Ted is available to address your organization on a number of topics related to genealogical research.  Following is a list of lecture topics that Ted has presented to other groups.  If you would like to discuss a lecture on these or another topic, or for honorarium information, please send an e-mail message to me.

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Ted Steele has been an active genealogist since 1977, and has been a member of the St. Louis Genealogical Society since that same year.  He has served the St. Louis Society as a past First Vice President, Corresponding Secretary, Council Member, and member of several committees.  He has been active for many years in the Society's annual genealogical Fair, as both a conference organizer and featured speaker.  In 1993, Ted served as the Local Arrangements Chair for the Federation of Genealogical Societies’ national conference in St. Louis.  He served as co-chair for the 1999 FGS/StLGS national conference.

In addition to his service to the St. Louis Genealogical Society, he is a member of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, and the Connecticut Society of Genealogists.

Ted is the author of the popular book, A Guide to Genealogical Research in St. Louis, which was first published by the St. Louis Genealogical Society in 1992.  He has authored an article on The Ebbets Family of New York City, to appear in the New York Genelogical and Biographical Record in 2001.  Ted also writes book reviews on New England and Computer publications for the FGS Forum magazine.

He teaches classes in Beginning Genealogy, Computer Basics for Genealogists, and The Internet for Genealogists, and has spoken at many area genealogical events, on the topics listed below.

  Beginning Genealogy: The Art & Science of Discovering your Ancestry

This is an introductory survey of genealogical research methods.  It begins by introducing some basic "How To's" of Genealogical research (the science).  The bulk of this lecture covers the many resources available to gather information on your Family History (the art).  This material can generally be presented in one hour.  With additional time, other topics, such as using the internet, organizing your material, foreign (non-US) research, and what to do when you're "stuck" can be included.

The census is a basic and fundamental genealogical research tool.  This lecture begins by introducing the U.S. Federal Population Census.  It can also includes a brief discussion of the non-population schedules and State censuses.  The bulk of the lecture is traces a family through actual census records from the 1920 Soundex back in time to the first census of 1790.  Along the way, research tips, such as examining neighbors, are included.

This lecture surveys materials available for genealogical research in New England, beginning with the first colonial settlements.  It begins with a brief history of the area, including settlement patterns and a review of the various colonial indian wars.  After presenting sources for research throughout New England as an area, research sources for each of the six New England states is presented in detail.

It is estimated that about one third of available genealogical material is contained in periodicals.  And yet many genealogists do not use these sources because the information may be "buried."  This lecture introduces several indexes to genealogical periodical literature and presents a detailed look at how to use PERSI, the now-computerized index to over 5,000 periodicals received at the Allen County Public Library in Ft. Wayne, Ind.

Ted is the original author of the book A Guide to Genealogical Research in St. Louis, and this lecture is based on that book.  It is a survey of record sources throughout St. Louis city and county, including area libraries, government facilities, churches, and cemeteries.

Olin Library is the main library on the campus of Washington University, just west of Forest Park in St. Louis.  This lecture introduces their extensive (and largely unknown) collection of genealogical resources.  It presents a detailed discussion of Olin's  "U.S. Local History" collection, which includes local history, military history, and government publications, as well as major runs of many genealogical periodicals.  It also introduces their non-US collection and additional resources in the library, such as early newspapers, maps, etc.

Washington DC holds many documents vital to successful genealogical research.  This lecture presents the various repositories in Washington and discusses their holdings and how to obtain them.  Primary focus in on the National Archives, home of census records, military records, bounty-land records, ships passenger lists, naturalization records.  Also discussed are the holdings of the Library of Congress, the DAR Library, and the National Genealogical Society.

The Internet is a largely misunderstood resource for genealogical research.  This lecture introduces the reality of the Internet and describes its components (E-Mail, Newsgroups, List Servers, and the World Wide Web).  It then presents in some detail how best to use these resources for effective genealogical research.  It emphasizes the use of the Internet to make contact with others who are pursuing your lines.

Building your Personal Web site is not as daunting as it may seem.  But without an understanding of how it's done, many people may never even attempt it.  This lecture presents the tools and steps necessary for anyone to create their own Web Site on the Internet.

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