Western Massachusetts Genealogical Society, Inc.

WMGS January Training Session: Get Involved with WMGS!
2026-01-22 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | 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 Monthly Meeting: Ancestors on the Move: Migration from Farms to Cities, 1870-1920
2026-02-04 18:00 - 19:30 | Online
We’re delighted that nationally-known genealogist, Annette Burke-Lyttle will join us again to present Ancestors on the Move: Migration from Farms to Cities, 1870–1920.
Between the Civil War and World War I, Americans faced dramatic changes that shaped where and how they lived. Push and pull factors, financial panics, the reality of daily life
in rural areas, and the rise of manufacturing were some of the factors that led to decisions to move from farms to cities.
Annette will guide us through the records that capture thosemovements — from census schedules and land deeds to city directories, newspapers, military files, and other sources. We’ll learn what factors influenced our ancestors’ choices and discover practical strategies to locate the documents that bring their journeys to life.

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 Monthly Meeting: Eddie Wench - The Case of a Little Lost Boy
2026-03-04 18:00 - 19:30 | Online
A good genealogist needs the instincts of a detective —our research often unfolds like a compelling mystery. But how much can we trust the records and sources we find? When the facts don’t line up, what might be hiding beneath the surface? Can documents or titles simply be wrong?
At our March 4 monthly meeting, Julie Miller presents “Eddie Wenck: The Case of a Little Lost Boy.” Eddie Wenck was a forgotten child. His story was a mystery
for many years until research exposed an error made over 20 years ago and uncovered the hidden past of a well-known landmark. This lecture is about the importance of using original records and historical context and about following our instincts when things don’t seem right.

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 Monthly Meeting: Why We Still Don't Miss 1890. Much.
2026-04-01 18:00 - 19:30 | Online
We’re pleased to welcome Sara Cochran back to WMGS on April 1, when she will present Why We Still Don’t Miss 1890. Much. This talk is a sequel to her January
presentation about the 1890 census.
Finding ancestors that lived in the U.S. between 1880 and 1890 can be a challenge. In 1921, nearly the entire 1890 census was destroyed by fire and subsequent water
damage. Only fragments covering about 6,000 individuals survived out of over 62 million people enumerated.
In January, Sara provided resources to bridge the ten-year gap caused by the loss of that census. In April, she’ll share even more research strategies and complete a case study she started in January.
Note: Sara’s January presentation was called Who Needed It Anyway? Getting
Around the Missing 1890 Census. If you missed it, you can find the recording and
handout in the Members Only section of our website until April 1.

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 Monthly Meeting - Friend or Foe: Researching Colonial Ancestors During the American Revolution
2026-05-06 18:00 - 19:30 | Online
At our May 6 monthly meeting, noted genealogist David Allen Lambert will present Friend or Foe: Researching Colonial Ancestors During the American Revolution
to our society.
Nearly 250 years ago, America declared its independence from the British Empire, changing the course of history. While many took up the cause and supported revolution,
others remained loyal to the British government — turning friends into foes and pitting neighbor against neighbor. David will discuss how to research your colonial ancestors and determine if — and how — they may have served the cause of the American Revolution.

WMGS Annual Meeting
2026-05-06 18:00 - 19:30 | Online
Our annual meeting will be held on May 6, following David Allen Lambert’s presentation.
At the meeting, our Assistant Treasurer will give a brief financial report. We’ll announce the results of our annual audit, provide membership numbers, and discuss the results of our recent member survey.
We will then conduct our annual elections. The Nominating Committee will present the slate of candidates for election as officers and directors of our society. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor. Voting will be conducted electronically by an anonymous poll.
The following positions are up for election to two-year terms:

Vice President
Assistant Treasurer
Director (one position)

Our Secretary and Treasurer positions are also vacant and waiting to be filled.
A Nominating Committee, consisting of Cara Seitchek and Jeanne Leblond, has been
appointed. If any member is interested in running for election to a position and/or
wishes to know the requirements for each position, please send an email to
westmassgen.com with Nominating Committee in the subject line. Please include a
brief description of your qualifications and experience for the position you are seeking.
Following the election, we will review the status of our society and our plans for the
upcoming year.
