DALLAS GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

Jewish Special Interest Group
2026-04-13 10:30 - 12:00, 2026-05-11 10:30 - 12:00, 2026-07-13 10:30 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Jewish Community Center of Dallas, 7900 Northaven Road, Dallas, TX, 75230, United States
In-person

The Jewish Genealogical Interest Group’s mission is to assist anyone to research their actual (or suspected) Jewish ancestral lines. Learn about alternative genealogy research methods and records specifically geared to finding your Jewish ancestors.

The group will meet in the Boardroom.

African American Genealogical Interest Group
2026-04-18 14:00 - 15:30, 2026-05-16 14:00 - 15:30 | 6th Floor – Classroom Brno (formerly Classroom B), J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-Person and Virtual Event

The group discusses use of variety of sources, including census research, reconstruction and Freedman Bureau records, NARA combined military records of the U.S. Colored Troops, Plantation Slave records, Slave schedules and other records.

JOIN CALL

Meeting ID: 971 1676 5715

Cedar Hill Genealogy Society Monthly Program
2026-04-21 18:30 - 20:00 | TX
Speaker: Kim Richardson (remote)

Topic: A New Strategy for Brick Walls

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

Feeling buried in genealogy research? Get organized—and start solving mysteries.Learn a powerful new approach that helps you:

See connections and relationships instantly

View all your research at a glance

Automatically organize your work

Spot gaps, errors, and conflicts

Build a clear narrative (no more writer’s block)

Plan and brainstorm your way to success

Handout

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

DPL: Incorporating Oral History into Your Research
2026-04-22 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

Family stories can dramatically enhance your genealogical research. In this program with Dallas Public Library’s own Ari Wilkins, learn how memories passed down through generations can help uncover names, dates, and places, while also revealing the reasons behind migrations, the stories behind marriages, and the personalities of those who came before us. Family stories and personal recollections often preserve details that traditional records leave out, making them a powerful tool for anyone exploring their roots.

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Best Practices SIG
2026-04-25 10:30 - 13:00 | 8th Floor – McDermott Room, J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-person & Virtual Event

Topic: Write a Research Plan and Open a Research Report.

The Best Practices SIG is for genealogists who want to learn advanced methodology skills and techniques.

“The only voice that documents have is the voice we give them.With every document we find, and every story we tell, we have a choice:We can take what we see at face value, report it devoid of context, and run the risk of misrepresenting the circumstances.Or we can seek the context we need to understand the record, the event, and the person.”

– Elizabeth Shown Mills

You can contact Liz Kutz, the SIG leader at bestpractices@dallasgenealogy.org.

Learn more about the Best Practices SIG.

JOIN CALL

Van Zandt County Monthly Meeting
2026-04-25 14:00 - 16:00 | TX
Topic: Techniques to Locate your Native American Ancestors

Join the Van Zandt County Genealogy Society at Van Zandt County Sarah Norman Library, located at 317 First Monday Lane (Hwy 859), Canton. You do not have to be a member to attend. It is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Email vanzandtgensoc@gmail.com to get setup to attend.

Location: Sarah Norman Library

DPL: 250 Years of Us Book Club: Crooked by Austin Grossman
2026-04-30 19:00 - 20:00 | 8th Floor – Genealogy Section, J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
Virtual and In-person

In the lead-up to America’s 250th anniversary, this book club explores history through both fiction and non-fiction that challenge familiar narratives and invite fresh perspectives on the American past. Each selection encourages readers to look beyond the textbook version of history and consider the people, choices, and hidden stories that shaped the nation.

April Selection: Crooked by Austin Grossman

April’s selection takes a darkly imaginative turn, blending alternative history, political satire, and supernatural thriller. Crooked reimagines Richard Nixon as an unlikely defender of America, secretly battling occult forces and ancient cosmic threats lurking behind Cold War politics. Drawing on real historical figures and events, the novel plays with conspiracy, power, and paranoia to explore the anxieties that shaped modern America. Through this strange and inventive lens, Grossman offers a wildly original perspective on leadership, secrecy, and the hidden stories that might exist beneath the surface of the nation’s past.

