KINSEEKERS promotes learning about genealogy and family history.
Our programs are free and open to the public.
Come check us out and see what we have to offer.
We meet at 10:30AM on the 2nd Saturday of the month (October - June)
at the Leesburg Public Library, 100 E Main St, Leesburg, Florida 34748.
New meeting day: 2nd Saturday of the Month
Next Meet-Up: Saturday, 13 October at 10:30.
DNA Workshops!
Saturday, 16 June (see times below)
Leesburg Public Library
We are offering two unique DNA classes the afternoon of Saturday, June 16th. (This is in addition to our regular monthly program at 10:30am that morning.)
Space for these two sessions is limited, as attendees will be seated at tables. Both sessions are free and open to the public, but pre-registration is recommended to guarentee a seat.
The classes are on very different topics, geared to different skill levels:
1. UNDERSTANDING YOUR DNA HEALTH REPORTS (1:15-2:15)
[No DNA experience required]
Do you have a health report from 23 & Me or Promethease? Are you thinking of ordering one? Learn how to understand and talk to your doctors about your results.
Lecture Outline/Summary:
Learn how to read your health report from 23 & Me or Promethease.
Learn how to analyze the magnitude, position, and frequency.
Find out what the Human Genome Project has discovered about specific genetically linked traits and diseases.
Discover how to talk to your doctor about the results.
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2. GEDMATCH (2:30-3:30)
[Recommended only for those already familiar with autosomal analysis. You will need to have at least a free GedMatch account established in order to follow along. Having a DNA kit’s raw data uploaded to GedMatch is highly advised, but not required.]
Learn how to use GedMatch to organize and analyze your DNA results. Bring your laptop, your DNA results, and learn how to use the chromosome browser and other free tools offered by GedMatch.
Lecture Outline/Summary:
How do you download raw data and upload to GedMatch?
Features of the home page
Free side vs tier-one membership
One-to-many matches and how to read GedMatch charts
One-to-one matches
Multiple kit analysis
Admixture
Other cool features
Tracking, organizing, and analyzing matches
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To register, send an email to ContactUs@Kinseekers.org. Indicate which session(s) you are attending.
Presenter is Kelli Bergheimer; BS (Biology), MEd, MSM, PhD Candidate; Chair of the Central Ohio DNA Interest Group.
June Meet-Up
How to Clear the Mess on Your Desk
Saturday, 16 June at 10:30
Leesburg Public Library (Meeting Room A)
The time it takes to digitize and organize will save time in the future. Learn tips and tricks to organize your papers, photos, documents, research, DNA cousins, research trips, and digital records. Learn some common backup tools to protect what you have acquired. Organize yourself in a way that leaves you more time for the fun stuff of genealogy-- sharing, publishing, and finding even more!
Presented by Kelli Bergheimer
, MEd, MSM, currently pursuing a PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Kelli is a writer, teacher, editor, and national speaker.
The DNA SIGs will meet before hand from 9:00-10:15 in Meeting Room A at the Leesburg Public Library.
The WikiTree SIG will meet: 9:00 -10:15 in the library's Tech Room (upstairs). This session is geared towards those already using WikiTree. Bring laptop. (There will not be a demo for beginners or afternoon SIG meeting.)
May Meet-Up
FamilySearch Research WikiSaturday, 19 May at 10:30
Leesburg Public Library (Meeting Room A)
Did you know that FamilySearch.org has a Research Wiki? With over 85,000 articles, their Research Wiki is an incredible, but often overlooked, resource. It can help you learn where and how to search for information that can lead to all kinds of new family discoveries. Join us for an introduction, tour, and sharing of tricks and tips that will help you get the most out of the FamilySearch Research Wiki.
Presented by genealogist and speaker LuAnn Erlich.
(Some of you may remember the outstanding program LuAnn gave on Find-A-Grave a couple years ago. We're thrilled to bring her back!)
The DNA SIGs will meet before hand from 9:00 - 10:15 in Meeting Room A at the Leesburg Public Library.
The WikiTree SIG will meet for two sessions in the 2nd Floor Tech Room of the Leesburg Public Library. The first from 9:00-10:00 is for those just getting started (less than five profiles created); the second from 1-3pm for a more general Question and Answer period.
April Meet-Up (Program Change!)
Turn Family History Facts into Stories You Can Share
Saturday, 21 April at 10:30.
Leesburg Public Library (Meeting Room A)
Genealogists accumulate a lot of facts – but the rest of the world wants to hear stories. Does the idea of trying to tell the stories of your ancestors seem like too big a job? Two simple principles can get you started writing your family stories: look at what the facts imply and “take small bites.”
Presented by professional genealogist and nationally acclaimed speaker, Annette Burke Lyttle.
The DNA SIGs will meet before hand from 9:00 - 10:15 in Meeting Room A at the Leesburg Public Library.
The WikiTree SIG will meet for two sessions in the 2nd Floor Tech Room of the Leesburg Public Library. The first from 9:00-10:00 is for those just getting started (less than five profiles created); the second from 1-3pm for a more general Question and Answer period.
New Feature!
Weekly Genealogy Chats
Every Monday, 10:30 - 12:30
Florida Porch Cafe at 706 W Main St, Leesburg.
This is a 'come when you want' weekly get-together to discuss anything genealogy related.
