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.
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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.
May Update was emailed 6 May.
(Please check your spam file if you didn't receive it.)
Also posted under Handouts and Updates in the Members Area.
JUNE PROGRAM - DOUBLE HEADER
Join us as we wrap up our 2024-2025 season with this special event.
Saturday, 14 Jun, 10:30am-12:30pm.
(Please sign-in between 10:15 &10:25 - Eastern Time)
Via Zoom. Register here. (Link coming shortly; delayed due to technical difficulties.)
Our theme this year was '
A Focus on Records,' so we're featuring two programs that discuss how knowing historical context can help us locate and better analyze records related to our ancestors
WWI Women's Registration Card Collections:
The Largest Census of US Women You Never Heard Of
This session discusses the history of the WWI-era Woman's Committee of the Council of National Defense and the more than 4,000,000 women's registration cards they created. It covers where to find cards that still exist and how to use them to further your family history research (even if your state's cards are missing).
Viewing Events Through the Lens of Family History Research: The Forgotten Turbulence of 1919-1921
Although largely forgotten, the First Red Scare, Red Summer, and the Recession of 1920-1921 were the headlines of their day. This session illustrates how to look at historical events through the lens of family history research so as to identify how they may have impacted your ancestors (directly and indirectly).
Amber Oldenburg is a genealogist, lecturer, and social media manager with a degree in Family History Research from Brigham Young University-Idaho. She is currently working toward professional accrediation via ICAPGen (the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists) in the Great Lakes region
KB Barcomb is a military historian and genealogist specializing in WWI & WW2 records, resources, and research methodology. She has taught for several family history institutes and is the programs coordinator for Kinseekers, where she also facilitates a Military Records & Research SIG and a National Archives (NARA) SIG.
MAY PROGRAM
Finding Records You Didn't Know Existed
Saturday, 10 May via Zoom.
10:30am - 11:30am Eastern Time.
Join at 10:15 for informal welcomes.
Program recording & handout is available in the members area through 10 June.
Isn't this the best title?!
Join us for a program designed to help you find hidden treasures in places you may not normally look. Learn how to locate these records and collections via a variety of online resources and tools. Special emphasis is on discovering items that provide deeper insights into understanding the lives of your ancestors.
Lisa Oberg, MLIS, specializes in applying her skills and expertise as senior special collections librarian to help others further their family history research. She has been researching her own family history since the age of twelve. She also curates an amazing blog dedicated to Base Hospital No. 50 (WWI).
APRIL PROGRAM
Using Employment & Labor Records for Family History Research
Saturday, 12 April (This is a 90 minute program, incl Q&A)
Program recording & handout is available in the members area through 31 Aug.
Researching our ancestors' employment isn't just about finding facts, it's about gaining new insights and perspectives into
a key aspect of their daily life. This program not only discusses the context and impact of various industries, it provides guidance on using an
amazing array of records and sources.
Topics include:
- general sources for occupations
- a wide variety of industries (incl. railroads, mining, automotive, assembly line work, trucking, garment factories, photography, funeral homes, civil service, farming)
- union sources and repositories
- New Deal programs (WPA & CCC)
Madeline Yanov has over 30 years experience in family history research. She has a professional background as a paralegal who specialized in legal discovery and has degrees in both history and political science. This combination makes her exceptionally skilled at locating information while also analyzing its context. We have seen this presentation and are excited to share it with you. It is informative, detailed, and will leave you eager to explore this critical part of your ancestors' lives.
! NEW SIG - Coming in June
We're excited to announce a new and unique Special Interest Group:
Employment & Labor Records SIG
1st Mondays, 6:30pm - 7:30pm Eastern Time.
Led by Randall Dodds. Open to all.
Join us for the kick-off on 2 June.
More details and the registration link will be posted soon.
Family Tree Maker SIG
Led by Roger Goddard. Open to all.
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 informal discussion & help session fis or 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)
NEW TIME
2nd Mondays, 6:30pm - 7:45pm (Eastern Time) via Zoom
Led by KB Barcomb. Open to all.
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This is an informal and collaborative discussion group focusing on WWI and WW2 military records and research methodology.
Next session: 9 Jun. (No meeting in May.)
Topic: To be announced.
Questions on other WWI & WW2 related topics are also welcome! Ask in the comment box when registering.
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 pivotal decades from 1900 to 1950.
Next Session:
17 May. Register
here.
Topic: Continue our discussion on researching Black Workers.
Reminder: Recordings & handouts from the Black Family History Seminar held in September are available in the Members Area of our website through 31 Aug 2025.
- Researching Black Youth, 1900-1950 (Adrienne Whaley)
- Black War Workers of World War II (KB Barcomb)
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Legacy of Black Women in World War II (E W Cummings) [View
here]
NARA SIG
NEW TIME
3rd Mondays, 6:30pm - 7:30pm (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 its catalog? Finding aids? Searching collections? Exploring the website's nooks and crannies? This group is here to help.
Next session: Monday 16 June. (No meeting in May)
Have other NARA-related questions or suggested topics? Put them in the comment box when registering.
Family Tree Maker Course (via Zoom)
This FREE course started in mid-October (Join anytime)
EVENING Course
1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 7:00 - 8:30pm (ET)
Session 13 recording now posted in the members area.
DAYTIME Course
1st & 3rd Fridays, 11:00am - 12:30pm (ET)
Session 13 recording now posted in the members area.
This free 21-session course runs from mid-October through August 2025. Attend all or some classes.
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).
Genealogy Help
Wednesdays
10:00 am - 1:00 pm (Eastern Time)
In-person, Leesburg Public Library
NOTE:
Not available 14 and 21 May
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.
