MSOG, Inc.
PO Box 215
Ashland, MA 01721-0215
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Basics of Genealogical Research
Saturday, October 26
Basics of Genealogical Research  (Merrimack Valley)
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Tyngsborough Old Town Hall, Tyngsborough, MA

Hybrid meeting, Zoom or in person at the Old Town Hall located at

10 Kendall Rd, Tyngsborough, MA

(see below for parking information)

 

Basics of Genealogical Research
Names, Dates, Places, and Events make up the core of genealogical research. Let’s discuss the importance of each piece of data on your family as well as the various relationships you may encounter.  We’ll also talk about both on and off-line places to research as well as furthering your genealogical education.
 
Seema-Jayne Kenney is an experienced software instructor and a professional genealogist.  Her known roots are deep in New England as well as England, Germany, and Sweden, with DNA research adding a line in the Netherlands.  She has a certificate in Genealogical Research from BU, completed ProGen and is an active member and officer of several societies.  She has served as Treasurer and President of the Worcester Chapter of MSOG as well as at the State level as past President and is currently co-editor of the MASSOG Journal.

 

Free and Open to the Public

 

Those who wish to attend virtually, can pre-register at https://tinyurl.com/MVOCT2024

 

Parking:
Across the street in the public parking lot and on Winslow Rd there is street parking.
At the Meeting House on the corner of Kendall and Middlesex.

Do not park in the dirt parking lot on Flint Pond Rd or the Driveway next to the Old Town Hall.

https://www.tyngsboroughma.gov/195/Old-Town-Hall

 




Annual Meeting
Saturday, November 2
Annual Meeting  (Annual Meeting)
2024 Annual Meeting and Program
Registration will be open from
October 1st through October 20th.
 
MSOG Members: $40.00
Non-members:   $50.00
 
Members Login to Register for the Annual Meeting
click here for more details
 
 
When: Saturday, November 2, 2024 8:30am to 3:30pm
Where: Marlborough Country Club, 200 Concord Rd. Marlborough, MA
Speaker: David Allen Lambert
 
 


Book Club - The Mayflower: The Families, the Voyage, and the Founding of America by Rebecca Fraser
Tuesday, November 5
Book Club - The Mayflower: The Families, the Voyage, and the Founding of America by Rebecca Fraser  (Book Club)
7:00 pm
Virtual
The voyage of the Mayflower and the founding of Plymouth Colony is one of the seminal events in world history. But the poorly-equipped group of English Puritans who ventured across the Atlantic in the early autumn of 1620 had no sense they would pass into legend. They had eighty casks of butter and two dogs but no cattle for milk, meat, or ploughing. They were ill-prepared for the brutal journey and the new land that few of them could comprehend. But the Mayflower story did not end with these Pilgrims’ arrival on the coast of New England or their first uncertain years as settlers. Rebecca Fraser traces two generations of one ordinary family and their extraordinary response to the challenges of life in America.
 
Edward Winslow, an apprentice printer, fled England and then Holland for a life of religious freedom and opportunity. Despite the intense physical trials of settlement, he found America exotic, enticing, and endlessly interesting. He built a home and a family, and his remarkable friendship with King Massassoit, Chief of the Wampanoags, is part of the legend of Thanksgiving. Yet, fifty years later, Edward’s son Josiah was commanding the New England militias against Massassoit’s son in King Philip’s War.
 
The Mayflower is an intensely human portrait of the Winslow family written with the pace of an epic. Rebecca Fraser details domestic life in the seventeenth century, the histories of brave and vocal Puritan women and the contradictions between generations as fathers and sons made the painful decisions which determined their future in America. (Amazon Review)
 
You must be logged in as a Member to participate in the event. Log-in at https://www.msoginc.org/members.php. Go to "Event Registration" to register for the book club.
 
Upcoming Book Club Readings:
December 3, 2024   The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria Von Trapp 


November - No Meeting
Saturday, November 9
November - No Meeting  (Middlesex)
No meeting this month. 
 
See you in December 2024


Paleography
Tuesday, November 12
Paleography  (Worcester)
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Virtual
Edwin Strickland II Presents: Paleography- Reading Old Hand Writing

     After only a little research, we all have to begin to read original documents.  Often our eyes glaze over after the first few lines or we skip through the document looking for names and overlooking many important details. 
 
     This short course in paleography explores the development of the Roman alphabet and the cursive hand (including the pesky thorn).  We will cover the Five Steps to Understanding Old Documents, and Transcriptions and Special Characters and Translation.  Where wi-fi is available, there is a short interactive test of our skills.
 