Questions? Brick walls in your research? A new online resource to share? A major discovery you're excited about? Then stop in, grab a cup of coffee, and join the conversation. Better yet, stay for lunch; the food is great!.
March Meet-Up
Protecting Your Family Heirlooms and Genealogy Research from Disasters
Saturday, 17 March at 10:30
Leesburg Public Library (Meeting Room A)
Hurricanes. Tornados. Fire. Flooding. These are just some of the events that can wreck havoc on treasured family history items and research.
Professional achivist Kevin Arms will discuss ways to protect your family photos, documents, and heirlooms before, during, and after a disaster.
Our DNA SIG will meet beforehand from 9:00 - 10:15 in Meeting Room A.
The WikiTree SIG has been postponed to March 24th. They will meet in the 2nd Floor Tech Room from 9:00 to 10:15 for new Wikitree Accounts and from 1:00 - 3:00 for regular Q&A.
February Meet-up
How Research Plans Can Up Your Genealogical Game
Saturday, 17 Feb at 10:30.
Leesburg Public Library (Meeting Room A)
Research is more effective and productive if we take a little time to make a plan before we dive in. Learn the steps and techniques of research planning that will save you time and frustration. Using a research plan helps in all areas of genealogy, be it seeking an elusive vital record, identifying DNA connections, or even breaking down a brick wall.
Presented by professional genealogist and nationally acclaimed speaker, Annette Burke Lyttle.
Our DNA and WikiTree SIGs will meet before hand from 9:00 - 10:15. DNA will be in Meeting Room A and WikiTree in the 2nd Floor Tech Room, both at the Leesburg Public Library.
January Meet-Up
Understanding and Using Your Autosomal DNA ResultsSaturday, 20 Jan at 10:30.
Leesburg Public Library (Meeting Room A)
We're bringing back Genetic Genealogy expert and nationally acclaimed speaker, Drew Smith, to talk about Autosomal DNA. If you have tested with AncestryDNA or one of the other testing companies, are thinking about it, or simply want to understand why so many genealogists are excited about DNA testing, don't miss this program. Autosomal DNA test results not only provide clues to your heritage, they can help fill the spaces in your family tree. Learn to interpret the results and then make successful contact with matches.
Don't forget: We now offer a DNA SIG (Special Interest Group)! They meet the same day as our monthly program, from 9:00 - 10:15 in Meeting Room A at the Leesburg Public Library.
December Program & Annual Meeting
Thank you(!) to Kristin Barcomb for her presentation "The Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) and Internet Archive." Most of our members were unfamiliar with these two fantastic free resources. Kristin provided an overview of both sites and illustrated how we can use them to discover unique nuggets of our family history.
At our Annual Business Meeting, members voted to approve the proposed Interim By-Laws and elected our Officers for 2018.
Congratulations to:
President: Bob Schultz
Vice President: Kevin Arms
Treasurer: Debi Hoag
Secretary: Kristin Barcomb
Great Kick-Off for Our 2017-2018 Season!
Thank you to Debi Hoag for an outstanding presentation on
WikiTree, The World's Free, Collaborative, Online Family Tree. As a WikiTree Genealogist, Project Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, and Leader, Debi brought a unique and detailed understanding of WikiTree and how it can help us advance our family history research. Member response was so positive, we are starting a WikiTree special interest group (SIG). We'll share the details as soon as they are avaialble.
Society members can access her handouts and presentation slides in the "downloads" section of the Members Only tab.
Announcing A New Membership Benefit
We've partnered with Internet Genealogy magazine to offer a new membership benefit!
When you join KINSEEKERS, we'll present you a free issue of Internet Genealogy (a $6.95 value).
Inside, you'll find a special one year subscription offer to this bi-monthly magazine for only $20 (regularly $27.95). If you are already a subscriber, they will extend your subscription at this rate by one year.
Already a member? Come to our next meeting to receive your complimentary issue!
OCTOBER MEET-UP (WELCOME BACK!)
Join us on Saturday, 21 October as we kick-off our 2017-18 season with a great program.
WikiTree: The World's Free, Collaborative, Online Family Tree.
Over 426,000 genealogists world-wide are using DNA and traditional genealogical sources to create an accurate single family tree.
You can use WikiTree as your primary online family tree or simply as another tool to help further your own family history research.
Our presenter is Debi Hoag, who holds a Leader role at WikiTree. She co-leads the Profile Improvement Project, an initiative to ensure accurate supporting documentation for WikiTree entries. She also serves on many of WikiTree's functional projects.
In addition to our featured presentation, we have some exciting announcements to share: a new membership benefit, Special Interest Group (SIG) initiatives, and a wide range of volunteer opportunities. Come reconnect with genealogy friends and welcome new members.
Start time is 9:30am. Location is Meeting Room A of the Leesbug Public Library.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Kevin Arms, a librarian, archivist, and faculty member at Lake Sumter State College, has been awarded a much deserved scholarship by the Florida State Genealogical Society. Titled the Charlotte Reels Duvall/FSGS Librarian Scholarship, it is awarded to selected librarians to support their attendance at a genealogical conference or genealogical research institute. Congrats, Kevin!
Kinseekers thanks the FSGS for providing such a great opportunity for librarians to expand their genealogical education. Librarian Kevin Arms is a great supporter of our local genealogical community!
