NORTHERN ARIZONA
GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
(NAGS)
P.O. Box 11934
Prescott, AZ 86304
Monthly Programs, Third Tuesday @ 2:30 PM
Programs / meetings are generally on the third Tuesday of the month at 2:30 p.m. in Room 20 at the LDS Church located at 1001 Ruth Street, Prescott.
The meetings are free and open to the public.
Email: [email protected] for meeting information
Genealogy Gems: News from the Allen County Public Library at Fort Wayne - Eastern Daylight Time Zone (3 hours ahead)
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Genealogy Center’s December 2025 Programs
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Register for these engaging programs in advance to ensure they are on your calendar!
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Do you want to know what we have planned? Are you interested in one of our events, but forget? We offer email updates for The Genealogy Center’s programming schedule. Don’t miss out! Sign up at http://goo.gl/forms/THcV0wAabB.
December’s robust program offerings are below. One might be surprised about what can be learned if you register for all of them!
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. ET “Develop and Digitize Your Family History Archives with Anderson Archival” with Marcia Spicer - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/15111164
Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. ET “IN-PERSON DNA & Genealogy Interest Group” with Sara Allen - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/15069303
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. ET “Finding My Way: Researching Your Ancestor in the City” with Jessica Fontana - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/15069311
Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. ET “Researching Your Swedish Ancestry” with Cynthia Grostick - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/15069332
Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. ET “Beginning Genealogy 101: Little-Known Resources at the Delaware Public Archives” with Leah Greer - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/15069339
Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. ET “The Goodwin Family of Hell’s Kitchen” with Kevin Cassidy - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/15069484
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Genealogy Center Social Media
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GenealogyCenter/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genealogycenter/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ACPLGenealogy
Blog: http://www.genealogycenter.org/Community/Blog.aspx
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/askacpl
Begin with Genealogy & History Tab for Online Resources @ Prescott Public Library
www.prescottlibrary.info/
GENEALOGY & HISTORY
www.prescottlibrary.info/
GENEALOGY & HISTORY
- Ancestry.com [available only in the library]
- Heritage Quest
- Fold3.com
- Digital Arizona Library (DAZL with multiple Arizona resources)
- Remembering Elisabeth Ruffner- a digital history project
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"Newspapers for Genealogical Research" presented by our own NAGS member, Rick Womack.
Researchers love digging through newspapers. Newspapers were the "social media" in their day - late 1800's to 2000. Rick will show us how best to discover various newspaper publications, use them to add vital information to our family records, sometimes in place of birth, marriage, and deaths records. Newspapers often provide more details, family lore, and even vital record information that may have never been recorded. | |||||
June 2025 - "Germans to America’s Midwest, 1848-1900" - Scott Norrick
Over 46 million Americans have some German ancestry. The largest German immigration wave to America was 1848-1900, and the majority of those that came then settled in America’s Midwest. This presentation will examine the reasons why so many Germans were leaving their homeland during this period as well as why so many settled in America’s Midwest. In addition, the presentation will cover:
• German immigration trends
• Ports of departure and arrival
• Midwest German hotspots
• Local example of German settlement
• Cultural influences brought to the Midwest
• Top sites for researching your German ancestors
Scott Norrick’s passion is connecting people to their past. While providing a list of names, dates and places for ancestors is a start, Scott enjoys helping others discover the stories of triumphs and tribulations that defined our ancestors’ lives. He does this by assisting clients with breaking down their genealogical brick walls and by helping them document the rich stories of their family history.
His areas of expertise include research in the American Midwest along with the immigration to the Midwest from Britain, Ireland, and Germanic countries. He also does significant research into Civil War records. He has an undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois and a graduate degree from Northwestern University. With over 30 years of family history research experience, he is familiar with all the latest and time-tested genealogical tools. Through his company Ancestral Past, he welcomes the opportunity to assist others on their genealogy journey. He has presented to dozens of genealogical societies, history centers, and libraries. He is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists.
