Have you always wondered about your family history? Or perhaps you have started your research but need a recharge?
Bastrop County Genealogical Society
2nd Saturday of each month
1:00 - 4:00 pm
Maynard Conference Room
There are no fees or membership requirements. We welcome anyone who wants to learn more about their family history and/or wants to improve their research skills. Regardless of whether you are a beginner or a "seasoned" researcher, you will always learn something at our meetings.
Bastrop County Genealogical Society's New Meeting Format:
1:00 - 2:00 - Open research and Genealogy 101
2:00 - 3:00 - Skills development (i.e. webinars, speakers, etc.)
3:00 - 4:00 - Open discussion for advance researchers
2025 Schedule:
May 10: 7 Immigration Methodologies
Family historians face significant challenges tracing immigrant ancestors. Changes in language, culture, family composition, given name, surname, country of residence, and occupation tend to obscure the origins of many immigrants. We will be introduced to seven methodologies to effectively trace immigrant origins, illustrated with examples from the early 1600s to the early 1900s.
June 14: Daughters of the American Revolution and Genealogical Research System
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution has been collecting genealogical information since 1890 to support both the application process for membership and to honor the service of Patriots. The Society operates a marvelous library in Washington, DC. Over the last few years they have scanned and provided public access to extensive online resources. Come learn!
July 12: A Nose for News: 20 Tips for Getting the Most out of Newspapers
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution has been collecting genealogical information since 1890 to support both the application process for membership and to honor the service of Patriots. The Society operates a marvelous library in Washington, DC. Over the last few years they have scanned and provided public access to extensive online resources.
August 9 - Using Google Earth for Genealogy
Google Earth is one of the best free genealogical tools available! Learn how to unlock mysteries in your research from unidentified photographs, to how an ancestral location looked a hundred years ago or more, to plotting homesteads precisely using land patent legal descriptions. You'll learn how to interpret the genealogical records you already have in new and exciting ways using layers, overlays, forensic analysis, and little known online tech tools.
September 13: Colonial Immigrants: Who They Were and Where They Came From
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.
October 11: How to Find the Truth about a Family Story
Oral history provides the foundation for all family research. Documentary evidence builds structure on that foundation. But documents often conflict with family traditions. How do we determine the core truths that are essential to understanding our own past? Learn how to examine the causes of those conflicts and how to peel away generations of confusion to find the real story that underpins family lore. Case studies include both Native American and African American traditions.
November: No Meeting: Veterans Day
December: No Meeting: Library Open House