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MSOG, Inc.
PO Box 215
Ashland, MA 01721-0215 |
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Thursday, August 20
DNA Workshops (DNA)
10:00 am to 4:00 pm Hampton Inn Boston/Natick 319 Speen St. Natick MA
Just $75 to attend both workshops.
Registration ends on 8/7/2026
Do the DNA! (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
Working in pairs or small groups, you will get a chance to take a DNA case step-by-step to learn exactly how to explore your autosomal DNA match list and make family connections. Workshop seating will be configured to allow for collaborative work. No computers or internet access required.
DNA and Inheritance (2 p.m. to 4 p.m.)
A trait card activity that helps attendees be the active bridge between their grandparents and the rising generation. It helps them identify their unique traits, and the stories that go with them, so they can inspire their family to see themselves in their ancestors.
Diahan Southard
Diahan Southard has been helping people use DNA to explore their roots for over 25 years. She started her career at the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation, which created the DNA database that became AncestryDNA. After witnessing the power of DNA for family history–and the difficulties people face in using it effectively–she launched a pioneering career in DNA education.
Diahan teaches genetic genealogy to audiences around the world. She appears on popular genealogy podcasts and is a DNA columnist for Family Tree Magazine. At Your DNA Guide, she created the signature SPIN learning process (Study, Practice, Implement, Next Steps) that fuels new skills, confidence, and discovery. Her teaching style makes DNA exciting, relevant, and accessible–even for non-scientists.
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Tuesday, September 1
First Family: Abigail and John Adams by Joseph J. Ellis (Book Club)
7:00 pm Virtual
In this rich and engrossing account, John and Abigail Adams come to life against the backdrop of the Republic’s tenuous early years.
Drawing on over 1,200 letters exchanged between the couple, Ellis tells a story both personal and panoramic. We learn about the many years Abigail and John spent apart as John’s political career sent him first to Philadelphia, then to Paris and Amsterdam; their relationship with their children; and Abigail’s role as John’s closest and most valued advisor. Exquisitely researched and beautifully written, First Family is both a revealing portrait of a marriage and a unique study of America’s early years. (Amazon Review)
Go to "Event Registration" to register for the book club.
Upcoming Book Club Readings:
October 6, 2026 - Lineage: Genealogy and the Power of Connection in Early America by Karin Wulf
November 3, 2026 - American Passage: The History of Ellis Island by Vincent J. Cannato
December 1, 2026 - March by Geraldine Brooks
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Saturday, September 19
Deciphering Old Handwriting (Bristol)
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Attend in Person or Virtually via Zoom
Presented Virtually by David Allen Lambert
While we might wish all our ancestors’ records were typed in a standard format and perfectly legible, that simply isn’t the case. Many of the records family historians turn to are handwritten and may be faded, use archaic terminology, unfamiliar abbreviations, or are just plain illegible. This online lecture will provide practical strategies for approaching handwritten documents, understanding and deciphering hard-to-read handwriting from different time periods, so that you can make the most of these important resources in your family history research.
David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist has been on the staff of American Ancestors/NEHGS since 1993 and is an internationally recognized speaker on the topics of genealogy and history. He has authored many articles in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, the New Hampshire Genealogical Record, Rhode Island Roots, Mayflower Descendant, and American Ancestors magazine; and is the author of eleven books including A Guide to Massachusetts Cemeteries and Vital Records of Stoughton, Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1850. David is an elected Fellow of the Massachusetts Historical Society in Boston, Mass., and a life member of the New Hampshire Society of the Cincinnati and the General Society of the War of 1812. David also serves as the tribal genealogist for the Massachusett Tribe at Punkapoag in Massachusetts. His areas of expertise include New England and Atlantic Canadian records of the 17th through 21st century; American and international military records; DNA research; and Native American and African American genealogical research in New England.
"This program has applied for support from the Somerset Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency."
SOMERSET PUBLIC LIBRARY
1464 County Street
Somerset, MA 02726
Business Meeting 11:00-11:30 am
Member Sharing 11:30-11:55 am
Presentation Begins at Noon.
