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Monday, January 19
Delving into Divorce: Finding Family Details in the Civil Court Docket, by Susan E. Ball (MCGS Monthly Meeting)
2:00 pm Virtual via Zoom - Library Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Topic Description: More prevalent than most realize, early divorce records shine a light on dark times in our ancestor’s lives. Many marriages were short-lived, lasting on average about six to eight years. Consequently, the case files may provide a critical source of information about a family that formed and dissolved between census years. While divorce is an unhappy event, the records left behind are a happy silver lining for researchers. In this lecture, Susan shares information that may be found in divorce case files and where these records may be found.
About the Speaker: A genealogist for over 30 years, Susan Ball is TxSGS past president, co-editor of Stirpes, and president of the San Angelo Genealogical and Historical Society. A strong supporter of records abstraction and publication, Susan has compiled four books of genealogical records, three of which have won TxSGS book awards including the coveted grand prize. She also serves her local society as editor of the SAGHS Newsletter and assistant editor of Stalkin’ Kin of Old West Texas, the SAGHS biannual journal. In addition to giving presentations and seminars to numerous societies and the TxSGS Annual Conference, Susan has been the workshop speaker for the Amarillo Genealogical Society, the Permian Basin Genealogical Society, and twice for the Kerrville Genealogical Society.
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Monday, February 16
Let There Be Light: Using Church Related Periodicals, by J. Mark Lowe, FUGA (MCGS Monthly Meeting)
2:00 pm Virtual via Zoom
Topic Description: Our ancestors may have been exemplary citizens or just average folk. However, their faith and participation in church and related religious organizations should help us understand the community where they lived and how they functioned within that neighborhood. Religious periodicals are filled with information about members and others in the community.
About the Speaker: J. Mark Lowe has been researching families for more than 55 years. He grew up in Tennessee with extensive family roots in Kentucky. Mark describes himself as “born to be curious.” He is a professional genealogist and educator who specializes in original records and manuscripts throughout the South. He coordinates “Research in the South” courses at IGHR, SLIG, and TIGR, has worked on several TV series, hosts a YouTube channel, and conducts webinars.
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Monday, March 16
Incorporating Artificial Intelligence Into Your Genealogical Toolkit (MCGS Monthly Meeting)
2:00 pm Bedford Public Library, 2424 Forest Ridge Drive, Bedford, Texas 76021
About the topic: While the major genealogical websites have been using Artificial Intelligence (AI) for many years, it is only in the last few years that genealogists have been able to directly use AI tools in their research. Learn which tools are worth including in your genealogical toolkit and how to craft effective prompts to ensure you receive credible results. Whether you're a seasoned genealogist or just beginning your family history journey, this presentation will provide valuable insights into how AI can become an essential component of your research toolkit.
About the speaker:
Bernard is a genealogist and lecturer based in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. He began researching his family over 35 years ago and enjoys sharing lessons learned from that experience, including his mistakes. Although he knew only one grandparent (his maternal grandfather), he has successfully identified all of his great-great grandparents, several triple- and quadruple-great grandparents, and his Meisner 8th great grandparents.
He is a co-leader of the Dallas Genealogical Society’s German SIG, and a member of the National, Texas State, and Germanic Genealogical Societies. He has written several articles for the Texas State Genealogical Society’s quarterly magazine, Stirpes.
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