Have you ever wondered what part of the world your ancestors were from, and why you live where you do now? Are you unsure of how to research your history and fear that the information found may not be accurate? A workshop called “Genealogy 101” will be taking place at 1 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 5, to teach attendees about their ancestry, background and how to interpret historical information.

Merriam Webster defines genealogy as “an account of the descent of a person, family or group from an ancestor or from older forms.” In other words, genealogy ancestry, bloodline or origin.

Daniel Truckey, director of the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center (BUPHC), will be leading a workshop on how to research family trees by using ancestry.com and the records available online and elsewhere.

Attendees will learn where to look for more information about their ancestors online and how to validate information, Truckey added.

“[They’ll learn to] avoid common pitfalls of genealogical research and how to interpret historical information,” Truckey said.

The event is located in the seminar room in the BUPHC. The event is free but only limited to current NMU students, as there is only enough room for about 25 people.

“Genealogy is not only about discovering who your ancestors were but also your own cultural identity,” Truckey said. “It’s really detective work, which is what makes it so exhilarating.”

For more information on the event, or genealogy in general, email Truckey at [email protected] or visit www.nmu.edu/beaumier/events.