Kinseekers Genealogical Society of Lake County Florida
Kinseekers Genealogical Society of Lake County Florida
Welcome to KINSEEKERS Genealogical Society
Family History connects us. 
To our ancestors. To who we are. To each other.  
 
All experience levels welcome.
 
Theme for 2024-2025 Season: A Focus on Records
 
Scroll below to see details about current and upcoming programs.
 

 
Florida State Genalogical Society Logo 
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  Leesburg Public Library logo
Proud to partner with the Leesburg Public Library
in offering genealogy and family history programs.
LPL is a FamilySearch Affiliate Library. This 
means enhanced access to FamilySearch records!
 
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Pastfinders is our sister society, located in Clermont.
Visit their website for their full schedule of events: pastfindersslc.org.
 
 
 

MEMBERS:
September Update was emailed 5 Sep. 
(Please check your spam file if you didn't receive it.)

 

OCTOBER PROGRAM

The Impact of US Railroads on Family History
Saturday, 19 October 
10:30am - 11:30 am (Eastern Time) via Zoom
Meet 'n Greet starts at 10:15am.
Register here.
 
 We often don't think about railroad records unless our ancestors actually worked on the railroads.
 
And yet, the railroads influenced migration choices, business & job opportunities, a community's growth & its neighborhoods, legal & government actions, and much more. 
 
Join us to discover how these records can provide new insights into your family's history.
 
For those with ancestors who were railroad workers, you'll also learn how these records can tell you more about their experience.
 
 
Presented by Kim S. Harrison. Her genealogy career has included working for major information providers such as Ancestry, ProQuest, and NewsBank; serving in multiple society leadership positions; and lobbying to ensure the retention of Railroad Pension Application files at the National Archives.
 


Family Tree Maker Course (Free)

NEW COURSE STARTS IN MID-OCTOBER!        
                                               
EVENING Course - Starts 15 Oct                          
1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 7:00 - 8:30pm (ET) via Zoom
 
DAYTIME Course - Starts 18 Oct
1st & 3rd Fridays, 11:00am - 12:30pm (ET) via Zoom                                                                                                                                     
This free 21-session course runs from mid-October through August 2025.
Attend all or some classes.
 
Non-members are welcome.  The course provides a deep dive into Family Tree Maker, the world’s most popular genealogy software. Classes include live demos, questions are encouraged, and troubleshooting tips shared. 
 
There is not a set schedule of topics, as the class pace is dependent on the input and feedback of participants. Led by Roger Goddard.
 
Non-Members: Register by emailing FTM@Kinseekers.org.
Members: Access via the link in the Members Area (under "Zoom Links").
(Society membership includes a significant discount on the FTM software. Details are under Member Perks in the Members Area.)
 
This course is separate from the FTM Special Interest Group (SIG).
 


Black Family History SIG

Black Family History (1900 - 1950) 

Monthly, 3rd Saturdays.
10:30 - 11:30am (Eastern Time) via Zoom.
Led by Charles Wilson
 
Meetings alternate between book discussions and focusing on records. Saturday, 26 Oct is a book discussion on "The Color of Law" by Richard Rothstein. 
 
Open to all. Non-members welcome. Register here.
 
 
 

 

Citation Anxiety SIG

1st Mondays, 1:30 - 2:30 (Eastern Time) via Zoom
Next session: 4 November  
Register here
 
Do you get flustered trying to create record citations? This group is here to help. This is an informal discussion group focused on citing sources. 
 
We are a friendly "safe space" for those new to citations and those already familiar with the basics of documenting sources. Open to all.
 
We primarily reference the 4th Edition of Evidence Explained by Elisabeth Shown Mills. (You are not required to have a copy in order to participate, though you may find it helpful.)
 

 

Military Records & Research SIG (WWI/WW2)

2nd Mondays, 1:30 - 2:45 (Eastern Time) via Zoom
Led by KB Barcomb
 
This is an informal and collaborative discussion group focusing on WWI and WW2 military records and research methodology. Open to all.
 
Want to learn more about a U.S. military ancestor? This group is here to help. Love military records and research? Let's talk analysis, resources, and methods.
 