AncestralPast.com
Replay recording
May 2025, 1 pm - Genealogy Focus 1880-1920 ~ Susan B. Mueller ~
What’s new 1880 census? What happened to1890 census and what to substitute? Getting the most out of the 1900/1910 censuses. Historical events that impact your research: Spanish-American War, WWI, Flu epidemic, with special attention to researching your WWI veteran ancestors.
Susan Mueller is a retired educator and administrator, Sue Mueller (pronounced muller) is a member of CUE, the Computer Users of Erie (Erie, PA), where she leads the Genealogy Special Interest Group. She has been working seriously on genealogy for more than 30 years and has used Family Tree Maker genealogy software since 1996. She is also an active participant and presenter for the Erie Society for Genealogical Research and the Erie County Public Library system.
There will be hyperlinked handout, so participants will want a digital copy rather than a printed copy.
View Recording click here:
Speaker Handout click here:
What’s new 1880 census? What happened to1890 census and what to substitute? Getting the most out of the 1900/1910 censuses. Historical events that impact your research: Spanish-American War, WWI, Flu epidemic, with special attention to researching your WWI veteran ancestors.
Susan Mueller is a retired educator and administrator, Sue Mueller (pronounced muller) is a member of CUE, the Computer Users of Erie (Erie, PA), where she leads the Genealogy Special Interest Group. She has been working seriously on genealogy for more than 30 years and has used Family Tree Maker genealogy software since 1996. She is also an active participant and presenter for the Erie Society for Genealogical Research and the Erie County Public Library system.
There will be hyperlinked handout, so participants will want a digital copy rather than a printed copy.
View Recording click here:
Speaker Handout click here:
August 2025 "Ethnic and Cultural Mapping in the United States" ~ Melinda Kashuba ~
Historic ethnic and cultural maps are powerful tools for family historians. We will examine maps created by the US Census Bureau and other institutions to document industrialization, migration to American cities, and the formation of ethnic enclaves with distinctive neighborhood patterns. This lecture connects the dots between macro governmental policies and individual lives. Case studies include the ethnic succession in immigrant gateway neighborhoods and segregation as depicted on redlining maps. How to locate map resources for places relevant to your community and family will be discussed.
Melinda Kashuba is a professional genealogist and owner of Kashuba Research Services, a genealogical and historical research company. Her popular book, Walking with Your Ancestors: A Genealogist’s Guide to Using Maps and Geography, joins a long list of articles in numerous genealogical magazines and other publications. She is a Course Coordinator and faculty member at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research and Course Coordinator and faculty member at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy.
Her genealogical specialties include 19th century and contemporary genealogical records in California including maps and land records. She holds a PhD in geography from the University of California, Los Angeles and has taught geography for fifteen years at a Northern California Community College. Currently she serves on the board of two nonprofit organizations in Shasta County and has over a decade of experience in community outreach, board development, and fundraising.
Melinda is a member of the National Genealogical Society, Association of Professional Genealogists, and the Shasta Historical Society. She served as a Registrar for two local chapters of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. She is the Chairperson of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee of the Association of Professional Genealogists.
View Recording, click here:
Syllabus:
Historic ethnic and cultural maps are powerful tools for family historians. We will examine maps created by the US Census Bureau and other institutions to document industrialization, migration to American cities, and the formation of ethnic enclaves with distinctive neighborhood patterns. This lecture connects the dots between macro governmental policies and individual lives. Case studies include the ethnic succession in immigrant gateway neighborhoods and segregation as depicted on redlining maps. How to locate map resources for places relevant to your community and family will be discussed.
Melinda Kashuba is a professional genealogist and owner of Kashuba Research Services, a genealogical and historical research company. Her popular book, Walking with Your Ancestors: A Genealogist’s Guide to Using Maps and Geography, joins a long list of articles in numerous genealogical magazines and other publications. She is a Course Coordinator and faculty member at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research and Course Coordinator and faculty member at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy.
