Elizabeth Swanay O’Neal, CG®

Elizabeth Swanay O’Neal is a professional genealogist, writer, educator, and national genealogical speaker. Her specialties include methodology, technology, and online research resources. Since 1987, Elizabeth has made it her goal to research, share, and preserve her family stories. She is the author of the family history lifestyle website, Heart of the Family™ where her mission is to help others make the past part of their present.

Elizabeth's Upcoming Live Webinars (1)

Wed, February 4 2026: 20:30 UTC
Context in the Count: Interpreting the U.S. Census With a Historical Perspective
Wed, February 4 2026: 20:30 UTC
The U.S. federal census wasn’t designed with genealogists in mind; it was created to meet the changing needs of a growing nation. This session takes you beyond the names and numbers, exploring the historical context behind each census from 1790 to 1950. We’ll examine how shifting questions, enumeration methods, and national priorities have shaped the records we rely on today. By understanding the “why” behind the census, you’ll gain tools to interpret your ancestors’ entries with greater accuracy and uncover richer stories hidden in the data.
The U.S. federal census wasn’t designed with genealogists in mind; it was created to meet the changing needs of a growing nation. This session takes you beyond the names and numbers, exploring the historical context behind each census from 1790 to 1950. We’ll examine how shifting questions, enumeration methods, and national priorities have shaped the records we rely on today. By understanding the “why” behind the census, you’ll gain tools to interpret your ancestors’ entries with greater accuracy and uncover richer stories hidden in the data.
Wed, February 4 2026: 20:30 UTC

Elizabeth's Webinars (7)