This program is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
For more information contact: bristol@msoginc.org
Schedule of Events Available at: https://msoginc.org
Those who wish to attend virtually, can pre-register at https://tinyurl.com/BristolSep2026 |
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Saturday, September 26
Performance by Rita Parisi: Women of '76 (Merrimack Valley)
10:00 am Georgetown Peabody Library - in person only
Merrimack Valley Chapter proudly presents a one-woman performance by Rita Parisi of Waterfall Productions ( www.waterfallproductions.com) entitled Women of '76:
Experience the untold stories of courage and conviction from FIVE remarkable WOMEN who witnessed and shaped the American Revolution!
Join the Merrimack Valley Chapter at the Georgetown Peabody Library as we celebrate America 250 for this in-person only performance. This meeting kicks off the genealogy season and marks the second year that Merrimack Valley Chapter is participating in the Essex County Trails & Sails ( www.trailsandsails.org) event. |
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Tuesday, October 6
Lineage: Genealogy and the Power of Connection in Early America by Karin Wulf (Book Club)
7:00 pm Virtual
In eighteenth-century America, genealogy was more than a simple record of family ties--it was a powerful force that shaped society. Lineage delves into an era where individuals, families, and institutions meticulously documented their connections. Whether driven by personal passion or mandated by churches, local governments, and courts, these records appeared in diverse forms-from handwritten notes and account books to intricate silk threads and enduring stone carvings.
Family connections wielded significant influence across governmental, legal, religious, cultural, and social spheres. In the American context, these ties also defined the boundaries of slavery and freedom, with a child's status often determined by their mother, despite the prevailing patriarchy. This book reveals the profound importance of genealogy that was chronicled by family records, cultural artifacts, and court documents. These materials, created by both enslaved individuals seeking freedom and founding fathers seeking status, demonstrate the culturally and historically specific nature of genealogical interest.
Even as the American Revolution transformed society, the significance of genealogy endured. The legacy of lineage from the colonial period continued to shape the early United States, underscoring the enduring importance of family connections. Lineage offers a deep understanding of genealogy as a foundational element of American history, illuminating its vital role from the colonial era through the birth of the nation. (Amazon Review)
Go to "Event Registration" to register for the book club.
Upcoming Book Club Readings:
November 3, 2026 - American Passage: The History of Ellis Island by Vincent J. Cannato
December 1, 2026 - March by Geraldine Brooks
January 5, 2027 - TBA
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Saturday, October 17
Workshop on Deciphering Old Handwriting (Bristol)
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Attend in Person or Virtually via Zoom
Presented In-Person by Sindi Broussard Terrien
Our Bristol Chapter Vice-President, Sindi Terrien, will conduct a workshop on how to decipher old handwriting using the strategies described by David Allen Lambert in September.
Sindi Broussard Terrien is a research genealogist, specializing in Acadian and Cajun women. Her blog My Many Mothers features biographies of her many great-grandmothers. She recently published Genealogy Fun While Developing New Genealogists and Fun with Genealogy Activity Book 1 which can be purchased on Amazon.com. She has written nine articles for the American-French Genealogical Society’s publication Je Me Souviens Magazine where she is an associate editor. Sindi Broussard Terrien received a certificate in genealogical research from Boston University. Her passion for genealogy spans over twenty years.
Sindi also hosts Finding A Publisher, another emerging website, to help genealogy writers connect with publications.
SOMERSET PUBLIC LIBRARY
1464 County Street
Somerset, MA 02726
Business Meeting 11:00-11:30 am
Member Sharing 11:30-11:55 am
Presentation Begins at Noon.
This program is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
For more information contact: bristol@msoginc.org
Schedule of Events Available at: https://msoginc.org
Those who wish to attend virtually, can pre-register at https://tinyurl.com/BristolOct2026 |
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Tuesday, November 3
American Passage: The History of Ellis Island by Vincent J. Cannato (Book Club)
7:00 pm Virtual
For most of New York's early history, Ellis Island had been an obscure little island that barely held itself above high tide. Today the small island stands alongside Plymouth Rock in our nation's founding mythology as the place where many of our ancestors first touched American soil.
