What You Missed: German Research Workshop with Shirley Riemer

Things have been busy this year at the library. Tim Cox and his crew have been cooking up classes and filling the society calendar with offerings to help genealogists with almost every aspect of their research. Workshops that focus on a particular ethnic group have been especially popular so it was no surprise that Getting Started in German Genealogy on January 29, 2011, was a sell-out.

Instructor Shirley Riemer received rave reviews from attendees.

Shirley Riemer

Mrs. Riemer's sense of humor and style of presentation are entertaining, as well as being very instructive. She covered a great deal of material while making it easily accessible, and provided very helpful printed material. –Anonymous

Great presentation! Not only informative but enjoyable! Great sense of humor! –Erin Flory

The presenter was funny and informative, she covered a lot in the time that was allowed. –Patti Melvin

Shirley had a great sense of humor, which is always a plus. She is an excellent presenter. I've been telling anyone who will listen about the talk. –Chris Pattillo

She covered a lot of areas of great frustration in researching German ancestors. I was really impressed with her knowledge. –Carl Mueller

By the numbers:

• Total registered: 40
• Cancellations: 6
• Waiting List: 1
• No Show: 2
• Non-members registered: 7 (Fees collected: $140)
• Total in attendance: 43 (including three longtime members not registered)
• Total evaluations returned: 21

Tim received several requests to have Shirley back again. He's already negotiating for her return later this year.

The workshop was the first in the new space adjoining the library. Most people enjoyed the room and commented about it in the evaluations. But while our speaker and her talk got only accolades, feedback from the evaluations told us that some things need improvement.

There were some issues voiced about the lack of air conditioning, no microphone (it seems to be broken), noise from the fans, and chairs being too close together. All of these issues have been reported and are being addressed.


Photographs courtesy of Ellen Fernandez-Sacco, 1/29/2011, Oakland, California.


Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library