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:
December Update was emailed 5 December.
(Please check your spam file if you didn't receive it.)
Also posted under Handouts and Updates in the Members Area.

 

DECEMBER PROGRAM

Exploring the National Archives Website for Family History Research
Saturday, 14 December
10:30am - 11:45am, Sign-in starts 15-min prior. (Join early and say hello!) 
Register here.
 
This presentation will explain the ins and outs of federal government records and show you some of the great family history resources on the National Archives website. We'll explore the online catalog and learn how to make connections between the catalog with what's online at Ancestry, FamilySearch, and elsewhere.
 
Marisa Louie Lee is a professional researcher who specializes in federal government records. Having worked for the National Archives in San Francisco, she is intimately familiar with navigating the National Archives catalog and related online databases. 
 

 

NOVEMBER PROGRAM - Recording Posted!

The Impact of Weather on Family History
Saturday, 9 November
The recording of this amazing program has now been posted in the Members Area.
 
Weather-related events altered the lives, and livelihoods, of individuals, families, and even communities. Weather also served as a backdrop to daily lives of our ancestors, impacting them in ways we might not have thought of. Learn about the many resources and ways we can gain new insights into weather of the past.
 
Sydney Lybrand is a scientist specializing in analysis of precipitation data. She holds a bachelor's degree in Earth System Science and a master's degree in Atmospheric Science. She is also passionate about history and the role of weather in both historic events and every day lives.
 

 

Family Tree Maker Course

This FREE course started in mid-October  (Join anytime)       
                                               
EVENING Course                            
1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 7:00 - 8:30pm (ET) via Zoom
Session 3 recording is now available in the members area. 
 
DAYTIME Course 
1st & 3rd Fridays, 11:00am - 12:30pm (ET) via Zoom   
Session 2 recording is now available in the members area. 
 
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).
 


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 9 Dec. Register HERE.
Primary topic: Newspapers.
Questions on other WWI & WW2 topics are welcome!
 
 

 

Black Family History SIG (1900-1950)

3rd Saturdays, 10:30-11:30am (Eastern Time) via Zoom
Led by Charles Wilson
Next session: 21 December. Register here.
 
This group focuses on Black family history during the pivotal decades from 1900 to 1950.  We encourage and collaborate with each other to explore and document the rich family histories generated during this era. Non-members welcome!
 
Recordings & handouts from the Black Family History Seminar held in September are available in the Members Area of our website through 31 Aug 2024.
 
Seminar topics were:
-  Researching Black Youth, 1900-1950  (Adrienne Whaley)
-  Black War Workers of World War II (KB Barcomb)
 Legacy of Black Women in World War II (E W Cummings) [View here]
-  Redlining (Taneya Koonce) - Delayed. Date TBA.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Citation Anxiety SIG

1st Mondays, 1:30 - 2:30 (Eastern Time) via Zoom
Next session: 2 December  
Register here
 
This is an informal discussion group focused on citing sources.
 
We primarily reference the 4th Edition of Evidence Explained by Elisabeth Shown Mills. (You are not required to have a copy to participate, though you may find it helpful.) We also suggest following the Evidence Explained page on Facebook and/or the Forum on EvidenceExplained.com.
 
Open to all.
 
 
 

 

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.
 
 
 

 

Latest News
Virtual
Programs are
via Zoom,
except GenHelp & select events.
Support our Programming
Genealogy Help
In-person Genealogy Help, Wednesdays 10:00am - 1:00pm
Leesburg Library.
AT - A - GLANCE
All events are EASTERN TIME
Genealogy Help
Wed, 4 Dec
10:00 - 1:00
Leesburg Library
FTM Course (Daytime)
Friday, 6 Dec
11:00 - 12:30pm
Free. Open to all!
Military Records & Research SIG
Monday, 9 Dec
1:30 - 2:45pm
Open to all!
Genealogy Help
Wed, 11 Dec
10:00 - 1:00
Leesburg Library
FTM SIG (Daytime)
Wed,11 Dec
11:00am - 12:00.
All are welcome!
Board Meeting
Date Change:
Thurs, 19 Dec
2:00 - 3:00pm
Members welcome
FTM SIG (Evening)
Thur, 12 Dec
7:00 - 8:00pm.
Open to all.
DECEMBER PROGRAM
Saturday, 14 Dec
10:30 - 11:30am
"Exploring the National Archives Website for Family History Research"
presented by
Marisa Louie Lee.
Open to all.
FTM Course (Evening)
Tue, 17 Dec
7:00 - 8:30pm
Free. Open to All!
Genealogy Help
Wed, 18 Dec
10:00am - 1:00pm
Leesburg Library
FTM Course (Daytime)
Fri, 20 Dec
11:00 - 12:30pm
Free. Open to all!
Black Family History SIG (1900 - 1950)
No Dec Meeting
JANUARY PROGRAM
"Creating an Online Family Archive with Permanent.org"
FEBRUARY PROGRAM
"Analyzing Research with Maps: Case Studies"
MARCH PROGRAM
"Using Social Security Records for Family History Research"
APRIL PROGRAM
"Using Labor & Employment Records for Family History Research"
MAY PROGRAM
"Finding Records You Didn't Know Existed"