The next meeting of the Smithville Genealogy Society is Saturday, March 13 at 9:30 a.m. at the Smithville Public Library, 507 Main St. in Smithville. Highlighted at the meeting will be an interesting facet of genealogy from a very qualified speaker.

Jan Siegel Hart has authored several books for children and adults based on her own family history. She also gives dramatic presentations about her how her family left Russia and came to America at the beginning of the 20th century.

Since her presentations and books are based on oral histories, Hart developed a guide to help in gathering information on family histories, which she will share at the meeting. Hart is listed in the Texas Commission on the Arts Roster for 2001-2004.

There is a knack to interviewing folks and Hart will share her techniques in obtaining a thorough and interesting interview. Her books, Hanna, The Immigrant and The Many Adventures of Minnie, will be available for purchase and signing at the meeting.

How can oral histories help with our genealogy? Genealogists with living relatives who remember what life was like in our parents’ or grandparents’ generation should take advantage of interviewing them, using video or audio media to record the interview. Information from interviews can be used to find new clues about a family, as well as provide quotes for a family history book.

The Smithville Genealogy Society is made up of those who want to learn more about their family and about how to improve their research skills.

For more information, call Carol Snyder at 830-839-4080 or the Smithville Library at 512-237-3282 and press extension 6.