WMGS September Training Session: Tech Talk with Dave, Session 4- Gravesites to Websites - Find A Grave, BillionGraves, and Interment.net - Let's Dig In
2024-09-19 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Online
In the 4th Tech Talk with Dave session, Dave will review and demonstrate websites for finding graves. Specifically, Dave will showcase FindAGrave, Billion Graves, and will touch on Interment.net. All three of these sites are free to use, and two of them have a mobile version – – an app you can download to your smart phone. Dave will explain how they are similar, how they differ, and how to use them.

WMGS October Training Session: Too Much Stuff: A Case Study
2024-10-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Online
Have you ever searched for a piece of information you know you
have but can’t find? Have you ever wanted to gather all the
information you have on one individual in one place? Have you
ever been overwhelmed with “stuff” and struggled with organizing
and archiving it?
In “Too Much Stuff: A Case Study” WMGS member Angus Dun will describe how he uses Clooz software to organize his research. He will also discuss a system that provides consistent identification, storage, and retrieval of information. Using real data, he will explain how Clooz helped him meet his goals and how it might help you.
Angus Dun is a retired educator and education technology consultant who currently manages the historical artifacts collection of the Shelburne Historical Society in Shelburne Falls. His genealogical journey started over 50 years ago, when he inherited an extensive collection of family letters, documents, and artifacts. He has
self-published, primarily for family, one book, “Catherine Whipple Pew: Life in Her Own Words,” and has several others in the queue.

WMGS November Training Session: Tech Talk With Dave: Cemetery Websites
2024-11-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Online
At our September 19th training session, Dave Lapierre reviewed and demonstrated three popular websites for finding our ancestors’ resting places: Find A Grave, BillionGraves, and Interment.net. All three of these sites are free to use, and two of them have a mobile version — an app you can download to your smartphone. Dave explained how the sites are similar, how they differ, and how to use them.
Many of us have searched for ancestors on these sites but were pleasantly surprised by the extensive features of these sites. Many of us also haven’t used the apps at cemeteries and are eager to learn more about them.
Members had more questions than Dave had time to answer, so we will offer a follow-up session at our November training session. This gives members a chance to explore the websites, jot down follow-up questions, and download and practice using the mobile apps beforehand. If you weren’t able to attend the training or need a refresher, the recording and handouts are available in the Members Only section of our website under Trainings.
If you would like to submit questions in advance, please send them to Dave at westmassgen@gmail.com. Of course, you can also ask your questions at the session. We hope you’ll join us for this helpful presentation.

Special Interest Group (SIG): Canadian Genealogy Research
2025-01-23 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
Kick off the new year with our inaugural virtual Special Interest Group (SIG) session in January! This month, we’re diving into Canadian genealogy research.
What to Expect:
Knowledge Sharing: Connect with members researching ancestors from across Canada.
New Resources: Discover helpful tips and new databases.
Research Assistance: Discuss your research questions and get help with those tricky brick walls.
Focus Areas: From the Eastern Provinces to Quebec, Ontario, the Western provinces, Loyalists, Irish immigrants, and more.
We’ll explore a wealth of resources for Canadian ancestry research, covering both well-known and exciting new databases that might provide the breakthroughs you’re looking for.
Leading the group will be Jeanne Leblond, who has over 25 years of experience researching Canadian ancestors. Members can send their research questions in advance or ask them at the meeting.

WMGS February Training: Murder, Mayhem, and Mystery!
2025-02-20 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
Join us at our February training session for another thrilling edition of Murder, Mayhem,
and Mystery! Do you have a famous or infamous ancestor in your family tree? Someone with an unusual occupation or career or perhaps someone who made headlines for a
scandalous event? Whether it’s a horse thief, a bank robber, or another colorful character, we’d love to hear their story.
Have you solved a mystery about an ancestor’s disappearance, uncovered a secret that was hushed up by the family, or disproved a family myth? Share the discoveries that have intrigued, fascinated, or shocked you and tell us how you uncovered these intriguing stories.
These events are a great way to gather your documents and share your discoveries or
stories with fellow members. They’ll also be ready to share with your own family later. We hope you’ll consider sharing one of your findings with us. This will be an informal
event, so it isn’t necessary to provide tons of background information, research documentation, or other material.
Short (5 minutes or so) presentations about your ancestor and research will be
combined with others from WMGS members for an enjoyable event.
If you’d like to share photos, documents, or digital material (limit of 10 scanned
items/slides please) along with your story, please send the items to us at westmassgen@gmail.com by Friday, February 14 and we’ll have them ready to
share on the screen.
Whether you’d like to present or not, we hope you’ll join us on Thursday, February
20 at 7 p.m. on Zoom.

