Kristina Gow Clever, CG®, offers presentations for genealogical societies, conferences, and other groups interested in solving research problems through careful evidence analysis. Lectures use real cases to teach methods attendees can apply to their own families. Programs cover DNA evidence, immigrant identity, and federal land records. Contact Kristina to discuss a presentation for your society or conference.
DNA and genealogical proof
Turning Matches Into Proof: Finding Bonnie Guynn’s Biological Father
Bonnie Bell Guynn was orphaned by 1918, leaving questions about her paternal ancestry. This case study combines DNA matches and documentary research to identify her biological father. Attendees will see how to organize matches, use tools such as WATO and the Shared cM Project, and correlate genetic and documentary evidence to build a sound conclusion.
Immigrant Identity and Norwegian Research
What’s in a Name? Finding Your Norwegian Ancestors
Changing names and unfamiliar records can complicate Norwegian research. Through a case study that broke a 35-year brick wall, this presentation shows how research the FAN club, applying genealogical standards, and tracing an Americanized surname can uncover an ancestor’s origins. Attendees will gain practical strategies for researching their Norwegian ancestors. This presentation was sponsored by the Board for Certification of Genealogists through Legacy Family Tree Webinars. Webinar available: https://familytreewebinars.com/webinar/whats-in-a-name-finding-your-norwegian-ancestors
When Direct Evidence Is Wrong: Identifying Arthur Egeland’s Mother
Arthur Egeland’s birth registration named Anne Hansen as his mother, but other records pointed elsewhere. Using records for Arthur and his siblings in Chicago and his parents in Norway, this case study shows how to evaluate conflicting evidence, account for Norwegian naming traditions, and identify Annie Rognaldsen as his mother. Attendees will learn how to resolve conflicts, correlate indirect evidence, and build a defensible conclusion.
North Dakota to Norway: Reconstructing Matthew Reynolds’ Norwegian Identity
No single record identified Matthew Reynolds’ Norwegian birthplace or parents. This presentation follows the trail from North Dakota to Norway, correlating church, land, tax, immigration, and parish records with research on his community. Attendees will see how changing names and indirect evidence can be used to establish an immigrant’s identity and origins.
Two Names, One Man: Proving a Norwegian Immigrant’s Identity
Was Ole Helmer Rude of North Dakota the same person as Helmer Hansen Bonderudtajet of Norway? Conflicting birth information, changing names, and a long gap in the American record trail obscured the answer. This case study shows how research on siblings, family letters, immigration records, and Norwegian sources connected the two identities. Attendees will take away methods for evaluating conflicts and proving identity across names and countries.
Federal Land Records
Beyond the Patent: Hidden Genealogical Treasures in Cash Land Entry Files
A federal land patent may point to a much richer file. Cash Land Entry files at the National Archives can contain affidavits, naturalization papers, residence proofs, and correspondence revealing family relationships, migration, and community ties. This presentation shows how to locate and request these files and evaluate the genealogical evidence they contain.
No Patent, Plenty of Proof: Genealogy Gems in Cancelled Land Files
A federal land claim could leave a valuable paper trail even when it never produced a patent. This presentation explains how cancelled homestead and timber culture claims arose, how to find evidence of an unsuccessful claim, and how to locate the surviving file. Through document images and case examples, attendees will examine affidavits, testimony, correspondence, and other records that may reveal family relationships, residence, migration, citizenship, and neighbors.
Supreme Court Scrip: Tracing the Record Trail Behind the Patent
A patent citing “Supreme Court Scrip” may be the last step in a much longer story. Using several examples, this presentation follows the numbered scrip backward through land entry and federal records toward its original issuance. Attendees will learn which identifiers to capture from a patent, how transfers can separate the patentee from the original claimant, and how to correlate the surviving records to reconstruct the scrip’s history.
Request a Presentation
Interested in a program for your society or conference? Email Kristina at [email protected] with your preferred topic, event date, location or online format, and approximate audience size.