Bryan Mulcahy is a long-time lecturer and friend of the Genealogical Society of Sarasota.  He has been the Adult Reference, Genealogy, and Circulation librarian since 1990.  Bryan received his BA and Master of Library Science from Florida State University in 1984.   We always welcome his knowledge and inspiration in the field of genealogy as he has shared many written articles and guides with us over the years.

Alternative records and other related Hidden Resources are defined as documents, records, or memorabilia that provide the same or similar types of information that would normally be contained in the more common primary genealogical records. Regardless of your effort and expertise, brick walls are an inevitable fact of life for all genealogists. Dead-ends, discrepancies between records, and research roadblocks tend to be the rule rather than the exception in genealogical research. Inconsistencies in record keeping practices from bygone eras will also present challenges as you search for genealogical records. Primary genealogical sources such as birth certificates, marriage records, census returns, and death certificates are only as useful as the determined accuracy of the information provided by the individual at the time the record was created. The information supplied may fall short of expectations or raise issues that were completely unexpected. The ancestor may not appear on any existing records for the time period or locality. When any of these situations arise, genealogists must turn to other avenues to overcome these issues. This seminar will touch on locating these hidden options for research success.