DALLAS GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

DGS General Meeting
2021-11-06 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | 1st Floor – Auditorium, J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
Join us for a short business meeting followed by an Educational Presentation by Geyden and Barry Sage.
“The Amateur Sleuths Who Found a Missing Piece of Dallas History” – Geyden and Barry were featured in D Magazine on September 16, 2020. They will share how curiosity of their 100-year-old house in the lower Greenville area led them to discover more than they ever expected.
If Covid-19 restrictions permit it we will be meeting in person at the Dallas Public Library. We will be serving light refreshments beginning at 10:30 am.
You can also participate virtually using Zoom. Join the meeting anytime after 10:30 am (US Central Time) using this link: https://zoom.us/j/91943296406?pwd=[REDACTED]
Our presentation this month will be “Exploring the History of Greenville Avenue Home” by Geyden and Barry Sage.

DGS General Meeting
2021-12-04 11:00 - 13:00 | 1st Floor – Auditorium, J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
Join us for a short business meeting followed by an Educational Presentation by Paula Perkins.
“Orphan Train Riders: Tracks to Texas & Beyond, All Aboard 1854 to 1929.” One in every 25 Americans has a connection to an Orphan Train rider between 1854 & 1929. Over 200,000 children were relocated from the East to the West coast on trains. Texas was a vital part of this history. Research techniques and resources will be demonstrated in this presentation.
If Covid-19 restrictions permit it we will be meeting in person at the Dallas Public Library. We will be serving light refreshments beginning at 10:30 am.
You can also participate virtually using Zoom. Join the meeting anytime after 10:30 am (US Central Time) using this link: https://zoom.us/j/91943296406?pwd=[REDACTED]
Our presentation this month will be “The Orphan Train Project” by Paula Perkins.

DGS General Meeting
2022-01-08 11:00 - 13:00 | 1st Floor – Auditorium, J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
Join us for a short business meeting followed by an Educational Presentation by DGS’s own Michelle Dwyer Cohen entitled “Using History to Solve Mysteries.”
This is a virtual meeting held via Zoom – join anytime after 10:30 am (US Central Time).
Join the Call

DGS General Meeting
2022-02-05 11:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
Join us for a short business meeting followed by Dr. Terry Turner presenting "Where are my African American Ancestors?"
This presentation will provide research methods and locations for finding African Americans (AA) before and after the Civil War. Understanding the American culture in each historical era will serve as a guide to help family researchers develop tools for reviewing historical documents that will lead to finding their AA ancestral family members.
1. Ethnicity Estimate: A DNA test will find your AA living relatives and distant ancestors.
2. Chart your family through census records and break through the 1870 Brick Wall!
3. Discover where you will find your ancestors in legal documents before and after the Civil War.
4. Finding AA websites designed to be a lead that will help you uncover your past family.

Join the meeting via Zoom anytime after 10:30 am (US Central Time).
Join The Call

DGS General Meeting
2022-03-05 11:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
Join us for a short business meeting followed by Dr. Steven Butler presenting "Miles Away from Butler: How a DNA Test Rewrote My Family's History."
Miles Away from Butler is the story of how a DNA test led a veteran genealogist to discover a ninety-
one-year-old family secret. This finding had the effect of pruning several branches from his family tree, rendering
decades of research an enormous waste of time, money, and effort.
Dr. Butler faced a crisis of conscience: Should he tell the person who lay at the heart of the secret or remain silent
for fear of potentially doing more harm than good?

Join the meeting via Zoom anytime after 10:30 am (US Central Time).
Join The Call

DGS General Meeting
2022-04-02 11:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
Join us for a short business meeting followed by Dr. Bernard Meisner presenting "The Value of Collateral Line Research."
The Genealogical Proof Standard specifies a reasonably exhaustive research. Collateral line research can reveal information not discovered through the direct lineage; add to the overall historical story of your family; lead you to others researching the family; and can be used to break down brick walls. In this presentation, Bernard will provide several examples, including:

Researching the family of his 2nd great aunt, Margaret Smith Meisner (yes, she was a Smith!), led him to discover information regarding not only her husband, Andrew, but also his great grandfather’s family.
Two sentences in a newspaper society page regarding the son of the sister of his great grandmother revealed that great-grandmother could appear to be in two places at the same time!
A DNA match to the great grandson of the brother of one of his Irish gg-great grandmothers added a new generation to his family tree