About Edwin::

Edwin W. Strickland II, has over 40 years’ experience as both an amateur and professional genealogist.  He was raised by his grandparents on a farm owned by the Strickland Family since 1789. Being surrounded by family artifacts and stories, he developed a sense of heritage at an early age.  By age 24 he was off on his own, seeking out missing ancestors and their descendants.  In 2000, he began to take on clients.  Since 2006, he has shifted his focus to teaching and lecturing.
 
 
6:30 pm EST    Socializing
6:45 pm EST    Business meeting
7:00 pm EST    Presentation
 
This presentation will be Virtual via Zoom.  Pre-registration is required if you are attending virtually at:  https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvcO-hqj4sG9EighlqHE2fr2TBcF8_cFxD.


Researching Colonial New England Ancestors: The Best Resources
Thursday, November 14
Researching Colonial New England Ancestors: The Best Resources  (Webinar)
7:00 pm
Virtual
The talk will focus on a fifteen or so specific research resources which have been shown to be the most valuable. As we start getting closer to the 250th Celebration in 2026, there is renewed interest in Early American genealogical research, whether a family relative or someone from the towns and graveyards of New England, Albert Fiacre will discuss some of the best resources of Colonial New England Research.
 
Albert E. Fiacre, a staff member of the Godfrey Memorial Library since 2009 and Board member since 2015, is a retired financial executive with a BA degree from Middlebury College and an MBA degree from New York University. In 2018, he was the winner of the National Genealogical Society’s competition: “Award for Excellence: Genealogy and Family History Book.” He also was the winner of the Connecticut Society of Genealogists Certificate of Achievement for the best genealogy in 2019. Al earned his Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University in 2016.
 
You must be logged in as a Member to participate in the event. Log-in at https://msoginc.org/members.php. Go to "Event Registration" to register for the webinar.
 


Acadian/Cajun Church and Census Records Found in Canada, American Colonies, France and Louisiana
Saturday, November 16
Acadian/Cajun Church and Census Records Found in Canada, American Colonies, France and Louisiana  (Bristol)
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Attend in Person or Virtually via Zoom
Presented In-Person by Sindi Broussard Terrien 
 
Discover the interesting history of Acadians and Cajun descendants while learning about the resources available for your genealogy research. 
 
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/BristolNov2024
 


Chapter Meeting Workshop
Saturday, November 23
Chapter Meeting Workshop  (Merrimack Valley)
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Georgetown Peabody Library 2 Maple St, Georgetown MA
In PERSON ONLY workshop. 
We had a great time at our last workshop and broke down a brickwall or two. Bring along your laptop, your research papers and of course yourself to this fun morning of conversation with like minded Genealogy enthusiasts. You will have a great time.
 
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC



Book Club - The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria Von Trapp
Tuesday, December 3
Book Club - The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria Von Trapp  (Book Club)
7:00 pm
Virtual
With nearly 1,500 Broadway performances, six Tony Awards, more than three million albums sold, and five Academy Awards, The Sound of Music, based on the lives of Maria, the baron, and their singing children, is as familiar to most of us as our own family history. But much about the real-life woman and her family was left untold.
 
Here, Baroness Maria Augusta Trapp tells in her own beautiful, simple words the extraordinary story of her romance with the baron, their escape from Nazi-occupied Austria, and their life in America.
 
Maria Augusta Kutschera was born on a train en route to Vienna just before midnight on January 26, 1905. Her mother died when she was only two years old and her father left her with an elderly cousin so that he could be free to travel. She experienced a lonely and very strict upbringing without any siblings or other children in the household. She was raised a socialist and an atheist and was actively cynical towards all religions. It was during a visit to a church to hear a Bach concert that her mind was changed when she heard the words of a well-known priest, Father Kronseder. Her meeting with him led to her entering a convent to become a nun. While she was devoted to the convent life, she was taken away from the outdoor activities she once thrived on. Her doctor, concerned that her health was failing, helped the nuns to decide to send Maria to the home of retied naval captain Georg Von Trapp, to be governess to his bedridden daughter. On November 26, 1927, Maria and Georg were married. The rest is history. (Amazon Review)
 
You must be logged in as a Member to participate in the event. Log-in at https://www.msoginc.org/members.php. Go to "Event Registration" to register for the book club.


A History of Marrying for Reasons Other than Love
Saturday, December 7
A History of Marrying for Reasons Other than Love  (Worcester)
9:30 am to 11:30 am
Virtual
 
Marcia Zug presents:
 
A History of Marrying for Reasons Other than Love
 
Why have people married through history besides for love? Arranged marriages? Marriages of convenience? Dowries? Join us for this enlightening conversation with Professor Marcia Zug as she discusses the history of marriage, how it's affected so many of our social norms, and if there is a benefit to taking economics and politics out of marriage so it can just be about love.
 
About Marcia:
 
Zug, a family law professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law, is the author of You'll Do: A History of Marrying for Reasons Other Than Love.
 
