FRIDAY, October 12th
Mexican Ancestry Group 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Finding your Hispanic ancestors from Mexico, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and California
This Special Interest Group (SIG) pertains specifically to Mexican ancestors from Mexico and the American Southwest (New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and California).
Beginning and intermediate researchers are welcome. Some subjects will include online parish records, Hispanic genealogy societies, Family History Library/FamilySearch.org. Ancestry.com, solving genealogical problems, methodology of organizing your research, etc. Of course this group will also be about sharing our research experiences, and having fun.
If you know of any other people interested in Hispanic genealogy tell them about the up and coming group. They don’t have to be a GFO member to participate.
For questions or comments, please email Vince at sw@gfo.org.
SATURDAY, October 13th
Great Lakes Region 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Doing research in PA? Researcher Elsie Deatherage will be the guest speaker. Pennsylvania has several distinct ethnic and religious groups that kept different records than we may be accustomed to, but that are really helpful. Learn how to overcome the challenges of state boundary issues, the shifting borders of counties and townships and the difficulties in locating churches and cemeteries. We will look at the on and offline resources that are unique to the Keystone State. There will also be time to share our research quandaries and discoveries.
The group generally meets on the second Saturday of the month at 9:30 a.m. at the GFO library. No meetings in July, August, December, and always check the GFO calendar for updates to this schedule. Interest in the Great Lakes Region can be broad and diverse, as some ancestors settled and remained there for generations, while others spent a short time there before moving on. The group’s interests include migration, travel, trade, historical events, and research techniques specific to the area. For more information, please contact Lynn Rossing at GreatLakes@gfo.org.
Writers’ Forum 1 – 3 p.m.
At our last meeting we discussed what keeps us from writing and how we can make writing a regular part of our lives. We looked a web page from the Writing Cooperative, “30 Little Ways to Motivate Yourself to Write, RIGHT NOW.”
Take a look at this page if you haven’t already. The assignment we gave ourselves was to:
| 1. |
Make a plan (schedule and mechanisms) for making writing a regular part of your life. |
| 2. |
Better yet, institute that plan and report how it’s working for you. |
In addition to the above-noted assignment, please also do the following from Barry Tarshis’ book How to Be Your Own Best Editor:
| 1. |
Read: Chapter 9, “Zero In on the Subjects and Their Verbs,” |
| 2. |
Do: Chapter 8, p. 71-78, edit a piece of your own work and be prepared to discuss at our next meeting. |
Purpose: This is a peer group of genealogists, who meet to learn about writing and to share our writing with each other. Peggy Baldwin facilitates this group and can be reached at writers@gfo.org.
SUNDAY, October 14th
Library Work Party 9 a.m. – noon
There’s another work party at the GFO library today for those of you who can come. There’s lots to do and we’d love to have your help. Doors open at 9 and work usually wraps up around noon. Some people come for just an hour or so; others work the full time. You are welcome to do either. Any time you can share is valuable. Hope to see you there.
WEDNESDAY, October 17th
Library Closed to Research 11 a.m. – noon
OPB records interview for historical documentary. We’ll re-open for research as soon as the interview concludes.
Learn & Chat 10 a.m. – noon
Topic: “Surnames, Linguistic Groups, Disasporas.”
It is always fascinating to watch how this subject evolves from beginning at just one surname. At Learn & Chat some of the learning comes from speakers with particular expertise, but most of it comes from the sharing of experiences and knowledge of attendees who have developed methods that work for them. If you have been doing genealogy for any length time, you have likely experienced the wonderful moments of exhilaration, the successes that you then share with others and that drive you to continue researching. Unfortunately those times can be few and far between. Join us to talk about your genealogy questions and help provide support to others. Facilitated by Jeanne Quan and Sandy Alto. Questions, email learnandchat@gfo.org.
DNA Q&A
Lisa McCullough leads a discussion on various DNA related subjects, with each meeting focused on a particular subject. General questions are welcome at the end of each planned discussion. Questions? Email Lisa at dna_qa@gfo.org.
Irish Group 6 – 8 p.m.
Are you one of over 30 million Americans who have Irish ancestors?
At this meeting, Karen Hubbard will present a timeline of Irish history, so we can put our Irish ancestors in context with their times, and better understand how to research them. We’ll also try to help with “brick walls” in Ireland, or answer other general questions about Ireland’s history and Irish research. If you’d like to submit a brick wall question for us to address, please email Irish@gfo.org, at least one week in advance.
