DALLAS GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

Arlington Genealogical Society
2025-09-09 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | George W. Hawkes Arlington Public Library, 100 S. Center St., Arlington, Texas, 76010
Speaker: Shelley Gayler-Smith

Topic: Who Wore It Best, Dating Photographs from Clothing

DPL: Top Ten Websites for Genealogy
2025-09-10 14:00 - 15:00 | 8th Floor – Genealogy Section, J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
Virtual & In-person

We all know that ONE website for genealogy (you know the one we’re talking about), but do you know ALL the other great genealogy resources out there?

Get your favorite Dallas Public Library Genealogy & History staff’s top ten websites and share your own that have helped you have a breakthrough in your research.

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Cedar Hill Genealogy Society Monthly Program
2025-09-11 18:30 - 20:00 | TX
Speaker: Virginia Ochoa Morrison

Topic: Finding Our Hispanic Ancestors

Location: New Library: 450 Pioneer Trail in Cedar Hill (lower-level event room)

What you need to know to begin researching your Hispanic family history. For the beginner and intermediate alike.

Our presenter: Virginia Ochoa Morrison is a first generation Mexican-American who has been working on her genealogy since 1989. Previously, she taught classes on Genealogy for Beginners at local libraries. Virginia has volunteered at the FamilySearch Center in Duncanville for several years helping visitors who are looking for their ancestorse.

This event is made possible through our partnership with the Traphene Hickman Library. Admission is always free.

Mesquite Historical & Genealogical Society September Meeting
2025-09-11 18:30 - 20:30 | Mesquite Main Library, 300 W Grubb Dr, Mesquite, TX, United States
Our meeting will be held both in person at the Mesquite Library (Main Branch) at 6:30 PM and also via Zoom.

We will first examine the status of the “Full Text Index” test environment in FamilySearch. Then Lisa Louise Cooke will (via prerecorded video) a short primer of key terms with respect to Artificial Intelligence.

Pre-register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/hEPoacVpTOiIupsyVzpeaQ

DPL: Preserving your Family Archives
2025-09-13 13:00 - 15:00 | 7th Floor – O’Hara Hall – J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-person Only

Stacks of old photos. Mounds of loose paper. That one vase that belonged to your great aunt Winifred.

We all have old things that we’ve kept throughout the years that belonged to our loved ones. Yet, through those years, information has been lost, photos are crumbling and memories have faded. Get advice about caring for YOUR family archives from DPL’s Family Archives Librarian Samantha Diaz. Participate in interactive activities to rediscover your family treasures and stories. Attendees will get a take-home kit of archival materials so they can get started preserving their family collections at home.

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2025 German-Texan Heritage Society Annual Conference
2025-09-19 09:30 - 2025-09-20 15:30 | St. Paul Lutheran Church, 3501 Red River Street, Austin, Texas, 78705, United States
This years’ annual conference will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Austin with a reception to follow at the German-Texan Heritage Society to celebrate the new staircase.

DPL: Scanning Family Memories
2025-09-24 14:00 - 15:00 | 8th Floor – Genealogy Section, J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
Virtual and In-person

Do you have photos, scrapbooks, or slides that you want to digitize to share with family? Learn about the ins and outs of family history scanning and digitization with Genealogy & History staff. *In-person attendees will get a tour of the Heritage Lab – a space for DIY scanning & digitizing available for all J. Erik Jonsson Central Library visitors.

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Van Zandt County Monthly Meeting
2025-09-27 13:00 - 15:00 | TX
Speaker: Patty Huff Williams

Topic: Use your DNA results to accelerate your family history discoveries

Location: Van Zandt County Sarah Norman Library, 317 First Monday Lane, Canton

The cost is $40.00 per person. Pre-register by September 18, 2025, space is limited. Contact Van Zandt County Genealogy Society at 903-567-5012. Bring your laptops and see what secrets you may have. Lunch and refreshments are provided.

DPL: Researching in Languages You Don't Know
2025-10-08 14:00 - 15:00 | 8th Floor – Genealogy Section, J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
Virtual and In-person

Genealogy often takes us across borders—and into documents written in languages we can’t read.This program introduces powerful tools to help bridge the gap, from Google Lens for quick on-the-spot translations to platforms like Transkribus that can transcribe and interpret historical handwriting. Learn practical strategies for navigating unfamiliar scripts, deciphering records, and making sense of family history resources no matter the language.

Whether your research leads you to German church books, Spanish civil records, or handwritten letters in French, this session will equip you with accessible, user-friendly techniques to keep your discoveries moving forward.

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Collin County Genealogy Meeting
2025-10-08 18:00 - 20:30 | Haggard Library, 2501 Coit Road, Plano, TX, 75075, United States
In-person & Virtual Event

Speaker: Kate Penney

Topic: Filling in Those Pesky Blanks: Solving Maternal Surname Mysteries

Register in advance for the meeting.

