2024 Chapter Programs
Those interested in genealogy, from beginners to advanced researchers, will appreciate the information provided from these programs. You are encouraged to participate and learn more about genealogy through the ACCOGS events listed on this website and consider the many benefits of membership with this organization.
Meetings are both virtual and in-person except where noted. In-person meetings are the third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the Freer Home, 1260 Center Street, Ashland, Ohio.
Current members, who have provided an email address, will automatically receive a Zoom link to all virtual meetings. Not a member yet? At least 48 hours in advance, send an email to accogspresident@gmail.com to request a Zoom link to virtual meetings.
Daniel Horowitz from My Heritage presenting, “If I Only Knew Then What I Know Now! Doing Genealogy The Right Way.” An unexpected fact forced Daniel to retrace his steps, discovering details he’d missed before. Now he shares the lessons learned to avoid the same mistakes at the Freer Home on April 16, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. Eastern USA. Ashland, Firelands, and Richland-Shelby Chapters of the Ohio Genealogical Society are joining together for this presentation.
Daniel Horowitz has been dedicated to Genealogy since 1986, Daniel was the teacher and study guide editor of the family history project “Searching for My Roots” in Venezuela for 15 years. He was a board member of The International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS) for 10 years and is now involved in several crowdsource digitization and transcription projects. He holds a board-level position at The Israel Genealogy Research Association (IGRA). Since 2006, Daniel has been working at MyHeritage liaising with genealogy societies, bloggers, and media, as well as lecturing, and attending conferences around the world.
Stephen Wendt is presenting “Jumping into German and Austro-Hungarian Family Research” on May 21, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. Eastern USA.
Gain a better understanding of the historical German and Austro-Hungarian Empires in the pursuit of records with numerous examples and resources.
Stephen Wendt, MLIS, is a professional genealogist, instructor, and writer. He is the founder of Roots Quest and Tree Tidings Genealogy. Stephen assists global clients with their diverse genealogical needs.
Stacie Murry is presenting “A Fun Look at Fashion from Victorian Times to the Present Day” on June 18, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. Eastern USA.
A lighthearted look at the clothes worn from the mid-1800s up until
modern times. The talk combines slides in a PowerPoint presentation
and numerous examples of actual clothing and accessories from the
last century. Stacie Murry has a Master’s Degree in Art History from Case Western Reserve University. She works at the Ingalls Library at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
July is the Annual Picnic so there will be no speaker and no virtual meeting. Stay tuned for more information!
Brian Rhinehart is presenting “I Have a Civil War Ancestor… Now What?” on August 20, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. Eastern USA.
Civil War soldiers often left a rich genealogical paper trail. Many of these records are tucked away at the National Archives in Washington DC. Learn what records are available for your ancestors only at the National Archives, what records are online already, and how to access all of them. These records may unlock some of the family stories that have been forgotten over time, as well as break down a brick wall or two!
Brian Rhinehart is a professional genealogist and speaker and is the owner of CivilWarRecords.com. He is a graduate of Boston University’s Certificate of Genealogy Research and his work has been featured in the PBS television show “Finding Your Roots.” A direct descendant of six Civil War soldiers, Brian specializes in research and record retrieval for Civil War and War of 1812 soldiers at the National Archives in Washington DC and has retrieved military files for hundreds of clients there.
Michael Neill is presenting “Math Skills for the Genealogist” on September 17, 2024 (Virtual Only Meeting) at 6:30 p.m. Eastern USA.
Michael John Neill writes Genealogy Tip of the Day, has researched for nearly forty years, worked as an educator for thirty years, and leads genealogy research trips.
Prior Speaking Experience:
National Genealogical Society 2020 Conference
RootsTech 2022 Conference
Numerous evening presentations for county/local genealogical societies 2015-present
Numerous all-day seminars from 1995-date
Michal E. Crow, Ashland County Recorder, will be presenting at the October 16, 2024 meeting at 6:30 p.m. Eastern USA. More information coming soon!
Peggy Clemens Lauritzen is presenting “Community Research Using the National Register of Historic Places and the Historical Marker Database” on November 12, 2024 at 5 p.m. Social, 5:30 p.m. Dinner. Eastern USA.
