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2021 Genealogy Events and Courses

On a regular basis, the Kentucky Genealogical Society provides educational opportunities to members and non-members. This page contains the topics from the 2021 Kentucky Genealogical Society meetings.

These events give perspective members an idea of the value provided by the organization. You can find current educational events that are available free to non-members on our Calendar of Events page.

As a service to our members, past educational recordings and handouts are available as on-demand learning in our Member Portal page.

  • Get Ready for the 1950 US Census
    Get Ready for the 1950 US Census

    Get ready to look for your ancestors when the 1950 U.S. Census records are made public on April 1, 2022. This how-to session examines the nuggets of genealogical gold in the 1950 Census and the surprising quirks and assumptions built into the questionnaire.

    This presentation is available on the Member Portal.

  • Learn How To Research Your Family History With Free Resources
    Learn How To Research Your Family History With Free Resources

    This presentation is available on the Member Portal.

  • German Church Records
    German Church Records

    Finding and Using German Church Records
    Michael Lacopo

    This presentation is available 90 days after the event.

  • Researching in the KY Archives
    Researching in the KY Archives

    The Kentucky Archives contains significant resources for genealogy researchers seeking information about their Kentucky ancestors.

    Lance Hale is an archivist at the State Archives Center of the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives.

    Recorded July 2021 - This presentation is available on the Member Portal.

  • Moonshine and Stills: Finding Archived Records for Your Moonshiner Ancestor
    Moonshine and Stills: Finding Archived Records for Your Moonshiner Ancestor

    Have you heard stories about your kinfolk who may have operated a makeshift moonshine? Have you ever wondered if there were records to help you verify those stories? June brings us National Moonshine Day.

    This talk by Melissa Barker, The Archive Lady, will help you piece together the stories of your ancestors who were moonshining.

    Recorded 19 June 2021.

  • The Calamity of the 1890 Federal Census
    The Calamity of the 1890 Federal Census

    This program covers the where, when, and how of the 1890 Federal Census records loss; the outcomes of that loss; and alternative sources for finding information usually found in census records.

    Specializing in census, deed, tax list, will, court and vital records research, Cynthia Maharrey's wheelhouses include the late 18th through early 20th centuries, with emphases on the state of Kentucky and African American research. Cynthia is a graduate of Berea College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, Cynthia also holds a certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University.

    Recorded April 2021

  • Planning a Trip to Your Ancestor's Homeland?
    Planning a Trip to Your Ancestor's Homeland?

    Learn how to plan a trip to your Kentucky ancestor's homeland. This class will help you determine the right town by using historical maps and gazetteers and then how to find available records for your town.

    Kathy Wurth founded Family Tree Tours as a result of her love for travel and her 25 years of experience with genealogy research.

  • Researching Your Irish Ancestors Online
    Researching Your Irish Ancestors Online

    With many archives and libraries currently closed, much of our Irish research needs to be conducted online. This session will focus on ways that you can accomplish much of your research and planning for future research while working online. In addition to the three major websites for Irish research, FamilySearch, FindMyPast, and Ancestry, there are a myriad of other research sites that offer excellent information and indexes for research.

    David Rencher is the head of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City and chief genealogical officer for Family Search (www.familysearch.org). He is one of the world's leading Irish genealogical researchers.

  • My Old Kentucky Home – Researching the Movements of African Americans, 1875-1900s
    My Old Kentucky Home – Researching the Movements of African Americans, 1875-1900s

    Tim Pinnick, a specialist in African American history and genealogy, shares strategies for using African-American and mainstream newspapers plus other familiar and lesser-known resources to identify and understand the similarities and differences between the movement of African Americans and other Americans.

  • Brick Wall Brainstorm
    Brick Wall Brainstorm

    KGS President Chris Padgett leads experienced genealogists to crowdsource research challenges submitted by KGS members and friends.