Program to Discuss ‘How to Trace Ancestors Through Letters and Postcards’

PITTSFIELD — On Thursday, March 5 at 7 p.m., professional genealogist Kathryn Lake Hogan will present “How to Trace Ancestors Through Letters and Postcards,” a Zoom program by the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires examining correspondence as a key resource for family history research.

Letters and postcards can open a uniquely intimate window onto family history, and this virtual program will explore how these often-overlooked materials can help genealogists uncover powerful personal and historical insights. Hogan will explain how letters and postcards allow researchers to hear ancestors’ voices, document family relationships, and capture the details of everyday life. Participants will also learn strategies for locating correspondence within families, archives, and public collections, and how postal routes and geography can illuminate patterns of migration. The program will conclude with guidance on correlating correspondence with census data, directories, and vital records.

Click here for more information and to register.