HRGS September 2019 Program: Extending Your Family Tree: Creative Ways to Connect with DNA Matches and Find Common Ancestors

For the first meeting of our fall 2019 schedule, the Highlands Ranch Genealogical Society will be back at the James H. LaRue (Highland Ranch) Library. And we will have a great program to kick things off. Join us at 7 p.m., Tuesday, September 3, 2019 for “Extending Your Family Tree: Creative Ways to Connect with DNA Matches and Find Common Ancestors” presented by HRGS Vice President of Programs Megan Reilly Koepsell.

It can be overwhelming looking at numerous DNA matches, which can number in the thousands. What can we do with those matches and where do we even begin to make sense of it all? Megan will guide us through creative ways to think outside the box to find useful DNA matches and connect with them to find common ancestors and break down those brick walls.

Megan Reilly Koepsell lives in Highlands Ranch. She has had a life-long interest in family history and has been spending every available waking moment doing genealogy for about ten years. A Registered Nurse and Healing Touch Certified Practitioner, she is certified in Mind-Body Medicine and also holds a certificate in Holistic Nursing. Megan teaches meditation at an oncology rehab clinic in the Metro Denver area, has a Healing Touch practice out of her home, and owns a travel business leading meditation trips to spiritual places in Scotland and Ireland. She is close to completing her first book on genealogy serendipities and coincidences.

Show up early at 6:30 p.m. to network with fellow genealogists. And if you feel inclined, join us after the meeting at the Landsdowne Arms for more networking and a libation or two.

See you September 3^rd!

November Program – German Heritage Workshop – and More

Are you facing “brick walls” while researching your family heritage? Do you wonder if you’ll ever discover when your ancestors came to America? Join us at 7 p.m., Tuesday, November 7th in the upstairs quiet reading room at the Highlands Ranch Library and get the help you need. We will forego our normal program presented by a subject matter expert, and instead break into groups for workshops focusing on problems and topics that interest and challenge you. Members helping members (and guests) with their “brick walls” – assisting those who face challenges we’ve overcome.

Based on interest expressed at our September meeting, our featured workshop will focus on researching German heritage. For those who do not share that ancestry, we’ll also have experts from local Family History Centers facilitating other workgroups to share tips and techniques for using Ancestry.com, FamilySearch and other online resources. They’ll be online during the workshop, and will help research specific problems people are having.

Bring your questions and problems. We’ll see what we can do to help you solve them.

Show up at 6:30 p.m. for snacks and discussions for fellow genealogists. You never know who might have the solution to your hardest “brick wall.”

See you there!

 

 

Snow season is upon us. If winter weather threatens, before venturing out, please check our website at https://hrgenealogy.wordpress.com for the latest update.

HRGS March 2017 Program: Collecting Family Stories

How does the work of a personal historian relate to that of a genealogist? Facts and dates are not the most interesting result of our research—it is the stories about our ancestors that really draw us in. Join us at the Highlands Ranch Library at 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 7, 2017 for “Collecting Family Stories” by Mary Beth Lagerborg, and learn how to unearth those tales that will give color to your family history.

Mary Beth will address how a personal historian builds upon the bare bones provided by genealogy, adding stories, usually through interviews – the flesh and blood of our heritage. She will share the complexities and joys of discovering memorable stories, as well as tips for conducting a good interview. Mary Beth sits on the board of directors of the Association of Personal Historians. Read more about her and her business, Retelling: Creating Legacy Through Your Story, at her website, www.Retelling.net.

Arrive early at 6:30 p.m. for snacks and conversation with fellow genealogists. You never know who might have the key to your most vexing research problems.

Winter is not yet over, so if snow is in the forecast the day of the meeting, check this website for updates prior to venturing out. And remember: stay safe.

See you on March 7!

The Highlands Ranch Genealogical Society January program was extremely topical: DNA testing in genealogy research, presented by Deena Coutant. To show how topical that subject is, we had the biggest turnout in our history—and no one went away disappointed. In February, we’ll build on that with a yDNA Case Study by HRGS member Cliff Butler. Join us for what will be another great presentation at 7 p.m., Tuesday, February 7, 2016 in the upstairs Quiet Reading Room at the James H. LaRue / Highlands Ranch Library.

Cliff will describe his experience with having his yDNA analyzed as part of his paternal ancestry research. The result: over fourteen individuals were identified who match his DNA, and he successfully placed six of them into his family tree. He has not been able to find a Most Recent Common Ancestor (MRCA) for the remaining eight individuals—yet. In his presentation, Cliff will explain the procedures, efforts, and results he and his cousin used to establish lineage, and how new results of the testing may enable him to add more individuals to his family tree.

Arrive early at 6:30 p.m. for snacks and conversation with fellow genealogists. You never know who might have the key to your most vexing research problems.

Because our December meeting was cancelled for inclement weather, we missed gathering for an “after party” at the Landsdowne Arms in the Highlands Ranch Town Center. Not wanting to wait until May to enjoy libations and conversation, we’ll try again after the February meeting.

Speaking of inclement weather, we aren’t out of the proverbial woods yet, so if snow is in the forecast the day of the meeting, check this site or our Facebook page for updates prior to venturing out. And remember: stay safe.

See you on February 7!

Ring in the New Year with the January 2017 Meeting

What is the latest development in genealogy beside digitization of records these days? Why DNA testing, of course. Ring in the New Year by joining the Highlands Ranch Genealogical Society on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 for a presentation of “DNA Testing,” by Deena Coutant, HRGS member and owner of DigiDeena Consulting. This is the first of a two-part series on the uses of DNA in genealogy.

