Educator Sarah Rooker works with Reghan Allen, left, and Patrick Lydon Ovitt, both third-graders at Windsor's State Street School, during an after-school session at the American Precision Museum in Windsor, Vt., on April 26, 2016. Rooker is the director Norwich (Vt.) Historical Society, which is hosting a new genealogy support group offering advice, resources and camaraderie to those researching their family histories. (Valley News- Sarah Priestap)
Educator Sarah Rooker works with Reghan Allen, left, and Patrick Lydon Ovitt, both third-graders at Windsor's State Street School, during an after-school session at the American Precision Museum in Windsor, Vt., on April 26, 2016. Rooker is the director Norwich (Vt.) Historical Society, which is hosting a new genealogy support group offering advice, resources and camaraderie to those researching their family histories. (Valley News- Sarah Priestap) Credit: Valley News— Sarah Priestap

Norwich — Thanks to the Internet, it’s easier than ever to research your ancestry, but it can still be a daunting project that leads in multiple and often unexpected directions. Where does one go to look up historical documents and family records that might not be online? After information has been gathered, what’s the best way to organize it and share it: as a book, a blog, a video, a family tree, or some other approach?

A new genealogy support group hosted by the Norwich Historical Society offers advice, resources and camaraderie to those researching their family histories.

The group’s next meeting is on Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Lewis House, 277 Main St.

In an email Q&A, Norwich Historical Society Director Sarah Rooker discussed how the group helps people with their investigations. The exchange has been edited for length and clarity.

Question: What happens at a group meeting?

Answer: This is a support group, so the idea is that we will have people around the table with a variety of family history skills. Attendees can choose to sit with the group, or go off to a quiet corner of the Historical Society to work. It’s an opportunity to make progress on a project without the many distractions found at home.

Q: What particular aspects of genealogy do people seem most interested in?

A: This program is an outgrowth of last year’s genealogy workshops, when participants were interested in learning more about how to use Ancestry.com. One focus was on how to reconcile family trees (with those) created by other Ancestry users.

Q: What are your plans for future meetings? Will there be a particular focus or theme — for instance, constructing a family tree or writing a history?

A: This is intended to be a mutual support group. There will be a little social time, some work time, and then a little time at the end to share surprises, new tricks or whatever people want to share.

If the group becomes interested in special topics, we might bring in speakers about how to blog family history or write family history books. There is also interest in a group trip to Boston to the New England Historic Genealogical Society.

Q: Do you have a personal interest in genealogy? You must have traced your own family’s roots — what surprising information did you uncover?

A: I am not a professional genealogist. If the group decides that it would be helpful to bring in a professional, we will do so.

That said, I do have a personal interest in genealogy. My mother has done most of the work on my family’s roots. I have been most interested in how exploring family history interests my children and helps them to connect to their roots and other family members.

I also find that researching house histories and community history can deepen a person’s sense of place and connection to where they live.

Q: Does your experience as the director of the Norwich Historical Society help you in your research?

A: Descendants of Norwich residents do visit (the historical society) from out of town. We have an extensive family history collection and can often provide manuscripts, photographs, obituaries, cemetery information and other materials to help them turn their family trees into family stories. My understanding of historical society holdings in general can help our family historians know where to turn to find materials that aren’t accessible online.

Q: What are some good resources for people who want to learn more about their ancestry?

A: One of the easiest for places to look is at Ancestry.com’s family trees. There are also free services such as familysearch.org. In addition, the Vermont Historical Society has an extensive genealogical collection.

Editor’s note: For more information about the Norwich Historical Society, call 802.649.0124, email info@norwichhistory.org or visit norwichvthistoricalsociety.org.