Registration is now open for our 2025 series. Click here to register.

Registration is now open for our 2025 series. Click here to register.

By
By
Speakers

Melissa Barker

Bonus webinars Historical Records Church Records, Manuscripts, School Records, Voting Records Methodology and Skills Finding Females, Friends, Associates, Neighbors (FANs), Libraries and Archives Miscellaneous MyHeritage Places and Ethnicities United States Tennessee Webtember

Melissa Barker is a Certified Archives Manager and Public Historian currently working at the Houston County, Tennessee Archives & Museum. She is affectionately known as The Archive Lady. She lectures, teaches, and writes about the genealogy research process, researching in archives and records preservation. She conducts virtual webinar presentations across the United States for genealogical and historical societies. She writes a popular blog entitled A Genealogist in the Archives and is a well-known genealogy Book Reviewer. She has been a Professional Genealogist for 21 years with an expertise in Tennessee records. She has been researching her own family history for the past 35 years.

Melissa's Upcoming Live Webinars (2)

MyHeritage
MyHeritage: Your Family Stories are Just One Click Away
Melissa Barker
Tue, January 14 2025: 19:00 UTC
Register for free
MyHeritage: Your Family Stories are Just One Click Away
Tue, January 14 2025: 19:00 UTC
Locating, documenting and proving family stories can be difficult but using the MyHeritage websites records can help us. Learn what can be found on the website to help you document and tell your ancestors stories.
MyHeritage
MyHeritage: Your Family Stories are Just One Click Away
Melissa Barker
Locating, documenting and proving family stories can be difficult but using the MyHeritage websites records can help us. Learn what can be found on the website to help you document and tell your ancestors stories.
Tue, January 14 2025: 19:00 UTC
Register for free
Methodology and Skills
Finding Your Elusive Female Ancestors in Local Archives
Melissa Barker
Wed, February 12 2025: 19:00 UTC
Register for free
Finding Your Elusive Female Ancestors in Local Archives
Wed, February 12 2025: 19:00 UTC
Local archives of all kinds have records for your female ancestors. Many times, these records are not digitized or available online. Learn from a seasoned archivist how to locate and research female records in local archives.
Methodology and Skills
Finding Your Elusive Female Ancestors in Local Archives
Melissa Barker
Local archives of all kinds have records for your female ancestors. Many times, these records are not digitized or available online. Learn from a seasoned archivist how to locate and research female records in local archives.
Wed, February 12 2025: 19:00 UTC
Register for free

Melissa's Webinars (22)