Her genealogical specialties include 19th century and contemporary genealogical records in California including maps and land records. She holds a PhD in geography from the University of California, Los Angeles and has taught geography for fifteen years at a Northern California Community College. Currently she serves on the board of two nonprofit organizations in Shasta County and has over a decade of experience in community outreach, board development, and fundraising.
Melinda is a member of the National Genealogical Society, Association of Professional Genealogists, and the Shasta Historical Society. She served as a Registrar for two local chapters of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. She is the Chairperson of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee of the Association of Professional Genealogists.
View Recording, click here:
Syllabus:
| Ethnic-Culture-Mapping-NAGS-08-2025.pdf |
Tuesday, 21 October 2025, 2:30 PM - DNA in Genealogical Research - Bonnie L Bossert, DNA Genealogist
Wondering about the types of DNA and how to utilize them? What benefits might one have from purchasing a DNA kit? How best to use the information provided? Bonnie will be able to educate us on these DNA issues and more. And she will ask the question each of us should ask before delving into possible secrets in one's DNA.
Bonnie Bossert is a Genetic Genealogist. She has taught a four-hour DNA Kindergarten course for several years for genealogy enthusiasts and presents on a variety of genealogy topics. She is a board member of the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Accreditation Board (IGGAB), an independent, non-profit group that developed an accreditation exam and standards for the field of Investigative Genetic Genealogy. Her ATCG Genealogists team has solved nearly 100 cases of misattributed or unknown parentage. For the last three years, she has explored the use of Artificial Intelligence for genealogical research, completing education from the National Genealogical Society on the topic.
View the recording of this meeting here
Wondering about the types of DNA and how to utilize them? What benefits might one have from purchasing a DNA kit? How best to use the information provided? Bonnie will be able to educate us on these DNA issues and more. And she will ask the question each of us should ask before delving into possible secrets in one's DNA.
Bonnie Bossert is a Genetic Genealogist. She has taught a four-hour DNA Kindergarten course for several years for genealogy enthusiasts and presents on a variety of genealogy topics. She is a board member of the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Accreditation Board (IGGAB), an independent, non-profit group that developed an accreditation exam and standards for the field of Investigative Genetic Genealogy. Her ATCG Genealogists team has solved nearly 100 cases of misattributed or unknown parentage. For the last three years, she has explored the use of Artificial Intelligence for genealogical research, completing education from the National Genealogical Society on the topic.
View the recording of this meeting here
Tuesday, 16 September 2025, 2:30 PM
"New FamilySearch Features and Improvements"~ Adam Stephenson
Adam Stephenson is a volunteer at the FamilySearch Center. His presentation will involve a good bit of demonstrations on the actual sit. He is not planning on a handout or syllabus because the goal is to then have the attendees go out and try the search features on the FamilySearch site themselves in their areas of interest to see what they can find.
Hybrid Meeting at the LDS Church, 1001 Ruth Street, Room 20 – park in the rear of the building and enter by the east door. Turn left into a long hall to reach room 20.
If you missed it, a recording can be found here with passcode 2?VpRc3c. Handout is posted here
"New FamilySearch Features and Improvements"~ Adam Stephenson
Adam Stephenson is a volunteer at the FamilySearch Center. His presentation will involve a good bit of demonstrations on the actual sit. He is not planning on a handout or syllabus because the goal is to then have the attendees go out and try the search features on the FamilySearch site themselves in their areas of interest to see what they can find.
Hybrid Meeting at the LDS Church, 1001 Ruth Street, Room 20 – park in the rear of the building and enter by the east door. Turn left into a long hall to reach room 20.
If you missed it, a recording can be found here with passcode 2?VpRc3c. Handout is posted here
2025 Genealogy Mentoring Program Schedule
Genealogy Mentoring done virtually via Zoom.
Get help with the research tools you need to discover your family history.
Register at the Prescott Public Library for a one-hour mentoring session
with a member of the Northern Arizona Genealogy Society for assistance with your genealogy research.