Bernard is a genealogist and lecturer based in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. He began researching his family over 30 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.
Join the meeting via Zoom anytime after 10:30 am (US Central Time).
Join The Call

DGS General Meeting
2022-05-07 11:00 - 13:00 | 1st Floor – Auditorium, J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
Join us for a short business meeting followed by our Annual Society Awards!
Join the meeting via Zoom anytime after 10:30 am (US Central Time).
Join The Call

DGS General Meeting
2022-09-10 11:00 - 13:00 | 1st Floor – Auditorium, J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
Welcome back for our first in-person meeting in two years! Note the new date for this meeting: September 10, 2022! Join us for the installation of this year’s officers and an educational presentation by David Rencher.

And of course, we’ll be hybrid so you can join from anywhere!

12:30 PM
Lunch for meeting attendees. Register for your free lunch!

1:30 PM
Computer practice on 8th floor

Handouts:

FamilySearch and the Family History Library
FamilySearch Exercises

Join the meeting via Zoom anytime after 10:30 am (US Central Time).
Join The Call

David E. Rencher, AG®, CG®, FUGA, FIGRS, is employed as Chief Genealogical Officer and former Director, Family History Library for FamilySearch. He graduated from Brigham Young University in 1980 with a B.A. in Family and Local History. A professional genealogist since 1977, he is one of the rare few who have earned both credentials: Accredited Genealogist® with ICAPGen in Ireland research (1981) and Certified Genealogist® with the Board for Certification of Genealogists (2006). He serves as the Irish course coordinator and instructor for the Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research, the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh, and the British Institute. He is a past president of the Federation of Genealogical Societies and the Utah Genealogical Association. David is a Fellow of the Utah Genealogical Association and the Irish Genealogical Research Society, London. He serves as a director on the board of the National Genealogical Society.

DGS General Meeting
2022-10-01 11:00 - 13:00 | 1st Floor – Auditorium, J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
Speaker: Cari A. Taplin, CG
Topic: Analysis techniques including examples of timelines and tables

Creating a timeline
Creating tables
Case study examples demonstrating timelines and tables

In person and via Zoom!
Cari holds the Certified Genealogist® credential and has served in a wide variety of volunteer and leadership positions for state, local, and national societies. As the owner of GenealogyPANTS, she provides speaking services. she also lends help and shares her expertise as an administrator on the highly popular Facebook Group “The Genealogy Squad.”
Learn More

Join the meeting via Zoom anytime after 10:30 am (US Central Time).
Join The Call

DGS General Meeting
2022-11-05 11:00 - 13:00 | 1st Floor – Auditorium, J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
Speaker: Stephanie Bennett, Unit Manager, J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, Genealogy & History
Topic: Celebrate our Veterans – Research Military Records with Fold.3
Program Description: Successful research tips to understand the Fold3 database, how to browse the site, search and customize results, and how to add stories, photos, and much more!
Join the meeting via Zoom anytime after 10:30 am (US Central Time).

Join The Call

About Stephanie: I grew up in Waxahachie, Texas, and then left Texas to go to college at the University of Missouri-Columbia. I ended up back in the Dallas area with two degrees, and not really using either one of them much to the dismay of my parents. I was on my way to work as manager of a retail store one day when I heard a radio ad for TWU’s master’s degree programs. I had always wanted to pursue a degree in Library Science, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity – I set off for my career as a librarian.

Traffic Advisory

Please be advised, a special event is happening on City Hall Plaza and throughout the Central Business District and Deep Ellum on Saturday, Nov. 5. The walk starts at 9 a.m. at Dallas City Hall Plaza. Projected attendance is 5,000 people. Road closures related to this special event will impact traffic around Dallas City Hall, Deep Ellum and surrounding downtown areas [including the library].

EVENT: Walk to End Alzheimer’s

EVENT LOCATION: City Hall Plaza

EVENT DATE/TIME: Saturday, Nov. 5 from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

EVENT IMPACT TIME: Street closures begin as early as 8 a.m. and continue to 10:30 a.m.

EVENT WEBSITE: act.alz.org/site

See the map of the event route and allow a little extra time to drive to the library.

DGS General Meeting
2022-12-03 10:30 - 13:00 | Dallas Public Library – Lakewood Branch, 6121 Worth Street, Dallas, TX, 75214
Speaker: Tony Hanson – Genealogist
Topic: Why Finding Atlantic Shipping Records is Challenging
In Person and on Zoom!

Special Meeting LocationDallas Public Library: Lakewood Branch

Between 1500 and 1914 approximately 40 million people crossed the Atlantic and settled in the United States, and another 5 million settled, at least initially, in Canada. Finding records for these emigrants can be challenging and frustrating.
This presentation will provide attendees with an understanding of how emigrants traveled to North America during this timeframe, an overview of the records that documented their journeys and a strategy for locating available records.

Presentation Outline & References (PDF)
Lloyd D Bockstruck Atlantic Record Bibliography
Powerpoint Slides (PDF)

About Tony:
I have a BS in Electrical Engineering and a MS in Telecommunications I am now retired after a 32-year career with the company now known as AT&T (originally the Southwestern Bell Telephone company). I have been involved in Genealogy since 1999, focusing on mother’s German branch and father’s Norwegian ancestors. I am also an avid amateur photographer and have made numerous presentations on a variety of technology related topics.

Join the meeting via Zoom anytime after 10:30 am (US Central Time).
Join The Call

DGS General Meeting
2023-01-07 10:30 - 13:00 | 1st Floor – Auditorium, J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
Speaker:Patti Gillespie, B.A., M.S., Genealogist and Personal Historian
Topic: Forgotten Treasures in the Texas Courthouse: Discovering the Miscellaneous Records
In Person and on Zoom!
Are you looking for context and documentation? Do you have an ancestor that seems to have slipped between the cracks? Then these Texas gems hidden away in our county courthouses may hold an answer for you. This presentation features 2 touching stories of Texans and also abundant examples of useful assorted documents found within Miscellaneous records. Are you ready to plan a trip? Tips to remember.
Handout
About Patti:
Patti is the owner of Family Lines & Stories and has over 30 years experience in genealogy research, which includes genetic genealogy. https://www.familylinesandstories.com/ Patti received her Master’s Degree, Secondary Education and Instruction from University of North Texas in 1994. She holds her Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature/Letters from UNT.

Join the meeting via Zoom anytime after 10:30 am (US Central Time).
Join The Call

DGS General Meeting
2023-02-04 10:30 - 13:00 | 1st Floor – Auditorium, J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
Speaker: Ari Wilkins
Topic: Black and White Southern Families in Southern Plantation Records
In Person and on Zoom!
The Antebellum Southern Plantation Records can offer multifaceted views into many white and African American Southern families. This resource documents families’ personal and business correspondence, conditions of plantation life (including the elusive names of slaves and descriptions of slave relationships), and much more!
Learn about the genealogical value of the Southern Antebellum Plantation Records – how they are organized, how to search the collection and apply it towards your genealogical research.
The case studies will highlight the personal document of a white Southern family and the indirect documentation of an African American family.
About Ari:
Ari graduated from Louisiana State University with a bachelor’s degree in interior design. She has been actively researching family history since 1998. Ms. Wilkins has spoken nationally at the National Genealogical Society, the Federation of Genealogical Societies, the Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research, the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, the Texas Institute of Genealogical Research, the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh, the American Library Association, RootsTech, and a multitude of state and local societies. Ari has been a Library Associate at Dallas Public Library since 2007. She speaks on multitude of
You can reach Ari through her website at: https://www.blackgenesis.com/

Join the meeting via Zoom anytime after 10:30 am (US Central Time).
Join The Call

DGS General Meeting
2023-03-04 10:30 - 13:00 | 1st Floor – Auditorium, J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
Speaker: Jacob Mangum, Project Development Librarian at the University of North Texas
Topic: Exploring the Portal Texas History Collection
In Person and on Zoom!

Join the meeting via Zoom anytime after 10:30 am (US Central Time).
Join The Call

DGS General Meeting
2023-04-01 10:30 - 13:00 | 1st Floor – Auditorium, J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-person & Virtual Event

Speaker: Christopher D. Bryant

Topic: How Traditional Genealogy Meets DNA to Solve Stubborn Brick Walls

Join the meeting via Zoom anytime after 10:30 am (US Central Time).