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DGS General Meeting
2026-05-02 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: Patricia Coleman

Topic: DNA Painter Overview

This presentation will start with creating an account. From there it shows how to add and organize data from MyHeritage, FamilyTreeDNA, LivingDNA, and GEDMatch.

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HANDOUT

Patricia Coleman is a professional genealogist specializing in DNA analysis and Irish research. She is the owner of Patricia Coleman Genealogy LLC and writes a blog at patriciacolemangenealogy.com. Much of her recent work focuses on analyzing Irish records, building DNA match family trees, and identifying shared ancestors through evidence-based methods.

Patricia holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of California, Davis, and her analytical background enhances her genealogical problem-solving. She incorporates AI tools into her research to improve data analysis, automate pattern detection, and deepen genealogical evidence evaluation.

She is a moderator for the DNA Painter and Genetic Affairs Facebook user groups and frequently presents on genetic genealogy, Irish research, and practical applications of AI in genealogy. Patricia accepts client work through Patricia Coleman Genealogy LLC, assisting with DNA analysis and traditional research. For questions or assistance, contact her at info@patriciacolemangenealogy.com

German Genealogy Group
2026-05-09 10:30 - 12:00 | 6th Floor – TaiPei (Classroom D), J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-person and Virtual Event

Speaker: Bernard N. Meisner

Topic: Learning German Genealogy Through Videos: Tools, Tips and Trusted Sources

Which is your preferred learning style: Seeing, Listening, Reading, or Doing? For those researching their German ancestors, there are many video resources available for little or no cost. This presentation will include a number of those resources, for beginning, intermediate, and even advanced, researchers. You will also learn tips for using videos effectively in German genealogy.

The leaders of this group are Ann Broihier and Bernard Meisner. Contact: ggg@dallasgenealogy.org. Learn more about the German Genealogy Group

JOIN CALL

HANDOUT

Meeting ID: 867 5887 1312, Passcode: [REDACTED]

Collin County Genealogy Meeting
2026-05-13 18:00 - 20:30 | Haggard Library, 2501 Coit Road, Plano, TX, 75075, United States
In-person & Virtual Event

Speaker: Stuart Murray

Topic: Revolutionary War and Early America: 1775-1800

Register in advance for the meeting.

REGISTER

SOCIETY WEBSITE

DNA Special Interest Group
2026-05-21 18:00 - 19:30 | 6th Floor – TaiPei (Classroom D), J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-person and Virtual Event

The DNA Special Interest Group explores the use of DNA as a genealogical tool. The goal is to help individuals understand and incorporate current DNA testing strategies and standards into their personal genealogy. Meeting are open to all.

Those interested in the DNA SIG may sign up for email meeting notification:

By requesting to be added to the SIG Mailing List at DNA@dallasgenealogy.org

By joining the “DGS DNA Interest Group” Project through their personal page on Family Tree DNA (the person must have tested and be in the Family Tree DNA database)

JOIN CALL

Zoom Details: Meeting ID: 828 9186 6806 / Passcode: [REDACTED]

DPL Exhibit: The Mexican American Museum of Texas presents "Spanish Texas during the American Revolution: Life and Legacy, 1775 – 1783"
2026-05-22 00:00 - 2026-07-31 23:59 | 8th Floor – Genealogy Section, J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-person Only

Discover a lesser-known story of the American Revolution at Spanish Texas during the American Revolution: Life and Legacy, 1775 – 1783,” a compelling new exhibit on the 8th floor of the Dallas Public Library. Designed and produced by The Mexican American Museum of Texas, this display highlights how Tejanos and Spanish settlers contributed to the American Revolution while navigating the challenges of daily life on the Texas frontier.

Through bilingual panels, descendant collaboration and interactive replicas, visitors will gain an authentic look at, among many other things, the food, medicine, work, leisure, and resilience of Tejano communities in a region dominated by Native peoples. Significantly, this exhibit expands the narrative of the American Revolution beyond the thirteen colonies, ensuring that the contributions of Texas Hispanos are properly recognized.

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Best Practices SIG
2026-05-23 10:30 - 13:00 | 8th Floor – McDermott Room, J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-person & Virtual Event

The Best Practices SIG is for genealogists who want to learn advanced methodology skills and techniques.

“The only voice that documents have is the voice we give them.With every document we find, and every story we tell, we have a choice:We can take what we see at face value, report it devoid of context, and run the risk of misrepresenting the circumstances.Or we can seek the context we need to understand the record, the event, and the person.”

– Elizabeth Shown Mills

You can contact Liz Kutz, the SIG leader at bestpractices@dallasgenealogy.org.

Learn more about the Best Practices SIG.

JOIN CALL

DPL: 250 Years of Us Book Club: The Only Good Indians
2026-05-28 19:00 - 20:00 | TX
Virtual Only

In the lead-up to America’s 250th anniversary, this book club explores history through both fiction and non-fiction that challenge familiar narratives and invite fresh perspectives on the American past. Each selection encourages readers to look beyond the textbook version of history and consider the people, choices, and hidden stories that shaped the nation.

May Selection: The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones

In May’s selection, we pivot to a gripping and unsettling novel that blends horror with contemporary Native American experience. Centered on four Blackfeet men haunted by a past hunting trip gone wrong, the story examines themes of cultural identity, tradition, guilt, and survival. Through suspense and sharp social insight, this selection invites readers to confront the lingering consequences of history and consider whose stories have too often been marginalized in the American narrative.

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DPL: Digitizing Family Videos and Film
2026-06-03 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

Camcorder tapes, VHS, VHS-C, 8 mm film – the opportunities to make home movies in the 20th century seem endless. Now, it ends up being hard to find the equipment to view your forgotten treasures and harder still to digitize it for free. Join Genealogy & History Manager Stephanie Bennett to learn about the ins and outs of family movie digitization and how the Heritage Lab located on the 8th floor of the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library can help you make your precious family memories easier to share with loved ones.

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DPL: Oral History Pop-Up
2026-06-04 13:00 - 15:00 | Auditorium, Preston Royal Branch Library, 5626 Royal Lane, Dallas, Texas, 75229, United States
In-person Only

Oral history is essential to preserving and interpreting the voices and memories of individuals and communities involved in past events. They can be as simple as sharing stories from everyday life, to as complex to how you remember important events. All help us understand how the world used to be by those who experienced it. We will have the Vivid-Pix Memory Sation on loan from the Central Library to record participants rich history through storytelling. Bring records, photos and other items to scan in tandem with your story. Sign-ups are for 5-to-15-minute recording sessions.

To request an oral history session outside of this program or for more information please contact the Genealogy & History Division at 214-670-1433 or genealogy@dallas.gov

DPL: Hitting the Genealogy Bullseye with Chronology and Location
2026-06-17 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

Join genealogist James M. Beidler for an engaging session on how chronology and geography can sharpen your family history research. Learn how building accurate timelines and understanding the places your ancestors lived can help separate individuals with similar names, uncover missing records, and solve stubborn research problems. Using practical examples and proven strategies, this program will demonstrate how “hitting the bullseye” with chronology and location can lead to more accurate and meaningful genealogical discoveries.

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HCGS Summer Seminar
2026-06-20 08:30 - 15:30 | TX
In-person & Virtual Event

Speaker: Ari Wilkins

Sessions

– Black and White Families in Southern Plantation Records – Mysterious Relatives – Reconstructing Communities Using Sanborn Maps, Census Records, and City Directories – Sources for Researching Rural Ancestor

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Location:

Sulphur Springs Senior Citizen Center301 Oak AveSulphur Springs, TX 75482

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.

DPL: Transcribe-a-Thon
2026-06-25 16:00 - 17:00 | Auditorium, Preston Royal Branch Library, 5626 Royal Lane, Dallas, Texas, 75229, United States
In-person Only

Advance historical research by transcribing past documents!

This program will introduce attendees to the transcription process and support those interested in starting to assist with local transcribing with Dallas Public Library projects or on a broader level with Smithsonian documents. It is recommended for attendees to bring their own laptops to get started with projects during the free working time; however, we will have a limited number of public computers available as well.

To learn more about each project click the links below:

DPL & DGS Joint Projects | Smithsonian Transcription Center

DPL: 250 Years of Us Book Club: Kindred
2026-06-25 19:00 - 20:00 | TX
Virtual Only

In the lead-up to America’s 250th anniversary, this book club explores history through both fiction and non-fiction that challenge familiar narratives and invite fresh perspectives on the American past. Each selection encourages readers to look beyond the textbook version of history and consider the people, choices, and hidden stories that shaped the nation.

June Selection: Kindred by Octavia Butler

In June’s selection, we turn to a powerful and thought-provoking novel that blends historical fiction with speculative elements to confront the realities of slavery in America. When a modern Black woman is repeatedly pulled back in time to a Maryland plantation, Kindred forces readers to reckon with the human impact of the nation’s founding era. Through its intimate, unflinching portrayal of survival, power, and ancestry, this selection deepens our understanding of the complex and often painful histories that underpin America’s story—an essential reflection as we approach the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding.

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Best Practices SIG
2026-06-27 10:30 - 13:00 | 6th Floor – Classroom Brno (formerly Classroom B), J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States

DPL: Liberty and Lace Ball: A Celebration of Independence
2026-06-27 18:00 - 21:00 | 6th Floor – TaiPei (Classroom D), J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-person Only

Step back into the vibrant world of Revolutionary-era America—where powdered wigs meet pounding drums, minuets mingle with hip-hop remixes and history is for everyone.

The Liberty & Lace Ball honors the first bold steps toward independence—personal, cultural and national—while recognizing that freedom in 1776 was not yet a reality for all. In the grand tradition of Revolutionary-era gatherings, guests are invited to celebrate progress, express their unique heritage and dance in the enduring pursuit of liberty for everyone.

Throughout the evening, enjoy live music and dance, hands-on creative experiences and opportunities to connect with the past in ways that feel fresh, social and fun. Try your hand at period-inspired crafts, browse artisan goods, strike a pose at our photo backdrop or add your voice to our interactive “Declare Your Liberty” installation—where modern reflections meet the enduring words of the Declaration of Independence.

Whether you come in full costume or just as you are, no experience is needed!

Because while the ideals of liberty were revolutionary, their promise was incomplete. This evening invites you to celebrate those ideals—and reflect on how they continue to evolve today.

This event is 18+ only. A Government-issued ID is needed for a drink ticket; IDs will be checked at the door. Please register for a reminder email and to help our event organizers plan.

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Itinerary

6:00 – 9:00 p.m. “Declare your Liberty” interactive installation

6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Fashioning Liberty: 18th Century Fan Making

6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Garden Gatherings: 18th Century Bouquet Making with Monica Deavila

6:00 – 9:00 p.m. “Survive 1776” games

6:30 – 7:15 p.m. Revolutionary America country dance class, Set 1 with North Texas Traditional Dance Society

6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Elegant Paperwork: 18th Century Quilling with Teri Huff

6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Pressing Liberty: Revolutionary Letterpress Printing with Jacob Taylor Gibson

6:30 – 8:30 p.m. My Shot: Hamilton Karaoke

7:00 – 7:30 p.m. Portraits of the Revolution: Fashion & Identity in Early America with Camille Davis

7:30 – 8:15 p.m. Revolutionary America country dance class, Set 2 with North Texas Traditional Dance Society

8:15 – 8:45 p.m. Threads of Revolution: Community Quilt Reveal & 1776 and Me with Craig Scott Raffle Drawing

Vendor booths and dancing will be available throughout the evening.

Participating Vendors & Organizations

Dallas Genealogical Society

Dallas Lace Society

Daughters of the American Revolution

Dearly Imparted

Sons of the American Revolution

Food and Beverage

Meals & mead will be available from our partner vendors for a fee. Limited free drinks will be available.

Food & Beverage provided by:

Amor & Queso

Bakes & Boules

Fox and Raven Mead

Parking: Event parking is free in our library parking garage. The entrance is located behind the library, on Wood. St. (Put 1541 Wood St. into your GPS.). The library parking garage has limited spaces and will be first-come, first-served. Street parking and paid lots are available all around the downtown Dallas area.

Cost: All activities are free, but vendors will charge for items they are selling.

Costumes: Just like at any ball, costumes are encouraged!

DPL: Digitizing the Voices in Your Family Tree
2026-07-08 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

The sound of a loved one’s voice = irreplaceable family memories. Learn how to digitize and preserve your audio recordings stored on cassette tapes, microcassette tapes and LPs. Hear from one of Dallas Public Library’s librarians on how to edit your audio and share your precious family memories using the Heritage Lab located on the 8th floor of the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library.

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DPL: The American Revolution and the Rebellion in Texas with Dr. Sam Haynes
2026-07-09 18:00 - 19:30 | 7th Floor – O’Hara Hall – J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-person Only

Revolution remembered. Revolution reimagined. Revolution reborn.

Dr. Sam W. Haynes, professor at University of Texas at Arlington, brings the story of the American Revolution forward into the 19th century, revealing how its ideals echoed far beyond 1776. As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, this program explores how the language, memory and myth of the “Spirit of ’76” shaped the rebellion in Texas and the movement that ultimately led to independence from Mexico.

Often overlooked in discussions of the Texas Revolution is the extent to which Anglo-Texans consciously looked backward—drawing on revolutionary rhetoric, symbols, and strategies from the founding era to interpret their conflict with Mexico City. By tracing these connections, Dr. Haynes reveals how the legacy of 1776 was not just remembered, but actively repurposed—offering a powerful lens on how Americans have continually reimagined the meaning of revolution, liberty and independence across generations.

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DPL: Vivid-Pix Memory Station Open Hours
2026-07-17 13:00 - 17:00 | 8th Floor – Genealogy Section, J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-person Only

During Vivid-Pix Memory Station Open Hours, you can scan and restore photographs, record the stories behind them, and create a personalized video that combines your images with audio recordings. Share family memories in your own voice, preserve the stories behind treasured photographs, and create a digital keepsake to pass down to future generations.

No need for an appointment. Drop in anytime during open hours and discover how easy it is to preserve your family’s history. The Vivid-Pix Memory Station combines photo scanning, restoration, and storytelling tools to help bring family memories to life.

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DPL: What You Can Learn from Lineage Societies (..without being a member!)
2026-07-22 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

Join genealogist Elizabeth Swanay O’Neal of The Family Heart for an exploration of the free genealogy resources available through lineage societies that have spent more than 125 years preserving family histories, records, and research. From the online databases and digitized applications of the Daughters of the American Revolution to pioneer rolls, military ancestor lists, and other valuable records, this presentation will highlight the surprising tools available to every researcher — no membership required. Learn where to find these resources, how to use them effectively and how they can help you uncover new clues about your own family history.

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DPL Exhibit: The Revolution on Paper: The Books and Ideas Behind the Declaration of Independence
2026-07-23 00:00 - 2026-08-23 23:59 | 7th floor – Kenneth B. Jonsson Gallery – J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, Texas, 75201
In-person Only

This exhibit highlights rare books, pamphlets, and documents that illuminate the intellectual origins of American independence, alongside the library’s copy of the Declaration of Independence – one of only 26 surviving Dunlap Broadsides printed on July 4, 1776.

On display are selected works from Dallas Public Library’s Virginia Lazenby O’Hara Fine Books Collection, generously supported by the Friends of the Dallas Public Library, including a letter penned by Benjamin Franklin, Common Sense by Thomas Payne published in 1776, and much more!

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