1st & 3rd Thursdays on Zoom
10AM - 11AM
11AM - Noon
You must register for your session:
Prescott Public Library website Events Calendar or call (928) 777-1526 to make a reservation,
or by using the library email address: [email protected]
Genealogy Mentoring done virtually via Zoom.
Get help with the research tools you need to discover your family history.
Register at the Prescott Public Library for a one-hour mentoring session
with a member of the Northern Arizona Genealogy Society for assistance with your genealogy research.
1st & 3rd Thursdays on Zoom
10AM - 11AM
11AM - Noon
You must register for your session:
Prescott Public Library website Events Calendar or call (928) 777-1526 to make a reservation,
or by using the library email address: [email protected]
Family History Society of Arizona Upcoming programs on Zoom: See News/Events or FHSA.org
GETTING STARTED WITH ZOOM - You may connect by using a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or mobile telephone. Each type of device will participate in the meeting a little differently. For tablet and mobile you may want to download the Zoom App. You can download the Zoom Client app. For iOS devices look in the app store for “Zoom Cloud Meetings” and for Android it’s in Google Play. Alternately you can get the download at https://ZOOM.us/download#client_4meeting
Here is a link to a 1 minute YouTube Video "How to Join a Zoom Meeting."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIkCmbvAHQQ
If you just want to sit in on a Zoom meeting all you need is the ability to watch a video on your computer. If you want to participate you need a microphone. Many computers have a speaker and a microphone built in. If yours does not, you can obtain a headset with a boom microphone. External speakers will improve your experience. If you want to be seen by others you need a web camera. If your computer does not have a camera you can purchase one.
There is a good video tutorial at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_8vQDfSzdY
And zoom.us has some demonstrations.
To run a test of your setup type zoom.us/test into your search bar.
Here is a link to a 1 minute YouTube Video "How to Join a Zoom Meeting."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIkCmbvAHQQ
If you just want to sit in on a Zoom meeting all you need is the ability to watch a video on your computer. If you want to participate you need a microphone. Many computers have a speaker and a microphone built in. If yours does not, you can obtain a headset with a boom microphone. External speakers will improve your experience. If you want to be seen by others you need a web camera. If your computer does not have a camera you can purchase one.
There is a good video tutorial at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_8vQDfSzdY
And zoom.us has some demonstrations.
To run a test of your setup type zoom.us/test into your search bar.
Handouts from Previous Programs (listed alphabetically by subject)
- Breaking Down Brick Walls by Sue Williams
- Building Timelines by Sharon Atkins
- Cause of Death by Barbara Wich
- Civil War Photography by Brandelyn Andres (this is a Youtube presentation)
- Comparing Genealogy Software Programs: Legacy, Family Tree and Roots Maker by Katie Gertz
- Creative Iterative search Techniques on FamilySearch & Ancestry - Blog: https://peggyspowerpoints.blogspot.com.
- DNA: Your Second Family Tree by Phyllis Lewellen
- Evidence! Making Your Case: Evaluating Family History Sources & Information by Barbara Wich
- Future Proofing Your Genealogy Research by Thomas MacEntee: https://genealogybargains.s3.amazonaws.com/SYLLABUS+After+You're+Gone.pdf
- Guidelines for Dating Early Photographs by D.Sue Kissel
- Guidelines for Dating Early Photographs, Part 2 by D.Sue Kissel
- How To Find Your Ancestors Civil War Records by Dick Hiatt
- Maps in Genealogy Research, provided courtesy of Suzanne Young Brayer, April 2021
- Newspaper Research: The Newspaper as a Genealogy Resource by Suzanne Young Brayer
- A Brief History of Newspapers by Tim Lambert
- Planning Your Genealogy Research Trip by Laurie McCoy
- Prescott Public Library Genealogy Resources by Normalene Zeeman
- The New Ancestry by Valene Woolridge
- Weaving Cultural History into Your Family History
- Wiki Research by Dick Hiatt
- What Does that Document REALLY Say? by Suzanne Young Brayer
- Writing Family Stories by Sharon Atkins
