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MSOG, Inc.
PO Box 215
Ashland, MA 01721-0215 |
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Saturday, October 17
Workshop on Deciphering Old Handwriting (Bristol)
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Attend in Person
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. Only the Business Meeting will be held virtually.
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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Saturday, October 24
Anna's Origins, presented by Pam Holland (Merrimack Valley)
10:00 am to 12:00 pm Georgetown Peabody Library - hybrid - in-person and online
Anna Elisabeth Mohrmann immigrated from Germany to Ohio in 1864 and quickly married. But her husband was not the man she had intended to marry. For years her origins in Germany and her parentage were a mystery. Learn how one record broke through her brick wall pointing to where she was born. Careful analysis then led to learning the names of her parents and grandparents.
This program is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
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Wednesday, October 28
Best Genealogy Conference (Genealogy Discussion Group)
7:00 pm Virtual via Zoom Only
Join us for a relaxed group discussion where everyone is welcome and all voices are important. You are encouraged to ask questions, share your knowledge, and exchange personal experiences and opinions. Instead of conducting research, we'll suggest other resources and ways to find the answers you're looking for. You'll leave with new insights, helpful resources, and connections with others who share your interests.
This event is facilitated by MSOG, Inc.; however, any views or opinions shared are independent and do not necessarily reflect the stance of MSOG, Inc.
This will not be recorded. However, generic questions and resources may be shared on the MSOG website and Past Times Newsletter.
This will be FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
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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
On Line Registration will begin in October.
Please join us at a new location for this year’s Annual Meeting. Our speakers will be Sharon Inglis, Vice President of Publishing at NEHGS, who will be presenting Ten Steps to Writing & Publishing Your Family History and Carol Ansel, Library Director at Godfrey Memorial Library, who will be presenting Resources of the Godfrey Memorial Library with emphasis on Massachusetts.
We begin the day at 9:00 with Check in and breakfast offerings. There will be presentations throughout the day, with a break at noon for lunch. We will end the day with the Door Prize drawings.
Location: John Boyle O’Reilly Hall, 17 Willow St, Westborough.
Directions:
From North or South take 495 to Exit 59B, this is Route 9 West towards Worcester. In 1.9 Miles turn left at the lights on Lyman St. In .4 miles turn right on Rte 30 (Main St). In .5 miles turn right on Willow St, just before the railroad bridge.
From West take Route 9 East towards Boston. In Westborough, take a right on Route 135 in 1.9 Miles take for 4th exit off the Rotary onto East Main St. Take a left just after you go under the railroad bridge.
We hope to see you there. |
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Wednesday, November 18
Military and Pension Files (Middlesex)
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm Virtual via Zoom
**Please note that the date has changed to Wednesday, November 18, 2026
Presented virtually by David Allen Lambert
The military records at the National Archives detail service given between 1775 and 1916. We will discuss how to locate, access, and utilize compiled service records, pension applications, and other resources that detail your veteran ancestor’s service. We will also discuss briefly more recent records available through the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis (WWI–present).
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.
7:00-7:30 pm: Short business meeting and open discussion
7:30 pm: Program begins
This program is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
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Saturday, November 21
More Than Revolutionary Ancestors: Exploring the DAR’s Genealogical Research System (Merrimack Valley)
10:00 am Georgetown Peabody Library - hybrid - in-person and online
Explore the Daughters of the American Revolution’s Genealogical Research System (GRS) and discover how its many databases and resources can enhance your genealogy research. This guided tour will cover the major parts of the GRS, including the Ancestor and Descendants Searches, Genealogical Records Committee resources, and the new 250 for the 250th
databases, released in 2026. Learn how to search effectively and uncover valuable clues in this often-overlooked research
resource.
Bonnie Croteau is a genealogist with over thirty years of research experience, with specialties in Massachusetts and
Revolutionary War Patriot research. She serves as a Chapter Registrar for the Daughters of the American Revolution and
Merrimack Valley Chapter Treasurer for the Massachusetts Society of Genealogists, Inc. Additional information on genealogy research, recent projects, and family history can be found on her website, www.beyondthetreegenealogy.com.
This program is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. |
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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 5
“From Archives to Audiences: Engaging Your Family through AI Generated Videos” (Worcester)
9:30 am to 12:00 pm Worcester: TBA and Virtual
Title: “From Archives to Audiences: Engaging Your Family through AI Generated Videos”
Speaker: Bill Duke, retired Customer Support Senior Manager and was an experienced software instructor & presenter working at IBM and Dassault Systemes. He has researched his genealogy for over 40 years, and is a member of CMGS.