JOIN THE CALL

About Chris

Chris is an author, editor, family heirloom preservationist, graphic designer, oral historian and interviewer, reunion planner, transcriber and cemetery researcher. His research areas of focus include African American, American Indian & Native American, Hispanic heritage and DNA. Research locations include: United States, Canada, England, Germany, Italy, Mexico and Spain.

Chris is a member of Association of Professional Genealogists, Dallas Genealogical Society, Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, and Tennessee Genealogical Society.

Chris can be reached through his website: https://cdbryantgenealogy.com/

Annual DGS Awards Luncheon
2023-05-06 11:00 - 14:00 | 7th Floor – O’Hara Hall – J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-Person Only!

The Dallas Genealogical Society annually recognizes individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions towards promoting the goals of the society. The recipients of these prestigious awards are announced and presented in person at our Awards Luncheon.

FREE to DGS members! $15 for guests. Registration is required.

GUEST Speaker Dr. Mamie McCullough is an author, educator, and motivational speaker. She has entertained and encouraged audiences around the country over fifty years as a keynote speaker. Her dynamic story began in the small town of Dixie, Georgia. At three-years-old her daddy died, leaving her mother with nine children under the age of 16.

At 20, Mamie took off in a greyhound bus with a sack of fried chicken, two flour sack dresses and $25 for Howard Payne University in Brownwood, TX ‘to be better.’ Mamie is living proof, “It’s not where you start in life, but where you finish that counts!”

The following awards will be presented:

The AWARD OF MERIT is presented annually to a DGS member who’s consistently contributed time, talent, expertise, and abilities to the Society over a period of years. This member’s dedication and hard work in the name of the society goes way above the norm. Their contributions stand out.

The HERITAGE PRESERVATION AWARD is presented annually to an individual, group, or organization in recognition of contributions to preserve, conserve, house, or collect family history. Past recipients in this category cover many varying types of genealogical and historical preservation endeavors.

The VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD is presented annually to a DGS member who has generously volunteered time, expertise, talents, and abilities to the Society during the previous year to the extent to make that member stand out and draw attention.

The LLOYD DeWITT BOCKSTRUCK DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD is presented to an individual for outstanding contributions to the genealogical community on a national level.

The PRESIDENT’S SPECIAL AWARD honors individuals or groups whose contributions to the Society that fall outside the criteria for our other awards.

REGISTER

DGS General Meeting
2023-09-09 10:30 - 13:00 | 1st Floor – Auditorium, J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-person & Virtual Event

Speaker: Sue Kaufman

Topic: Using Social History for Family History Research

Handout

Join the meeting via Zoom anytime after 10:30 am (US Central Time).

JOIN THE CALL

About Susan

Susan D. Kaufman is currently Manager of the Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research, Houston Public Library. She has been a genealogy librarian for 22 years including 6 years at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the nation’s largest genealogy collection in a public library. She began her career as the genealogy librarian in Peoria, Illinois at the Peoria Public Library. She offers expertise in genealogical/ historical reference, collection development, and educational outreach. Her collection development skills include being able to acquire one-of-a-kind resources, government documents and other hard to find research materials. Her genealogical community activities include board positions currently and in the past with local, state and national genealogical organizations in Illinois, Indiana and Texas. She has been a Director on the Federation of Genealogical Societies Board since 2003. For FGS she is Chair of the Awards Committee and Librarians Day committee and was the National Conference Co-Chair for the FGS National Conference annual conference held in Boston in August 2006. At the Texas state level, Sue will be President of the Texas State Genealogical Society 2012 – 2013, Manager of the Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research / Houston Public Library and a lecturer at local, state and national meetings and conferences.

DGS General Meeting
2023-10-07 11:00 - 13:00 | 8th Floor – Genealogy Section, J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-person & Virtual Event

Location Note - this General Meeting will be held on the 8th floor.