56:14
Historical RecordsMethodology and SkillsWebtember
Church Records in Archives
Melissa Barker
1.1K views
CC
Church Records in Archives
Church record research is a must for any genealogist. Many of our archives have church records available to researchers. There are also independent church archives for specific religions or denominations that can help you discover your ancestor. Learn from a seasoned genealogist and archivist how to find church records in archives.
Historical RecordsMethodology and SkillsWebtember
Church Records in Archives
CC
Melissa Barker
1.1K views
Church record research is a must for any genealogist. Many of our archives have church records available to researchers. There are also independent church archives for specific religions or denominations that can help you discover your ancestor. Learn from a seasoned genealogist and archivist how to find church records in archives.
Fri, September 27 2024: 14:15 UTC
Register for free
1:08:02
MyHeritage
10 Reasons Why MyHeritage is a Genealogist’s Best Friend
Melissa Barker
1.8K views
CC
Free
10 Reasons Why MyHeritage is a Genealogist’s Best Friend
There are many genealogical research databases and resources out there, and we should be using everything we can to locate and document our ancestors. Learn from a professional genealogist and archivist why MyHeritage can be a genealogist's best friend with the records available on their website.
MyHeritage
10 Reasons Why MyHeritage is a Genealogist’s Best Friend
CC
Free
Melissa Barker
1.8K views
There are many genealogical research databases and resources out there, and we should be using everything we can to locate and document our ancestors. Learn from a professional genealogist and archivist why MyHeritage can be a genealogist's best friend with the records available on their website.
Tue, July 9 2024: 18:00 UTC
Register for free
52:42
Methodology and SkillsWebtember
10 Things To Do Before Leaving a Library or Archives
Melissa Barker
1.1K views
CC
10 Things To Do Before Leaving a Library or Archives
Have you ever gotten home from a genealogy research trip or left a genealogy website and said to yourself "I forgot to do that!". Learn the 10 vital things every genealogist should do before leaving a library or archives building or website to make your next research trip to an archives physical building or visit to an archive's website successful.
Methodology and SkillsWebtember
10 Things To Do Before Leaving a Library or Archives
CC
Melissa Barker
1.1K views
Have you ever gotten home from a genealogy research trip or left a genealogy website and said to yourself "I forgot to do that!". Learn the 10 vital things every genealogist should do before leaving a library or archives building or website to make your next research trip to an archives physical building or visit to an archive's website successful.
Fri, September 22 2023: 14:15 UTC
Register for free
1:20:05
MyHeritage
MyHeritage: Your Personal Genealogy Archive
Melissa Barker
2.8K views
CC
Free
MyHeritage: Your Personal Genealogy Archive
Many of us are not able to travel to those places where our ancestors lived to do genealogy research. This should not deter us from finding information about our ancestors. MyHeritage can be your “home away from home” online archive to help you find information on your ancestors. Learn from a seasoned genealogist and archivist how to find archived records on MyHeritage from home.
MyHeritage
MyHeritage: Your Personal Genealogy Archive
CC
Free
Melissa Barker
2.8K views
Many of us are not able to travel to those places where our ancestors lived to do genealogy research. This should not deter us from finding information about our ancestors. MyHeritage can be your “home away from home” online archive to help you find information on your ancestors. Learn from a seasoned genealogist and archivist how to find archived records on MyHeritage from home.
Tue, January 24 2023: 19:00 UTC
Register for free
45:44
Places and Ethnicities
The Tennessee State Library and Archives: A Mega Archives for Your Tennessee Ancestors
Melissa Barker
285 views
CC
The Tennessee State Library and Archives: A Mega Archives for Your Tennessee Ancestors
Learn from a Professional Genealogist, with an expertise in Tennessee genealogical records, how to get the most out of the Tennessee State Library and Archives. You will learn how to use the vast TSLA website to your advantage and how to make your visit to the archives successful.
Places and Ethnicities
The Tennessee State Library and Archives: A Mega Archives for Your Tennessee Ancestors
CC
Melissa Barker
285 views
Learn from a Professional Genealogist, with an expertise in Tennessee genealogical records, how to get the most out of the Tennessee State Library and Archives. You will learn how to use the vast TSLA website to your advantage and how to make your visit to the archives successful.
Fri, September 30 2022: 10:00 UTC
Register for free
1:08:37
Bonus webinarsMiscellaneous
Preserving Your Ancestor’s Textiles and Handmade Treasures
Melissa Barker
186 views
CC
Preserving Your Ancestor’s Textiles and Handmade Treasures
Learn from an archivist the best practices to preserving your ancestor’s textiles and handmade items. Everything from Grandma's quilt, that old Christening gown, your Dad's letterman jacket and military uniforms. These textiles and handmade items need special care and consideration when it comes to preservation and storage.
Bonus webinarsMiscellaneous
Preserving Your Ancestor’s Textiles and Handmade Treasures
CC
Melissa Barker
