Bastrop County Genealogical Society

Genealogy 101: Part 1
2023-01-14 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago)
On Jan 14, 2023, Come learn more about what you have access to, and the steps involved in getting it organized and compiled into a useful research on your family research journey.

Genealogy 101: Part 2
2023-02-11 13:00 - 15:00
In this session we will look at using compiled sources. There are many opportunities to view what has been researched before. Some of those collections include compiled genealogies and heritage books, and online compilations. We will look at some ways to discover if the previous research is credible and can aid in our own family history research. Come learn and share with others!

Genealogy 101: Part 3
2023-03-11 13:00 - 15:00
In session 3 we learning how to obtain and read a record and how to analyze the information it may contain. We will examine some of the documents that produce the best evidence of family relationships. A small exercise in handwriting will round out this class.

Tracing Immigrant Ancestors: the Other Ports
2023-04-08 13:00 - 15:00
Frustrated that you can’t find your ancestors in New York Passenger Lists? Perhaps your immigrant ancestor arrived at another location. In this webinar learn how to locate and search for passenger lists for Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia New Orleans, San Francisco, and Galveston, as well as other minor ports.

Brick Wall Tips and Hints
2023-05-13 13:00 - 15:00
Everyone needs a little help and encouragement to jump-start the research, especially on hard-to-solve cases. In this session you will learn tips that will help every genealogist look at their research challenges in a fresh way. This webinar will bring you the momentum you need to get your family history research back on track.

Verifying Information You Find Online
2023-06-10 13:00 - 15:00
During this session we will discuss challenging genealogical puzzles we search anywhere for clues that can help us. That can include online trees and other information with unknown sources. Let’s learn how to verify the information as true or not.

Unraveling DNA Segment Data
2023-07-08 13:00 - 15:00
DNA segment data can provide important insights into DNA matches but what exactly is it and how do you use it? This video explains what segment data is, how and where you can access it, how the companies display it and what you can do with it to aid your DNA research.

Specialized Lineage Societies – more than just DAR, Dames and Mayflower
2023-08-12 13:00 - 15:00
There are over 200 lineage societies that exist today – more than the commonly known societies. Perhaps you have an ancestor that was accused of witchcraft? A founder of a town? A colonial tradesman? British royalty? There is a society for all of these and many more. Let’s listen and learn how to find those in our family lineage.

Genealogy and DNA
2023-09-09 13:00 - 15:00
A very basic introduction to DNA and how it can be used in combination with traditional genealogical research. Together we will examine the answers to questions like: “why should you test your DNA?” and “how do I get started with DNA?”

Reel‘Em in with Cousin Bait—10 Ways to Connect with Family
2023-10-14 13:00 - 15:00
“Cousin Bait” helps connect with others who may have information about your family. Learn the best ways to share so others can find you.

No Meeting - Library closed for the Heroes and Hot Rods Event
2023-11-11 13:00 - 15:00
December we will have an Open House in the Research Room to welcome new members and provide an overview of those resources in the Library.

No Meeting - Open House in Research Room
2023-12-09 13:00 - 15:00

Beginner’s Guide to DNA testing for Genealogy
2024-01-13 13:00 - 16:00
This presentation will give an overview of the 3 main types of DNA tests available for family history purposes. It will explain how Y-DNA, Mitochondrial DNA and Autosomal DNA are inherited and how to use your DNA results to verify the accuracy of your family tree, connect with new cousins, break down brick walls and solve mysteries.

How Do I Keep All This Stuff Straight: Organizing Your Research
2024-02-10 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-02-08 13:00 - 16:00
Don’t let the “stuff” of genealogy overwhelm your space or your computer files. Organized research can save you time and money and help guide you to the next big breakthrough!

Citation for Beginners
2024-03-09 13:00 - 16:00
Learning to write genealogical citations is part art, part science and potentially terrifying. Learn what important components to note while researching , and how to put them together while writing to subdue the panic and produce quality work.

5 Tips for Deciphering Handwritten Documents
2024-04-13 13:00 - 16:00
Reading handwritten documents can be one of the most challenging aspects of genealogical research. Learn 5 tips from a genealogical translator to help you make those hard to read words understandable.

Cemeteries, Symbols, and Caretakers - Stories in Stone (Cemetery Research)
2024-05-11 13:00 - 16:00
Ever wonder what various gravestone symbols mean? Is everything “set in stone” completely accurate? We will “walk through” cemeteries all over the country with tips on how to use cemetery and associated records in your genealogy quest.

Hispanic How to do Mexican Research for Genealogy
2024-06-08 13:00 - 16:00
This class is for anyone interested in doing Mexican genealogical research, and wants to find what they are looking for. We will cover the availability of resources, research strategies, and where to find help.

When the Records were "Burnt Up"
2024-07-13 13:00 - 16:00
Bad news about records can often be overcome with persistence and flexibility. Put on your own discovery hat and create your treasure maps to lead you to the answers.

Dating Family Photographs 1900-1940
2024-08-10 13:00 - 16:00
Do yo have a shoebox full of early 20th century family pictures with no labels indicating who the people were? Wouldn’t you like to learn how to analyze the photos systematically to pinpoint when they may have been taken? That’s what this session will teach you. Then you might be able to identify the mystery people whose names were lost with time.

Bastrop County Cemeteries
2024-09-14 13:00 - 16:00
Come learn more about the cemeteries in Bastrop County and how to find people you are looking for.

Colonial Immigrants: Who They Were and Where They Came From
2024-09-14 13:00 - 16:00
Between 1607 and 1790, about 900,000 immigrants came to the colonies. Learn about each of the nationalities that came before the Revolutionary War, where they came from, and sources available to identify them.

Understanding Family Migration Patterns
2024-10-12 13:00 - 16:00
Moving from one location to another required a major change in living conditions. The choices that led to the decision to move, and the directions of movement are pivotal in understanding those ancestors. What might help you understand the migration choices your ancestors made? How can we develop strategies that force us to learn more about our family and find new people? Come find out!

NO MEETING - Veterans Day Events
2024-11-09 13:00 - 16:00

NO MEETING - OPEN HOUSE
2024-12-14 13:00 - 16:00

7 Ways to Jumpstart Your Research
2025-01-11 13:00 - 16:00
How do genealogists “prime their pumps”? This session offers a slew of sources, methods, fresh ideas, and case studies to recharge your innovation when you think both you and your opportunities are totally exhausted.
Come to our first meeting of the new year and find out! We will watch a webinar and then share our own tips and techniques.
Bastrop County Genealogical Society’s Meeting Format:
1:00 – 2:00 – Open research discussion and Genealogy 101
2:00 – 3:00 – Skills development (i.e. webinars, speakers, etc.)
3:00 – 4:00 – Open discussion. Help us plan our meeting topics for the 2025 calendar

BCGS Meeting
2025-02-08 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-03-08 13:00 - 16:00
TOPIC TBD

Navigating Naturalization Records
2025-03-08 13:00 - 16:00
First papers, petitions, certificates and registrations. These are some of the key documents for Naturalization–the process to apply to become a U.S. citizen. Due to changing laws and an evolving process over time, locating the appropriate official paperwork can often be a challenging task for family historians. Learn how to navigate naturalization records and what information they contain about your ancestors.
