BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Western Massachusetts Genealogical Society, Inc. - ECPv6.16.2//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Western Massachusetts Genealogical Society, Inc.
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://westmassgen.com
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Western Massachusetts Genealogical Society, Inc.
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/New_York
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20250309T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20251102T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20260308T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20261101T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20270314T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20271107T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260122T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260122T203000
DTSTAMP:20260523T173146
CREATED:20251223T003339Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251223T003339Z
UID:41732-1769108400-1769113800@westmassgen.com
SUMMARY:WMGS January Training Session: Get Involved with WMGS!
DESCRIPTION:WMGS is seeking more volunteers to help keep our society thriving. There are many\nways to contribute and share new ideas. Routine tasks often require only a few hours\neach month\, while special projects offer opportunities for deeper involvement. Most tasks can be done from home\, and since all of our meetings are held on Zoom\, you can volunteer no matter where you live. \nWith all that in mind\, January’s training session will serve a dual purpose: \n\nReviewing our current volunteer needs and exploring ways members can contribute to our society’s ongoing success.\nOpening a conversation about the potential launch of a Genealogy Helpers\nprogram.\n\nAttending does not commit you to volunteering — it’s simply a chance to learn more. Our proposed Genealogy Helpers initiative would connect members to help each other. For example\, members might review research\, suggest next steps and resources\,\ncollaborate on a shared ancestor or location\, or guide those just beginning their family history research. \nYour input will be vital in shaping how such a program could work and what kinds of help would be most valuable. If you’ve participated in a similar program elsewhere\, we’d love to hear about your experiences.
URL:https://westmassgen.com/event/wmgs-january-training-session-get-involved-with-wmgs/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:WMGS Training Session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://westmassgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-WMGS-website-banner.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260219T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260219T203000
DTSTAMP:20260523T173146
CREATED:20260205T194733Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260205T194733Z
UID:41792-1771527600-1771533000@westmassgen.com
SUMMARY:WMGS February Training Session: Getting Ready for RootsTech2026 - Preview & Review
DESCRIPTION:RootsTech 2026 is being held in Salt Lake City\, UT\, on March 5-7\, 2026.  Did you know you can virtually attend online for FREE? \nJoin us on February 19\, at 7:00 p.m.\, to learn about RootsTech.  We’ll explore how to register\, how to watch recorded sessions from previous years\, and we’ll look at what is being offered at RootsTech 2026 – – the speakers\, keynote sessions\, classes\, exhibit halls\, etc. \nIf you haven’t attended RootsTech virtually in the past\, don’t miss this opportunity to see what it’s all about and what’s coming on March 5-7.
URL:https://westmassgen.com/event/wmgs-february-training-session-getting-ready-for-rootstech2026-preview-review/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:WMGS Training Session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://westmassgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/RootsTech-Logo.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260326T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260326T203000
DTSTAMP:20260523T173146
CREATED:20260205T195333Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260205T195333Z
UID:41797-1774551600-1774557000@westmassgen.com
SUMMARY:WMGS March 2026 Training Session: Introducing GenSocSoup!
DESCRIPTION:At our March training session\, we’ll tour Thomas MacEntee’s brand‑new GenSocSoup webinar channel\, now available in the Members Only area of our website. We’ll show you how it works and answer any questions about using the new platform. \nGenSocSoup is an exclusive\, subscription‑based learning platform — similar in style to YouTube — that provides 24/7 access to 15 on‑demand recorded webinars and\naccompanying handouts created by Thomas MacEntee. Tom will be creating four brand-new webinars over the next year as well. This subscription is offered only to societies with a secure members‑only website\, making it a valuable addition to our member  benefits. \nTom’s webinar collection spans a wide range of topics\, from basic genealogy skills to\nnew tools that can help us improve our research. Topics include research tips\,  technology\, organization strategies\, and more. \nDuring our session\, we’ll watch and discuss one of the featured webinars\, “Navigating  the Seven Cs of Genealogy\,” and talk about how using themes and resolutions can help guide our research throughout 2026 and beyond.