Next session: Monday 14 Oct. Register here.
Topic: Attendee submitted questions plus previous questions on WW2 US Navy ancestors. 
 
 

 

Family Tree Maker SIG

DAYTIME SESSION       
2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 11:00am - 12:00pm (Eastern Time) via Zoom
 
EVENING SESSION                              
2nd & 4th Thursdays, 7:00 - 8:00pm (Eastern Time) via Zoom
 
This is an informal discussion and help session for those using FTM genealogy software or thinking about using it. Ask questions, share tips, learn from one another. All are welcome!
 
Non-Members: Register by emailing FTM@Kinseekers.org.
Members: Access via the link in the Members Area (under "Zoom Links").
(Society membership includes a significant discount on the FTM software. Details are under Member Perks in the Members Area.)
                                                                                                

 

Genealogy Help

Wednesdays 
10:00 am - 1:00 pm (Eastern Time)
In-person, Leesburg Public Library 
 
Society volunteers, in partnership with the Leesburg Public Library, are offering free genealogy assistance every week in the library's genealogy area.
 
No registration or appointment needed. Simply walk-in.
 
 
 

 

Black Family History Seminar (1900-1950)

 
Saturday, 28 September. Co-hosted with the Leesburg Public Library.
 
The following recordings from this event will be posted in the Members Area soon:
 
- Children in the Archives: Researching Black Youth, 1900-1950 
presented by Adrienne Whaley
 
Black War Workers of WW2: Context, Records, & Resources 
presented by KB Barcomb
 
Taneya Y. Koonce's presentation Beyond Boundaries: The Impact of Redlining on Family History is being rescheduled due to Hurricane Helene. (Stay tuned!)
 
The presentation by Col Edna W Cummings is available via the fabulous National WW2 Museum:


Latest News
Virtual
Programs are
via Zoom,
except GenHelp & select events.
Support our Programming
New Board Member
Allen Foote
was appointed on 9 Aug. Welcome!
Genealogy Help
In-person GenHelp on most Wednesdays, 10am - 1pm at the Leesburg Public Library.
Date Change!
October Program
will be Sat, 19 Oct
(Our regular meeting date falls on Yom Kippur).
AT - A - GLANCE
All events are EASTERN TIME
Genealogy Help
CANCELLED for Wed, 9 Oct. Library closed due to weather
Family Tree Maker SIG (Daytime)
Wed, 9 Oct
11:00am - 12:00.
NOT impacted by the weather.
All are welcome!
Family Tree Maker SIG (Evening)
Thur, 10 Oct
7:00 - 8:00pm.
NOT impacted by the weather.
Open to all.
Military Records & Research SIG
Monday, 14 Oct
1:30 - 2:45pm
Open to all!
FTM Course (Evening)
Tue, 15 October
7:00 - 8:30pm
Free & Open to All!
Genealogy Help
Wed, 16 Oct
10:00 - 1:00
Leesburg Library
Walk-In's Welcome
Board Meeting
Wed, 16 Oct.
2:00 - 3:00pm
Members welcome!
FTM Course (Daytime)
Fri, 18 October
11:00 - 12:30pm
Open to all!
OCTOBER PROGRAM
Saturday, 19 Oct
10:30 - 11:30 am
"The Impact of US Railroads on Family History"
presented by
Kim S Harrison.
Open to all.
Genealogy Help
Wed, 23 Oct
10:00am - 1:00pm
Leesburg Library
Walk-In's Welcome
Family Tree Maker SIG (Daytime)
Wed, 23 Oct
11:00am -12:00pm
Open to all.
Family Tree Maker SIG (Evening)
Thur, 24 Oct
7:00 - 8:00pm
Open to all.
Black Family History SIG (1900 - 1950)
Saturday, 26 Oct
10:30 - 11:30am
Book discussion:
"The Color of Law"
Open to all!
Genealogy Help
Wed, 30 Oct
10:00 - 1:00
Leesburg Library
Walk-In's Welcome
Citation Anxiety SIG
Mon, 4 Nov
1:30 - 2:30pm
Open to all!
NOVEMBER PROGRAM
Saturday, 9 Nov
10:30 - 11:30 am
"The Impact of Weather on
Family History"
presented by
Sydney Lybrand.
Open to all.