186 views
Learn from an archivist the best practices to preserving your ancestor’s textiles and handmade items. Everything from Grandma's quilt, that old Christening gown, your Dad's letterman jacket and military uniforms. These textiles and handmade items need special care and consideration when it comes to preservation and storage.
Fri, October 29 2021: 0:00 UTC
Login to register (for webinar members)
Login to register (for webinar members)
1:00:52
Historical RecordsWebtember
Diaries, Journals and Calendars: Preserving and Document Your Ancestor’s Day-to-Day Life
Melissa Barker
421 views
CC
Diaries, Journals and Calendars: Preserving and Document Your Ancestor’s Day-to-Day Life
Many of our ancestors recorded their day-to-day lives in diaries, journals and calendars. Learn how to extract all the wonderful genealogical and historical information contained these sources and also how to physically preserve them for the next generation.
Historical RecordsWebtember
Diaries, Journals and Calendars: Preserving and Document Your Ancestor’s Day-to-Day Life
CC
Melissa Barker
421 views
Many of our ancestors recorded their day-to-day lives in diaries, journals and calendars. Learn how to extract all the wonderful genealogical and historical information contained these sources and also how to physically preserve them for the next generation.
Fri, September 10 2021: 0:00 UTC
Register for free
1:29:10
Miscellaneous
The Home Archivist: Preserving Family Records Like a Pro!
Melissa Barker
9.5K views
CC
The Home Archivist: Preserving Family Records Like a Pro!
Learn from a professional archivist how to preserve, protect and archive family records, photographs and artifacts. Best practices for organization, purchasing archival materials and practical records preservation that any home archivist can achieve! Learn how to process your collection of genealogical records from start to finish. Learn the steps archivists…
Miscellaneous
The Home Archivist: Preserving Family Records Like a Pro!
CC
Melissa Barker
9.5K views
Learn from a professional archivist how to preserve, protect and archive family records, photographs and artifacts. Best practices for organization, purchasing archival materials and practical records preservation that any home archivist can achieve! Learn how to process your collection of genealogical records from start to finish. Learn the steps archivists…
Fri, September 27 2019: 0:00 UTC
Register for free
1:22:29
Historical Records
Using Voting and Election Records to Find Your Ancestor
Melissa Barker
2.2K views
CC
Using Voting and Election Records to Find Your Ancestor
Our ancestors voted in local, state and federal government elections. Many of our local, state and national archives, libraries and genealogical societies have election and voting records that could help genealogists find their ancestors. These records could include the polling places where your ancestor voted and even your ancestor's signature.
Historical Records
Using Voting and Election Records to Find Your Ancestor
CC
Melissa Barker
2.2K views
Our ancestors voted in local, state and federal government elections. Many of our local, state and national archives, libraries and genealogical societies have election and voting records that could help genealogists find their ancestors. These records could include the polling places where your ancestor voted and even your ancestor's signature.
Wed, November 7 2018: 0:00 UTC
Register for free
1:06:18
Bonus webinarsMethodology and Skills
Your Ancestors Didn't Leave a Paper Trail: Are You?
Melissa Barker
812 views
CC
Your Ancestors Didn't Leave a Paper Trail: Are You?
Using the records found in archives of your ancestors friends, associates and neighbors (F.A.N. Club) can help you find your ancestors.
Bonus webinarsMethodology and Skills
Your Ancestors Didn't Leave a Paper Trail: Are You?
CC
Melissa Barker
812 views
Using the records found in archives of your ancestors friends, associates and neighbors (F.A.N. Club) can help you find your ancestors.
Fri, July 27 2018: 0:00 UTC
Login to register (for webinar members)
Login to register (for webinar members)
1:21:58
Methodology and Skills
What Your Ancestor's Neighbors Can Tell You
Melissa Barker
3.5K views
CC
What Your Ancestor's Neighbors Can Tell You
Our ancestors did not live in isolation, although we sometimes research them as if they did. They were part of a community of friends, neighbors, and even co-workers. Whether they lived in big cities, small towns or rural farming communities, your ancestor's neighbors could help you with your research. Using...
Methodology and Skills
What Your Ancestor's Neighbors Can Tell You
CC
Melissa Barker
3.5K views
Our ancestors did not live in isolation, although we sometimes research them as if they did. They were part of a community of friends, neighbors, and even co-workers. Whether they lived in big cities, small towns or rural farming communities, your ancestor's neighbors could help you with your research. Using...
Wed, June 6 2018: 0:00 UTC
Register for free
1:19:36
Historical Records
The ABCs and 123s of Researching Your Ancestor's School Records
Melissa Barker
2.6K views
The ABCs and 123s of Researching Your Ancestor's School Records
The records of local public schools and universities can valuable resources for finding information about your ancestors. Even if your ancestors didn't attend school, you would be surprised by what you can find in school records about them. This webinar will show you what types of school records there are…
Historical Records
