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Teal background with white text saying 'Genealogy' next to a geometric triangle design. Clean and informative tone.

 

 

The Bastrop Advertiser has been digitally reproduced and is now available online at the Portal to Texas History website. The 1854-1975 issues are currently available and later years are being added. With the paper on the web, patrons can now search remotely for their information. Searches can be done by keyword or date. Funding for this project was provided by the Tocker Foundation.

  
  

 

 

 

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 - 3:00 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.

 

 

2026 Schedule: Coming Soon

 

Saturday, February 14:

 

Bastrop County Genealogical Society: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Local History Room

February's Topic: Streamlining Genealogical Research Plans with AI: Step-by-Step

This practical session offers a detailed look at integrating AI into your genealogical research planning workflow. We'll explore AI-powered tools that can assist with each step of the planning process: clarifying research objectives, analyzing, and summarizing known facts, generating hypotheses based on existing data, expanding your list of potential sources, and creating an optimized research strategy. Learn how to use AI to save time, reduce oversight, and create more robust research plans while maintaining control over your genealogical process.

 

 

Saturday, March 14:

 

 

Bastrop County Genealogical Society: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Local History Room

March's Topic: Top Newspaper Sites That You MUST RESEARCH!

In the world of genealogy, newspapers are often overlooked yet incredibly powerful tools for uncovering personal stories, tracing ancestral movements, and discovering historical context. In the webinar explore both free and subscription-based newspaper databases. This session is a must for anyone seeking to go beyond vital records and uncover the everyday lives of their ancestors.

 

 

Saturday, April 11:

 

Bastrop County Genealogical Society: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Local History Room

April's Topic: Organizing Your Research Trip

A research trip, no matter whether it’s to the local library or traveling to a place where your ancestors lived, requires advance planning. Setting your goals, defining where you will go, and organizing yourself are keys to your research success. This practical session offers a comprehensive roadmap for making the most of limited research time on the ground, particularly when accessing archives, libraries, or family collections. Whether you’re traveling across town or across the globe, the strategies shared here are essential for genealogists looking to maximize results while avoiding common pitfalls.

 

 

Saturday, May 9:

 

Bastrop County Genealogical Society: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Local History Room

May's Topic: The Best Uses of AI for Genealogists.

Learn how to use artificial intelligence to help find important family information, understand old documents, and craft compelling family stories to support your family history research.

 

 

Saturday, June 13:

 

Bastrop County Genealogical Society: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Local History Room

June's Topic: Sources for Seeking Scoundrels

Pulling back the curtain on lesser-used historical sources can reveal fascinating, sometimes scandalous, details about ancestors who lived outside the lines. We will look at seven types of records family historians rarely use: police records, criminal court records, jail records, coroner's records, church disciplinary records, divorce records and juvenile reformatory records. Whether your ancestors were lawbreakers or law enforcers, these records can dramatically enrich your family history with depth, context, and vivid storytelling.

Saturday, July 11:

 

Bastrop County Genealogical Society: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Local History Room

July's Topic: Demystifying Haplogroups

Come to an introduction about haplogroups, explaining what they are, how they are inherited, and what they reveal about ancient ancestry and human migration patterns. The session aims to demystify the complex terminology and provide practical insights into how haplogroups can be used in genetic genealogy and guide participants to find their own haplogroup.

 

Saturday, August 8:

 

Bastrop County Genealogical Society: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Local History Room

August's Topic: Record As You Go, Cite As You Go, & File As You Go

Genealogist tend to get very excited about new records and sources they come across in their research. So much so that they grab a quick copy, download it to default folders, and move on to the next item without thoroughly exploring the source first. All too often we don't take the time to evaluate the source, to write the citation (s) for the source, or to file it in the correct spot. We have to slow down and take the time to think, to file, and to create notes about the source that make it easy to find that source again if needed. Doing this keeps our research more organized, but also keeps our research brain tidy as well. We are much more productive when we can easily put our hands on what we've found in the past. We will explore different options for accomplishing all of these important steps.

 

 

Saturday, September 12:

 

Bastrop County Genealogical Society: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Local History Room

September's Topic: Scottish Genealogy – Are we a Clan or a Family?

We will hear a discussion of the myths and assumptions perpetuated through the decades concerning Scotland had its history. This presentation is absolutely essential to renew a journey of re-examining much of what has been family "lore" of our Scottish beginnings. References and hints/tips will help us get closer to the facts, and to displace assumptions/errors made by so many so-called "experts" in the past.

 

 

Saturday, October 10:

 

Bastrop County Genealogical Society: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Local History Room

October's Topic: Who Hid the Body? Finding Your Ancestor’s Place of Burial

It's not over 'til the story is complete? Nope. It's not over until you find where the lady was buried. This session offers examples of records that can lead genealogist to an ancestor's elusive final resting place. Come learn and share how YOU found your elusive relatives?

 

November: No Meeting

December: No Meeting

 

 

 

1100 Church Street / P.O. Drawer 670 / Bastrop, Texas 78602 / 512-332-8880 / bastroplibrary.org

The Mission of the City of Bastrop is to continuously strive to provide innovative and proactive services that enhance our authentic way of life to achieve our vision.