Do you want to find out if you come from kings or scoundrels?  Was your family on the Mayflower?  Are you related to the person sitting next to you at a genealogy class?

Explore these questions and others without having to leave Orcas.

Genealogical research is getting easier and more accessible all the time since so many records are currently available online. It can, however, be hard to know where to begin.  To simplify the process, Kathi Ciskowski is offering a two-session class at the Orcas Island Library called “Getting Started in Genealogy and Family History” on Monday, April 2 and Monday, April 9 from 12:30 to 2 p.m.  The featured database will be Ancestry.com, which is free from inside the library. This database provides information ranging from state and federal censuses to immigration and naturalization records.

In addition to Ancestry.com you will learn about many other websites that can be accessed safely from home without paying a fee.  Also included are organization and research safety tips.

Sign up for this course at 376-4985 or in person at the library.  The $15 fee covers both sessions and is payable at the first class.  Bring a laptop computer if you have one.  Pre-registration requested as class size is limited to 10.

Ciskowski is also offering private online genealogy tutoring at her office in Eastsound. The cost is $30 for an hour session.  Combining the library class and a private session is $40.  Call 376-4186 for more information or send an email to ciskokid@rockisland.com.