American Passage captures a time and a place unparalleled in American immigration and history, and articulates the dramatic and bittersweet accounts of the immigrants, officials, interpreters, and social reformers who all played an important role in Ellis Island's chronicle. In this sweeping, often heart-wrenching epic, Vincent J. Cannato reveals that the history of Ellis Island is ultimately the story of what it means to be an American. (Amazon Review)
Go to "Event Registration" to register for the book club.
Upcoming Book Club Readings:
December 1, 2026 - March by Geraldine Brooks
January 5, 2027 - TBA
February 2, 2027 - TBA |
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Saturday, November 7
Annual Meeting 2026 (Annual Meeting)
9:00 am to 4:00 pm John Boyle O'Reilly Hall, 17 Willow St, Westborough, MA
We look forward to our next Annual Meeting, with informative speakers, great food, and the chance to connect with other genealogists.
Times and details to be confirmed as the date approaches.
We hope to see you there.
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Saturday, November 21
Researching Black Patriots and Loyalists During the Revolutionary Era (Bristol)
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Attend in Person or Virtually via Zoom
Presented Virtually by Danielle Rose, 10 Million Names Volunteer Manager
The American War of Independence was not only a fight for freedom from a tyrannical world superpower. For the thousands of Black soldiers who fought for the patriot cause, and even more—tens of thousands—for the Loyalists, emancipation was on the line. In this lecture, 10 Million Names Volunteer Manager Danielle Rose will provide a brief history of Black soldiers during the Revolutionary War and their motivations for joining either side; and discuss several resources, records, and strategies for piecing together the service and stories of individuals.
Danielle Rose oversees the many dedicated volunteers who assist with creating database content for the 10 Million Names Project. She also collaborates with partner organizations and independent researchers who share content with the project. Danielle frequently participates in American Ancestors educational programs by providing lectures on African American genealogy. Prior to joining American Ancestors, Danielle worked with the National Parks of Boston where she researched the service and lives of Black Patriots in the Revolutionary War. She also worked as a museum educator in Miami, Florida before relocating to Boston. Danielle holds a B.A. in History from the University of Florida and M.A. in Public History from Northeastern University.
SOMERSET PUBLIC LIBRARY
1464 County Street
Somerset, MA 02726
Business Meeting 11:00-11:30 am
Member Sharing 11:30-11:55 am
Presentation Begins at Noon.
This program is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
For more information contact: bristol@msoginc.org
Schedule of Events Available at: https://msoginc.org
Those who wish to attend virtually, can pre-register at https://tinyurl.com/BristolNov2026 |
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Tuesday, December 1
March by Geraldine Brooks (Book Club)
7:00 pm Virtual
From Louisa May Alcott's beloved classic Little Women, Geraldine Brooks has animated the character of the absent father, March, and crafted a story "filled with the ache of love and marriage and with the power of war upon the mind and heart of one unforgettable man" (Sue Monk Kidd). With "pitch-perfect writing" (USA Today), Brooks follows March as he leaves behind his family to aid the Union cause in the Civil War. His experiences will utterly change his marriage and challenge his most ardently held beliefs. A lushly written, wholly original tale steeped in the details of another time, March secures Geraldine Brooks's place as a renowned author of historical fiction. (Amazon Review)
Go to "Event Registration" to register for the book club.
Upcoming Book Club Readings:
January 5, 2027 - TBA
February 2, 2027 - TBA
March 2, 2027 - TBA
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Saturday, December 19
TBA (Bristol)
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Attend in Person or Virtually via Zoom
TBA
SOMERSET PUBLIC LIBRARY
1464 County Street
Somerset, MA 02726
Business Meeting 11:00-11:30 am
Member Sharing 11:30-11:55 am
Presentation Begins at Noon.
This program is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
For more information contact: bristol@msoginc.org
Schedule of Events Available at: https://msoginc.org
Those who wish to attend virtually, can pre-register at TBA |
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Saturday, January 16, 2027
Land Records of Massachusetts (Part 1) (Bristol)
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Attend in Person or Virtually via Zoom
Presented Virtually by Richard P. Howe, Jr.
