Pinelawn Cemetery workshops provide keys to unlock the past

Nancy Dibeneditto was curious about her ancestors. Retired, the Oyster Bay resident of 30 years had time on her hands, so she joined Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum’s workshop, “Uncover Your Family History: A Genealogy Workshop Series,” in March. She never imagined the journey she was about to embark would change her life.

“Doing this, looking at your roots, gives you an anchor,” Dibeneditto said. “When someone dies you feel lost, but when you look at your genealogy, you feel connected to those who died before you. And it gives you an excuse to call your relatives who are still alive.”

The free eight-part series, which runs once a month until October, is led by Kerri Tannenbaum, a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, National Genealogical Society, and New York Genealogical and Biographical Society. A frequent lecturer, Tannenbaum works with families one-on-one, where as a detective of sorts she investigates, uncovering clues to help individuals discover their ancestry. She is sharing her methods at the series in Pinelawn.

Tannenbaum, a Merrick resident since 2003, originally engaged in genealogy as a hobby. But she got hooked. She found a program at Boston University which provided training in genealogical research methods, that include online courses and certificate programs. Once certified, she took on her first client in 2018.

“I found I was just as excited as they were when I found discoveries for the families, so I took on more clients,” Tannenbaum said. “Sometimes people just want to know about their family, other times they want to find specific documents to apply for citizenship. If I haven’t solved what they are looking for I give them suggestions for next steps, which sometimes they can do themselves.”

Initially, she provides a “taste” of what she can do. Tannenbaum said many people end up wanting to learn even more about their families.

Tannenbaum warned the group at Pinelawn that they might become obsessed, which Dibeneditto said is exactly what has happened to her.

“I knew nothing about this, but you become curious once you do it,” Dibeneditto said. “My grandfather was a citizen of Italy when my father, who is first generation American, was born, so I learned I can get a dual citizenship. That means I have to go to Italy now.”

She said she learned several details about her ancestry. For example, researching her great grandfather, she discovered he was involved in vaudeville in Italy, which Dibeneditto found fascinating, since she herself was a fourth generation movie projectionist.

Tannenbaum shares free websites at the workshop and where to begin in the search — the census bureau, immigration, city directories, court records and even a cemetery have vital information.

“It’s definitely easier to do before people die,” Dibeneditto said. “I have a few cousins on my father’s side and some on my mother side. I plan to reach out to them to solve the mysteries. I’ll feel closer to my family, more pride and it will help my self-esteem.”

Each workshop is unique, so people don’t need to be at a previous workshop to join. And the fact that Pinelawn Cemetery has hosted the event makes sense.

“Cemeteries are a key resource for genealogists,” Tannenbaum said. “One main thing we need is when someone was born and when they died. Ideally you want to find the death certificate, obituary and tombstone. You want every record for that person.”

And cemeteries were the only place to go before death certificates were required in the 1900’s. And even when they were required, they were not always enforced.

“A common refrain we hear from many families is that they wish they captured more of their family history before their loved one passed, especially after losing the family matriarch or patriarch,” Justin Locke, president and CEO of Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum, said. “We are very excited to offer this educational program to the community.”