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Cedar Hill Genealogy Society Monthly Program
2025-10-09 18:30 - 20:00 | TX
Speaker: Emily Coffman Richardson, Ed.D. (Remote Speaker)

Topic: Resources for Women – Are You Using All of Them?

Location: New Library: 450 Pioneer Trail in Cedar Hill (lower-level event room)

Researching the women in your ancestry tree can be challenging. They did not always leave the same type of paper trail since they often did not have the same legal rights. There are different strategies that must be used as compared to the research we do with their male counterparts. Cluster and collateral research, historical context, and family centered activities and groups need to be part of the research model. This presentation will offer you a variety of ideas.

Handout

Emily Coffman Richardson is a professional genealogist and lecturer based in Denton, Texas. She began researching her family history alongside her mother, exploring courthouses and cemeteries in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Emily specializes in lineage applications, brick-wall challenges, and complex family name conflicts. She currently oversees the TxSGS podcast Lone Star Family Trails.

This event is made possible through our partnership with the Traphene Hickman Library. Admission is always free.

East Texas Family History Conference
2025-10-11 09:00 - 15:00 | TX
Join the East Texas Genealogical Society for their 23rd Annual Family History Conference, Your Past Unlocked: Emerging Technology in Genealogy, at the Douglas R. Mehling II Center @ Breckenridge Village, 15062 County Rd 1145, Tyler, TX.

This free event features expert speakers from across the country, breakout sessions, beginner classes, and the latest technology and advances in DNA and AI for genealogy. Enjoy door prizes, an expo hall of vendors, and food trucks, plus a special Family History Ambassador Certificate Program for youth ages 11–18 (register by October 1st).

Keynote speaker Patti Gillespie will inspire attendees with fresh insights into family history research. Hands-on workshops are available for a nominal $20 fee—bring your laptop or mobile device for these interactive sessions. Seating is limited, so register today at www.WeLoveFamilyHistory.com.

FLYER

DPL: Letters from the Past: An Intro to Genealogy & Calligraphy
2025-10-11 14:00 - 15:30 | 7th Floor – O’Hara Hall – J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
Virtual and In-person

Before the advent of the internet, written communication was one of the only forms of keeping up with families who migrated to other parts of the world. If you are lucky, your family might have kept letters, cards or other examples of their handwriting. Reclaim the past, by learning how to start your family history research with Dallas Public Library resources. View real letters and documents from the Dallas Public Library’s family archival collections, and learn how to write your own beautiful letters, just like your ancestors might have.

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DPL: Family History Day at Dallas Public Library
2025-10-17 09:00 - 17:00 | 8th Floor – Genealogy Section, J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-person & Virtual

Celebrate Family History Month with a day of genealogy fun-filled events brought to you by the Genealogy Network of Texas (GNT), a state-wide initiative to connect libraries/genealogical societies and provide educational and research opportunities!

SEVEN FREE programs will be live streamed from genealogy speakers in Texas and throughout the U.S. available for both in-person and online attendees. In-person attendees get a chance to win prizes, get one-on-one research help from the Dallas Genealogical Society, and attend a special lunch and learn session***

Event Schedule:

9 a.m. From Names to Narratives: A Simple Guide to Writing (Hannah Kubacak)

10 a.m. Following a Civil Case Through Documents Filed in Court (J. Mark Lowe)

11 a.m. Jakten – Researching Your Scandinavian Ancestors (Carl Smith)

12 p.m. Lunch & Learn Session (in-person attendees only)***

1 p.m. Research Road Trips: Productive for You, Fun for Family (Jessica Horne Collins)

2 p.m. Resources for New Orleans Area Genealogical Research (Stephen Stuart)

3 p.m. Family Trees Get Smart: AI as Your Genealogy Assistant (Sherri Taggart Ahmadzadeh)

4 p.m. All in the Family: Using Collateral Research to Build Your Family Tree (Sandra Crowley)

Dallas Public Library’s Family History Day is brought to you the Genealogy Network of Texas which is spearheaded by the Genealogy Center of the Waco-McLennan County Library. Co-sponsors include the Dallas Genealogical Society, Central Texas Genealogical Society, The Genealogy Center and the Texas State Genealogical Society.

Morning hospitality for this event has been provided by the Friends of the Dallas Public Library and the Levi Casey Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

***In person attendees – a NEW lunch option for 2025 – purchase a box lunch through the Dallas Genealogical Society and enjoy a worry-free lunchtime. Brown bag lunches from home and other snacks are also welcome!