9:30 AM EDT    Socializing
  9:45 AM EDT    Business meeting
10:00 AM EDT    Presentation
 
This presentation will be Virtual via Zoom.  Pre-registration is required if you are attending virtually at: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAldO-upz8qGteqQGVyUVu9CRLzEAtFqzXd
 
 
 
 
 
 


Gee I Wish I’d Known That From the Start - Search Tips and Tricks
Saturday, December 21
Gee I Wish I’d Known That From the Start - Search Tips and Tricks  (Bristol)
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Attend in Person or Virtually via Zoom
Presented Virtually by Carol Ansel, Director at the Godfrey Memorial Library
 
Carol Ansel, Director at the Godfrey Memorial Library in Middletown, will share a number of hints to make your online genealogy searching easier and more effective. Some of these are general practice for experienced online searchers, but some are not nearly so obvious. In fact, Carol learned many of them from other genealogical researchers. The kind of tips that will make you think, "Gee, I wish I'd known that from the start!" Join Carol and up your searching game.
 
Carol Ansel is the Director of the Godfrey Memorial Library. She has worked as both a public and school librarian; when she got bitten by the genealogical research bug she took the genealogical certificate program at Boston University and soon thereafter landed a job at the Godfrey, a genealogy and local history library in Middletown, CT. The combination of running a library, helping others with their research, and writing genealogical reports is a dream job for her.
 
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/BristolDec2024


December - No Meeting
Saturday, December 28
December - No Meeting  (Merrimack Valley)
No meeting this month. 
We want to wish you Happy Holidays.
We hope you enjoy the most joyous and wonderous time this Holiday Season with those who mean so much to you.
 
See you in January 2025



Social Impact of Tea in Our History
Saturday, January 4, 2025
Social Impact of Tea in Our History  (Worcester)
9:30 am to 11:30 am
Virtual
Social Impact of Tea in our History
 
This lecture provides an engaging discussion on the social impact of tea in our history and society. We will begin with the discovery of tea and learn first about the spread of tea throughout Europe. The tea trade with China and the Opium Wars, its impact on the US and European industrialization, and the current status of tea today. Throughout the presentation, enjoy sipping teas from the major tea producing countries. 
 
About Danielle Beaudette:
 
Danielle Beaudette is one of the first 15 in the world to be certified in all levels as a Tea Specialist through the Specialty Tea Institute, NY and has completed over 95 tea seminars at the World Tea Expo.  She has researched and learned first-hand about the production of tea through her Asian tea travels and relationships with Chinese, Indian, Sri Lankan, Japanese, Nepalese, and Taiwanese tea growers. Danielle sources only the finest, high quality, freshly imported teas, earning The Cozy Tea Cart the title of “Best of NH” from New Hampshire Magazine. Just as important as the quality of her tea, she promotes excellence in service and pride in educating her customers.
 
9:30 AM EDT    Socializing
  9:45 AM EDT    Business meeting
10:00 AM EDT    Presentation
 
This presentation will be Virtual via Zoom.  Pre-registration is required if you are attending virtually at: 
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwsf-2tqDIjH9H910a6Dt6iSRzEqLBrKYqU
 


Genealogy Resources at the New Bedford Public Library
Saturday, January 18, 2025
Genealogy Resources at the New Bedford Public Library  (Bristol)
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Attend in Person or Virtually via Zoom
Presented by Jodi Goodman and MaryEllen Cecil
 
Jodi Goodman, Special Collections Librarian and MaryEllen Cecil, Special Collections Assistant work as a team in the Paul A. Cyr History Room at the New Bedford Free Public Library, where they support collection management and reference activities for the Historical collection (printed works, graphics, manuscripts).
 
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/BristolJan2025



Stolen: Women Inventors Lost & Found
Saturday, February 1, 2025
Stolen: Women Inventors Lost & Found  (Worcester)
9:30 am to 11:30 am
Virtual
Dr. Bill Thierfelder presents:
 
Stolen: Women Inventors Lost & Found
 
Throughout history, women have often been sidelined, often through lack of opportunity or out-right sexism. And many times, women who invented items — from disposable diapers to Monopoly — weren't given credit for their work. Women are responsible for early sketches of the computer, the discovery of the DNA double helix, and even fire escapes. But often men claimed those advancements as their own--or the woman was simply unacknowledged. This program explores 21 things most people don’t know were invented or discovered by women.
 
About Dr. Thierfelder:
 
Led by Dr. Bill Thierfelder is a retired college professor who taught a variety of Arts and Humanities courses for 32 years at several New York universities and colleges, including St. John's University and Dowling College. He holds a Ph.D. in English, with minors in theater, art history and music history.
 
