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 our various programs
and Special Interest Groups (SIGs).
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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.
July Update was emailed 6 July.
(Please check your spam file if you didn't receive it.)
Also posted under Handouts and Updates in the Members Area.
FOCUS GROUP: 2025-2026 Season
Every summer we develop our next season's theme and program line-up based on member input. These one-hour sessions are the heart of that effort. Do you ideas or recommendations? This is the perfect forum for sharing.
Attend one or both sessions. (Members Only)
Sunday, 20 July at 6:30pm ET. Register
here. (Link updated 13 Jul)
Monday, 21 July at 1:30pm ET. Register
here. (Link updated 13 Jul)
Military Records & Research SIG (WWI/WW2)
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.
Questions on WWI & WW2 records and related topics are always welcome! Ask in the comment box when registering.
Next session: 14 July. Register here.
Topic: Submissions, plus a discussion on IDPFs.
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:
19 Jul. Register
here.
Reminder: The following recordings & handouts from the Black Family History Seminar held last 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]
JULY PROGRAM - DOUBLE HEADER!
Recordings will be available by 20 Jul. (Our recording elf is away this week.)
Saturday, 12 July, 10:30am-12:30pm.
Via Zoom
Our theme this year is 'A Focus on Records,' so we're wrapping up the season by featuring 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).
The Forgotten Turbulence of 1919-1921:
Viewing Events Through the Lens of Family History Research
Although often eclipsed by later events, the Recession of 1920-1921, the First Red Scare, and Red Summer were among the major 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 specializes in WWI & WW2 - era records, resources, and research methodology. She has taught for several family history institutes and is the programs coordinator for Kinseekers. She also facilitates our Military Records & Research SIG and our National Archives (NARA) SIG.
NARA SIG
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 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 July. Register here.
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.)
EMPLOYMENT & LABOR RECORDS SIG
1st Mondays, 6:30pm - 7:30pm Eastern Time.
Led by Randall Dodds. Open to all.
This is informal and collaborative discussion group focuses on researching ancestors in a wide variety of industries: agriculture, skilled trades, factories, and more.
Questions on employment & labor records, resources, or historical context are always welcome! Ask in the comment box when registering.
Next session:
4 August. Register here.This session will include a discussion on WPA records!
RECORDING OF APRIL PROGRAM
Using Employment & Labor Records for Family History Research
This special 90-minute program, presented by Mandeline Yanov, is available for member viewing through 31 August.
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. (Handout is in the members area.)
Madeline Yanov 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. This presentation is informative, detailed, and will leave you eager to explore this critical part of your ancestors' lives.
Family Tree Maker Course (via Zoom)
This free 21-session course runs from mid-October 2024 through August 2025. Attend all or some classes.
EVENING Course
1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 7:00 - 8:30pm (ET)
Session 16 recording now posted in the members area.
DAYTIME Course
1st & 3rd Fridays, 11:00am - 12:30pm (ET)
Session 16 recording now posted in the members area.
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
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.