Speaker: Gustavo “Gus” Hinojosa, President of HOGAR & DGS Director-At-Large

Topic: My Journey back to Spain via My Sephardic Roots

“The presentation will talk about the “Alhambra Decree” issued on March 31,1492 by the Spanish Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand & Isabella, which required Jews to convert to Catholicism or be expelled from Spain. In 2015 the Spanish Congress passed a resolution, “Sephardic Ancestry Law”, which allowed descendants of those Jews forced to convert, or those who were expelled, to apply for Spanish citizenship. This is my story of deciding to apply, the process involved, and my ultimate citizenship – I’m almost there.”

View Gus’s Family Tree

Join the meeting via Zoom anytime after 10:30 am (US Central Time).

JOIN THE CALL

DGS General Meeting
2023-11-04 11:00 - 13:00 | 1st Floor – Auditorium, J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-person & Virtual Event

Speaker: Retired Decorated Captain Catherine “Kay” Bauer US Navy

Topic: Skies over Vietnam – Oral History Project

Join the meeting via Zoom anytime after 10:30 am (US Central Time).

JOIN THE CALL

Kay Bauer grew up with her thirteen brothers and sisters in St. Paul. She earned her four-year nursing degree from the College of St. Catherine. The Navy Nurse Corps paid for her final year of nursing school, and Kay received her commission upon graduating in 1959. After spending a number of years nursing for the Navy, Kay requested assignment to Vietnam and arrived there in January 1966. She was part of a Forward Surgical Team assigned to a Vietnamese provincial hospital in Rach Gia, in southernmost South Vietnam. She worked closely with her colleagues, both American and Vietnamese, in a hospital that had no running water or air conditioning. She remained in the Navy after she returned from Vietnam in early 1967, dedicating thirty-five years of her life to the military. Kay was instrumental in forming the nurses PTSD support group and is fondly referred to as “the Admiral” by her sister veterans.

DGS General Meeting
2023-12-02 11:00 - 13:00 | Dallas Public Library: White Rock Hills Branch, 9150 Ferguson Road, Dallas, Texas, 75228
In-person & Virtual Event

Special Meeting LocationOur December meeting will be held at the Dallas Public Library White Rock Hills Branch!

Speaker: Kevin Klaus

Topic: Genealogy Research at the Texas General Land Office

The Texas General Land Office provides a wealth of information to genealogists and family history buffs. Kevin will walk through how to use the tools on the Texas GLO website, using a number of examples from the Texas Court of Claims and other rich resources from the site.

Join the meeting via Zoom anytime after 10:30 am (US Central Time).

JOIN THE CALL

About Kevin

Kevin Klaus developed a love of history from an early age listening to stories told by his Great Grandparents and Grandparents who grew up in East Texas. Over the past 30 years he has collected and researched his own family, using government records, letters, photographs, family Bible information, and stories. Beginning in 1990, he served eight years in the United States Army. In 1998 honorably discharged from the Army in New Mexico, and returned home to Central Texas where he grew up. Kevin has a background in Anthropology, Archaeology, and Public History from the University of New Mexico, and currently working towards becoming a certified genealogist. For the last 14 years he has served as one of the lead researchers in the Texas General Land Office Archives and Records Program Area. During his time at the Land Office he has searched the early Court of Claims files, German Collection and archival collection to learn more about the history of Texas and discover the amazing collection of personal letters of early soldiers and pioneers who helped settle our great state.

Over the last few years he has focused his attention and research on the German Collection and the early German settlers that came to Texas under the Adelsverein in the 1840’s. In the process he has honed his research skills by tracing his own family line that came to America in the late 1800’s. This research is ongoing as he is still sleuthing records in Germany to discover the history of past lives.

DGS General Meeting
2024-01-06 11:00 - 13:00 | 7th Floor – O’Hara Hall – J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-person & Virtual Event

Spring Meeting LocationWe will be meeting in the O'Hara Hall on the 7th floor. #nostairs

Speaker: Jen Baldwin (presenting remotely)

Topic: Pledging Brotherhood: An Introduction to Fraternal, Benevolent, and Secret Societies

Handout: Pledging Brotherhood Syllabus

Websites that may be of interest:

https://search.worldcat.org/ – society periodicals, published histories, etc.

https://txarchives.org/home – specific to Texas archival resources and includes DPL’s manuscript finding guides.

https://researchworks.oclc.org/archivegrid/ – 7 million records describing archival materials, bringing together information about historical documents, personal papers, family histories, and more.

