Al Turner is a dedicated genealogy enthusiast who has spent over 20 years unraveling family mysteries. Al's interest in genealogy began when his French-Canadian wife's aunt mentioned that their family name, Latour, was not their original name in France. This challenge led Al on an extensive research journey that uncovered their original family name, Balard. The reason for the change remains a mystery. The solution to one mystery often opens the door to another. Al has spent countless hours investigating his family tree's maternal and paternal sides, with research extending back to the 14th and 15th centuries in France, England, Southern New England, Eastern Upstate New York, and New York City. More than a little time has been spent chasing bright shiny objects down a multitude of rabbit holes. Al's passion for genealogy has only increased since his retirement in 2021, giving him more time to pursue his hobby. He is a member of the Genealogical Society of Collier County, Florida, and currently facilitates their Canadian SIG, a special interest group that operates in the virtual world. In addition to genealogy, Al is a lifelong photographer, occasional contributor to op-ed pages of local newspapers, and an avid weather forecaster. He operates a NOAA-recognized MADIS weather station FW7924 and enjoys providing custom pinpoint special event weather forecasts for friends and relatives. However, as Al has delved deeper into his family's pedigree, he has become increasingly concerned about what will happen to his research and genealogical legacy. In today's presentation, Al will share his journey of discovery, his challenges, and the importance of preserving one's genealogical legacy for future generations.

Looking for a way to ensure that your years of hard work and research into your family's history won't be lost after you're gone? Look no further than "What Will Happen to My Genealogical Research... After I'm Gone?" with Al Turner on December 6, 2023, at 7:00 pm via Zoom. He is a genealogy enthusiast who has dedicated over 20 years to unraveling family mysteries. Unfortunately, he is also a bit of a worry wart. In this talk, he will review a series of tasks he has undertaken to lessen his worries about losing his genealogical legacy.  During this presentation, Al will cover the essential steps that genealogists can take now to protect their research and ensure it lives on after they're gone. From documenting an inventory of genealogical assets to including them in current estate plans and finding a successor or administrator to carry out your wishes, Al will leave no stone unturned. Plus, he'll discuss donating your research to an archive or library so that future generations can benefit from all your hard work. Al's goal with this presentation is to help you safeguard your genealogical research now and for years. So, join us for "What Will Happen to My Genealogical Research... After I'm Gone?"