Breaking Barriers: Getting Started with Hispanic Genealogy Online
Many of us hesitate to begin our family trees because we’re unsure where to start. Questions naturally arise: Is it even possible to find information? Are resources available? If so, what are they—and will it cost me a lot? In this informative and culturally grounded session, we’ll address those doubts head-on and guide you through the process of uncovering your roots. This session is designed to empower individuals and families from Hispanic communities to begin their research journey with clarity, confidence, and connection. Together, we’ll explore:
- Four essential steps to begin your genealogy research;
- Key documents in Hispanic genealogy and the types of information they reveal;
- Common terms and phrases that appear in historical records and how they can help you decode documents;
- Tips and cautionary tales to avoid common mistakes;
- How to use FamilySearch and other free or low-cost resources, including public libraries and genealogical societies; and
- Specialized resources for researching ancestry in Spanish-speaking regions of the Caribbean, Central America, and South America
- Date:
- Wednesday, September 24, 2025
- Time:
- 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Time Zone:
- Eastern Time - US & Canada (change)
- Branch:
- Virtual
- Online:
- This is an online event. Event URL will be sent via registration email.
- Audience:
- Adult
- Categories:
- Virtual Programs
About the Presenter: After a 20-year career in Human Resources and earning a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University, Irisneri Alicea Flores turned her lifelong passion for family history into her life’s mission—helping Latinos uncover and reconnect with their ancestral roots.
Her journey began with the cherished stories shared by her maternal abuelitos—their lives in 1940s Puerto Rico and their migration to New York City in the 1950s. These family memories sparked a deep curiosity that led her to help her grandfather find answers about the father he lost at just four years old, and to discover the stories of her paternal grandparents, whom she never had the chance to meet.
As she delved deeper, she also unearthed pieces of Puerto Rican history rarely found in textbooks, gaining not only knowledge but profound connection and healing.
Through this work, Irisneri witnessed the powerful transformation that comes when people see themselves reflected in their family stories. She now devotes her career to guiding others—especially those in Latino communities—through the process of discovering their ancestors, reclaiming their histories, and healing through the knowledge of where they come from.