It seems so many people are interested in genealogy, particularly with the advances of DNA research. There are hobbies and interests that can be pursued individually such as reading, gardening, photography or jogging. Genealogy also can be pursued individually but it is more enriching when you are a member of a society where you can collaborate and tap into a collective pool of knowledge, experience and resources of other members. Sharing stories, asking questions and partaking in a network with other individuals who share your passion is a win-win situation. And sharing experiences provides mutual support which can be motivating and help you stay on track when you encounter those frustrating brick walls. Lastly, its nice to celebrate your discoveries with those who appreciate your research.
The St. Mary’s County Genealogical Society Inc. (SMCGSI) is a non-profit organization to promote and encourage interests in genealogy and historical research. SMCGSI holds scheduled meetings, via Zoom, for members of the Society and the general public to provide a forum for learning and the exchange of information relevant to genealogy (see our Events tab for dates and times). Our goal is to share knowledge and help people find their ancestors! SMCGSI maintains a genealogy collection which is available for research at the Leonardtown Branch of the St. Mary’s County Memorial Library. And exclusively for our members, we have a special section on our website and members receive copies of our quarterly publication, The Generator. Both the Members Only section of the website and The Generator provide information of interest and value to researchers.
And lastly, I encourage you to attend genealogy conferences, seminars and workshops to learn more about researching your ancestors, particularly in a geographic area. Many are now virtual and can be viewed live or at a later more convenient time and eliminating the expense of travel.
Our member’s research is not limited to St. Mary’s County or Maryland – our ancestors lived everywhere. What our membership shares is curiosity and a love of continuous learning. If you are not already a member, please consider joining!
Eve Love
Upcoming Events
A Guide to Overseas Genealogy
Zoom meeting - see details for link
Jacquie Schattner will tell why "crossing the pond" is easier than we think. She'll review the history of immigrant travel into the U.S. and how to find genealogical records in most European countries. Included will be a list of books and over 70 American and European websites for genealogical research. This presentation covers five areas of overseas genealogy - emigration, voyage details, immigration, naturalization and genealogical websites both American and European.
This is a Zoom meeting - click here to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87375795335?pwd=MRxeWqoj9sl19KwTxMmYxCsGmWZ0Ni.1
Marylanders to Kentucky
Zoom meeting - see details for link.
Eve Love will give an overview of the push and pull of the Maryland to Kentucky exodus in the late 1700s.
This is a Zoom meeting - click here to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87375795335?pwd=MRxeWqoj9sl19KwTxMmYxCsGmWZ0Ni.1
Finding African American Family in Southern Maryland
Zoom meeting – see details for link. This is a shared program with the Anne Arundel County Genealogical Society.
Donald Brown will share his experience in finding his family, African American and White, in Calvert and Anne Arundel Counties. This will be a joint presentation with the Anne Arundel County Genealogical Society.
This is a Zoom meeting - click here to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87375795335?pwd=MRxeWqoj9sl19KwTxMmYxCsGmWZ0Ni.1
How To Write A Family History Book
Zoom meeting – see details for link.
Maybe it has always been a dream of your to create a book out of your research, but you have felt too overwhelmed to start. Rebecca Shamblin will help break this process down into simple, manageable steps. She will tell us abot the research process, what to include, how to turn facts into stories, how to organize your book, how to get it printed and how to share it.
This is a Zoom meeting - click here to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87375795335?pwd=MRxeWqoj9sl19KwTxMmYxCsGmWZ0Ni.1
Being Fashionable on Maryland's Western Shore in Late Seventeenth Century
Zoom Meeting
Patricia Samford, PhD will talk about archaeological finds at Westwood Manor, a plantation near Zekiah Swamp in Charles County. The findings, which include a variety of expensive ceramic and glass vessel, silver spoon and an ivory handled walking stick, indicate that the residents were striving to mimic an English lifestyle. Patricia is currently the Director of the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Lab at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum. Patricia Samford holds a doctorate in Anthropology from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and an MA and BA in Anthropology from the College of William and Mary. Her research interests include African diaspora archaeology in the American South and in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century ceramics. She was a staff archaeologist for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation for thirteen years and has also worked in North Carolina, Maryland, and Bermuda.
This is a Zoom meeting - click here to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87375795335?pwd=MRxeWqoj9sl19KwTxMmYxCsGmWZ0Ni.1