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DPL: True Crime Through Time
2025-10-22 14:00 - 15:00 | 8th Floor – Genealogy Section, J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
Virtual and In-person

Tired of listening to podcasts about crimes that involved people you’ve never heard of? Do you know a sordid story of salacious secrets retold by relatives around the reunion tables? Tune in this week to True Crime Through Time and learn about the records, resources, and research techniques available to help you turn those twice told tales of family criminal drama into documented genealogical fact!

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DPL: Homespun and Calico: Researching the Lives of Our Foremothers
2025-11-05 14:00 - 15:00 | 8th Floor – Genealogy Section, J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
Virtual and In-person

Renowned genealogist Peggy Clemens Lauritzen, AG, FOGS, shines a light on the women who make up half of every pedigree chart, yet often leave behind only faint traces in the historical record. This lecture explores frequently overlooked sources and creative research strategies that can reveal the lives of our foremothers, illustrated with compelling case studies that bring their stories out of the shadows and into the heart of family history.

This program is brought to you in part by the Friends of the Dallas Public Library and General Levi Casey Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution.

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TxSGS Family History Conference
2025-11-07 08:00 - 2025-11-08 17:00 | TX
This virtual event includes TxSGS Live! on Friday and Saturday, plus an On-Demand program of pre-recorded sessions available for up to 90 days

Collin County Genealogy Meeting
2025-11-12 18:00 - 20:30 | Haggard Library, 2501 Coit Road, Plano, TX, 75075, United States
In-person & Virtual Event

Speaker: Thomas MacEntee

Topic: Creating an Ancestor Sketch

Register in advance for the meeting.

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TxSGS Society Leadership Forum
2025-11-13 09:30 - 15:30 | TX
The addition of the Society Leadership Forum in 2025 encourages speakers to consider offering programming ideas, marketing, communications and leadership concepts designated for the leaders of genealogical societies.

More information and Registration…

Cedar Hill Genealogy Society Monthly Program
2025-11-18 18:30 - 20:00 | TX
Genealogy Problem Solvers – Family History Workshop

Location: New Library: 450 Pioneer Trail in Cedar Hill (lower-level event room)

Have you hit a brick wall finding your family tree? Are you just starting the search for ancestors and don’t know how to start? Do you just want a refresher on family history research?

We’ll have experienced volunteers here to give you a hand. Please bring your family information with you — names, dates, places etc. — on paper, online family tree, on your computer, tablet or phone. The library has free access to Ancestry and other genealogy data bases and their WIFI is free and fast.

This event is made possible through our partnership with the Traphene Hickman Library. Admission is always free

DPL: Celebrate our Veterans - Military Records on Fold3
2025-11-19 14:00 - 15:00 | 8th Floor – Genealogy Section, J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
Virtual and In-person

Honor the service of our nation’s veterans while uncovering their stories through Fold3, a genealogy database available through the Dallas Public Library. This program will share successful research tips to help you make the most of Fold3, including how to browse collections, refine and customize search results, and even add your own stories and photos to honor those who served. Whether you’re tracing an ancestor’s military journey or preserving a veteran’s legacy, this session will show you how Fold3 can bring their history to life.

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Van Zandt County Monthly Meeting
2025-11-22 12:00 - 14:00 | TX
Potluck lunch and Show and Tell story time. Please bring your family memorabilia and share their story along with something for the Potluck.

Location: Van Zandt County Sarah Norman Library, 317 First Monday Lane, Canton

DPL: Spanish Documents for Non-Spanish Speakers
2025-12-10 14:00 - 15:00 | 8th Floor – Genealogy Section, J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
Virtual and In-person

Professional genealogist Katy Bodenhorn, B.A. in Family History & Genealogy and former director at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, will equip researchers without Spanish fluency with practical tools to decode the wealth of information in Spanish-language records.

From civil registrations and church documents to immigration files, Katy will share strategies for tackling unfamiliar scripts and key terms, using translation aids, building word lists, analyzing context, and leveraging bilingual records. Her case-driven insights will help you move beyond literal translations to confidently interpret names, places, occupations, and relationships in both Latin American and U.S.-based collections.

This program is brought to you in part by the Friends of the Dallas Public Library and General Levi Casey Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution.

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Collin County Genealogy Meeting
2025-12-10 18:00 - 20:30 | Haggard Library, 2501 Coit Road, Plano, TX, 75075, United States
In-person & Virtual Event

Speaker: Mark Lowe

Topic: Let There Be Light: Using Church Related Periodicals *

* TxSGS Partner Society Webinar

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HOGAR de Dallas Quarterly Meeting
2025-12-13 14:00 - 16:00 | TX
Speaker: Roberto Zuniga, AICP

Topic: ¡Viva Monterrey! Your Next Great Escape!

