HEATHER JENKINS

Heather has been researching her family history for 30 years. She developed her research and analytical skills working as a federal program auditor. Using that experience, she researches our ancestors’ financial footprints across the United States.

She currently serves as the president for the Johnson County Genealogical Society & Library and the Heartland Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists. She holds a master’s degree in accounting and finance and a Professional Learning Certificate of Genealogical Studies from the International Institute of Genealogical Studies in American Records. She is also a member of the National Genealogy Society.

Beyond the Ledger: Discovering Ancestors Through Business Records

Business records can provide a unique perspective on an ancestor’s life, revealing occupations, partnerships, financial activities, and economic status within a community. This class introduces genealogists to common types of business records, including ledgers, licenses, and partnership agreements, and explains the kinds of information they contain. Participants will also learn where to locate these materials—from courthouse filings and government records to local archives, libraries, and historical societies—and how to incorporate them into genealogical research.

Reading Between the Tick Marks: Reconstructing Families in the 1790–1840 Census

Before 1850, U.S. census schedules listed only heads of household, leaving researchers with tick marks instead of names. This class examines the structure of the early federal censuses and explains what information was recorded in each census from 1790 through 1840. Participants will learn strategies for analyzing tick marks, age brackets, and household composition to reconstruct families, estimate birth years, and identify potential children and relatives. The session concludes by demonstrating how census data can be correlated with tax lists, land records, and probate documents to identify family members and reconstruct early households.