The ABCs and 123s of Researching Your Ancestor's School Records
Melissa Barker
2.6K views
The records of local public schools and universities can valuable resources for finding information about your ancestors. Even if your ancestors didn't attend school, you would be surprised by what you can find in school records about them. This webinar will show you what types of school records there are…
Fri, September 15 2017: 0:00 UTC
Register for free
1:08:37
Bonus webinarsHistorical RecordsMethodology and Skills
Scrap Paper and Orphan Documents in Archives
Melissa Barker
585 views
Scrap Paper and Orphan Documents in Archives
Many of our archives have scrap paper and orphan documents that are discovered on a daily basis that don't belong to any particular records collection. In this webinar find out what archives do with these records and how you as a genealogists can discover these pieces of scrap paper and…
Bonus webinarsHistorical RecordsMethodology and Skills
Scrap Paper and Orphan Documents in Archives
Melissa Barker
585 views
Many of our archives have scrap paper and orphan documents that are discovered on a daily basis that don't belong to any particular records collection. In this webinar find out what archives do with these records and how you as a genealogists can discover these pieces of scrap paper and…
Wed, July 5 2017: 0:00 UTC
Login to register (for webinar members)
Login to register (for webinar members)
1:10:06
Bonus webinarsMiscellaneous
Family Gatherings: Dragging Genealogy Information Out of Your Family
Melissa Barker
759 views
Family Gatherings: Dragging Genealogy Information Out of Your Family
Family gatherings are the ideal place to collect genealogical information. Sometimes it is difficult to get your family members to give up the knowledge they have because they are just not interested. This webinar will give you handy tips and tricks to get your family members talking and sharing the…
Bonus webinarsMiscellaneous
Family Gatherings: Dragging Genealogy Information Out of Your Family
Melissa Barker
759 views
Family gatherings are the ideal place to collect genealogical information. Sometimes it is difficult to get your family members to give up the knowledge they have because they are just not interested. This webinar will give you handy tips and tricks to get your family members talking and sharing the…
Wed, July 5 2017: 0:00 UTC
Login to register (for webinar members)
Login to register (for webinar members)
1:04:01
Bonus webinarsMethodology and Skills
Using Archives to Fill the Gaps in Your Ancestor's Timeline
Melissa Barker
1.2K views
Using Archives to Fill the Gaps in Your Ancestor's Timeline
Do you have gaps of missing information in your ancestor's timeline? Using archives and the records they hold can fill in those gaps. Learn about unique records that are found in archives that will help to tell your ancestor's story and add information to your ancestor's timeline.
Bonus webinarsMethodology and Skills
Using Archives to Fill the Gaps in Your Ancestor's Timeline
Melissa Barker
1.2K views
Do you have gaps of missing information in your ancestor's timeline? Using archives and the records they hold can fill in those gaps. Learn about unique records that are found in archives that will help to tell your ancestor's story and add information to your ancestor's timeline.
Wed, July 5 2017: 0:00 UTC
Login to register (for webinar members)
Login to register (for webinar members)
57:39
Bonus webinarsMiscellaneous
Disaster Planning for the Genealogist, Safeguarding Your Genealogical Records
Melissa Barker
735 views
Disaster Planning for the Genealogist, Safeguarding Your Genealogical Records
Natural disasters and manmade disasters happen all the time. Are your genealogical records stored and archived in such a way that they will survive through a disaster? Learn from an archivist how to come up with your own disaster plan and safeguard your genealogical records from destruction.
Bonus webinarsMiscellaneous
Disaster Planning for the Genealogist, Safeguarding Your Genealogical Records
Melissa Barker
735 views
Natural disasters and manmade disasters happen all the time. Are your genealogical records stored and archived in such a way that they will survive through a disaster? Learn from an archivist how to come up with your own disaster plan and safeguard your genealogical records from destruction.
Wed, July 5 2017: 0:00 UTC
Login to register (for webinar members)
Login to register (for webinar members)
1:02:35
Bonus webinarsMethodology and Skills
Metal Paper Clips, Rubber Bands and Tape, OH MY!
Melissa Barker
1.3K views
Metal Paper Clips, Rubber Bands and Tape, OH MY!
Learn from an archivist how to handle records, photographs and ephemera that have metal paper clips, rubber bands, tape and other fasteners attached to them. Get archival tips and methods on how to safely remove these destructive items from your records.
Bonus webinarsMethodology and Skills
Metal Paper Clips, Rubber Bands and Tape, OH MY!
Melissa Barker
1.3K views
Learn from an archivist how to handle records, photographs and ephemera that have metal paper clips, rubber bands, tape and other fasteners attached to them. Get archival tips and methods on how to safely remove these destructive items from your records.
Thu, March 23 2017: 0:00 UTC
Login to register (for webinar members)
Login to register (for webinar members)
50:07
Bonus webinarsMethodology and Skills
Researching in Libraries and Archives: the Do’s and Don’ts
Melissa Barker
2.0K views
Researching in Libraries and Archives: the Do’s and Don’ts
