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
1798 Federal Direct Tax Records
This an online event and will be held via Zoom. Access the event here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87375795335?pwd=MRxeWqoj9sl19KwTxMmYxCsGmWZ0Ni.1
Tim Benson will discuss the 1798 federal direct tax, the first federal property tax. He will talk about the reason for the tax, what was taxed, how it was implemented, and what records are available to researchers. He will focus on the records for St. Mary's County and bring insights into the socio-economic situation of St. Mary's County at the turn of 19th century. He will describe his effort in transcribing the 1000+ names in the 44-page tax record into an Excel spreadsheet and give examples of how to access it.
Timothy Benson grew up in Kansas City and received degrees from the University of Kansas, University of Illinois, and Grace Theological Seminary. He retired from the Naval Air Warfare Center at NAS Patuxent River as a systems engineer in 2023 and is now a member of the board of directors of the St. Mary’s County Historical Society. He has interest in Swedish and Mennonite genealogy, as well as U.S. History, particulary the Revolutionary War era. He is also a pastor of a house-church in La Plata. He can be reached at tb@bensonfamilies.net.
Georgetown University Sacramental Records
This an online event and will be held via Zoom. Access the event here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87375795335?pwd=MRxeWqoj9sl19KwTxMmYxCsGmWZ0Ni.1
Mary Beth Corrigan will present a talk on Georgetown University's sacramental records.
Mary Beth Corrigan is a Manuscripts Consultant at Georgetown University Library based in Washington, D.C., District of Columbia. Mary Beth received a Ph. D. degree from University of Michigan.
America at 250! Researching Your Revolutionary Ancestors
This an online event and will be held via Zoom. Access the event here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87375795335?pwd=MRxeWqoj9sl19KwTxMmYxCsGmWZ0Ni.1
Presentation Overview: America at 250! Researching Your Revolutionary Ancestors: 2026 marks the 250-year anniversary of America’s signing of the Declaration of Independence. At the time of America’s independence, the population of the American colonies was about 2.7 million. While 1776 is a pivotal year, the war for independence (the Revolutionary War) was fought from 1775-1783. About 500 thousand Americans served in the Patriots’ cause in some capacity. This presentation will provide a deep dive into discovering and researching your revolutionary ancestors. It will cover the top resources, strategies, websites, libraries, archives, and organizations for learning more about your ancestors at our nation’s founding. Resources and documents available at the National Archives, DAR, SAR, as well as state and local organizations will be included. The presentation will also reveal that many colonists did not support independence and supported the British/Tory cause. It is an exciting time to jump in and learn as much as you can about your revolutionary ancestors!
Scott Norrick’s passion is connecting people to their past. While providing a list of names, dates and places for ancestors is a start, Scott enjoys helping others discover the stories of triumphs and tribulations that defined our ancestors’ lives. He does this by assisting clients with breaking down their genealogical brick walls and by helping them document the rich stories of their family history. His areas of expertise include research in the American Midwest along with the immigration to the Midwest from Britain, Ireland, and Germanic countries. He also does significant research into Civil War records. He has an undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois and a graduate degree from Northwestern University. With over 30 years of family history research experience, he is familiar with all the latest and time-tested genealogical tools. Through his company Ancestral Past, he welcomes the opportunity to assist others on their genealogy journey. He has presented to dozens of genealogical societies, history centers, and libraries.
Beyond Land Records
This an online event and will be held via Zoom. Access the event here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87375795335?pwd=MRxeWqoj9sl19KwTxMmYxCsGmWZ0Ni.1
Have you exhausted Maryland Land Records online? Learn how court records, probate records, survey maps, assessment records, and more can reveal more information to supplement land records for genealogical or property research.
Rachel Frazier has a Masters of Library and Information Sciences from the University of Maryland, and has worked for the Maryland State Archives since 2008, starting in the grant-funded Study of the Legacy of Slavery in Maryland, and now serving as the Director of Reference Services. Reference serves visitors with many needs - historical, genealogical, and legal. Rachel is the recipient of the 2024 Ancestry Leadership Award, and is a 2025 fellow with the History Leadership Institute. Making archives accessible and welcoming is an ongoing goal of Rachel and her colleagues.