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.
 
2025-2026 Theme: FAN* Clubs & Communities
(*FAN = Friends, Associates, & Neighbors)
 
Scroll below 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:  
May update was emailed to members on 6 May. 
(Please check your spam file if you don't receive it.)

 

MAY PROGRAM

Topic: US Public Health and 20th Century Family History
Saturday, 9 May, 10:30 - 11:45am (ET) via Zoom
The recording is available in the members area of the website thru 28 Jun 
 
Diseases, vaccinations, sanitation, health insurance, child health, maternal health, and even vehicle safety are among the many public health issues that impacted our ancestors and their communities.
 
This talk provides historical context for understanding how federal, state, and local public health programs evolved and how class, race, geographic location, environmental issues and dietary deficiences influenced health outcomes.
 
Learn how to use this information to discover records, newspapers, and other resources that can provide insights into the role public health played in the lives of your ancestors.
 
Lori Lyn Price, MAS, MLA, is a professional genealogist, speaker, and writer, as well as a career statistician in medical research. Her passion for social history and medicine is reflected in her current study of colonial medicine, medical opportunities for women in 1800s - early 1900s, and the 1918 flu pandemic. Kinseekers is excited to host the premier presentation of her newest program.
 


APRIL PROGRAM

Topic: Using WPA Records for Family History Research
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.
 


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: 1 Jun. 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: 8 June.  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: 20 Jun. Register here. 
 

 

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
 


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
AT - A - GLANCE
All events are EASTERN TIME
MAY PROGRAM
Saturday, 9 May
10:30 - 11:45 am
Public Health & Family History
Open to all.
NARA SIG
Monday, 18 May
7:00 - 8:30pm
Open to all!
FTM Course (Evening)
Tue, 19 May
7:00 - 8:30pm
Free. Open to All!
Genealogy Help
Wed, 20 May
10:00 - 1:00
Leesburg Library
Study Group: Scattered to Sorted
Tuesday, 26 May
7:00-9:00pm
(Study Group members only)
Genealogy Help
Wed, 27 May
10:00 - 1:00
Leesburg Library
FTM SIG (Daytime)
Wed, 27 May
11:00am - 12:00.
All are welcome!
FTM SIG (Evening)
Thur, 28 May
7:00 - 8:00pm.
Open to all.
Labor & Employment Records SIG
Thursday, 1 Jun
7:00 - 8:30pm.
Open to all.
FTM Course (Evening)
Tue, 2 Jun
7:00 - 8:30pm
Free. Open to All!
Genealogy Help
Wed, 3 Jun
10:00 - 1:00
Leesburg Library
FTM Course (Daytime)
Fri, 5 Jun
11:00 - 12:30pm
Free. Open to all!
Military SIG
Monday, 8 Jun
7:00 - 8:30pm
Open to all!
Study Group Help Session
Tuesday, 9 Jun
7:00 - 8:00pm
(Study Group members only)
FTM SIG (Daytime)
Wed, 10 Jun
11:00am - 12:00.
All are welcome!
Board Meeting
Thur, 11 Jun
2:00 - 3:00pm
Members welcome
(Link is in the Members Area)
FTM SIG (Evening)
Thur, 11 Jun
7:00 - 8:00pm.
Open to all.
FTM Course (Daytime)
Fri, 19 Jun
11:00 - 12:30pm
Free. Open to all!
Black Family History SIG (1900 - 1950)
Sat 20 Jun
10:30 - 11:30am
Open to all