General Membership Meetings

2017 Schedule

January

Speaker: Terri Meeks

Topic: We’re Not in Kansas Anymore

We complain about the weather all the time. It’s either too hot or too cold, too wet or too dry. Our farm family ancestors kept close watch on the weather as it directly affected their economic well-being. Have you lost track of your ancestor’s family? Are you looking for that elusive burial record? What was your ancestor’s occupation and what affect did it have on his community? Want to put additional flesh on the bones? Perhaps weather might be the answer.

February

Speaker: Judy Everett Ramos

Topic: “To join or not to join…a lineage society”

Many genealogists have heard of the Sons/Daughters of the American Revolution lineage society and maybe you have considered joining. But, did you know you can also join lineage societies if your ancestors were early sheriffs, teachers, or were accused of witchcraft? There is a lineage society for almost everyone. Judy will introduce you to some well-known, and lesser known, lineage groups and explain what every genealogist should think about when considering membership.

March

Speaker: Ila Johnson

Topic: “Using newspapers to connect your family to history”

Old newspapers provide a wealth of insight into history and critical events as they were unfolding through time. Gone are the days of wading through back issues of newspapers to do genealogy research. Today, the Internet and digitization of old newspapers has made everything just a click away. Ila Johnson will explain how to access newspapers easily at home, your local library, or at your local Family History Center.

April

Speaker: Thomas Morton
Topic: Are you descended from Kings?

Tom will show you easier steps to finding royalty in your family history and how to download the files into your Family Tree Maker file. He will show you the names that are likely to lead you to royalty. Tom has helped more than 150 people find they are descended from kings and queens. Tom will then show you how to publish your findings in a book for friends and relatives. You will need to be familiar (at least a basic understanding) with Family Tree Maker and Ancestry.com.

May

Speaker: Connie Gray

Topic: The History of Adoption and Birth Certificates in the State of Texas

The History of Adoption in Texas is a lively discussion of past social mores and the evolution of adoption in our state. This month’s speaker has a personal stake in this issue. Adopted at the age of nine, Connie was determined to uncover her own genealogical truths. Upon turning 18 in 1976, she petitioned the Travis county court, obtained her original birth certificate, and within two years located her entire biological family. Connie will address historical documentation; adoption law; birth certificates, birth books, and adoption; political action to ensure accuracy of records.

June

Speaker: Jim Hodgson, with
Fort Worth Aviation Museum

Topic: How WWI Transformed Texas

Jim will explain how a variety of events that took place during the war years changed Texas forever and are still with us today. He will also talk about some of the personalities of the day and explain how local genealogists can help commemorate the momentous events of 1914 - 1919 over the next two years.

July

Speaker: Ari Wilkins

Topic: Southern Antebellum Records

Ari Wilkins will demonstrate the key to using Southern Antebellum records. She will explain plantation records and show how they can offer great insight into many Southern families. Ari will discuss how these records document families' personal and business correspondence, conditions of plantation life (including the elusive names of slaves and descriptions of slave relationships) and much more. Learn how to search the collection and apply it to your genealogical research.

August

Speaker: Ann McKee

Topic: “Picturing Family History: Identifying, Preserving, and Sharing Old Photos”

Family photos can be a goldmine, if you know who everyone is. Ann will explain how when she inherited 131 old photos, 106 of them were not labeled and had no identifying information. That was in 2013. Today, only 20 photos remain unidentified. Ann will provide tips and strategies to help you use all your photos to discover family history.

September

Speaker: Patti Gillespie

Topic: Forgotten Treasures in the Texas Courthouse: Discovering the Miscellaneous Books

Are you looking for context and documentation? Do you have an ancestor that seems to have slipped between the cracks? This presentation not only presents three fun Texan stories that have come to life with the information found in a Miscellaneous Book, but Patti will also show examples of assorted documents. Attendees will receive a list of all the Texas counties that hold one of these forgotten treasures.

October

Speaker: Diane Dyess

Topic: Symbolism in Victorian Cemeteries

There is a language resting with our dead that speaks all of its own. Diane will begin in the 1600s with “skull and bones” on tablets and morph to angelic cherubs over the 200 year span. A headstone, like history, is more than names and dates. It is more than history, it is art, heritage, culture, and sacred.

Plus: Election of 2018 Officers and vote on bylaws amendment

November

Speaker: Clay Patterson

Topic: Writing a Family History

The hardest part is getting started. Clay will share ideas on assembling & writing your family history, no matter how large or small, and perhaps even publishing it for the benefit of others. Many previously unknown cousins, some who know more of our family than we do, “come out of the woodwork” with new information when a family history work is published.

Plus: Installation of Officers

December