Description: Does the mention of “census schedules,” “pension files,” or “vital records” make your relatives’ eyes glaze over? You’ve spent countless hours unearthing the fascinating stories of those who came before us, but sharing a stack of old records doesn't always capture the imagination of the next generation. This session explores how to use AI applications to transform raw genealogical data into engaging, short-form videos. Learn how to bridge the gap between rigorous historical research and modern storytelling, ensuring your family’s legacy is not just preserved, but actually watched.
9:30 Socializing
9:45 Short Business Meeting
10:00 Presentation
Here is the link with which you may register for the virtual meeting:
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Saturday, December 12
Mining for Genealogical Gold in Federal Records (Middlesex)
10:30 am to 12:00 pm Virtual via Zoom
Presented virtually by Linda MacIver
You haven't done that "reasonably exhaustive search" unless you include more than the usual federal records. It really is a myth that our families weren't important enough to be in records preserved at the National Archives!
Linda B. MacIver is an educator, lecturer, librarian and genealogy researcher. She retired from a 27- year career at the Boston Public Library Research Library where she inaugurated the BPL patron genealogy classes. She also organized two extremely popular seasons of the Local and Family History lecture series and developed the Intermediate Genealogy Summer Lecture series. Linda is the past Secretary and Civil Records Director for Federal Records for the Massachusetts Genealogical Council. She serves as the New England Representative for the Essex (England!) Record Office. Linda has a BA in History from the University of New Hampshire, an MEd from Boston University and earned her MSLIS at Simmons College.
Linda was the 2018 recipient of the Richard S. Lackey Scholarship to the Genealogical Institute for Federal Records (GEN-FED) and the inaugural recipient of the 2019 Senior at the Center of Excellence Award sponsored by Xerox Corporation and the City of Boston.
10:30–11:00 am: Short business meeting and open discussion
11:00 am: Program begins
This program is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
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Saturday, December 19
Research Process at AncestryProGenealogists (Bristol)
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Attend in Person or Virtually via Zoom
Presented In-Person by Evan Wilson, Ancestry.com Professional Researcher
This presentation will offer an inside look at the research process used by AncestryProGenealogists, including why someone might choose to hire a professional researcher, how requests are assigned, and what preparation can help make a project successful. Attendees will learn about the experience professional genealogists bring to client work, the specialized resources and tools they use, and practical tips for beginner and average Ancestry.com users. The session will also highlight commonly used and often-overlooked tools and resources, along with favorite research discoveries that demonstrate the value of professional genealogical 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/BristolDec2026 |
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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 frequently writes and lectures about Massachusetts real estate law and how property records are best used by historians and genealogists.
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
Presented In-Person by Richard P. Howe, Jr.
Leveraging his presentation in January, Richard Howe will demonstrate the steps taken to find land records in Massachusetts.
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, April 17, 2027
Genealogy Day (Bristol)
11:00 am to 12:00 pm Attend in Person
Hosted by the Somerset Public Library and Bristol Chapter Members
Join us for an informal, in-person Genealogy Day. Bring your questions and enjoy a day of genealogy discussions, resources, and conversation with friends.
- Need help using the FamilySearch affiliate database? Reference staff from the Somerset Public Library will be available to assist you.
- Explore the Bristol Chapter’s extensive collection of genealogy resources housed at the library.
- Bristol Chapter members will also be on hand to share their favorite genealogy websites, research tips, and the resources that have worked well for them.
There will be no business meeting—just a relaxed opportunity to learn, connect, and talk genealogy. We will meet at 11:00 am.
SOMERSET PUBLIC LIBRARY
1464 County Street
Somerset, MA 02726
This program is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
For more information contact: bristol@msoginc.org
Schedule of Events Available at: https://msoginc.org
This program is in-person only. |
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Saturday, May 15, 2027
Scan Day (Bristol)
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Attend in Person
Hosted by the Somerset Public Library and the Bristol Chapter
In conjunction with the Somerset Public Library, the Bristol Chapter will be hosting a Scan Day. Members and the public will be able to bring photos and documents to the library for scanning. Details of the event will be forthcoming. Only the Business Meeting will be held virtually.
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, June 19, 2027
Bristol Chapter Annual Meeting (Bristol)
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Attend in Person or Virtually via Zoom
Location: TBD
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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