Ensemble Evolutionary Studies of White Dwarfs in Open Star Clusters
  White dwarfs (WDs) in open star clusters are a highly useful ensemble of
stars. While numerous researchers use open cluster WDs to study the
initial-final mass relation, numerous other evolutionary studies are also
enabled by this sample of stars, including searches for stochastic mass loss,
studies of binary star evolution, and measurements of metallicity impacts on WD
formation and evolution. However, it is crucial to use astrometric data such as
proper motions to remove contaminating field WDs from open cluster samples;
multi-epoch ground based imaging is needed for most open cluster WDs. Also, the
strongly correlated errors in the initial mass - final mass plane must be
considered; we illustrate the importance of this consideration using a large
open cluster WD sample and Monte Carlo techniques.