Location: Bath House Cultural Center, 521 E. Lawther Drive, Dallas, TX 75218

This presentation provides a thorough introduction to Monterrey, a city in the northeastern part of Nuevo León, Mexico. It outlines the city’s history from its establishment in the late 16th century to its present-day position as one of the most vibrant industrial and economic hubs in Latin America. We will look into important historical events, how Monterey’s city layout has changed over time, and the social and economic factors that influenced its development. We will particularly focus on the city’s industrial growth, the development of its infrastructure, and how education, innovation, and entrepreneurship have contributed to its progress.

Collin County Genealogy Meeting
2026-01-14 18:00 - 20:30 | Haggard Library, 2501 Coit Road, Plano, TX, 75075, United States
In-person & Virtual Event

Speaker: Patti Gillespie

Topic: Taking a Genealogy Trip – Ready, Set, Let’s Go!

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Cedar Hill Genealogy Society Monthly Program
2026-01-20 18:30 - 20:00 | TX
Speaker: Emily Villafranco

Topic: Genealogy Resources at the Traphene Hickman Library

Location: New Library: 450 Pioneer Trail in Cedar Hill (lower-level event room)

Discover your family story with us! If you’re curious about your ancestry but aren’t sure where to begin, join our meeting exploring the library’s genealogy resources. Learn how to access the library’s Ancestry, FamilySearch, HeritageQuest, and our genealogy collection to uncover records, trace relatives, and start building your family tree. It’s a perfect introduction for beginners and anyone eager to dive into their roots.

This event is made possible through our partnership with the Traphene Hickman Library. Admission is always free

Van Zandt County Monthly Meeting
2026-01-24 14:00 - 15:00 | TX
Speaker: J. Mark Lowe (remote)

Topic: Let There Be Light: Using Church Related Periodicals for family research

J. Mark Lowe is a semi-retired professional genealogist, author, and teacher who researches primarily original records and manuscripts in the South. He has been researching families for over 55 years. Mark has published articles in several society publications. He is a former officer and Board member for the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS), Past-President of the Association of Professional Genealogists, a Fellow of the Utah Genealogical Association and was awarded the APG – Grahame T. Smallwood Jr. Award and an APG Lifetime Membership. He serves as the Course Coordinator for ‘Research in the South’ at IGHR (Georgia), SLIG (Utah), and TIGR (Texas). He also presents Webinars for Legacy Family Tree and has worked on several genealogical television series including Follow Your Past, African American Lives 2, Who Do You Think You Are? and UnXplained Events, and podcasts, including Twice Removed and Blast From My Past.

Location: Van Zandt County Sarah Norman Library, 317 First Monday Lane, Canton

Grand Prairie Genealogical Society Meeting
2026-02-05 18:30 - 20:00 | Grand Prarie Memorial Library, 901 Conover Drive, Grand Prarie, TX, 75051, United States
In-person & Virtual Event

Speaker: Bernard Meisner

Program: Techniques and Strategies for More Effective Online Searching

As more genealogical records become available through the Internet it has become essential to formulate efficient searches to find the relevant information about your ancestors. One must not only know where to look for the information, but how to find it. This presentation will cover how to determine what information is available, where it is located, and how to use search tools such as filters, wildcards, relationships, complementary data sources, and tailored search engines to improve the likelihood of finding it.

Location: Inspire Room at the Grand Prairie Memorial Library

Bernard is a genealogist and lecturer based in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. He began researching his family over 35 years ago and enjoys sharing lessons learned from that experience, including his mistakes. Although he knew only one grandparent (his maternal grandfather) he has successfully identified all of his great-great grandparents, several triple- and quadruple-great grandparents, and his Meisner 8th great grandparents. He is a co-leader of the Dallas Genealogical Society’s German SIG, and a member of the Nation, Texas State, and Germanic Genealogical Societies. He has written several articles for the Texas State Genealogical Society’s quarterly magazine, Stirpes.Bernard retired from the National Weather Service Southern Region Headquarters where he was the Chief of the Science & Training Branch. He is certified as a consulting meteorologist by the American Meteorological Society. He has taught at the Universities of Texas, Oklahoma and St. Thomas (Houston). Bernard earned a B.S. in physics/German from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in meteorology from the University of Hawaii. He has completed coursework of the National Institute for Genealogical Studies, the Texas Institute of Genealogical Research, The Family History AI Show Academy’s Introductory and Advanced courses, and attended the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh multiple times, completing courses in Irish, German, and Pennsylvania Research, Digital Research Skills, and Practical Genetic Genealogy.

Collin County Genealogy Meeting
2026-02-10 18:00 - 20:30 | Haggard Library, 2501 Coit Road, Plano, TX, 75075, United States
In-person & Virtual Event

Speaker: Laurel Neuman

Topic: Texas General Land Office – Exciting New Records Available!

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