Temperance advocates celebrated victory when America went dry in 1920. For a short time, the great experiment appeared to curb the ills associated with imbibing alcohol. However, American drinking culture moved to private clubs, home production, and overtly shady acquisition. This program will lead you through an assortment of prohibition and post-repeal day resources which will help demystify your ancestor's relationship with alcohol from 1920-1933

 

  9:30 AM EST    Socializing
  9:45 AM EST    Business meeting

10:00 AM EST    Presentation

 

 

Despite having 10 children, Martha Brown Chandler has remained virtually invisible to history. Her married life began in Pomfret, CT and after migration she spent the remainder of her days in Hanover, NH. In this presentation we will uncover Martha’s life (1761-1841), attempt to prove her parentage and separate her from erroneous parents.

 

 

 

Conveniently located off Rt. 20, the Marlborough Country Club is handicap accessible and offers ample free parking.

 

The 2025 Annual Meeting committee has planned an exciting program that includes engaging speakers, great food, and plenty of opportunities for socializing—not to mention fabulous door prizes.

 

The day’s program includes the following presentations:

 

The registration fee covers a full day’s worth of food and refreshments, including coffee and pastries, a buffet lunch, and refreshment breaks.

 

REGISTRATION FEES     Members $50           Non-members $60

 

 

Registration will be open from October 1st through October 20th. 
MSOG Members: $50.00
Non-members:   $60.00
 
Members Login to Register for the Annual Meeting  Register here: https://msoginc.org/store.php?sid=1&acs=A&ars=A&cid=8
 
When: Saturday, November 15, 2025
Where: Marlborough Country Club, 200 Concord Rd. Marlborough, MA
 
Directions: From the North or South take 495 to Exit 63A on to Route 20 East, at 3.4 miles turn left on Concord Rd. at .4 miles the Venue will be on your left. Come early to get a good parking spot.
 
9:00 to 9:30 am - Registration
There will be Breakfast Pastries, Fruit and Muffins along with Coffee & Tea, Orange Juice and Cranberry Juice
 
 9:30 to 10:20   - Annual Business Meeting & Indexing Project of MASSOG Journals
10:20 to 10:30 - Break
10:30 to 10:50 - Special Event
10:50 to 11:00 - Break
11:00 to 12:00 - Speaker: Jennifer Zinck, presents Practical AI: Time-Saving Solutions for Genealogists
12:00 to 1:00 - Buffet Lunch 
     Garden Salad, Seasonal Spinach Salad, Warm Dinner Rolls, Chicken Marsala, Wild Mushroom Sauce, Parmesan Herb Baked Haddock, Pasta Primavera, Roasted Red Bliss Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables. Assorted Pre-plated Desserts
 
Email Treasurer@msoginc.org if you have any special dietary requirements.
 
1:00 to 2:00 - Speaker: Rob Weir, presents Genealogical Gold in New England Town Books and Reports
2:00 to 2:10 - Break
2:10 to 3:10 - History of MSOG and Genealogy
3:10 to 4:00 - Chapter Photos, Door Prizes
 
If you have any questions, send an email to AnnualMeeting@msoginc.org
 
Click here: https://msoginc.org/upload/files/2025-11-15_Annual_Meeting_Schedule_flyer.pdf to open a pdf that you can print, it provides the times and directions.

 

Presented Virtually by Karen A. Fortin

Death certificates are important resources when researching the lives of our ancestors. However, due to outdated terminology and the limits of medical knowledge in the past, it can be hard to interpret the causes of death given. This presentation examines these limitations and other factors and provides resources that can help you to better understand what your ancestors might have died from.

Karen A. Fortin received a bachelor's degree in history and a master's degree in library and information science from the University of South Florida. She worked at the Barbara S. Ponce Public Library in Pinellas Park, FL for 30 years before deciding to focus on genealogical research. 

Karen's passion for history and research led her to an interest in genealogy. She began volunteering with the Pinellas Genealogy Society in Largo, FL in 2012, and was the society's president from 2014-2017. Karen began providing genealogy and history presentations in 2016 and has lectured at various genealogical societies and public libraries, and for other interested organizations. One of her goals is to help people explore historical periods, places, and events so that they can better understand their ancestors and the world in which they lived.

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.

Worcester and Middlesex Chapters

 

 

Brown argued his case against slavery with an eloquence that reverberated around the world, and became a symbol of the struggle to abolish slavery and a martyr to the cause of freedom.

