DALLAS GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

African American Genealogical Interest Group
2023-01-21 14:00 - 16:45, 2022-12-17 14:00, 2022-11-19 14:00 - 16:45 (America/Chicago) | 1st Floor – Community Showcase Room, J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
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 that provide information for this special area of genealogy research.
This will be a Hybrid meeting: You can join us in-person at the Library or you can participate remotely using Zoom:
Join the Call. Meeting ID: 971 1676 5715

DNA Special Interest Group
2023-01-19 18:00 - 19:30 | 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.

Join the Call Dial In: Meeting ID: 886 0208 0729, Passcode: [REDACTED]

Coppell Genealogy Special Interest Group
2023-01-17 18:30 - 20:00 | Cozby Library and Community Commons, 177 N. Heartz Drive, Coppell, TX, 75019, United States
Formed to assist Coppell residents who have an interest in researching their family history.

Speaker: Kamden Rich

Topic: Using DNA to Solve a Long-Buried Family Secret

When Kam discovered his biological maternal grandmother, Joyce’s father was NOT her birth father, the DNA hunt for the truth began! Kam has uncovered a long-buried secret that he discovered using the science of DNA. Joyce’s biological father was identified because of Kam’s gritty persistence. His steps to unravel the truth will inspire others interested in DNA to know the “how to” of using DNA data in their research.

Kam is a gifted 19-year-old senior at SMU in Dallas, TX. His passion for family history began at a young age, and he has built out his family tree to over 12,000 on Ancestry.com. He is an avid genealogy researcher managing DNA for 8 of his family members. Kam has traveled extensively, expanding his knowledge of culture, and family.

This is an in person meeting.

DPL: Intro to Genealogy
2023-01-14 13:00 - 15:30 | 8th Floor – Genealogy Section, J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
If you’ve never taken the plunge to look into your family history, this program will help you know how to get started. Expert genealogists Barbara Coakley and Patti Huff Smith will take you back to the very beginning with step-by-step instructions on how to get started researching YOUR family’s history. Learn how to set reasonable goals for your research, how to create an online tree and how to navigate popular genealogical websites.

After the program, volunteers are available to assist beginning researchers on library computers.

Learn More

German Genealogy Group
2023-01-14 10:30 - 12:00 | 6th Floor – TaiPei (Classroom D), J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
Virtual and in-person!
The focus of this group is Germans who emigrated to various parts of the United States from the 1700’s through the 1900’s.
The leaders of this group are Ann Broihier and Bernard Meisner. You can send them email at ggg@dallasgenealogy.org. Learn more about the German Genealogy Group

Speaker: Bernard N. Meisner
Topic: Hiring A Researcher To Search For Records in German Archive

Join the Call Dial In / Meeting ID: 947 1403 5493, Passcode: [REDACTED]

Cedar Hill Genealogy Society Monthly Program
2023-01-12 18:30 - 20:30 | Zula B. Wylie Public Library, 225 Cedar Street, Cedar Hill, TX, 75104, United States
Topic: Help with your Family History or Getting Started

If you are interested in discovering your family’s history and don’t know where to start or have been at it a while and are stumped by an ancestor who doesn’t want to be found — We can help. Bring your family information on paper, laptop or flash drive to our meeting and a volunteer will work with you. Don’t have anything at all? We’ll give you a free USB memory stick containing the CHGS starter kit, and help you start filling it.

Denton County Genealogical Society Meeting
2023-01-12 18:30 - 20:00 | Emily Fowler Central Library, 502 Oakland Street, Denton, TX, 76201, United States
Presenter: Cari Taplin, CG

Topic: Unfamiliar Territory: Creating a Locality Guide for New Research Areas

Creating a locality guide for each new area before you begin your research will save time in the long run by focusing your research and educating you about the new location. Cari’s presentation will demonstrate one method for researching a new geographical area through a real-life example.

Social time begins at 6:30pm with the program beginning at 7:00pm.

More Info

DPL: Preserving Family Memories: Scanning
2023-01-10 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!

New year, new family history goals! Have you gone through some of your family memories during the holiday season? Do you have photos, scrapbooks or slides that you want to digitize? Learn about the ins and outs of family history scanning and digitization with Genealogy & History Manager Stephanie Bennett.

Register

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

Grand Prairie Gen Soc Monthly Meeting
2023-01-05 18:30 - 20:30 | Grand Prarie Memorial Library, 901 Conover Drive, Grand Prarie, TX, 75051, United States
Online

In Person

Speaker: Patti Gillespie
Topic Description: Armchair Mysteries
Armchair Mysteries Solved at Home with Old School Communication and New School Technology. This presentation offers abundant tips, tricks, and examples for a researcher who’s looking for answers far from home and are not online. Often underused research and resource opportunities are just an email away—and sometimes still a phone call away! The techniques presented here often provide successful means to resolving the mysteries of our ancestors using both online sites and offline sources for information.
There will be a Meet and Greet at 6:30 pm with the program beginning at 7:00 pm. There will be no refreshments and masks are optional.

To register, please send an email to info@gpgstx.org

Coppell Genealogy Special Interest Group
2022-12-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Cozby Library and Community Commons, 177 N. Heartz Drive, Coppell, TX, 75019, United States
Formed to assist Coppell residents who have an interest in researching their family history.
Christmas Party!
This is an in person meeting.

MacGen Reunion Group
2022-12-10 13:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
Do you want to know the best software and equipment to make optimum use of your Mac for genealogical research and distribution?

Would you like to learn how to use the full power of the Reunion genealogy software for the Mac?

Come join us and bring your questions, dilemmas, and suggestions to our gatherings as we discuss all things Mac, getting the most out of your genealogical research! The meetings are free and open to the public and are held in a round-table, open discussion format with a facilitator.

Leader: macs@dallasgenealogy.org

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

Best Practices SIG
2022-11-26 10:30 - 13:00 | 8th Floor – McDermott Room, J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
The Best Practices SIG is for genealogists who want to learn advanced methodology skills and techniques.
Join in person (J. Erik Jonsson Central Library / 8th floor / McDermott Room) or via Zoom!
You can contact Liz Kutz, the SIG leader at bestpractices@dallasgenealogy.org.
Learn more about the Best Practices SIG.

Join the Call Dial In / Meeting ID: 913 3111 8644, Passcode: [REDACTED]

Van Zandt County Genealogical Society Regular Meeting
2022-11-26 02:00 - 16:00 | Van Zandt County Sarah Norman Library, 317 First Monday Lane (Hwy 859), Canton, Texas
The Van Zandt County Genealogical Society will have its regular meeting on Saturday, November 26, at 2:00 p.m. at the main Van Zandt County Library, 317 First Monday Lane, Canton, TX. As always, the public is encouraged to attend.

The program will be Show and Tell, which the Society hosts at its November meeting each year. Members (and non-members) are encouraged to come and bring an item or two, or just a story or a memory, reflecting their family history or the history of Van Zandt County or Texas, or anywhere. Always fun, interesting, and frequently hilarious. Members have been known to bring all manner of family artifacts or historical items: baby shoes, arrow heads, books, snuff bottles, false teeth—everything has a story. Some members have sung songs, others shared treasured memories. It all brings the past to life.

Come and share, or just watch and listen. Membership not required, it’s free and refreshments will be served.

DNA Special Interest Group
2022-11-17 18:00 - 19:30 | 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.

The focus of the November Meeting, among “anything else DNA”, is to discuss the MitoYDNA.ORG Project, it’s association with Y-DNA, Mt-DNA, Family Tree DNA and other Genetic DNA Testing companies, as well as, its inter-workings with WiKiTree.Com

Our member, Aurora Chancy, will discuss what she has discovered about MitoYDNA.

Join the Call Dial In: Meeting ID: 886 0208 0729, Passcode: [REDACTED]

Coppell Genealogy Special Interest Group
2022-11-15 18:00 - 20:00 | Cozby Library and Community Commons, 177 N. Heartz Drive, Coppell, TX, 75019, United States
Formed to assist Coppell residents who have an interest in researching their family history.
Speaker: Barbara Coakley
Topic: Extra! Extra! Read All About Your Ancestors!”
This is an in person meeting.

German Genealogy Group
2022-11-12 10:30 - 12:00 | 8th Floor – Genealogy Section, J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
Special In-Person Only Event!
The focus of this group is Germans who emigrated to various parts of the United States from the 1700’s through the 1900’s.
The leaders of this group are Ann Broihier and Bernard Meisner. You can send them email at ggg.dallasgenealogy.org. Learn more about the German Genealogy Group

This program will show you how to use Archion.de – an online subscription database for German Evangelical church records. Archion.de is continually updated with new church records and includes areas that were formerly part of Prussia. The meeting will begin with an overview of the tool, then participants will be able to use Dallas Public Library 8th floor genealogy computers to learn how to find your ancestors. This event will be the only time you will be to access this database for FREE. Seats are limited, so don’t wait to register!
***Dallas Public Library computers on the 8th floor will be available to access Archion.de through 4 p.m. Bring a flash drive to save any genealogical finds.***
Register Now!

Cedar Hill Genealogy Society Monthly Program
2022-11-10 18:30 - 20:30 | Zula B. Wylie Public Library, 225 Cedar Street, Cedar Hill, TX, 75104, United States
Topic: Death Records: When Death Certificates are not Available
Speaker: Dorina Alaniz de Thomas, Phd
Death certificates or registers aren’t always available. We’ll explore other records that can provide details about our ancestors’ passing.

Dorina Alaniz Thomas, PhD is a retired educator whose interest in genealogy began in 1996 while researching her family’s medical history. She published two books: Ranch Cemeteries of South Texas, Brooks County and Researching Hispanic Family Records.
Dr Thomas has been a presenter in several of the annual Texas Hispanic genealogical and historical conferences as well as in public libraries throughout Texas.

Mesquite Historical & Genealogical Society Meeting
2022-11-10 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Event
Online

Register to Attend Online

Speaker: Patti Huff Smith

Topic: Case Studies – Solving Difficult Problems
Patti will be presenting three case studies of difficult genealogical problems and how she solved them. Hidden Treasure, There’s a Sheriff in the House and Brick #1142 promise to be both entertaining and enlightening!
The meeting begins at 7:00: The bridge will available at 6:30.
Register in advance for this meeting.

Collin County Genealogy Meeting
2022-11-09 18:00 - 20:00 | Virtual Event
Online Meeting

Collin County Genealogical Society
https://www.collincountygenealogicalsociety.com

Speaker: Bernard Meisner
Topic:Surname Distribution Maps: A Valuable Tool for Genealogical Research

Learn how surname maps can enable you to determine where to look for your ancestors — both individuals and couples — explore variant spellings of their names, and perhaps identify their religion. Understand what factors to consider before using a surname map. In addition to a summary of the talk, attendees will also receive a
comprehensive, annotated list of current surname maps Web sites.
Register in advance for the November 9th meeting.
Register

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.

2022 TXSGS Conference
2022-11-04 - 2022-11-05 | Virtual Event
Unlock Your Past with TxSGS
Registration is open! Join us, and Unlock Your Past at the virtual 2022 TxSGS Family History Conference! On Friday and Saturday, November 4-5, TxSGS Live! features ten presentations by some of the top speakers in genealogy on research techniques, records, DNA, and more.
That’s not all! These lectures will be recorded and combined with 32 additional prerecorded lectures from some of your favorite speakers plus well-known presenters from across Texas and the U.S. Even though you won’t be able to see them in person, you will be able to access their lectures online through February 6, 2023.
What will take your genealogy research to the next level? The 2022 TxSGS Family History Conference, Unlock Your Past, seeks to help you discover the tools needed to answer your genealogy questions. Featuring 24 speakers presenting 42 topics, the TxSGS Family History Conference promises opportunities for learning in a variety of areas, or tracks: DNA; ethnic research including African American, Hispanic, and German; methodology and problem solving; records and repositories; and skill building.
TxSGS Live! – 10 top speakers with live Q&A

Deborah A. Abbott, PhD – Strategies and Techniques: Reconstructing an African American Family from Freedom to Slavery
Debra Dudek – Mixers and Shakers – Tracing Bartending, Saloon Keeping, and Tavern Keeping Ancestors
Colleen Robledo Greene, MLIS – Taking a Deeper Dive into Mexican Civil Registration Records
Jean Wilcox Hibben – Genealogy Door Locked? The Key May Be in Searching/Browsing Techniques
Kevin Klaus – Pre-emption Grants: A Bonanza for Early Texas Settlers and Genealogists
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA – Missing People: Fractured Relationships, Divorce & Murder
Bernard Meisner – Beyond the Big Four – (Mostly) Free Resources for Genealogical Research
Diane L. Richard – Death Records by a Different Name
Renate Yarborough Sanders – We Were Supposed to be NEALS: Reuniting Family with DNA
Lori Thornton – Righting Your Wrongs through Writing

Grand Prairie Gen Soc Monthly Meeting
2022-11-03 18:30 - 20:30 | Grand Prarie Memorial Library, 901 Conover Drive, Grand Prarie, TX, 75051, United States
Online

In Person

Speaker: Ruth Lloyd
Topic Description: Jewish Ancestry and the Second Generation of Holocaust Survivors
Ruth has a remarkable story to tell about her journey of discovery as she researched her genealogy. Her story also reminds us of why we should never forget a time in our history.
About the Speaker: Ruth Fischbein Lloyd is the 2nd Generation of Holocaust survivors. She has been speaking as a tribute to her parents since 2009. Ruth was born in Fort Worth, Texas. She attended Pascal High School in Fort Worth and graduated with a BBA in Marketing from UTA Arlington. She retired after 40 years in the paper industry and owns Lloyd Enterprises, a sewing business that produces Memory Quilts, Memory Pillows, Memory Bears and much more. She has done extensive research on her family genealogy.
There will be a Meet and Greet at 6:30 pm with the program beginning at 7:00 pm. There will be no refreshments and masks are optional.

To register, please send an email to info@gpgstx.org

Van Zandt Genealogical Society Meeting
2022-10-22 14:00 - 16:00 | Van Zandt County Sarah Norman Library, 317 First Monday Lane (Hwy 859), Canton, Texas
Topic: The History of Witches!
Speaker: Dr. Julie Schellen
Very timely for the Halloween season! Come learn about a cultural phenomenon with a longstanding, cross-cultural history. Dr. Julie Schellen, who holds the Certified Genealogist® credential and is a current college faculty member, writer, and researcher. She recently published a case study in The Maine Genealogist. She is a 5 th generation Texan who has served six terms as a Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Registrar and has also served in various state and national DAR lineage research and genealogy roles.
As always with our regular meetings, this meeting is free and you don’t have to be a member to attend.
Refreshments will be served.

Fall Seminar with Paul Milner
2022-10-22 08:00 - 17:00 | TX
Join us as Paul Milner presents “Leaping the Pond – Online Research in Great Britain.”
Note that this will be in-person and virtual!
Learn More

DPL: Family History Month Celebration
2022-10-21 10:00 - 18:00 | 8th Floor – Genealogy Section, J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
Online

Register to Attend Online

In Person

Register to Attend In Person

Celebrate Family History Month with the Dallas Public Library, Dallas Genealogical Society and the Genealogy Network of Texas (GNT) – a state-wide initiative to connect libraries/genealogical societies and provide educational and research opportunities! Join library staff and volunteers for this annual celebration and learn more about your OWN family’s history. Seven FREE programs on DNA, handwriting and more will be live streamed on the 8th floor of the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library along with free research help and tours provided throughout the day.

The Genealogy Network of Texas is spearheaded by the Genealogy Center of the Waco-McLennan County Library. Co-sponsors include the Central Texas Genealogical Society, Denton Public Library, The Genealogy Center and the Texas State Genealogical Society.

Coppell Genealogy Special Interest Group
2022-10-18 18:00 - 20:00 | Cozby Library and Community Commons, 177 N. Heartz Drive, Coppell, TX, 75019, United States
Formed to assist Coppell residents who have an interest in researching their family history.
Speaker: Bob Wood
Topic: “Preserving Your Precious Memories,” with Storyboards
This is an in person meeting.
