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.
 
Scroll down to see details about our various programs
and Special Interest Groups (SIGs).
 

 

  
 
  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!
 
   
 
 
Pastfinders is our sister society, located in Clermont.
Visit their website for their full schedule of events: pastfindersslc.org.
 
 
 

MEMBERS:  
The latest update was emailed to members on 5 August. 
(Please check your spam file if you don't receive it.)

 

WELCOME BACK!

Register here.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Family History Seminar

Saturday, 10 October
10:30am - 3:30pm 
To attend via Zoom, register here
To attend in-person, contact the Leesburgh Public Library at 352.728.9790
(In-person attendees are encouraged to bring a bag lunch. Light refreshments, beverages and refrigerator access provided.) 

Over 16 million people served in the US Armed Forces during WW2. All of them did so in a segregated military.
 
Learn how segregation impacted their wartime and post-war experiences and how we can apply this broader understanding to our WW2 family history research.
 
Presented by Charles Wilson, our Black Family History SIG leader, and KB Barcomb, our WWI/WW2 SIG leader.
 
Charles is a retired US Naval Chaplain with over 20 years of active service with US Marine Corps and Naval forces. He is an alumnus of the 48-week Professional Genealogy (ProGen) Program.
 
KB is a retired US Army Logistics Officer with over 20 years of active service. A professional genealogist, she specializes in WWI and WW2 records, resources, and research methodolgy.
 

 

Family Tree Maker SIG

Led by Roger Goddard. Open to all.
 
DAYTIME:       
2nd Wednesdays, 11:00am - 12:00pm (Eastern Time) via Zoom
4th Wednesdays, 11:00am - 12:00pm (ET) via Zoom
 
EVENING:                              
2nd Thursdays, 7:00 - 8:00pm (Eastern Time) via Zoom
4th Thursdays, 7:00 - 8:00pm (ET) via Zoom
 
This informal discussion & help session is for those using FTM genealogy software or thinking about using it. 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.)
                                                                                                

 

Military Records & Research SIG (WWI/WW2)

2nd Mondays, 7:00pm - 8:30pm (Eastern Time) via Zoom
Led by KB Barcomb. Open to all.
 
 
This is an informal and collaborative discussion group focusing on WWI and WW2 military records and research methodology.
 
Questions on WWI & WW2 records and related topics are always welcome! Ask in the comment box when registering.  
 
Next session: 14 Sep.  Register here.
 
 

 

Black Family History SIG (1900-1950)

3rd Saturdays, 10:30 - 11:30 (Eastern Time) via Zoom
Led by Charles Wilson. Open to all.
 
This informal, diverse, and collaborative discussion group focuses on American History through the lens of Black family history during the decades from 1900s to 1950s.  
 
Special emphasis is given to understanding and applying historical context. Whereas documents give us data, history gives that data meaning. Even routine documents can provide important insights into how Black families navigated these pivotal decades. 
 
Next Session: Saturday 19 Sep: Register here.
Register via "Bonus Presentation" notice near top of home page.
 

 

NARA SIG

3rd Mondays, 7:00pm - 8:30pm (Eastern Time) via Zoom
Led by KB Barcomb. Open to all.
 
This is an informal and collaborative discussion group focusing on the US National Archvies (NARA). Open to all.
 
Have questions about the new catalog? Finding aids? Searching collections? Exploring the website's nooks & crannies? This group is here to help. 
 
Have NARA-related questions or suggested topics? Put them in the comment box when registering.
 
Next session: Monday 21 Sep. Register here.
 


Labor & Employment Records SIG


1st Mondays, 7:00pm - 8:30pm Eastern Time.                                                   
Led by Randall Dodds. Open to all.
 
This informal and collaborative discussion group focuses on researching ancestors in a wide variety of industries: agriculture, skilled trades, factories, and more.
 
If you have specific questions about labor and employment records, resources, or historical context, it helps if you submit them prior to the SIG. (Sooner is better.) Send them to Info.LaborSIG@gmail.com . We'll do our best to address all submissions.
 
Next session: 5 October(Not meeting in Sep. Enjoy your Labor Day!)
 

 

BONUS PRESENTATION

In conjuction with our Black Family History SIG
Saturday, 15 Aug at 10:30am ET via Zoom (3rd Saturday)
(Recording is posted in the Members Area.)
 
Redlining and Family History:
Understanding the System that Shaped Our Family's Addresses.
 
Don't miss this special program presented by Charles Wilson.
 
It is an exceptional example of how applying historical context and nuanced analysis to our research can lead to new and profound insights into family history.
 
Charles Wilson holds a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University and is an alumnus of the 12-month Professional Genealogist (ProGen) Study Group Program. He is also a retired Naval Chaplain and holds advanced degrees in ministry and theology.
 
Image Source: Mapping Inequality (CC-BY-NC) 


Family Tree Maker Course (via Zoom)

This 21-session course is updated for FTM's 2024 version. 
Free for members & non-members. Join anytime. Attend some or all sessions. 
                                                                                         
EVENING Course (started 6 Jan)                                       
1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 7:00 - 8:30pm (ET) 
 
DAYTIME Course (started 2 Jan)
1st & 3rd Fridays, 11:00am - 12:30pm (ET) 
 
The course provides a deep dive into Family Tree Maker, the world’s most popular genealogy software. Classes include live demos. 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). See SIG info below.
 


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.
FREE SEMINAR!
Saturday, 10 Oct
”WW2 Through the Lens of Segregated Service"
Support our Programming
AT - A - GLANCE
All events are EASTERN TIME
Board Meeting
Thur, 10 Sep
2:00 - 3:00pm
Members welcome
(Link is in the Members Area)
FTM SIG (Evening)
Thur, 10 Sep
7:00 - 8:00pm.
Open to all.
WWI/WWII SIG
Mon, 14 Sep
7:00 - 8:30pm
Open to all!
FTM Course (Evening)
Tue,15 Sep
7:00 - 8:30pm
Free. Open to All!
Genealogy Help
Wed, 16 Sep
10:00 - 1:00
Leesburg Library
FTM Course (Daytime)
Fri, 18 Sep
11:00 - 12:30pm
Free. Open to all!
Black Family History SIG (1900 - 1950)
Sat,19 Sep
10:30 - 11:30am
Open to all.
NARA SIG
Mon 21 Sep
7:00 - 8:30pm
Open to all!
Genealogy Help
Wed, 23 Sep
10:00 - 1:00
Leesburg Library
FTM SIG (Daytime)
Wed, 23 Sep
11:00am - 12:00.
All are welcome!
FTM SIG (Evening)
Thur, 24 Sep
7:00 - 8:00pm.
Open to all.
New Season Kick-Off!
Sat, 28 Sep
7:00 - 8:00pm
(Followed by Annual Members Meeting)
Genealogy Help
Wed, 30 Sep
10:00 - 1:00
Leesburg Library
FTM Course (Evening)
Tue, 6 Oct
7:00 - 8:30pm
Free. Open to All!
FTM Course (Daytime)
Fri, 2 Oct
11:00 - 12:30pm
Free. Open to all!
Labor & Employment Records SIG
Mon, 5 Oct
7:00 - 8:00pm
Open to all.
Genealogy Help
Wed, 7 Oct
10:00 - 1:00
Leesburg Library
FTM SIG (Daytime)
Wed, 7 Oct
11:00am - 12:00.
All are welcome!