Richard P. Howe Jr. served as the Register of Deeds of the Northern District of Middlesex County in Massachusetts for 30 years. Prior to that he practiced law in his hometown of Lowell, Massachusetts. A graduate of Suffolk University Law School and Providence College, and a U.S. Army veteran, Richard frequently writes and lectures about Massachusetts real estate law and how property records are best used by historians and genealogists.
SOMERSET PUBLIC LIBRARY
1464 County Street
Somerset, MA 02726
Business Meeting 11:00-11:30 am
Member Sharing 11:30-11:55 am
Presentation Begins at Noon.
This program is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
For more information contact: bristol@msoginc.org
Schedule of Events Available at: https://msoginc.org
Those who wish to attend virtually, can pre-register at TBA |
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Saturday, January 23, 2027
Researching the History of Your House (Merrimack Valley)
10:00 am Georgetown Peabody Library - hybrid - in-person and online
Learn how to uncover the past of any home—whether it’s 20 years old or 200. House historian Marian Pierre-Louis will introduce where to find the deeds to your house, how to chain a deed, and locate other sources of information such as the US Federal Census records, maps and tax records. And you’ll learn how to find the stories that bring the history of your house alive. Come learn 10 steps to get you started on your house history research. This talk is appropriate for both beginners and those who have research experience.
Marian Pierre-Louis is an educator who specializes in house history research, southern New England genealogy and historic cemetery research. Marian has been researching house histories for over 25 years. She has researched hundreds of houses across Massachusetts and New England. She contributed a chapter to The Stories Houses Tell – A Collection of Little Compton [RI] House Histories (2015) and again in a new volume (2022) A Second Collection of Little Compton House Histories. She also wrote the “Old House Secrets” series in the Medway & Millis Local Town Pages. For two years Marian was a volunteer docent at the Fairbanks House, the oldest timber-frame house in the United States. Her website, the Northeast House Historian ( https://northeasthousehistorian.com/) is a resource for everyone who wants to research the history of their home. Marian is also the Online Education Producer for Legacy Family Tree Webinars where she produces online genealogy education classes. You’ll find her online each week hosting live broadcasts at Legacy Family Tree Webinars.
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Saturday, February 20, 2027
11th Annual Ancestors Day (Bristol)
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Attend in Person or Virtually via Zoom
Presented by Bristol Chapter Members
Every year, several members from the “Bristol Chapter” volunteer to share interesting stories and research anecdotes about their family. Members will enlighten attendees with their triumphs, journeys, family stories and roadblocks in their quest to find their ancestors.
In an entertaining way, you will learn fascinating facts about our members and their families. Not all the research will result in a happy ending but nevertheless everyone will leave enlightened and energized to solve a family lore. Regardless of what you learn, the day will prove to be fun and educational.
SOMERSET PUBLIC LIBRARY
1464 County Street
Somerset, MA 02726
Business Meeting 11:00-11:30 am
Member Sharing 11:30-11:55 am
Presentation Begins at Noon.
This program is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
For more information contact: bristol@msoginc.org
Schedule of Events Available at: https://msoginc.org
Those who wish to attend virtually, can pre-register at TBA |
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Saturday, March 20, 2027
Workshop on Finding Land Records in Massachusetts (Part 2) (Bristol)
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Attend in Person or Virtually via Zoom
Presented In-Person by Richard P. Howe, Jr.
Richard P. Howe Jr. served as the Register of Deeds of the Northern District of Middlesex County in Massachusetts for 30 years. Prior to that he practiced law in his hometown of Lowell, Massachusetts. A graduate of Suffolk University Law School and Providence College, and a U.S. Army veteran, Richard frequently writes and lectures about Massachusetts real estate law and how property records are best used by historians and genealogists.
SOMERSET PUBLIC LIBRARY
1464 County Street
Somerset, MA 02726
Business Meeting 11:00-11:30 am
Member Sharing 11:30-11:55 am
Presentation Begins at Noon.
This program is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
For more information contact: bristol@msoginc.org
Schedule of Events Available at: https://msoginc.org
Those who wish to attend virtually, can pre-register at TBA |
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