Note: This is the Chapter Lineage Banquet. Reservations are required at the cost of $25.00 per person.
The National Register of Historic Places and the Historical Marker Database are familiar sites across the United States and even the world. How can they be used for genealogical research?
Summary: A few years ago two genealogists met over lunch to discuss a common genealogy dilemma. The ideas began tumbling around, and soon each was using a different site to solve a research question. This presentation will take you through the steps of discovering the areas where your ancestors may have lived, and the necessary proof to have them registered. Those historic markers by the side of the road may contain a history of the area they lived in and perhaps even mention them by name. Peggy Clemens Lauritzen is an accredited genealogist, Fellow of OGS, and author of Legacy QuickGuides on Appalachia. She is an instructor at Ancestry Academy, Family Tree University, and columnist for Reminisce magazine. Peggy is the 2018 recipient of the Laura G. Prescott Award for Exemplary Service to Professional Genealogy. She is a former researcher at Ancestry ProGenealogists.
Past Presentations
Amber Oldenburg is presenting “TRUE GRIT AND DETERMINATION: FINDING YOUR FEMALE ANCESTOR” on January 16, 2024 (Virtual Only Meeting) at 6:30 p.m. Eastern USA.
During this presentation, we will explore why it can be difficult to locate the women in our trees. The challenge and frustration of tracing female ancestors is one that every researcher will experience at one time or another. However, there are some tried and true techniques that will help you overcome these challenges. This presentation will focus on why it is sometimes difficult to locate the women in our trees and the records and techniques that can help locate these elusive women.
Amber Oldenburg is a genealogist, lecturer, and social media manager with a degree in Family History Research from Brigham Young University-Idaho. She currently serves as an online instructor in the Family History Research program at BYU-Idaho. She specializes in United States Midwest research and is currently working toward professional accreditation with the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists in the Great Lakes region. When she is not working on family history, Amber can be found traveling the county with her family, exploring archives and cemeteries, or reading a historical monograph.
Scott Norrick is presenting “Ashland County in the 1950
Census: Insights and Discoveries” on February 20, 2024 (Virtual Only Meeting) at 6:30 p.m. Eastern USA.
The year was 1950. Harry Truman was President of the United States. North Korea invaded South Korea igniting the Korean War. African Americans played in the NBA for the first time, and 14 million TV sets were sold — increasing the number used in the US by 10-fold. Stevie Wonder, Jay Leno and Julius Irving were all born. The US population had just surpassed 150 million. An average annual income in the US was just a little over $3,000 and the average cost of a new home was $8,450. The US Census that had been taken every 10 years starting in 1790 was conducted for the 17th time. Data from the US Census can reveal much interesting information about a community. In this presentation, Scott Norrick will reveal his findings and insights from reviewing and analyzing US Census data for Ashland County, OH from the 1950 Census. By looking at a relevant sample of multiple enumeration districts he will provide data and interesting insights on:
- Birth locations
- Top employment industries
- Countries of origin for those foreign-born, or with parents that were foreign-born
- Income levels
- Education levels
- Military service
- Prevalence of farms
- Unemployment levels
- Most interesting job titles
Scott has done this analysis on numerous other Ohio and Midwest communities. He will not only provide data and insights on Ashland County, but will also show how these results compare to other communities.
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. 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. scott@ancestralpast.com
Julie Mayle, Curator of Manuscripts and Sharon Barnett, Library Technician, with the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums will be presenting at the March 19, 2024 (Virtual Only) meeting at 6:30 p.m. Eastern USA.
Opened in 1916, the Hayes Presidential Library preserves President Hayes’ 12,000-volume personal library along with archival material from his military and political career, particularly his presidency (1877-1881). Over the years, the staff has expanded the collection to over 80,000 books, which reflect Hayes’ special interests, including genealogy, local history, and the Gilded Age period in which he lived. Learn about the genealogy and manuscript materials unique to our collections, as well as how to navigate the Hayes Library’s website from a genealogical perspective.