actual Hispanic research experiences.

 Research in the Texas Land Records

      Synopsis: Description of early history while tracing the routes of early settlers into Texas and

                    description of experiences of the settlers in obtaining the various types of land

                    grants for Texas land when Texas became a Republic.  In addition, the

                    qualifications and the procedures for obtaining the land grants are presented along

                    with how to research the Texas General Land Office land records to determine if

                    your ancestor received a Texas land grant.  

Using Y-DNA Testing to Identify Your Ancestor

       Synopsis: How DNA is used to supplement knowledge gained from oral sources and historical  

                   document to solve the “brick wall” problems by identifying your paternal ancestral

                    lineage.

Online Techniques of Highly Successful Genealogist

       Synopsis: Tips on advance search technique, how to track online activities in a research

                        log, and how to locate new online sources.   

                                          "The Settlers of Goliad: Variety and Vision"

Dr. Carolina Castillo Crimm is an award-winning author and teacher who was born and brought-up in Mexico City, Mexico. She came to the United States in 1963, and finished her BA at the University of Miami, her MA at Texas Tech and her Ph.D. at the University of Texas at Austin.  She has taught on the high school level for 15 years, and started at Sam in 1992. Her latest book, De León: A Tejano Family History has won numerous awards, and she has won teaching awards at Sam, and as one of the best teachers in Texas.  She is married and has three children and 7 grandchildren.

                                                                Tom Kellam

Librarian/Archivist

"Introduction to Preservation: Basic Principals and Techniques"

Tom Kellam is a native of Fort Worth.  He attended Fort Worth Public Schools, graduating from Paschal High School in 1967. He enrolled in the University of Texas at Arlington in 1974, graduating in 1977 with a degree in Philosophy.  He returned to UTA and earned a Masters Degree in History, with a certification in Archival Administration.  He received a Masters in Library Science from the University of North Texas in 1995. He worked at the Fort Worth Public Library since 1989.  Since 1995, I have worked in the Genealogy and Local History Department as a Senior Librarian and Archivist.  My main project at the present is the preservation, arrangement and description of the Archives of the City of Fort Worth.  I also do small exhibits and displays relating to Fort Worth’s history, as well as presentations on archival management and preservation.

His interest in the writing of Mexican history, which focuses on the long-range consequences of the Conquest and colonial attitudes to race, class and caste on Mexican thought, art and letters, began in 1960.  From this interest has emerged a monographic essay – “Forjando patria: Forging a Nation.  In addition, Mr. Martínez has edited and written the Introduction to an anthology of stories written by students in his class.  He has published a novel, Voice-Haunted Journey (Tempe, AZ State U, Bilingual Review Press, 1990); and short story excerpts from a second unpublished novel, “The World of Dolores Velásquez.  Eliud Martínez has published several scholarly articles on the connections between Chicano literature and Latin American literature, film and cultural history; and, a few historical essays on multiple ancestries. 

                                                         Don Raney

                                            "Research in the Texas Land Records"

                                            "Using Y-DNA Testing to Identify Your Ancestor"

            Donald Raney is a sixth generation Texan, who has been an active genealogist for more than 30 years.

            He has been a frequent speaker at many genealogical society meetings i East Texas, Houston and the

            Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.  On the national level, Donald has presented sessions at GENTECH,

            FGS, Angelina College Genealogy Conference and the Genealogical Institute of Texas.  He is a life

            member of the San Jacinto Descendants and past directo of GENTECH and the DGS Computer

            Interest Group.  A registered professional engineer, Donald graduated from SMU and a B>S> in

            civil engineering and compleed a long professional career with Lone Star Gas Company before

            retiring in 1997 as Chief Engineer.  He teaches Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Genealogy

            courses at Richalnd Community College.                                           

                                                     George Ryskamp

                                 Professor, Author, and Accredited Genealogist

                          "From Reconquest to Conquest: Granadinos in The New World"

                           "Juana, Are you Gonzalves or Gone? Dealing with Surname Flexibility"

             "When Direct Evidence is Lacking: Applying Evidentiary Concept to Hispanic Research"

George Ryskamp is professor of History at Brignam Young University.  He has a Juris Doctorate and is an accredited genealogist. He has written countless of books in genealogy, specifically within the interest of Hispanic research.  (Google "George Ryskamp" to view his outstanding work, career and experience.)  Up to 2008 he was Director of the Center for Family History and Genealogy at BYU.  With over 35 years of experience working on the archives of Spain and Mexico he is the arthur of numerous books and articles on Hispanic research and a regular lecturer at national and international conferences. As an accredited Genealogist, he specializes in Sapnish language reserach and United State probate and legal systems. He and his wife recently published Finding Your Mexican Roots (Provo, Utah, Ancestry, 2007)  He has for  twelve consecutive years taken students to Spain to learn first hand how to research the Spanish archives.