 

 

On June 9, 1953, a group of fishermen on the Quabbin Reservoir saw a funnel drop from the clouds heading towards the town of Petersham, Massachusetts. Unbeknownst to them, it was the beginning of one of the worst natural disasters in Massachusetts. A class F-4 tornado was on the ground for approximately 85 minutes, traveling forty-two miles and killing 94 people and injuring thousands making it the 20th deadliest tornado in US history. Over a six-month period, a collection of 160 Shrewsbury police photographs of the tornado aftermath were scanned and documented for this presentation. Google My Maps was used to trace the path of the devastation in Shrewsbury and firsthand newspaper accounts were researched and summarized to bring context around the photo collection.

Paul Bruegemann is a lifelong resident of Shrewsbury along with his wife Janine. He is a graduate of St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury and has a mathematics degree from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester. Paul will be retiring from a 42-year career in insurance actuarial data management in March 2026. He has been doing family research for 35 years and is a member of numerous genealogical and historical societies in New England including NGS, American Ancestors, AFGS, RIGS and MSOG. Paul has written genealogical articles and assisted with content on two Worcester books on the Worcester Memorial Auditorium and the 1918 Flu Pandemic. Paul also spends time researching old photographs and writing historical FaceBook posts for the towns of Shrewsbury, Worcester, and Oxford. He currently serves as the MSOG Worcester Chapter and State Treasurer positions.

 

Go to "MSOG Board Meetings" to register for the MSOG Board Meeting.

 

Log-in at https://msoginc.org/members.php.

 

Near the top of your match list, you have got this mystery match that just might be the key to your research. The only problem is – you have hit a brick wall!  But this doesn’t mean that you should give up!

 

Kate Penney Howard is a genetic genealogist and speaker specializing in endogamy and breaking down challenging research barriers with DNA. Nationally known, she brings decades of experience in family research and hundreds of successfully solved genetic genealogy cases.

 

Known for her compassionate approach, Kate helps clients uncover ancestral mysteries while providing them with more complete family medical histories and a stronger sense of identity. Her presentations captivate audiences by seamlessly blending historical context, technical guidance, and well-placed humor that keeps listeners engaged.

 

4 Precinct Street

Lakeville, MA 02347

 
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/BristolOct2025

 

 

 

Do you have colonial ancestors from the states that make up what we call New England? If so, then this is the class for you. Learn about the resources available on both sides of the pond to help in researching your colonial ancestors.

 

 

 

Presented by Philip Johnson 

 

This lecture will teach you how to search for information on your ancestors railroad history, including employment railroad lines worked on and general history of those railroads.

 

  9:30 AM EDT    Socializing
  9:45 AM EDT    Business meeting

 10:00 AM EDT   Presentation

 

Face it: most genealogists never get around to publishing that family history book based on their genealogy research. How about a different approach: producing short 3-5 page “sketches” about an ancestor? You’ll learn how to include a cover, photos, facts, family stories, source citations and more! And guess what, once you get a few of these ancestor sketches done, you can compile them together for one big book!

1464 County Street
Somerset, MA 02726
 
Business Meeting   11:00-11:30 am
Member Sharing     11:30-11:55 am
Presentation Begins at Noon. 

Alex London presents:

 

 

One powerful, but sometimes overlooked tool in the genealogist’s toolkit is the information found in the land and real estate records. Learn how deeds, mortgages, directories, and other records can help unlock new avenues for your genealogical research.

 

 

The Freetown Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the history of Freetown and the surrounding communities for future generations to enjoy.

 

In November of 1967, six Freetown residents sat in a living room in Assonet and dreamed about how they could preserve the area's history and character. In 1969, the group realized this dream and the Freetown Historical Society was officially founded.

 

We are a group of volunteers from all different experiences and age groups who are passionate about preserving our local history. We all have a love of learning, especially about our area, and learn something new every day we walk through the doors of the museum. We believe this is a special place and that this institution should be preserved and shared with all, especially future generations. 

 

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

Making Informed Choices for Your Genealogical Journey

 

Are you curious about the difference between earning a genealogy certificate and achieving professional certification? While both offer valuable pathways for learning and career growth, they serve distinct purposes. This presentation will break down the key differences, helping you decide which option best aligns with your educational goals or professional aspirations. We'll also explore valuable resources available for each path, empowering you to take the next step with confidence.