URL:https://westmassgen.com/event/wmgs-march-2026-training-session-introducing-gensocsoup/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:WMGS Training Session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://westmassgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/MacEntee.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260423T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260423T203000
DTSTAMP:20260523T173146
CREATED:20260321T150314Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260321T150314Z
UID:41867-1776970800-1776976200@westmassgen.com
SUMMARY:WMGS April Training Session: Lineage Societies
DESCRIPTION:Thinking about joining a lineage society? You won’t want to miss our April training session! \nLineage societies help us connect with our heritage. Through societies\, we can honor\nancestors by preserving family histories and traditions. Societies can also offer access to valuable genealogical resources and a strong sense of community. \nAt this session\, WMGS member Philip Johnson will tell us more about lineage societies\, why they matter\, and what they offer to genealogists and history enthusiasts. \nHe’ll also outline the different types of societies and walk us through the typical\nmembership requirements and application processes.
URL:https://westmassgen.com/event/wmgs-april-training-session-lineage-societies/
CATEGORIES:WMGS Training Session
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260521T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260521T203000
DTSTAMP:20260523T173146
CREATED:20260519T213849Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260519T213849Z
UID:41915-1779390000-1779395400@westmassgen.com
SUMMARY:WMGS May Special Interest Group (SIG): Western Massachusetts Ancestors
DESCRIPTION:Our first Western Massachusetts Ancestors Special Interest Group (SIG) session will take place on Thursday\, May 21 on Zoom. \nThese SIG sessions are designed to give members a chance to explore a focused topic\, connect with one another\, learn new skills\, discover useful resources\, and share their research. Each session will follow a flexible\, member-driven format that\nmay include: \n\nMember Presentations\nMembers are invited to give short presentations (5–15 minutes) on a Western\nMassachusetts ancestor\, family line\, or research topic. We encourage you to highlight the resources you used — databases\, archives\, websites\, books\, maps\, or tools.\nResources\, Tools\, and Techniques\nWe’ll feature helpful research tools\, newly updated databases\, useful websites\,  and practical tips to support your genealogical work.\nBrick Wall Challenges and Breakthroughs\nHave a research puzzle you can’t solve? Share a brief summary of the ancestor or\nproblem\, along with any clues or documents you’ve gathered\, and we’ll add your brick wall to the agenda. Fellow members may be able to offer insights or  suggestions to move your research forward.\nQ & A and Open Discussion\nWe’ll reserve time for questions\, troubleshooting\, and open conversation about methods\, records\, and discoveries.\n\nWe hope members will help shape each session’s agenda — our SIGs will be member\ndriven. Whether you’re a beginner or someone with years of experience\, your contributions will help us all understand our Western Massachusetts roots a little better.
URL:https://westmassgen.com/event/wmgs-may-special-interest-group-sig-western-massachusetts-ancestors/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:WMGS Training Session
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260618T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260618T203000
DTSTAMP:20260523T173146
CREATED:20260519T212854Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260519T212854Z
UID:41913-1781809200-1781814600@westmassgen.com
SUMMARY:WMGS June Training Session: Tech Talk with Dave - - Using YouTube for Genealogy
DESCRIPTION:At our next Tech Talk with Dave session\, we’ll look at the world’s largest video site and how you can use it to enrich your genealogy journey. Dave Lapierre will show how YouTube is far more than entertainment — it is a vast\, free library for genealogists and family historians. \nDiscover genealogy channels offering free\, clear tutorials; locate vintage films; find solutions for tough research roadblocks; view archival footage; and learn to organize\nyour favorite videos and control playback speed. Dave will guide us step-by-step through navigating the website easily\, adjusting settings for comfortable viewing\, and safely saving videos to watch later.
URL:https://westmassgen.com/event/wmgs-june-training-session-tech-talk-with-dave-using-youtube-for-genealogy/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:WMGS Training Session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://westmassgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/DavidLapierre.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR