Are you interested in writing your family history?  Now that you have discovered many interesting facts about your family, do you need help and ideas to get started?  The Topeka Genealogical Society is offerring an introductory-level workshop on how to begin and continue writing your family history.  

 

Class will be taught in three 2-hour sessions on consecutive Friday mornings, led by TGS members Sally Paige Kahle and Terry Stahl. Sally teaches composition at Washburn University, collecting and writing her family stories for the past 40 years. Terry is a former history teacher in the Seaman school district, and led the recent TGS project to record orphan train riders coming to build their lives in Kansas. 

 

Basic word processing skill is a prerequisite, and participants are encouraged to bring their laptop computers.  

 

Preregistration by September 17th is required.  Class size is limited to 15, so register early to assure your spot.  Registration cost is $25 for TGS members, $30 for non-members.  Register online or by mail with the downloadable form below.

 

 

Learn about DNA testing with AncestryDNA, and how to interpret and use your test results, and the importance of family trees.  Class will be led by Marty Flanagan.

 

Pre-registration is required. Registration fee $25 for TGS members, $30 for non-members.  Register online or download a registration form (below) and mail with payment. 

 

Wendi Bevitt, from Buried Past Consulting, will explain the role of this former Topeka mayor in bringing the gospel, education, and equality for African Americans to early day Kansas. Program is free, and open to the Public.  No registration required.

Learn about DNA testing with FamilyTreeDNA, and how to interpret and use your test results.  Class will cover training, joining groups, record-keeping and  Y DNA, MtDNA and FamilyFinder results. Class will be led by Marty Flanagan.

 

Pre-registration is required. Registration fee $25 for TGS members, $30 for non-members.  Register online or download a registration form (below) and mail with payment. 

 

Join us at the TGS Library as we celebrate Family History Month, and invite members of the public to learn more about TGS and what we have to offer.

 

We will have library tours, information on how to get started researching your family history, "Ask an Expert" consultations, membership information, informaiton on TGS classes and programs, and a drawing for door prizes.

 

Light refreshments will be served.

 

Learn how to utilize DNA testing as part of your genealogy research toolkit. Come to learn, get your questions answered, and share your DNA testing experiences with others. Come if you have had your DNA tested, and are not sure what to do with the results. This group includes the former Beginner and Intermediate DNA SIGs.

 

Open to the members of the public, if they have completed DNA testing.

 

Led by Marty Flanagan

 

All Board meetings are open to TGS members.

Learn about DNA testing with MyHeritage, and how to interpret and use your test results. Class will Why & Hows of testing, record-keeping, understanding results and Triangulation.  Class will be led by Marty Flanagan.

 

Pre-registration is required. Registration fee $25 for TGS members, $30 for non-members.  Register online or download a registration form (below) and mail with payment. 

 

Jill Frese and Joel Meyers, from Manhattan, will enthrall you with 19^th century traditions surrounding death, funerals, and burial and share their implications for your family history.  Program is free, and open to the Public.  No registration required.

Learn about DNA testing with 23 and Me, and how to interpret and use your test results.  Class will cover how testing with 23 and Me is different than other testing companies, how to use the results, record-keeping, and learning locations. Class will be led by Marty Flanagan.

 

Pre-registration is required. Registration fee $25 for TGS members, $30 for non-members.  Register online or download a registration form (below) and mail with payment. 

 

 

What are the Mayflower "Silver Books," and how do you use them?

 

An estimated 10 million living Americans descend from the 102 individuals who arrived on the Mayflower in 1620 - are you one of them? The Silver Books trace the descendants of the Mayflower passengerrs through five generations, supported by rigorous research. Learn how to use them to prove your Mayflower ancestry, or to learn more about your known Mayflower ancestor(s).

 

Presenter Marty Flanagan.

 

Saturday Skillbuilders are short presentations aimed at helping participants grow and expand their genealogy research skills.  

 

Target audience:  any experience level

 

Skillbuilders are free, no registration required, but a small donation is appreciated.

 

 

There's a wealth of genealogy information available online but, sometimes, finding it can be a bit tricker than just 'clicking on that shaky leaf.'  Learn the tricks for going beyond the global search options to uncover hidden gems and treasures.  Databases covered will include Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, Fold3.com, American Ancestors and more.

 

Suggested skill level: Any

 

Class will be led by Barb LaClair, and others to be announced.

 

 

 

 

All Board meetings are open to TGS members.

Would you like to know more about your family history, but don't know where to start?  Maybe you have a little information from your family, or have done a few searches on Ancestry, but don't know where to go next?

 

This introductory-level class is for those who are thinking about researching family history, or just getting started.  We will cover basic tools and methods, organizing your information, knowing which sources are credible, and basic sources such as censuses, vital records and courthouse records.

 

Class will be led by Barb LaClair.

 

 

 

Learn what GedMatch is, and how and why to use it. Learn how to transfer your DNA test results to GedMatch, and how to use and interpret the GedMatch matching tools to analyze your matches. Class will be led by Marty Flanagan.

 

Pre-registration is required. Registration fee $25 for TGS members, $30 for non-members.  Register online or download a registration form (below) and mail with payment. 

 

 

Learn how to utilize DNA testing as part of your genealogy research toolkit. Come to learn, get your questions answered, and share your DNA testing experiences with others. Come if you have had your DNA tested, and are not sure what to do with the results. This group includes the former Beginner and Intermediate DNA SIGs.

 

 

Open to the members of the public, if they have completed DNA testing.

 

Led by Marty Flanagan

Learn what DNA Painter is, and how and why to use it analyze your DNA test results and matches. Class will be led by Marty Flanagan.

 

There will be a break for lunch from 12:00 to 1:00pm. Bring a sack lunch, or lunch on your own.

 

Pre-registration is required. Registration fee $30 for TGS members, $35 for non-members.  Register online or download a registration form (below) and mail with payment. 

 

Watch for the topic and presenter information to be posted as it becomes available.

 

Saturday Skillbuilders are short presentations aimed at helping participants grow and expand their genealogy research skills.  

 

Target audience:  any experience level

 

Skillbuilders are free, no registration required, but a small donation is appreciated.

The former PAF user group has expanded its focus, and will now be discussing a variety of topics related to computer use in genealogy.

 

Group is led by Eileen Davis.

 

 

Learn how to utilize DNA testing as part of your genealogy research toolkit. Come to learn, get your questions answered, and share your DNA testing experiences with others. Come if you have had your DNA tested, and are not sure what to do with the results. This group includes the former Beginner and Intermediate DNA SIGs.

 

Open to the members of the public, if they have completed DNA testing.

 

Led by Marty Flanagan

 

All Board meetings are open to TGS members.

Watch for the topic and presenter information to be posted as it becomes available.

 

Saturday Skillbuilders are short presentations aimed at helping participants grow and expand their genealogy research skills.  

 

Target audience:  any experience level

 

Skillbuilders are free, no registration required, but a small donation is appreciated.