Welcome to 2026 and another year of discovery!
Mysterious Codes – Passenger Manifests and Letters
Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 6:30 pm CT, hybrid. In-person at Yarborough Branch of APL (2200 Hancock Dr, Austin TX 78756) or virtually via zoom
What do those letters, numbers, stamps, and pencil marks mean on Immigration Passenger Manifests? Does your ancestor have the letter “D” or “X” next to their name? Do you know what V/L, # 404, USB, Transit, CL, N.O.B, C/A, LPC, SI, NQIV, BSI, PV or C-XXXXX mean? We will learn if and when to contact the US National Archives or USCIS to get more genealogical information from these codes. Plus, what insight we can learn about your ancestor’s immigration experience based on these notations.
About our speaker:
Christine Cohen is a long-time member of the Whittier Area Genealogical Society (WAGS), currently the Program Director. In addition to WAGS, she is also a member of the Tualatin Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Society of Daughters of Holland Dames and the Association of Professional Genealogists.
Her interest in genealogy began in 1977 with the airing of the TV mini-series “Roots”. Her enthusiasm was piqued when she was given a typed pedigree chart, commissioned by her maternal grandfather, of our Dutch heritage from the New Netherlands in the 1650’s.
Christine is a native Californian, a graduate of UCLA in Political Science and has recently retired to pursue her genealogy interest full time.
Coming up in 2026
February 24 @ 6:30 pm, TBD
March 24 @ 6:30 pm, TBD
April 28 @ 6:30 pm – Lisa Medina will be in-person, presenting Your Personal Tour: Creating a Locality Guide.
Stay tuned!
AGS Annual Membership Drive Time!
Now is the time to renew your membership with AGS in 2026. Our memberships are based on the calendar year: January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026.
Annual dues remain the same as last year:
$35 – Individual Membership
$50 – Family Membership (two people residing in the same household)
$500 – Lifetime Membership
Benefits of membership include:
- Monthly newsletter filled with helpful tips.
- Access to the AGS website’s
- Members-Only Portal
- Meeting presentation videos
- Select speaker handouts
- AGS Board Minutes, plus much more!
Join our new Stirpes Study Group!
Last Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm on Zoom. 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.
Need more reasons to join? Check out a sampling of some of the last years of presentations, many recorded and available behind the member wall!
July 2025 – Revolutionary Choices: Exploring Loyalist and Patriot Roots at 250 Years – Kathryn Lake Hogan
June 2025 – Translating, Transcribing and Summarizing Documents Using AI – Thomas MacEntee
April 2025 – Organizing Your Ancestors: From Ancestral Mess to Historical Success – Jennifer Lava
March 2025 – Genealogical Ephemera – Jenna Cooper
January 2025 – From Hobby to Profession -Teresa Devine
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
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
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. We had a successful trip to the Clayton (Family History Research Center at the Clayton Library Campus) in Houston on Saturday, July 12, 2025. We look forward to more trips in the near future!
• Our Seminar: We bring in known experts for an extended seminar. In October 2025, we welcomed Blaine Bettinger back to Austin for a hybrid full-day seminar.
Visitors are always welcome at any of our meetings. So please come, and bring a friend!