WMGS March Special Interest Group (SIG): Canadian Research...continued
2025-03-20 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
Join us for our next Canadian Special Interest Group meeting on Thursday, March 20 at 7 p.m. on Zoom. In our inaugural session, we explored Canadian genealogy
resources available through Library and Archives Canada and FamilySearch. This time, we’ll delve into resources on Ancestry, including the Drouin Collection, U.S.-Canadian
border crossings, census records, and many others. We’ll also explore additional websites as time permits.
What to Expect:

Knowledge sharing: Connect with members researching ancestors from
various regions of Canada.
New resources: Discover helpful tips and explore new databases.
Research assistance: Share your research questions and receive help with
challenging brick walls.
Focus areas: Covering topics from the Eastern Provinces, Quebec, Ontario, and
the Western Provinces to Loyalists, Irish immigrants, and more.

We’ll uncover a wealth of resources for Canadian ancestry research, covering both well-known and new databases that could provide the breakthroughs you’re seeking.
Leading the group will be Jeanne Leblond, who has over 25 years of experience researching Canadian ancestors. Members are encouraged to send their research questions or brick wall problems in advance to westmassgen@gmail.com or ask them
during the meeting.

WMGS April Training Session: Our Ancestors' Clothing
2025-04-17 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
We’re very happy that Howard Vincent Kurtz will be joining us again at our April 17 training session for another presentation of “Our Ancestors’ Clothing”!
If you have participated in Professor Kurtz’s previous visits to WMGS, you’ll know what a unique opportunity he provides our members. If you have photographs of people that you can’t identify, if you’d like more information about their clothing, or if you think other
members would find them intriguing, please send them to us. Prof. Kurtz will research the clothing worn and other photographic details to help identify the time and place the photos were taken, among other characteristics.
Prof. Kurtz’s analysis may help to identify ancestors, solve family mysteries, and add
details and context to family stories. In addition, his visits provide our members with an opportunity to gain skills in photograph analysis from an expert.

WMGS May Training Session: Genealogy Neatly - Organizing Your Family History Research
2025-05-22 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
How do you organize your genealogical research? Do you use physical storage (binders, papers, hanging files, notebooks, etc.), digital storage (genealogy program, Microsoft Word/Excel, PDF files, your laptop, the cloud, etc.), or a combination of both physical and digital?
Is your current organization system working for you? Can you find that document or photograph when you want to? Can you quickly locate that 1920 census document that you downloaded and saved?
Organizing our genealogical data is a challenge many of us deal with. There are various options and methods available. We’ve all seen the ads on social media from vendors promising that if we buy their product or subscribe to their organizational system, all our challenges will be solved. The only organizational system that works is the one that works for you!
At our May 22 training session (starting at 7 p.m.), Dave Lapierre will present “Genealogy Neatly: Organizing Your Family History Research.” He will review both physical and digital genealogy files and discuss methods for organizing both types, file naming conventions, folder structure, and how to maintain organization over time. This will be the fifth session of our Tech Talk with Dave series.

WMGS June Training Session: Enriching Your Ancestor's Story Using Occupational Records, An Introduction
2025-06-19 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
At our June 19 training session, Diane Romanowsky will present “Enriching Your Ancestor’s Story Using Occupational Records, An Introduction.”
Occupational records are helpful in genealogy as they provide insights into an ancestor’s daily life, socioeconomic status, possible education, and skills. An ancestor’s occupation often shaped their lifestyle, finances, and even where they lived.
Your ancestor’s occupation can tell you so much about their day-to-day life. In this presentation, you will:

Learn how occupational information can advance your research.
Learn how to find your ancestor’s occupation(s).
Learn sources of occupational information and records.
See examples of occupational records and learn how the information they contain
enriches the ancestor’s story.

The occupations of coal miner, farmer, railroad worker, Catholic priest, and textile worker will be highlighted. Diane will share her success in using occupational records to advance her research and enrich her ancestor’s stories.

WMGS Next-Gen Genealogy: Tools to Transform Your Research
2025-09-25 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
Genealogy is evolving at a remarkable pace, with exciting new technologies transforming how we discover our ancestors and preserve their stories.
At our September training session, we’ll offer a trio of mini-presentations showcasing cutting edge resources our hosts have been exploring. Each presentation will last 15 to 20 minutes.
We’ll cover:

Google Maps & Google Earth
Discover your ancestors’ homes, explore geographic migration routes, and gain
insights on your family journeys.
AI Platforms
Discover how tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, and Perplexity can assist with everything from formulating research questions to organizing and writing about your discoveries.
FamilySearch Labs
Learn about FamilySearch’s experimental labs, including full-text search techniques, AI-powered Help Center searches, and the Ask a Help Chatbot feature. We’ll also explore where to find digitized books and archived videos from past RootsTech conferences.

