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Welcome!
April meeting
Organizing Your Ancestors: From Ancestral Mess to Historical Success
Are you drowning in a sea of genealogy documents and photos? This class will help you tame that ancestral chaos with practical tips for sorting, storing, and protecting your family history treasures—no more paper avalanches! By the end, you’ll turn your research mess into a well-oiled history machine, ready to enjoy your journey without tripping over birth certificates.
Tuesday, April 22, 2025, 7:00 pm
The meeting will be at the Austin Dispute Resolution Center. It is hybrid: Our speaker will be with us and we will meet in-person and via zoom.
About our speaker:
Jennifer Lava (she/her) is a dedicated professional organizer and family historian based in Austin, Texas. With a rich background in retail, public service, and artifact preservation, she developed a passion for helping others organize their spaces and their stories. Jennifer’s journey includes preserving Texas history at the State Preservation Board and assisting individuals in highlighting their memories through custom framing.Since founding her business in 2006, Jennifer has specialized in creating personalized organizing systems that reflect each client’s unique needs. She also guides individuals in uncovering their family history, offering research support and hands-on genealogy help.
As a past president of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO)-Austin, a current member of the NAPO National Board, and a recipient of multiple prestigious NAPO awards, Jennifer’s contributions to the organizing profession are widely recognized. Beyond her professional achievements, she enjoys exploring history, crafting, and spending time with her husband, Jay, and their beloved pets, Josie, Taco, and Nacho.
Join our new Stirpes Study Group!
Meets the last Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm on Zoom. Our first meeting is Wednesday, January 29. Click button below to reserve a spot!
Study groups have long been recognized as invaluable tools for learning and enhancing skills. For enthusiasts, novices, and seasoned genealogists alike, these gatherings foster an environment where questions are welcomed, resources are shared, and discoveries are celebrated.
Family history publications, such as Stirpes, the Journal of the Texas State Genealogical Society (Stirpes), serve as the focal point for several study groups. These treasure troves of knowledge offer a diverse array of articles, case studies, and research insights. They not only provide valuable information but also inspire readers to delve deeper into their own family narratives. By utilizing articles from publications such as Stirpes, participants gain access to a wealth of expertise and guidance.
Materials include a PDF copy of the article, provided by TxSGS, plus a series of discussion questions and research resources developed by the Denton Public Library.
Materials used for the Stirpes Study Group sessions
- Designated article – selected from a Stirpes issue published more than 12 months prior to the current date.
- Discussion questions – A series of questions about the article designed to encourage an engaging and informational dialogue among participants. Partner Societies may use the questions developed by the Denton Public Library, create their own, or use a combination of the two.
- Resources for further research – A list of publications and other resources to learn more about the topics being discussed during this study group session. Partner Societies participating in the program may use the list provided, develop their own, or use a combination of both.
Coming up…
Tuesday, May 27 @ 6:00 pm – Extend Your Direct Maternal Lineage: Take an mtDNA Test, by Mic Barnette. Location: Millwood Branch of Austin Public Library. Hybrid.
Tuesday, June 24 @ 6:30 pm. Fan favorite Thomas MacEntee in his last year of presenting will bring us “Translating, Transcribing and Summarizing Documents Using AI“. Location: John Gillum (North Village) branch of Austin Public Library. Hybrid.
SEMINAR:
This year, set your calendars for a one-day, in-person seminar with Blaine Bettinger on Saturday, October 18! While Blaine will be in-person, the event will be hybrid as well. Program details can be found HERE. Stay tuned as further details will be forthcoming.
Need more reasons to join? Check out the last year of presentations, many recorded and available behind the member wall!
November 2024 – Facts & Fables: Crafting Your Family Narrative – Kate Penney Howard
October 2024 – Researching Your Family History at the Clayton Library – Carl Smith
September 2024 – DNA Doe Project – Rhonda Kevorkian
June/July 2024 -WikiTree Basics pt I & II – Sarah Kroh
May 2024 – Using Autosomal DNA for 18th and 19th Century Mysteries – Blaine Bettinger (available until June 1, 2025)
April 2024 – AI & Genealogy: Trouble Ahead? – Thomas MacEntee
March 2024 – Roll Call! Researching Your Veteran Ancestors: Civil War, WWI and WWII – Melanie McComb
February 2024 – European Immigrant Ancestors – Nancy Loe
January 2024 – It Might Be Time…To Write That Book – Shirley Salzmann Meyer
November 2023 – Cyndi’s List in Practice – Cyndi Ingle
And so much more!
The Austin Genealogical Society gives you the tools to be a better genealogist.
Here’s how we do it:
• SIGs: AGS had several special interest groups (SIGs) that met regularly, and we launch new ones as our members want them. You can find notifications of DNA North at their Facebook page, Capital Area DNA SIG. If you are interested in others, or want to help with starting one, let us know!
• Saturday Morning Drop-In: The third Saturday of each month we have experienced genealogists on hand to assist in solving genealogical issues from basic to complex. Members also come to work collegially. No charge. (on hiatus)
• Monthly Membership Meetings: We showcase an expert on genealogical research methods and new technology. All presentations are designed to help our members become better genealogists. Meetings are typically held on the 4th Tuesday evening of each month, in addition to quarterly Saturday morning meetings. We are currently meeting in a hybrid model, with rotating locations around Austin and via Zoom.
• Research Trips: Further your research by visiting genealogy libraries and archives across the US. Our fall trip in October 2019 was to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. We’re looking forward to more trips in the future.
• Our Seminar: We bring in known experts for an extended seminar. In October 2025, we will welcome Blaine Bettinger back to Austin for a hybrid full-day seminar. Program can be found HERE. Location and pricing to follow.
Visitors are always welcome at any of our meetings. So please come, and bring a friend!