About Jen

Jen Baldwin has been working in the realm of professional genealogy since 2010 but has been pursuing her family history since she was ten years old, enjoying her grandmother’s stories – and her cookies. She is currently the Research Specialist and North American Content Manager for Findmypast. Jen lectures, writes, and consults on a variety of genealogy related topics, and was part of the research team for Genealogy Roadshow, season two on PBS. She is excited to discover unique resources that allow for a different perspective in genealogical research. Jen currently serves as a Trustee for the International Society for British Genealogy and Family History and has previously volunteered for her local society as well as the Federation of Genealogical Societies (US).

Join the meeting via Zoom anytime after 10:30 am (US Central Time).

JOIN THE CALL

DGS General Meeting
2024-02-03 11:00 - 13:00 | 7th Floor – O’Hara Hall – J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-person & Virtual Event

Spring Meeting LocationWe will be meeting in the O'Hara Hall on the 7th floor. #nostairs

Speaker: LaDonna Garner (presenting remotely)

Topic: Surfing for African American Records

Handout

Join the meeting via Zoom anytime after 10:30 am (US Central Time).

JOIN THE CALL

LaDonna Garner, M.A. is a Historic Consultant — Professional Genealogist & Historic Preservationist— focused on historical preservation and genealogical research in and outside Southeast Missouri. She often lectures on both subjects at conferences, society events, and colleges. She also offers in-person/online courses and one-on-one consultations. Garner is an active member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and assists numerous organizations in volunteer and leadership capacities.

Researching her family history for over 30 years, she is passionate about recording historic minority communities and cemeteries, genealogy education, client assistance, and consultations in archival documents, protecting our history and natural landscapes through historic preservation, and cemetery restoration. She is also a Licensed Veterinary Technician with a devotion to heritage animals.

Her ventures in cemetery preservation were inspired by an interest in family lineage and Founder & first Secretary of the Mt. Zion Cemetery Board to preserve Mount Zion Cemetery in Festus, Missouri. The cemetery was established by African American settlers, including her ancestors, in circa 1880s, and closed in circa 1973.

DGS General Meeting
2024-03-02 11:00 - 13:00 | 7th Floor – O’Hara Hall – J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-person & Virtual Event

Speaker: Ari Wilkins

Topic: Let Your Fingers Do the Walking: Exploring City Directories, Telephone Books and Criss-Cross Directories

Research Opportunity! After the meeting DGS members will help you locate and use these new resources on the 7th floor!

Join the meeting via Zoom anytime after 10:30 am (US Central Time).

JOIN THE CALL

A graduate of Louisiana State University, Ms. Wilkins has been actively researching family history since 1998, specializing in African American research.

Ms. Wilkins speaks nationally and locally. She has had the honor to speak at the National Genealogical Society, Federation of Genealogical Societies, Texas State Genealogical Society, Ohio Genealogical Society, Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research, Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, American Library Association, RootsTech, and a multitude of local societies.

https://www.blackgenesis.com/

DGS General Meeting
2024-04-06 11:00 - 13:00 | 7th Floor – O’Hara Hall – J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-person & Virtual Event

Speaker: Barbara Coakley

Topic: Search vs. Research

Searching is just one step in the research process. A case study based on a family story from Chicago in the 1920s demonstrates the research process from beginning to end – how to develop a research goal, plan the research, document results, and preserve your findings.

Download the handout.

Join the meeting via Zoom anytime after 10:30 am (US Central Time).

JOIN THE CALL

DGS General Meeting
2024-05-04 11:00 - 13:00 | 7th Floor – O’Hara Hall – J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-person & Virtual Event

Speaker: Beri Kaplan Schwitzer

Topic: The History of the Jewish Community in Dallas

Beri, a native Las Vegan who didn’t have the aspirations to be a showgirl, Beri Kaplan Schwitzer put her time, energy, and enthusiasm into education. A graduate of the University of Nevada with a degree in Journalism, her true passion remains in Jewish education where she has served in a variety of capacities over the last twenty-five years. Beri is a nationally recognized Jewish educator honored by Jewish Education Service of North America (JESNA) and by the former National Association of Temple Educators (NATE). She received her Certificate of Jewish Education from the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership and studied at the Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies in Jerusalem as a Senior Educator Leadership Fellow.

