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Lake County Research

Welcome to KINSEEKERS Genealogical Society

Family History connects us.

To our ancestors. To who we are. To each other.

All experience levels welcome.

2025-2026 Theme: FAN* Clubs & Communities

(*FAN = Friends, Associates, & Neighbors)

Scroll below to see details about our various programs

and Special Interest Groups (SIGs).


		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:

April updates/handout were emailed to members on 17 Apr.

(Please check your spam file if you don't receive it.)

Updates are also posted under Handouts and Updates in the Members Area.

APRIL PROGRAM

Topic: Using WPA Records for Family History Research

Saturday, 18 April, 10:30 - 11:45 am (ET) via Zoom.

The recording is available in the members area of the website thru 2 Jun .

Whether you're researching Depression-era ancestors & their communities, or looking for historical context in the 1930s & early 40s, you're likely to make new (and possibly surprising) discoveries in the unbelievably broad range of records and products produced by the Works Progress Administration.

This lecture discusses the history of the WPA and its major projects; various finding aides for locating and navigating collections; and how you can use this information to further your family history research.

Sharon Batiste Gillins, has been involved in genealogical research and education for over 30 years. A retired college educator, she uses her professional experience to provide highly informative and engaging lectures on genealogy topics. Her focus is on teaching strategies reseachers can use to extract and analyze information from a wide variety of underutilized resources. She has taught at many of the country's most recognized genealogy conferences and institutes. Kinseekers is excited to host her as one of this season's speakers.

Family Tree Maker Course (via Zoom)

OUR MOST POPULAR PROGRAM IS BACK!

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.

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 18 May. Register here.

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.)

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: 25 Apr. Register here. (link has been corrected)

Labor & Employment Records SIG

1st Mondays, 7:00pm - 8:30pm Eastern Time.

DATE CHANGE FOR MAY ONLY: Thur 7 May

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: 7 May. Register here.

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: 11 May. Register here.

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.

MARCH PROGRAM - cancelled

We apologize for the inconvenience, but our guest speaker program for this month is cancelled. We're working to provide a make-up program later this season.