 9:30 AM EDT    Socializing
  9:45 AM EDT    Business meeting
10:00 AM EDT    Presentation
 
This presentation will be Virtual via Zoom.  Pre-registration is required if you are attending virtually at: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEudOuurT0vEtLS4zdOO533tJBL4T0N8upb
 
 


9th Annual Ancestors Day
Saturday, February 15, 2025
9th 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 https://tinyurl.com/BristolFeb2025



Doing Genealogy Without Breaking the Bank
Saturday, March 1, 2025
Doing Genealogy Without Breaking the Bank  (Worcester)
9:30 am to 11:30 am
Hybrid: TBA AND virtual
 
Sara Campbell presents:
 
Doing Genealogy Without Breaking the Bank
 
The number of genealogy websites, organizations, and publications can be daunting. This session explores techniques to save money on subscriptions and genealogy education. Learn how to find free resources, how to take advantage of trial memberships, and how to target your genealogy dollars. The most valuable genealogical sources are the ones that contain information about your family. Learn how to find them. This session covers the pros and cons of the top sites for searching genealogical databases, as well as in-person research. 
 
About Sara Campbell:
 
Led by genealogist Sara Campbell. Lecturer, educator, author and editor, Sara has experience teaching non-credit courses in various genealogical topics at local colleges, and speaking to societies and library groups around the New England region. She has presented at the New England Regional Genealogical Consortium's conferences since 2017.
 
9:30 AM EDT    Socializing
  9:45 AM EDT    Business meeting
10:00 AM EDT    Presentation
 
This presentation will be in person and Virtual via Zoom.  Pre-registration is required if you are attending virtually at: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpfu2hrjIrEtHbgzYHswO9RiNgW6csd5ty
 


Tracing Your Immigrant Ancestors
Saturday, March 15, 2025
Tracing Your Immigrant Ancestors  (Bristol)
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Attend in Person or Virtually via Zoom
Presented by Margaret R. Fortier
 
Your ancestors may have arrived in the United States with the great waves of immigration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Or they may have emigrated before the Civil War. While there are specific strategies for each ethnic group, there is also a systematic process that applies to any search for immigrants. Margaret will guide you through each step of the process with examples. Discover your immigrant ancestors and tell their stories! 
.
Named after her grandmothers and inspired by her mother’s phenomenal memory, Margaret Rose Fortier is a Board-certified genealogical researcher, writer, and lecturer. She specializes in immigrant ancestors to New England. A graduate of Boston College and Bentley University, she holds a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University. She serves on the board of the Association of Professional Genealogists. She is co-editor of the National Genealogical Society Quarterly and an instructor for the Spring 2025 course, "Tracing Your French-Canadian Ancestors" at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy.
 
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/BristolMar2025



Member Sharing
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Member Sharing  (Worcester)
9:30 am to 11:30 am
TBA
Member Sharing


Saturday, April 19, 2025
DNA for Beginning Genealogists  (Bristol)
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Attend in Person or Virtually via Zoom
Presented by Terry Dugan
 
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/BristolApr2025



Navigating Notarial Records in Quebec
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Navigating Notarial Records in Quebec  (Bristol)
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Attend in Person or Virtually via Zoom
Presented Virtually by Rhonda R. McClure
 
Notarial records are an essential yet often overlooked resource for family historians researching ancestors with roots in Quebec from marriages to estate inventories to labor contracts these records can provide a wealth of genealogical information not found elsewhere. Join us to learn about what types of notarial records exist, how to access them, and how to get the most out of these important resources.
 
Rhonda R McClure, senior genealogist is a nationally recognized professional genealogist and lecturer. Before joining American Ancestors/NEHGS in 2006, she ran her own genealogical business for 18 years.  She was a contributing editor for Heritage Quest magazine, Biography magazine, and was a contributor to the History Channel magazine and American History magazine. In addition to numerous articles, she is the author of 12 books including the award-winning the Complete Idiot's Guide to Online Genealogy, Finding our Famous and Infamous Ancestors, and Digitizing Your Family History. She is also the editor of the recently released 6th edition of the Genealogist Handbook for New England Research. Her areas of expertise includes immigration and naturalization, late 19th and early 20th century urban research, New England, Midwest, southern German, Italian, Scottish, Irish, French Canadian, and New Brunswick research.
 
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/BristolMay2025



Luncheon
Saturday, June 7, 2025
Luncheon  (Worcester)
12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
TBA
End-of-Year Luncheon; location TBA.


Saturday, June 21, 2025
Bristol Chapter Annual Meeting: America’s 250th Birthday  (Bristol)
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Attend in Person or Virtually via Zoom
Presented by TBD
 
Freetown Historical Society
1 Slab Bridge Rd.
Assonet, MA 02702
 
Business Meeting   11:00-11:30 am
Member Sharing     11:30-11:55 am
Presentation Begins at Noon. 
 
Member Lunch Included.
 
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/BristolJun2025