 

 

 

 

Sindi Broussard Terrien is a research genealogist, specializing in Acadian and Cajun women. Her blog, My Many Mothers, features detailed biographies of her great-grandmothers, bringing ten generations of stories to life for modern audiences. She recently published Genealogy Fun While Developing New Genealogists and Fun with Genealogy Activity Book 1 which can be purchased on Amazon.com. Her second activity book, Making Sense of the Census is expected to be published in May 2025. As an associate editor for the American-French Genealogical Society’s Je Me Souviens Magazine, she has contributed many articles highlighting forgotten women, genealogy techniques, and book reviews. Sindi Broussard Terrien received a certificate in genealogical research from Boston University. Her passion for genealogy spans over twenty years.

 

Bonnie Croteau presents:

 

 

Whether you're tracing your family history or preparing a lineage society application, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) website provides a vast and ever-expanding collection of genealogical resources. Join me as we explore these valuable tools and discover how they can support your research. You'll also learn my key strategies for finding elusive records on FamilySearch, including a review of the FamilySearch Experimental Labs Full-Text Search and how it can enhance your genealogical discoveries.
 
Bonnie Croteau is a professional genealogist with over thirty years of experience researching family histories in the United States and Ireland. She specializes in New England research and lineage society applications. Bonnie is a DAR member and chairs the Volunteer Genealogists Committee for her Daughters of the American Revolution chapter. She also serves as Treasurer for the Massachusetts Society of Genealogists and its Merrimack Valley Chapter.

 

This will be our Annual Luncheon meeting.

 

1160 W Boylston St

Worcester, MA

 

11:30 am EDT       Restaurant opens

12:00 noon EDT    Luncheon

1:00 pm EDT         Presentation

 

 

Luncheon is $33 per person and includes rolls & butter, choice of entree, ice cream, and coffee, tea, or soft drink.

 

 

 

 

 

Middlesex and Merrimack Valley Chapters are joining together for this meeting.

 

 

 

See the event for May 31st, this will be a Hybrid meeting of two Chapters, Middlesex and Merrimack Valley.  You can attend in person at the Georgetown Peabody Library, in Georgetown, MA or virtual via Zoom.

 

Marian Burk Wood will present Bring Family History Alive in Bite-Sized Projects

Was your home moved, damaged by fire or enlarged to accommodate a growing family? Tina will provide strategies for researching the history of your home by using government records, newspapers, phone directories, maps and other resources. Every home tells a story, what does yours say?

 

In celebration of Preservation Month, Tina Beaird, owner of Tamarack Genealogy, will be giving a webinar titled Brick by Brick :Tracing your Homes History. Tina is the genealogy & local history librarian at a mid-sized Chicagoland public library. She holds a Masters of Library and Information Science degree with a specialization in Archives/Preservation from Dominican University in River Forest, IL Tina has won multiple research and digitization grants over the years to preserve and digitize historic documents and photographs.
 
She lectures nationally on topics including genealogical methodology, military records, Scottish research, plus photo and archival preservation. Tina has assisted researchers for over 20 years, and occasionally still finds time to conduct her own family research, which she has been pursuing for over thirty years.

 

Joint Meeting of the Merrimack Valley and Worcester Chapters

 

Judge Dennis Curran presents:

 

 

In 1873, Susan B. Anthony was indicted by a grand jury for "knowingly, wrongfully, and unlawfully voting ... the said Susan B. Anthony being then and there a person of the female sex." Her trial, in which Anthony was convicted of breaking the law by casting a vote in a Presidential election, became one of the most famous trials of the nineteenth century.

 

Far from defeating the fledgling movement for women's suffrage, the trial brought more publicity to the issue, largely due to Anthony's clever stratagem of publishing the trial proceedings, and then shrewdly using it for a public relations campaign to rally women to the cause. 

 

 

The Honorable Dennis J. Curran, retired Massachusetts Superior Court Justice, has taught law at Tufts University, Roger Williams University of School of Law, and Brown University.

 

 

10:00 am EDT           Library opens

10:30 am EDT           Socializing and business meetings

11:00 am EDT           Presentation

12:15 am EDT           A light lunch will be provided 

 

Zoom:  Pre-registration is required to attend via Zoom at

 

In-Person:  Pre-registration is not required if attending in person, but is recommended so we can plan for lunch.  Please email worcester@msoginc.org or merrimackvalley@msoginc.org.

 

Gleason Public Library

Hollis Room - 3rd floor - accessible via elevator

22 Bedford Rd (Rt 225)

Carlisle, MA

 

There is a limited amount of parking at the library.  The Library asks individuals attending programs to consider parking at adjacent lots. These are within a very short walking distance of the library. 

Church St.:
At town center, on 225 (Bedford Rd coming west or Concord Rd coming east), near the rotary, turn onto School St going up the hill. Take the first left onto Church St. You will see the School parking lot to the right. Across from this parking entrance is a path through the trees to the Library. You can park across the street from this path on Church St.

Lowell St.:
At town center, at the rotary on 225, turn onto Lowell St. Pass the store Ferns (big yellow building on the corner). There is parking to the right in a small town lot.

See the event for May 3rd, this will be a Hybrid meeting of two Chapters, Worcester and Merrimack Valley.  You can attend in person at the Gleason Public Library, in Carlisle, MA or virtual via Zoom.

 

Judge Dennis Curran will present Trial of Susan B. Anthony: Voting Rights for Women

 

Middlesex Chapter Meeting

 

 

 

This program is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

This meeting will be online via Zoom.

Learn the alphabet of professional genealogy designations and the options to gain credentials for Professional Standards

 

Angela Harris, CG, is a board-certified professional genealogist specializing in forensic genealogy focusing on probate research and family reconstruction. Her work has included complex cases from New England, the Midwestern US, Canada, and Italy. Angela holds a Professional Learning Certificate in Genealogical Studies from the National Institute of Genealogical Studies and has enhanced her education with several certificates in forensic and genetic genealogy through the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh/GRIP Genealogy Institute and the Applied Genealogy Institute. Angela has served as Secretary for the New England Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists since 2023 and is a Director-at-Large of the New Hampshire Society of Genealogists.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-registration is required at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIsc-mhrTgrG9aD8_Bxnf5X_Rb80M7kIfJU.

 

HYBRID. Come join in person or on Zoom. 

Those who wish to attend virtually, can pre-register at MVMAR2025

 

We are pleased to present a discussion on what it involves from our persepectives on being a volunteer for the board positions on the Merrimack Valley Chapter. We also will be reviewing our MSOG website and some of the features you may not be aware of.

 

We hope you will join us, Carol, Bonnie and Nancy.

 

 

 

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

Irish research has a reputation for being challenging. You might have heard that many Irish records were lost, creating gaps in records that appear unsurmountable. Don’t give up before you get started! Learn about the history of Ireland, the different jurisdictions (religious, civil, health) and where to find records for different periods in history. Find out strategies to overcome obstacles and work around missing records.

 

Middlesex Chapter Meeting

 

 

This program is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

This meeting will be online via Zoom.

 

Sara Campbell presents:

 

 

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. 

 

 

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.

 

Presented by Thomas MacEntee

 

Many genealogists are familiar with ChatGPT - the leading artificial intelligence platform for business and personal use. What most don’t know is that specialized ChatGPTs have been created to help expand your genealogy experience. Learn how to find these special tools and how they work.

 

Thomas MacEntee is a professional genealogist specializing in the use of technology and social media to improve genealogical research and as a means of interacting with others in the family history community.

 

Georgetown Peabody Library

2 Maple St,

Georgetown MA

 

This program is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Those who wish to attend virtually, can pre-register at: MVFEB2025

 

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

This talk will cover some basics but include finding a genetic network and how to use subnetworks (like Enhanced Shared Matches from Pro Tool) to figure out your matches.  Did you get a DNA kit recently?  Kelli can answer all your questions and more.

 

 

Kelli Bergheimer is a writer, teacher, editor, and international genealogical speaker. Kelli holds a Bachelor’s in Biology, a Master’s in Education: Curriculum and Instruction, and a Master’s in Business Management. Kelli is the Director of Curriculum and Assessments for Blue Kayak, a K-12 textbook company. She also works as the Director of Education for Your DNA Guide. Kelli runs a small business—Mess on the Desk, a genealogical organization company with a YouTube channel. Kelli is the facilitator for Genetics, Genealogy, and You, an online DNA Interest Group. Kelli is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the Genealogical Speaker's Guild.

 

Middlesex Chapter Meeting

 

 

This program is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

This meeting will be online via Zoom.