About the Program
Grandma Said What? Gathering and Verifying Your Family's Oral History
Nearly all of us have them - stories from the mundane to the outlandish about our own family history. In this presentation, we'll talk about what oral history really is and why we need to confirm it, how to gather and preserve stories and family information through interviews, then take a look at a couple of "tall tales" and the types of records and resources could provide details to help confirm - or possibly disprove - the story.
Sara Cochran
Sara Cochran has been conducting genealogical research for over 20 years, and her research has taken her into nearly every State in the USA as well as Ireland, Italy, Austria, and Britain. She holds a Boston University Genealogical Research Certificate as well as a Bachelor Degree in Library Science. She especially enjoys breaking down brick walls for her clients, discovering the stories of black sheep ancestors, and helping individuals preserve their photographic legacy. She transitioned to professional genealogy in 2016 after spending over 11 years working for a pre-employment background check company. She has served as President, Secretary, and Programs co-chair for the Genealogical Society of Riverside and is currently the Treasurer of the Southern California Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists.