DPL: FamilySearch’s Full-Text Search – An AI Innovation
2025-01-08 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | 8th Floor – Genealogy Section, J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-person & Virtual

FamilySearch is using AI (artificial intelligence) to help genealogy researchers find records more easily! Over 100 million searchable records are available, including U.S. land and probate records and Mexican notarial records. Learn strategies for using FamilySearch’s experimental text-search feature to find records that you might spend hours trying to find otherwise.

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Root Seekers Monthly Meeting
2025-01-08 14:00 - 15:00 | Tri-County Library, 132 E Market St, Mabank, Texas, 75147
Topic: The Battle of New Orleans and the Veterans Who Came to Texas

Major General Andrew Jackson owed Britian a debt of retaliatory vengeance fromhis imprisonment during the Revolutionary War. He vowed that should our forcesmeet, he would pay the debt. On 8 January 1815, Jackson’s army regulars, frontiermilitiamen, free blacks, New Orleans aristocrats, Choctaw tribesmen and the piratesled by Jean Lafitte numbered 4500. They presented the British with an unexpectedonslaught which was the fruit of an honorable union and defeated the invaders in aspan of 30 minutes with a glorious victory. Many of the heroes of the Battle ofNew Orleans made their way to the Tri-County Area here in Texas.

We will remember them!

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Mesquite Historical & Genealogical Society Meeting
2025-01-09 18:30 - 20:00
Virtual

Speaker: Sara Cochran

Topic: Using State and Federal Deed Records

Our speaker, Sara Cochran, will speak to us on the value of using State and Federal deed records ingenealogical research. Land records can be genealogical goldmines, even if your ancestor wasn’tthe deed holder. We start with an overview of how land transferred from the government to privatehands and between individuals. Then consider the power of land records to answer genealogicalquestions, and look at tips for finding and using these records. Includes a live look at Full-TextSearch.

Meet and greet at 6:00 pm with short business meeting at 6:30 pm then the program. The meeting is free to all but you must register in advance.

Register

German Genealogy Group
2025-01-11 10:30 - 12:00 | 6th Floor – TaiPei (Classroom D), J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
Virtual Event Only

Winter StormDue to the weather, this session will be virtual only.

Speaker: Richard Gruetzner from the German-Texas Heritage Society

Topic: The German Free School and the German-Texan Heritage Society (GTHS) 1858 – 2025

Handout: German Free School and the GTHS 1858 to 2025

The presentation will discuss the historical German Free School located in Austin and how the modern operations of the GTHS reflect the cultural heritage that created it.

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

Join the Call Dial In / Meeting ID: 867 5887 1312, Passcode: [REDACTED]

TxSGS Genealogy Essentials
2025-01-13 00:00 - 2025-02-25 23:59
The Texas State Genealogical Society (TxSGS) is pleased to announce the launch of its new online education program, “Genealogy Essentials,” designed specifically for individuals interested in beginning or expanding their family history research skills and dedicated to “Building a Strong Foundation for Family History.”

This first offering in this program is a comprehensive, eight-session curriculum that will be released over four weeks starting January 13, 2025, with two sessions made available each week. Participants can access the video-based lessons at their convenience, complete practical homework assignments, and engage in guided Zoom discussions with expert instructors each Saturday. For those who are unable to attend live Zoom sessions, recordings will be provided.

“In designing ‘Genealogy Essentials,’ we aimed to create an accessible, flexible program that helps participants build a strong foundation in genealogy,” said Emily Richardson, incoming TxSGS president and course coordinator. “From understanding basic research concepts to evaluating sources and organizing family documents, this course empowers learners to discover their heritage with confidence.”

All participants will enjoy access to the course materials—including detailed handouts and Zoom session recordings—through February 25, 2025, allowing ample time for review and reinforcement. No prior experience is required; all you need is a computer with audio.

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Jewish Special Interest Group
2025-01-16 10:30 - 12:00 | 8th Floor – McDermott Room, J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-person & Virtual Event

Topic: Elizabeth Shown Mill’s FAN Club

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.

JOIN CALL

Meeting ID: 947 0024 8507

DNA Special Interest Group
2025-01-16 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.

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

African American Genealogical Interest Group
2025-01-18 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-02-15 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-03-15 14:00 - 16:00 | 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.

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Meeting ID: 971 1676 5715

All in the Family: Using Collateral Research to Build Your Family Tree
2025-01-20 03:00 - 03:30 | Bedford Public Library, 2424 Forest Ridge Drive, Bedford, Texas, 76021, United States
Speaker: Sandra Crawley

DPL: Connecting to Cousins using FamilySearch's App
2025-01-22 14:00 - 15:00 | 8th Floor – Genealogy Section, J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-person & Virtual

You have the power to connect to family in your fingertips! Uncover hidden family connections using FamilySearch’s free Family Tree app available for both Apple and Android devices. Learn how to get started building a shared family tree, how to add special pictures & audio, and find your degree of cousinship with famous people throughout history OR even the person standing next to you!

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DPL: Get Started with Your Genealogy
2025-01-23 18:30 - 19:30 | Auditorium, Preston Royal Branch Library, 5626 Royal Lane, Dallas, Texas, 75229, United States
In-person Only

If you’ve never taken the plunge to look into your family’s history, this program will help you know how to get started! Genealogy & History staff take you back to the 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, create an online tree, and navigate popular genealogical websites.

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Best Practices SIG
2025-01-25 10:30 - 13:00 | 8th Floor – McDermott Room, J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-person Only

Topic: Elizabeth Shown Mill’s FAN Club

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

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

Learn more about the Best Practices SIG.

DGS General Meeting
2025-02-01 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: Judy Russell

Topic: NARA Mythbusters: Your Family IS in the Archives

Handout

All the military records were burned in the fire.” “There isn’t any birth, marriage or death information in federal records.” “There aren’t any details about ordinary families at the National Archives.” These kinds of myth-statements stop genealogists from breaking down all kinds of brick walls using the wealth of information in NARA records. Join the mythbusters with the treasures the National Archives holds for your family.

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The Legal Genealogist Judy G. Russell is a genealogist with a law degree. She writes, teaches and lectures on a wide variety of genealogical topics, ranging from using court records in family history to understanding DNA testing. A Colorado native with roots deep in the American south on her mother’s side and entirely in Germany on her father’s side, she holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a political science minor from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and a law degree from Rutgers School of Law-Newark. She has worked as a newspaper reporter, trade association writer, legal investigator, defense attorney, federal prosecutor, law editor and, for more than 20 years before her retirement in 2014, was an adjunct member of the faculty at Rutgers Law School.

DPL: Tracing Enslaved and Formerly Enslaved in Newspapers
2025-02-05 14:00 - 15:00 | 8th Floor – Genealogy Section, J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
Virtual & In-person

Newspapers are such treasure troves of important family information – you can even glean information from historical advertisements! DPL Genealogy Specialist II Ari Wilkins will discuss strategies for finding the enslaved and formerly enslaved in newspapers. She will present a case study on how newspapers can lead you to other sources & different types of newspapers, and talk about how to discern the political slant of historical newspapers.

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Mesquite Historical & Genealogical Society Meeting
2025-02-13 18:30 - 20:00
Virtual

Speaker: Becky Villareal

Topic: Introducing Genealogy to Younger Family Members

The Mesquite Historical & Genealogical Society is proud to announce that Becky Villareal will bethe speaker at our February 13, 2025, General Meeting of the Mesquite Historical &Genealogical Society. This meeting focuses on introducing genealogy to younger familymembers and ensuring that the rich history of our families is passed on to future generations.The meeting will be held via Zoom and is free to members and to the public. You must registerfor the meeting in advance by using the following registration link:

Meet and greet at 6:00 pm with short business meeting at 6:30 pm then the program. The meeting is free to all but you must register in advance.

Register

Cedar Hill Genealogy Society Monthly Program
2025-02-13 18:30 - 20:30
Topic: Researching Our Enslaved Ancestry

Speaker: Dr. Terry M Turner, Dallas Genealogical Society Secretary

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

This presentation provides a six-step framework for identifying enslaved ancestors through U.S. Census data, Freedmen’s Bureau records, and estate inventories, and DNA testing to uncover familial ties. By examining marriage histories, slave manifests, and regional records, Dr. Turner highlights methods to reconstruct family lines.

The program begins at 7:00pm and socializing starts at 6:30 PM for free genealogy help, and snacks. Admission is free and guests are always welcome. Learn More

Most Dr Turner’s family research is in Georgia, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Texas. He has been able to make family connections as far back as 1770 in Georgia. Dr. Turner found several of his great-grand parents beyond the 1870 brick wall before the Emancipation Proclamation.He is a member of the National Genealogy Society, National African American Genealogy Society, Texas State Genealogical Society, Dallas Genealogical Society, Dallas African American Genealogical Society, Georgia Genealogical Society, Oklahoma Genealogical Society, and Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).

DPL: Exploring Dallas Public Library's Digital Collections
2025-02-19 14:00 - 15:00 | 8th Floor – Genealogy Section, J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
Virtual & In-person

Dallas Public Library is proud to launch an updated digital collection, full of images and content to help you with your genealogy and historical research of Dallas and beyond! See how to search the updated collection in our new digital platform called ReCollect.

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Best Practices SIG
2025-02-22 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: Elizabeth Shown Mill’s FAN Club

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

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

Learn more about the Best Practices SIG.

JOIN CALL

Meeting ID: 882 7359 7058

Van Zandt County Monthly Meeting
2025-02-22 14:00 - 16:00
Speaker: Carrie Anne Wilson Woolverton

Topic: Researching Your Scottish and Irish Roots

Location: Main County Library, 317 First Monday Lane, Canton

A large percentage of American families have ancestors from Scotland and Ireland. Many of these immigrants eventually arrived in Texas. The resources available for those looking for Scottish and Irish ancestors have increased in recent years. Ms. Woolverton’s presentation will provide important information for both beginner genealogists and experienced researchers.

As with most of the Society’s events, the meeting is free, membership is not required, and refreshments will be served.

DPL: Meals & Memories: a Community Tasting for Black History Month
2025-02-22 16:00 - 18:00 | 7th Floor – O’Hara Hall – J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
In-person Only

Years of history and tradition are contained in the food we eat every day. Celebrate Black History Month with food, community, and conversation. Enjoy a selection of small plates inspired by a traditional Arkansan-brunch created by Dallas chef Shanay Wise of Catering Done Wisely.

Arrive early to scan and record family photos and memories on Dallas Public Library’s mobile Vivid-Pix Memory Station. Participants will get a free USB of their digitized memories.

Meals and Memories is a series of FREE programs designed to the honor family history & genealogy preserved in our ancestral foodways through food, conversation, and preservation. This after-hours series is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Dallas Public Library and the General Levi Casey Chapter, NSDAR.

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DGS General Meeting
2025-03-01 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: Kathleen Murray

Topic: Irish Research: Discovering a Family Left Behind

Using a case study of an 1857 Irish immigrant to America, selected Irish resources will be introduced. Both text and web-based resources will illustrate a range of records and tools readily available for your research.

JOIN THE CALL

Handout

Kathleen Murray holds a Certificate in Genealogical Studies from the University of Strathclyde and a PhD in Information Science from the University of North Texas. Before retiring in 2013, she conducted user studies for state and national digital library and Web archiving projects.She began researching her family history in 2003 and joined the Dallas Genealogical Society in 2009. She served as DGS vice-president in 2015-2016.Kathleen has presented research findings and educational programs at several local, regional, national, and international library and genealogy conferences.

DPL: Researching Texas Women
2025-03-05 14:00 - 15:00 | 8th Floor – Genealogy Section, J. Erik Jonnson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
Virtual & In-person

In honor of Texas Independence Day and Women’s History Month, we will discuss methods and methodology for researching your female ancestors in Texas. Learn about search strategies for searching online, and different traditional and non-traditional resources that you may use for uncovering the hidden history of Texas women.

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RootsTech
2025-03-06 00:00 - 2025-03-08 23:59
Join the world’s largest family discovery event

Plus an on-demand learning library available anytime

Brought to you by FamilySearch

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German Genealogy Group
2025-03-08 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 Meisner

Topic: Researching Bavarian Ancestors

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. Contact: ggg@dallasgenealogy.org. Learn more about the German Genealogy Group

JOIN CALL

Handout

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

Mesquite Historical & Genealogical Society Meeting
2025-03-13 18:30 - 20:00
Virtual

Speaker: Emily Coffman Richardson

Topic: Expanding Horizons: Local to International Genealogical Learning

Most individuals for whom genealogy is a hobby utilize their local genealogy society as place to go for education. However, even before the Zoom phenomenon, there were opportunities for learning from regional, state, national and international genealogical societies. This presentation will (re)introduce the participant to the multitude of learning experiences that are each uniquely designed and available to both the hobbyist and the professional genealogist.

Meet and greet at 6:00 pm with short business meeting at 6:30 pm then the program. The meeting is free to all but you must register in advance.

Register

Cedar Hill Genealogy Society Monthly Program
2025-03-13 18:30 - 20:30
Topic: Tracing Your Family History on the US Census

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

Help for those just starting their family history research and a refresher for the rest of us. This class will get you started using the US Census — the go to source for finding family. We will start with a short lesson on US Census basics, then we will go to the computers for some real-world researchBring your family information on paper, laptop (encouraged) or flash drive to our meeting and one of our genealogy detectives will work with you. Don’t have anything at all? We’ll give you a free USB memory stick containing our Genealogy Society starter kit, and help you start filling it.

This event is made possible through our partnership with the Traphene Hickman Library. The program begins at 7:00pm and socializing starts at 6:30 PM for free genealogy help, and snacks. Admission is free and guests are always welcome. Learn More

Cedar Hill Genealogy Society Monthly Program
2025-05-08 18:30 - 20:00
Speaker: Patti Gillespie

Topic: Birth to Death and In-Between: Finding, Using, and Integrating Religious Records in the United States

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

So much information and so little time! Religious records are another document group that sometimes seems complicated to find and use.

In this presentation, Patti will give us:

an overview with specific examples

why we want to look for religious records

what sorts of records might be found

who might be included in them

where to look for these documents

This presentation will simplify your religious records search experience.

This event is made possible through our partnership with the Traphene Hickman Library. The program begins at 7:00pm and socializing starts at 6:30 PM for free genealogy help, and snacks. Admission is free and guests are always welcome. Learn More

Patti brings energy and humor to her classes. She is a believer in lifetime learning and inclusive presenting. An avid hobby genealogist for 30 years, Patti formed Family Lines & Stories, her own research company, 9 years ago. She stays busy researching for clients and speaking to groups, small and large, in and out of Texas. She continues as 5th term president of Wise County Genealogical Society while waiting for a willing soul to step up. A former teacher of French & English, Patti very much enjoys presenting.

Spring Seminar
2025-03-15 09:30 - 15:30 | 1st Floor – Auditorium, J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
Presenters: The Ulster Historical Foundation, Fintan Mullan & Gillian Hunt

Topic: Honoring Your Shamrocks: Researching All Your Irish Ancestors

Sessions

Intro to Irish and Scots-Irish Family History Research

Using Land Records, Griffith’s Valuation, Tithe & Estate Records

Census Substitutes & Other Important Sources for the 18th & 19th Centuries

Emigration from the North of Ireland to North America

MORE INFO

REGISTER