                                                                            Tresa Tatyrek

Family Historian

"How I Work my Family Line"

Tresa Tatyrek has been interested in family history and genealogy since childhood.  She began doing extensive research in 1997 using the software Family Tree Maker.  The research has evolved into tracing over forty of her and her husband’s family surnames as well as client work.  She uses cluster genealogy as her primary research technique.  She performs volunteer work for several groups and libraries in the Dallas area.  The Dallas Genealogical Society bestowed their Award of Merit on her in 2007 for her volunteer service to their organization for an extended period of time.  They had, in 2005 given her their “Volunteer of the Year: award.  In 2004 the Grapevine Library also named her as “Volunteer of the Year” for her support of heir genealogy group.  The Dallas Public Library awarded the honor of volunteer of the year twice – 2001-2002 and 2003-2004 for her dedication to the genealogical community.  She served as President of the Dallas Genealogical Society for three years, 6 years as their webmaster, and continues to be involved with the organization.  She is involved with Grapevine Namedroppers, a member of the Cross Timbers Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution where she volunteers as the Chapter webmaster, the National Genealogical Society, and a variety of state and county genealogical and historical societies.

Ernesto Valdéz

Oral Historian

"Oral Historians: Give Voice to the Past"

Ernesto Valdéz  was born and raised in El Paso, Texas.  He has a BA from Trinity University; an MA from University of Houston; and a JD from South  Texas College of Law.  I retired from private practice of law after 30 years and I am now the Coordinator of Oral Histories at the University of Houston where to date we collected, or are collecting oral histories that include History of Mexican Americans in Houston-Galveston Area; Providing Rescue for the Victims of Katrina; Houston's Theaters for Performing Arts; and Women in the Military.

                                                        Roberto M. Villarreal

                    EDUCATOR, ENGINEER, HISTORIAN, FILM PRODUCER, AUTHOR

                                              "Los Vaqueros de South Texas"

Mr. Villarreal was born and raised in Sarita, Texas.  He obtained a Master’s Degree in Nuclear Physics at Texas A&M Kingsville.  He worked at NASA in the space program for seven years and then spent over 30 years in education, including 14 years at the Texas Education Agency. He obtained a Master’s Degree in the area of Mexican-American History from the same education institution, and his Thesis was on: “The Mexican-American Vaqueros of the Kenedy Ranch: A Social History.”  Books that Mr. Villarreal has written include Los Vaqueros de Sarita; Atanasia, which has been made into a movie; John the Bear; From the Cottonfields to NASA; Education Under Siege: Texas Style; The Making of Atanasia; and, coming soon , a Brief History of Tejanos and Memories of the Chicano Movement.  

Debbie Parker Wayne

Genealogist

"Online Search Technique of Highly Successful Genealogist"  

Debbie Wayne is a sixth-generation Texan who has been doing genealogical research since 1990. She spent over 25 years in computer industry doing technical support and instruction, programming, database administration and web design for Motorola. She received training at IGHR at Samford University, Alabama.  Debbie is a past officer of the Nacogdoches Genealogical Society and was editor of their journal, Yesterday, for five years.  She is the webmaster for the Angelina County Genealogy Society, the Lone Star Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogist, and the Early Settlers of Spanish and Mexican Lang Grants linage society.  She is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and an alumna of Samford University’s Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research.  She is the DNA Director for the Early Settlers of Spanish and Mexican Land Grants lineage society.  She has worked full-time on genealogical research since 2000 and is experienced in DNA analysis for genealogical research.

Diana Sotelo-Zertuche

Speech Hearing and Language Pathologist; Insurance Broker

 "Sephardic Jews Along the Texas Border"

Diana Sotelo-Zertuche was born in Del Rio, Texas on September 18, 1942.  She graduated from Sacred Heart Catholic School in 1960 and attended Our Lady of The Lake University where she received a degree in Speech, Hearing, and Language Pathology. She earned a Master’s Degree from Sul Ross State University in Alpine.

Diana worked for twenty years as a Speech Pathologist within the school and private community.  After she was recruited by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas where she served for over 24 years, she became interested in the health insurance profession.  She is one of few General Agents in the State and the only Hispanic female in this position in Texas.

In the summer of 1985, she published The Spirit of Val Verde, a limited edition, which is in recognition of Val Verde County’s Sesquicentennial celebration. She has also published two historical accounts of the development and the creation of the two Catholic Churches in Del Rio, Texas.  She has written many articles that have been published and has a weekly column, “La Estrellita Del Pueblo” in the local newspapers, The Del Rio News Herald. The articles replicate her recollections of a young Hispanic girl who lived in the Barrio of San Felipe.  The articles are also about the practices, dichos, beliefs, foods and our Hispanic Culture.  She is also affiliation with the Society For Crypto-Judiac Studies.  Her work has been published in their journal, Halapid. 

Currently she is the President of an incorporated, non-profit organization,  El Comite Del Cementerio Loma De La Cruz, which focuses on the restoration of an abandoned 200-year-old cemetery, and research of identifying those interred in this cemetery.