Researching in archives, libraries, historical societies, genealogical societies, courthouses and other repositories can be intimidating to the genealogist. This webinar will instruct the genealogist on how to prepare to do research in any repository. Planning ahead and knowing what the repository offers will help the genealogist be more successful in...
Bonus webinarsMethodology and Skills
Researching in Libraries and Archives: the Do’s and Don’ts
Melissa Barker
2.0K views
Researching in archives, libraries, historical societies, genealogical societies, courthouses and other repositories can be intimidating to the genealogist. This webinar will instruct the genealogist on how to prepare to do research in any repository. Planning ahead and knowing what the repository offers will help the genealogist be more successful in...
Mon, July 4 2016: 0:00 UTC
Login to register (for webinar members)
Login to register (for webinar members)
52:35
Bonus webinarsHistorical Records
Scrapbooks: A Genealogist's Gold Mine
Melissa Barker
1.2K views
Scrapbooks: A Genealogist's Gold Mine
Scrapbooks come in different sizes, shapes and types. Researching in them is like traveling back through time or opening a time capsule. This webinar will highlight the benefits of accessing and researching in scrapbooks for your ancestors. There will also be tips about preserving scrapbooks that you own.
Bonus webinarsHistorical Records
Scrapbooks: A Genealogist's Gold Mine
Melissa Barker
1.2K views
Scrapbooks come in different sizes, shapes and types. Researching in them is like traveling back through time or opening a time capsule. This webinar will highlight the benefits of accessing and researching in scrapbooks for your ancestors. There will also be tips about preserving scrapbooks that you own.
Mon, July 4 2016: 0:00 UTC
Login to register (for webinar members)
Login to register (for webinar members)
53:52
Bonus webinarsHistorical Records
Preserving Old Family Letters: Tips from an Archivist
Melissa Barker
2.6K views
Preserving Old Family Letters: Tips from an Archivist
Old family letters are a true treasure for any genealogist. This webinar will show you how to preserve and archive them so that they will last for generations to come. You will learn archival techniques and tips from a certified archivist to preserve your family letters.
Bonus webinarsHistorical Records
Preserving Old Family Letters: Tips from an Archivist
Melissa Barker
2.6K views
Old family letters are a true treasure for any genealogist. This webinar will show you how to preserve and archive them so that they will last for generations to come. You will learn archival techniques and tips from a certified archivist to preserve your family letters.
Mon, July 4 2016: 0:00 UTC
Login to register (for webinar members)
Login to register (for webinar members)
48:52
Bonus webinarsMethodology and Skills
It's Not All Online: Researching in Archives
Melissa Barker
1.0K views
It's Not All Online: Researching in Archives
This webinar will emphasis that there are less than 10% of the worlds' genealogy records online and genealogists need to contact and visit archives to locate their ancestors records that are not online. This webinar will show the researcher the unique records housed in records repositories.
Bonus webinarsMethodology and Skills
It's Not All Online: Researching in Archives
Melissa Barker
1.0K views
This webinar will emphasis that there are less than 10% of the worlds' genealogy records online and genealogists need to contact and visit archives to locate their ancestors records that are not online. This webinar will show the researcher the unique records housed in records repositories.
Mon, July 4 2016: 0:00 UTC
Login to register (for webinar members)
Login to register (for webinar members)
56:01
Bonus webinarsMethodology and Skills
Vertical Files: What Are They and How to Use Them
Melissa Barker
1.3K views
Vertical Files: What Are They and How to Use Them
Vertical Files, what are they and how can they benefit the genealogist? This webinar will help the researcher understand exactly what Vertical Files are and how to locate them at local repositories. This record source is "like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get."
Bonus webinarsMethodology and Skills
Vertical Files: What Are They and How to Use Them
Melissa Barker
1.3K views
Vertical Files, what are they and how can they benefit the genealogist? This webinar will help the researcher understand exactly what Vertical Files are and how to locate them at local repositories. This record source is "like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get."
Mon, July 4 2016: 0:00 UTC
Login to register (for webinar members)
Login to register (for webinar members)
View all
Legacy QuickGuide: Using Archives to Fill Gaps
Download File
Legacy QuickGuide: Researching in Libraries and Archives by Melissa Barker
Download File
Legacy QuickGuide: Preserving Old Family Letters by Melissa Barker
Download File
Legacy QuickGuide: Scrap Paper and Orphan Documents in Archives
Download File
Legacy QuickGuide: Disaster Planning for the Genealogist
Download File
Legacy QuickGuide: Family Gatherings
Download File
Legacy QuickGuide: It’s Not All Online: Researching in Archives by Melissa Barker
Download File
Legacy QuickGuide: Metal Paper Clips, Rubber Bands and Tape, OH MY!
Download File
Legacy QuickGuide: Vertical Files: What Are They and How to Use Them
Download File
Legacy QuickGuide: Scrapbooks – a Genealogist’s Gold Mine
Download File
View all