There’s a lot happening in genealogy these days, and it’s a great time to take your research to the next level. Join us on Thursday, September 25 at 7 p.m. as we explore a few of them!

WMGS October Training Session: Write Your Family History Using Traditional and AI Strategies
2025-10-16 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
How might traditional and AI tools be used to write a family history? In our October training, WMGS board member John Putnam will give a hands-on workshop on the strategies he uses. (You may remember John from his well-received July 2025
presentation, when he shared his family’s journeys through the hilltowns of Western Massachusetts.)
Starting with his template for developing stories, John will explain his step-by-step process for writing a family history. We’ll learn more about:

Using AI tools to find more detailed information that is period- and locale
specific to our ancestors.
Incorporating basic genealogical material with this additional research.
Using AI to draft reports or revise them for tone, grammar, and spelling.

John encourages us to identify an ancestor living between 1800 and 1950, so we can
follow along in real time. He’ll also ask volunteers to share their research findings. This is a great opportunity to get some direct feedback!

WMGS November Training Session - Tech Talk with Dave: Mapping Your Ancestors' Migration
2025-11-20 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
It’s time for another Tech Talk With Dave! In November, Dave Lapierre will present “Mapping Your Ancestors’ Migration.” This session will expand on the mini-presentation he gave at our September 25 training session.
Dave will show us how to:

Use Google My Maps to create a map with various pinned locations from an
ancestor’s migration
Connect the various pinned locations
Save and export a KMZ file from Google My Maps
Import the KMZ file into Google Earth / Google Earth Pro
Play the “tour” in Google Earth / Google Earth Pro

Dave will also provide a step-by-step handout with all the directions, so that we can map our own ancestors’ migrations and journeys.

WMGS January Training Session: Get Involved with WMGS!
2026-01-22 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
WMGS is seeking more volunteers to help keep our society thriving. There are many
ways to contribute and share new ideas. Routine tasks often require only a few hours
each 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.
With all that in mind, January’s training session will serve a dual purpose:

Reviewing our current volunteer needs and exploring ways members can contribute to our society’s ongoing success.
Opening a conversation about the potential launch of a Genealogy Helpers
program.

Attending 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,
collaborate on a shared ancestor or location, or guide those just beginning their family history research.
Your 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.

WMGS February Training Session: Getting Ready for RootsTech2026 - Preview & Review
2026-02-19 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
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?
Join 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.
If 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.

WMGS March 2026 Training Session: Introducing GenSocSoup!
2026-03-26 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
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.
GenSocSoup is an exclusive, subscription‑based learning platform — similar in style to YouTube — that provides 24/7 access to 15 on‑demand recorded webinars and
accompanying 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.
Tom’s webinar collection spans a wide range of topics, from basic genealogy skills to
new tools that can help us improve our research. Topics include research tips, technology, organization strategies, and more.
During 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.

WMGS April Training Session: Lineage Societies
2026-04-23 19:00 - 20:30
Thinking about joining a lineage society? You won’t want to miss our April training session!
Lineage societies help us connect with our heritage. Through societies, we can honor
ancestors by preserving family histories and traditions. Societies can also offer access to valuable genealogical resources and a strong sense of community.
At 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.
He’ll also outline the different types of societies and walk us through the typical
membership requirements and application processes.

WMGS May Special Interest Group (SIG): Western Massachusetts Ancestors
2026-05-21 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
Our first Western Massachusetts Ancestors Special Interest Group (SIG) session will take place on Thursday, May 21 on Zoom.
These 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
may include:

Member Presentations
Members are invited to give short presentations (5–15 minutes) on a Western
Massachusetts ancestor, family line, or research topic. We encourage you to highlight the resources you used — databases, archives, websites, books, maps, or tools.
Resources, Tools, and Techniques
We’ll feature helpful research tools, newly updated databases, useful websites, and practical tips to support your genealogical work.
Brick Wall Challenges and Breakthroughs
Have a research puzzle you can’t solve? Share a brief summary of the ancestor or
problem, 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.
Q & A and Open Discussion
We’ll reserve time for questions, troubleshooting, and open conversation about methods, records, and discoveries.

We hope members will help shape each session’s agenda — our SIGs will be member
driven. 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.

WMGS June Training Session: Tech Talk with Dave - - Using YouTube for Genealogy
2026-06-18 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
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.
Discover genealogy channels offering free, clear tutorials; locate vintage films; find solutions for tough research roadblocks; view archival footage; and learn to organize
your 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.
