Join BAGS as nationally known speaker, Cyndi Ingle, teaches us how to Record As You Go, Cite As You Go, & File As You Go
July 30, 2021 at 7pm (virtual Zoom webinar; registration required)

Genealogists tend to get very excited about new records and sources they come across in their research. So much so that they grab a quick copy, download it to default folders, and move on to the next item without thoroughly exploring the source first. All too often they don't take the time to evaluate the source, to write the citation(s) for the source, or to file it in the correct spot. We have to slow down and take the time to think, to file, and to create notes about the source that make it easy to find that source again if needed. Doing this keeps our research more organized, but also keeps our research brain tidy as well. We are much more productive when we can easily put our hands on what we've found in the past. We will explore different options for accomplishing all of these important steps.

There will be a brief Society meeting prior to the presentation. 

This is a virtual presentation via Zoom. How to assure your genealogy (and other) computer data is safe from natural disasters, computer failure, viruses, spyware, etc. We will discuss what data you need to backup and specific means to safely backup that data and protect your computer from viruses and spyware.

The National Society Descendants of American Farmers is proud to announce the first of many virtual webinars, these events are free.

July 17, 2021 Features societies who will educate you on  the requirements and the cost to join their society

20 societies will speak for two minutes each on the purpose of their society, question and answers will be taken after the event

The 2021 MGS Annual Seminar presenting Lisa Louise Cooke is a day-long (8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.), learning event.  Ms. Cooke will present four sessions/topics.  These sessions with provide valuable research skill information for researchers of all experience levels.  Lunch is included in the price of the event -- $50.    

Presenter: Moises Garza
“Overview of Ancestry.com and Search Strategies”

Listen to Moises Garza present on the types of records that you can find on ancestry for your Mexican Genealogy research, the various tools and resources that they have to offer, and also learn about research strategies to help you find your ancestors. These research strategies apply to everyone, not just those searching for Mexican ancestors.

My passion for genealogy started in the cotton fields of west Texas. As a migrant worker, I was blessed to work in the fields next to my father, Lauro Garza, who had a sharp memory and told countless stories about his own ancestors. I have been doing genealogy since 1998. Since then I have helped countless others in their own quest to find their ancestors. Today, I continue with this passion by publishing and creating resources to help you in your own search. Mr. Garza has been doing genealogy presentations since 2013 on many different genealogy topics and presented for many genealogy groups/societies in Texas and throughout the United States. He has also been a speaker at many genealogy conferences such as the Texas State Genealogical Conference, The Texas State Hispanic Genealogy and Historical Conference, and the We Are Cousins Virtual Genealogy Conference.

Second presentation: Presenter: Moises Garza

“A Look at Border Crossing Cards” (Mexican American SIG)

In this presentation, Moises talks about the Mexican border crossing records. He will provide an introduction to them, explain who got recorded, the genealogical information that you can find in them, and finally where you can search and find these records yourself.

Two day virtual seminar led by Dr. Thomas W. Jones on the topic of writing for all levels of genealogy research. There will be six lectures and a live review of selected participants' homework entries. Registrants will have access to recorded lectures for two weeks post seminar. There is an Early Bird rate available through June 20, 2021.

John D. “Jack” Warner, Ph.D., Archivist of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, will discuss how to access the records and artifacts held at the Massachusetts State Archives; how records become part of the Massachusetts Archives Digital Repository; how his work with the State Historical Records Advisory Board affects future resources; and how you can get involved at the Archives.

If we analyze Dr. Warner’s current responsibilities, you can see his impact on records preservation and access, both of keen interest to genealogists. John Joseph Osborne grew up as an orphan and an only child—that’s what family and friends were always told. There was never any talk of his childhood or teenage years, and there was even some uncertainty as to where he had been born. It was as though he had sprung from thin air fully formed. If anyone knew the real story, they weren’t sharing it.

Dr. Warner’s involvement with the Massachusetts Archives Digital Repository makes this presentation valuable to genealogists across the country.

• As a liaison between the Massachusetts Historical Records Advisory Board and the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), the grant-making arm of the National Archives, he is the funnel through which national funding for local preservation flows.

• As Historical Records Coordinator he oversees the Veterans' Heritage Grant Program.

• He leads the Records Management Unit of the Secretary of State's Office, which oversees records management for all state agencies as well as city and town clerks. The working documents of today are the resources of tomorrow.

• He serves as Secretary ex officio of the Records Conservation Board and is a statutory designee to the Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources.

• Last but not least, Dr. Warner’s responsibilities at the Massachusetts State Archives include the administration of the Archives Division which has a staff of twenty-six and an annual operating budget of over $850,000.

Dr. Warner has been the Archivist of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for 25 years. He received his Ph.D. from Boston College where he specialized in nineteenth century American history. His dissertation was titled: "Crossed Sabres, A History of the Fifth Massachusetts Volunteer Cavalry, An African-American Regiment in the Civil War." He holds a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Rhode Island. He studied international politics at Georgetown University where he received a BSFS degree. Dr. Warner served in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve for 30 years retiring in 2018 as the Chief of the Waterside Security Division, Port Security Unit 301 (Cape Cod).

The presentation will be closed captioned.

This presentation is free, but pre-registration is required. Click here for registration.

Join us on Monday, June 28 at 7:00pm CDT for an informal discussion focused on the 2021 CGSI Conference. There will be a brief overview of how the virtual conference will work and the various registration packages offered this year. The majority of the time will be spent answering questions from webinar participants.

June 26, 2021 – BRIAN RHINEHART – WAR OF 1812 RECORDS –From bounty land to pensions, there are no shortage of genealogical records for soldiers from The War of 1812. Learn about how and why these records were created, how to make sense of the, and what those records can contain for your ancestors.