DNA analysis is one of the fastest growing genealogy research tools today, with the capability to break decade-old brick walls.  In her presentation, Deana will cover the three major types of genetic genealogy tests (Y DNA, mitochondrial DNA and autosomal DNA) and what type of information is provided or answered by each test.  She’ll also give us an overview and comparison of the three major testing companies and introduce the newly-released Genetic Genealogy Standards and show us how DNA testing now fits into the Genealogical Proof Standard.

Arrive early at 6:30 p.m. for snacks and conversation with fellow genealogists. You never know who might have the key to your most vexing research problems.

Erring on the side of safety, we decided to cancel our December meeting due to a forecast snow and icy roads. And winter has just begun. Once again, we ask that, if snow is in the forecast the day of the January meeting, you please check this website or our Facebook page for updates.

See you next year!

HRGS 2016-2017 Schedule

Here’s our schedule through September 2017.

January 3, 2017: “DNA Testing,” by Deena Coutant of DigiDeena Consulting

February 7, 2017: “yDNA Case study/connecting with DNA Matches to Learn More about Genealogy,” by Clifford Butler.

March 7, 2017: “Collecting Family Stories,” by Mary Beth Lagerborg.

April 1, 2017 Genealogy Fair

April 4, 2017: “Finding Old Maps on the Internet” by Ted Bainbridge.

May 2, 2017: “1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic,” by Jewel Wellborn.

September 5, 2017: “Researching Your German Ancestry,” by James Mears.

What would you like to see in the schedule? Let us know in the comments section below!

2016 Genealogy Fair

The 2016 Genealogy Fair at the James R LaRue/Highlands Ranch Library was great fun! Large and enthusiastic crowds enjoyed the many booths in Shea A and packed Shea B for three excellent workshops. Thanks to all the HRGS members who shared their time and their knowledge with those who attended. Without your help year after year, this fair would never happen.

HRGS members brought their family trees, photos and other materials and were available to explain how they overcame those inevitable “brick walls.” Bring the fruits of your labors to next year’s fair. Sharing is half the fun of genealogy.

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During the time we had a booth at the Scottish Festival, we accumulated a number of books, maps and other research material about the British Isles. All these great resources were on display at the Genealogy Fair. Do you have Scottish ancestors up your tree? How about English, Welsh and Irish? If you did not have a chance to make it to the fair, we’ll have them available at the next meetings. Learn all about clans, septs, tartans and more! And if you find something that will really help you with your research, you can take it with you to use over the summer.

 

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The 2016 Genealogy Fair at the James R LaRue/Highlands Ranch Library was great fun! Large and enthusiastic crowds enjoyed the many booths in Shea A and packed Shea B for three excellent workshops. Thanks to all the HRGS members who shared their time and their knowledge with those who attended. Without your help year after year, this fair would never happen.

 

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Local author Lanie Tiffenbach, had a book signing for her novel, Threads of the Past: Stories of Pioneer Women and their Quilts. Inspired by her immigrant ancestors and based on extensive genealogical and historical research, the book spans a time period from 1857 to 1939. Lanie tells the stories of courageous pioneer women surviving extraordinary challenges and hardships on the raw frontier of Minnesota.  The evolution of quilting in America is woven throughout their tales, and the book is illustrated with over 100 wonderful vintage photos.

These brave immigrant women’s stories are the stories of all of us, for we are all the descendants of immigrants. This book will be especially enjoyed by genealogists and quilters, but also by anyone who loves true stories that capture the power of hope and dreams, the importance of family, and the meaning of home.

 

 

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HRGS member and certified genealogist Deena Coutant has participated at every Genealogy Fair. She was back this year with a display of the hottest topic in genealogy research: DNA. In addition to answering questions, she even took swabs to send in for interested people. Who knows what she’ll find out! Check out her website at DiggiDeena Consulting and learn about all the other services she provides.

 

 

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Also returning to the Genealogy Fair this year were Ed Campbell and Penny Manel from A Page is Turned. Ed and Penny preserve memories with Digital Transfer to DVD of Photos, Slides, Negatives, Documents, 8mm Film, and Video & Audio. They are also experts in Image Restoration & Enhancement.

 

 

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Have you pondered joining the Daughters of the American Revolution. The Mount Rosa Chapter of the DAR helped those attendees who were looking for help. Even those not looking to join, learned how they can use the societies resources at the DAR Website.

 

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Jerry Sherad brought a wide range of information about the Colorado and Nebraska State Archives, the Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness Wiki, and U.S. and Canadian mining accidents.

 

 

 

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The genealogy wiki WeRelate, is a collaborative tool that seeks to create a unified family tree that includes all of us. Check out Dave Barton’s presentation on the Firelands History Website.

 

 

 

 

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Gordon Taylor and his Senior Genealogy Group were back with the latest information about Legacy Family Tree.

 

 

 

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In addition to the booths in Shea A described above, we had a series of workshops in room Shea B that were very well attended.

 

Family Search expert Gordon Taylor, gave tips on “Recording Life One Event at a Time.”

 

Certified genealogist Barbara Fine Price once again helped those starting their genealogical journey with her popular presentation, “Beginning Genealogy.”

 

After lunch we finished the workshops with Deena Coutant’s “Succession Planning for One’s Lifetime of Genealogical Research.”

Thanks to everyone who attended for making this a great event. See you next year.