NExt Meeting, Wed., May 27 @ 7 pm
Marching Through Time: A Family Military History Book
Names and dates aren’t that interesting, but the lives led between the ‘born-died’ can form the basis for lots of short stories. Using military service facts about ancestors on all sides of the family tree, Judi was able to fill in with details about battles won and lost and life before and after military service ranging from the American Revolution through the Vietnam War.
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Our presenter: Judi Boren decided to set aside 50 years of ancestral research and turned to writing a series of anecdotes about the most interesting ancestors. Those who served in the military provided fascinating opportunities and resulted in a picture book for her young grandson. It is the first of her family series.
Wed., June 24 @ 7 pm
Using Pennsylvania Land and Tax Records
Although early Pennsylvania vital records can be scarce or spotty, land and tax records can serve as a crucial resource to document early settlers and to prove family connections in difficult situations. This lecture will explore the basic history of the laws governing land transfer and taxation in Pennsylvania, including the warrant, survey, and patent process for original land grants, the conveyance of land, and the taxation of people and property.
Our presenter: Justin K. Houser of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, is an attorney by profession and a genealogist by passion. He has been researching family and local history for more than 30 years, and his roots run deep in Pennsylvania. Justin is an active member and past officer in numerous local genealogical and historical societies and has presented for numerous genealogical conferences and meetings.
Wed., July 22 @ 7 pm
Is Your Research Approach the Problem?
This lecture discusses research approaches that may be hindering your chances of success, how to get around those incorrect ways of thinking, and additional approaches that may improve your chance of success.
Our presenter: Michael John Neill has been actively engaged in genealogical research for over thirty years. He writes the popular "Genealogy Tip of the Day" which is hosted on www.genealogytipoftheday.com.
Michael has led research trips to the Family History Library and the Allen County Public Library in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. He gives lectures on a variety of genealogical topics and concentrates on research in the Midwestern and upper Southern regions of the United States and several countries in Western Europe.
German Genealogy Workshop Sunday, May 17, 2026. 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
Registration Required. This is a hybrid program. Attendees can participate either online or in-person at the Heinz History Center.
Join nationally renowned genealogist Dr. Michael Lacopo for the History Center’s German Genealogy Workshop. Benefitting beginners and seasoned genealogists alike, this in-depth, hands-on workshop will examine a multitude of historic records and electronic resources that will advance your German genealogy research.
Workshop presentations include:
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Methods for Identifying the German Origins of American Immigrants
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German Genealogy on the Internet: Beyond the Basics
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Overcoming the Language Barrier in German Genealogy
African American Genealogy Workshop, Sat., May 30, 2026. 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Registration Required. This is a hybrid program. Attendees can participate either online or in-person at the Heinz History Center.
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Discover new pathways into your family history at the African American Genealogy Workshop.
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Join family historian David Anthony Taylor as he shares insights from his work leading the nonprofit Black Pearls of Genealogy. Through innovative research methods and accessible digital resources, Taylor will highlight ways individuals and communities can reconnect with their past and restore stories that have been overlooked.
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Presented in partnership with the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society of Pittsburgh, this workshop is designed for both beginners and experienced researchers looking to deepen their understanding of African American genealogy.
About the Speaker: David Anthony Taylor is a family historian and the founder and CEO of Black Pearls of Genealogy (BPOG), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and honoring the histories of the enslaved, the displaced, and the forgotten. Through BPOG, he has given communities both free research tools and lasting memorials that restore dignity and remembrance where silence once reigned.
​Croatian Genealogy Workshop Sunday, June 28, 2026. 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
Registration is Required. This is a hybrid program. Attendees can participate either online or in-person at the Heinz History Center.
Featuring leading Croatian genealogist Robert Jerin, this workshop will convey insights into tracing Croatian ancestors from Western Pennsylvania back to Croatia. Special emphasis will also be placed on the genealogical research necessary to attain dual citizenship.
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Designed for beginner and advanced family historians alike, Jerin will guide participants on a tour de force of genealogical records available to uncover insights into your Croatian ancestors.
Through hands-on case studies, you’ll learn where to turn for the largest caches of Croatian birth, marriage, and death records available online and discover the best strategies for finding the home villages of your ancestors.
Archivists from the History Center’s Detre Library & Archives and representatives from the University of Pittsburgh’s Archives & Special Collections will also deliver customized remarks to highlight the best archival record sets in their collections to trace Croatian ancestors locally. Members from additional local genealogical and heritage organizations will also be on hand to share insights and best practices with workshop attendees.
The program will also explore the history of Croatian immigration and other historical context essential to genealogy research. Up-to-date information on Croatian dual citizenship will also be discussed.
Included in registration is Jerin’s own handbook in PDF format, “Searching for Your Croatian Roots,” as well as access to a recording of the workshop for a two-week period following the event.
Special Interest Groups
Deepen your research expertise in specialized areas with our collaborative interest groups.
Brick Walls & Bagels
Genea-Break for Members
Library Study Group
Grab a bagel or muffin! Brainstorm your genealogy challenges with Cranberry Genealogy Club friends! If you don't have any 'brick walls', come and help others solve theirs. We meet at Panera in the lower level of the Cranberry Mall.
Relax at home and enjoy a casual session led by club president Sue Ennis. The focus this year is on a genealogy book and related website.
Gain valuable information, skills and insights.
Just starting to build your family tree? Or, interested in group sharing and problem solving? We begin with a mini-lesson and go from there. If you'd like to join via Zoom, call the library for the link, Ph: 724-452-9330. Registration is not required.
Meet Our Team
Join us as we uncover our roots together.
Club Leadership
We bring together local researchers and genealogy enthusiasts to celebrate family history. Based in Cranberry Township, we offer monthly meetings, expert speakers, and dedicated special interest groups focused on Irish heritage and AI technology in genealogy.
Our community thrives on shared expertise and the preservation of ancestral stories for generations to come.
President: Susan Ennis
Secretaries: John Francis & Rita Romig
Treasurer: Debbie Billiter
Programs: Judi Boren & Patricia Robison
Membership: Pat Purifoy