Deconstructing Your Family Tree: Re-Analyzing Evidence

Dr. Michael D. Lacopo was born and raised in northern Indiana surrounded by extended family always willing to tell tall tales.  Intrigued by his maternal family’s claim to be kinfolk of Abraham Lincoln, and his paternal family’s stories of murder and mayhem, he took to genealogical research in 1980 to substantiate these family stories.

Genealogical research as a hobby was in its infancy in the 1980s.  Combing libraries, archives, cemeteries and courthouses as a teenager, Michael gained the skills needed to become a keen researcher.  His first major challenge in the world of research was tackled by finding his adopted mother’s birthparents in 1982.  You can read about this adventure at his blog at Roots4U.blogspot.comwith some engaging story-telling, plot twists and new findings!

Although a budding genealogist in the 1980s, Michael completed his doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1991, while still spending time honing his research skills.  As befitting a doctor, Michael treats his genealogical research as he would medicine – carefully, methodically and completely.  Several genealogical journal articles and publications appeared along the way. In 2013, Michael retired from his medical career to pursue genealogical research full-time as a profession.

He has contributed to numerous periodicals and has helped numerous people in their quests to locate their relatives – living and dead.  He appeared in USA Today in 2000 discussing genealogy and the proposed destruction of the federal census tabulated in that year.  His national lecturing began in Sacramento, CA, at the National Genealogical Society’s national conference in 2004, and has continued with several local, state, national, and international conference speaking engagements to this present day.

Michael's interests and strengths include Mennonite research, German and Swiss research, especially as it pertains to the 18^th century immigration to America, among many other topics. He makes many trips throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest states chasing ancestors in primary repositories, and also devotes a considerable amount of time to European research, being proficient in reading German script. Having ancestors from many geographic locales as well as immigrants spanning the 17th century to the 20th century, Michael has a wide variety of proficiencies. He believes that as genealogists we should tell the tales of our ancestors and is a vocal proponent for learning the social history that interweaves our ancestors into the fabric of the past.

In addition to his story-telling and educational blog, Michael’s presence can be found online at www.Roots4U.com, or for more up-to-date lecture and research information, at his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Roots4U.

DECONSTRUCTING YOUR FAMILY TREE: RE-EVALUATING THE

"EVIDENCE". When information passed on from researcher to researcher doesn't "add up" it's time to tear down the walls and rebuild anew. This methodology lecture shows how erroneous conclusions can sneak into our research uncontested. This lecture is pertinent especially today with so many online family trees that get cut and pasted into our own research. 

• This lecture is always well received
• Methodology using case studies
• Very pertinent and amusing anecdotes to illustrate the various ways in which “facts” are not necessarily true – from clerical errors, bad memory, fraudulent research, and just plain old-fashioned bad research