She is currently the Executive Director of the Dallas Jewish Historical Society. For over 40 years, Beri’s hobby has been trying to solve her own family history’s mysteries and is currently pursuing her certification in Genealogical Research with Boston University.

Join the meeting via Zoom anytime after 10:30 am (US Central Time).

JOIN THE CALL

DGS General Meeting
2024-09-07 11:00 - 12:30 | 7th Floor – O’Hara Hall – J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-person & Virtual Event

Speaker: Chris Bryant

Topic: Back to Basics: A Deeper Look Into Genealogical Resources

This presentation will focus on when and how to apply certain genealogical resources to your research. There will be an emphasis on the necessity to gather details from all available resources, to ensure that your research is as accurate as possible.

Join us Your Way:

Chris will be presenting live at the library

Join us on Zoom anytime after 10:30 am (US Central Time).

Watch the recording (available September 8th)

JOIN THE CALL

Chris is an author, editor, family heirloom preservationist, graphic designer, oral historian and interviewer, reunion planner, transcriber and cemetery researcher. His research areas of focus include African American, American Indian & Native American, Hispanic heritage and DNA. Research locations include: United States, Canada, England, Germany, Italy, Mexico and Spain.

Chris is a member of Association of Professional Genealogists, Dallas Genealogical Society, Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, and Tennessee Genealogical Society.

Chris can be reached through his website: https://cdbryantgenealogy.com/

DGS General Meeting
2024-10-05 11:00 - 12:30 | 7th Floor – O’Hara Hall – J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-person & Virtual Event

Speaker: Kim RIchardson

Topic: Turn Your Brick Wall into a Yellow Brick Road

Handout: Turn Your Brick Wall into a Yellow Brick Road

A brick wall is not the end of the line for research. Let’s explore ways to determine if more research can be done to solve your problem, and let’s analyze the documents you have to make sure you’ve followed every lead to the fullest. This presentation will discuss the most common oversights in genealogy research and how to avoid being stuck behind a brick wall, giving you a yellow brick road to follow instead.

Join us Your Way:

Kim will be presenting live at the library

Join us on Zoom anytime after 10:30 am (US Central Time).

Watch the recording (available September 8th)

JOIN THE CALL

DGS General Meeting
2024-11-02 11:00 - 12:30 | 7th Floor – O’Hara Hall – J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-person & Virtual Event

Speaker: Janice Lovelace

Topic: Lunacy and Asylums: Mental Health in the 19th Century

Was an ancestor committed to an asylum? Was someone enumerated as ‘lunatic, imbecile or incompetent” on a census? Who was committed and why? Are there records you can access? Learn about mental health treatment in the 1800s.

Handout

JOIN THE CALL

Janice Lovelace, Ph.D., a genealogical researcher and lecturer, is an instructor at the Midwest African American Genealogical Institute (MAAGI) and author of the National Genealogical Society’s online continuing education course African American Roots: A Historical Perspective. She presents on DNA, ethnic minority genealogy, and research methodology.

DGS General Meeting
2024-12-07 11:00 - 12:30 | Dallas Public Library – Lakewood Branch, 6121 Worth Street, Dallas, TX, 75214
In-person & Virtual Event

Special VenueLakewood Branch, 6121 Worth Street, Dallas

Speaker: John Slate

Topic: Genealogy Resources at the Dallas Municipal Archives

Handout: Using the Dallas Municipal Archives for Genealogy Research

Lakewood Branch, 6121 Worth Street

While it is not the first stop for a genealogist, the Dallas Municipal Archives has a number of resources that can be helpful in your search for family. Please join John Slate, City Archivist, for a brief review of what is and what isn’t in the Municipal Archives and learn about its place in city government.

JOIN THE CALL

DGS General Meeting
2025-01-04 11:00 - 12:30 | 7th Floor – O’Hara Hall – J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-person & Virtual Event

Speaker: Sarah Cochran

Topic: Locating Records in Archives from Your Couch

Handout

The digital age has brought billions of records to genealogists’ living rooms. However, there is much more only available in hard copy. Learn how to track down these valuable resources, wherever they are in the world, without leaving the comfort of your own home.

JOIN THE CALL
