Winding up our THAGS year before our summer break...

Don't miss our last general meeting in May before summer break

Date: Monday, 12 May 2025

Time: 7 PM

Format: Hybrid, In-person at Kingwood FamilySearch Center, 4021 Deedbrook, Kingwood, or via ZOOM

Presentation: "Hiding in Plain Sight" by Sandra Crowley

Does your ancestor seem to disappear from census and other records? Maybe he or she died and there is no death or burial record. However, he or she could be alive and well and living right where you thought they should be; they simply are documented under a different name. Maybe there was a life-event that created a new family between censuses. It's easy to make assumptions about what happened. It's even better when you can prove your findings through research and records. Learn tips on analyzing records and using research tools to prove that these "multiple people" are in fact one person - your ancestor.

ZOOM link will be sent out about a week prior to presentation, as well as the day of the event.

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Extra Items:

Please keep Judy Hempel, one of our members, in your thoughts and prayers. She was in a car accident on Easter Sunday and has a crushed ankle and wrist. She is recovering from surgery at home now.

Link to our latest Perry Historian Newsletter Exchange

From the Texas State Genealogical Society:

Our Newest District Representatives

Serving Our Partner Societies throughout the state

District R:                    Carl Smith (THAGS is in this District)

Carl’s passion for family history research began as a child growing up and listening to stories that his grandparents would share during summer vacations to Oregon.

A native of Mesa, Arizona - Carl received his Bachelor’s degree in Family History/Genealogy from Brigham Young University and his Masters of Library and Information Science from Syracuse University in Upstate New York.

Before coming to work at the Clayton Library, Carl was the Genealogy Librarian for the Montgomery County Memorial library system in Conroe, Texas as well as Branch manager for the Aldine Branch Library in Harris County, Texas. Carl serves as the Manager for the Family History Research Center at Clayton Library Campus in Houston, TX.

His research areas of interest include Southern USA, Mexico, Brazil, and Scandinavian research. He’s also passionate about digitization and record access, library advocacy, as well as getting the next generation interested and involved in family history research.

Partner Societies & Libraries Spotlight

Projects, workshops, seminars, and conferences.

Results from the Leadership Forum held on Saturday, April 26th

We had a great meeting attended by # people.  Programming trends and ideas were presented by Emily Richardson, president of TxSGS.  Discussion ensued about other unique concepts for programs within Partner Societies.

The Awards Program for 2025 was discussed, with a focus on Student Projects.  Our new, committee appointment responsible for Student Projects Becky Villareal spoke and offered suggestions to the audience.

Sandra Crowley, Director of Development and TIGR Chair, talked about the upcoming TIGR conference in June and the 2025 Fall History Conference: Deep in the Heart. The video is available for partner society leaders to watch and is located on our website. 

AWARDS PROGRAM 2025

It is never too early to start thinking about the TxSGS 2025 Awards Program.  If you are out-going officers, consider who you might want to nominate for Volunteer of the year, and do it before the summer begins.

Do you have someone you know who has written a historical or genealogical book in the past 10 months?  Get them to submit their book for an award, now. Who do you know that has a blog or a website? Or does the Partner Society run a blog or a website?  Again, it is never too early to nominate them for awards. 

The date for the ceremony is yet to be set, but typically it is in late November or early December.  

Stirpes Study Group

Study groups have long been recognized as invaluable tools for learning and enhancing skills.  Last fall we announced the formation of the Stirpes Study Group model, based on the work previously done through the Emily Fowler Public Library in Denton when they formed "Connections" in 2023.  We now have five different locations utilized the materials for their own partner societies.

If you are interested visit the TxSGS website and look for “Stirpes Study Group” under the Partner Society resources.

GENEALOGY ESSENTIALS -Registration Will Open in MAY

We are offering Genealogy Essentials: Building a Strong Foundation for Family History during July and August 2025.  Registration is now open. The eight courses will all be released on Monday, July 14th.  Each week two of the courses and the instructors will meet on Zoom to discuss what was learned and answer questions students might have.  If you know of beginner genealogists, or individuals who are looking for more formal training, we sure to recommend this course to them.