Our club is active and engaged! Ready to join or renew?
Wednesday, April 23, 2025. 6:30 PM. Virtual
Using Church Records to Find Ancestral Origins Our presenter Cari Taplin will cover methods for determining religious affiliation and finding local churches, using maps, directories, county histories and other clues from family stories. She will also discuss how to locate records for a given church, as well as how to examine and analyze those records to identify an ancestor’s place of origin. Register for the Zoom link... |
Preregister for Zoom link and Reminders
Our Club uses the free registration feature of Zoom Meetings. Those who choose to register and participate via Zoom will receive automated meeting reminders.
* To register, click on the "Registration Link" for a specific meeting.
* At the Zoom registration page, enter your first and last name, and e-mail address.
* After registering, you will receive a confirmation e-mail containing information about joining the meeting.
* Then, 24 hours before the meeting, you will receive a reminder e-mail resending the Zoom meeting link.
* To register, click on the "Registration Link" for a specific meeting.
* At the Zoom registration page, enter your first and last name, and e-mail address.
* After registering, you will receive a confirmation e-mail containing information about joining the meeting.
* Then, 24 hours before the meeting, you will receive a reminder e-mail resending the Zoom meeting link.
In addition to our Newsletter and access to recorded meetings, members also have access to Genea-Break, a Mini-Lesson and Discussion
Genea-Breaks are held monthly on the second Wednesday at 7:00 PM. Join your fellow members using Zoom to learn, ask, and discuss genealogy and to celebrate your research success. This year, we will highlight a genealogical reference/non-fiction book and a website each month with demonstration and insight. Plus, there's always open time for questions and discussion. Members - watch your inbox for the GeneaBreak Zoom link. And, if you want to watch again or missed a session, Members will receive a direct link. If you are not a member, visit our Membership page and join using the Online option, so your e-mail can be added to the members list in a timely manner. |
Brick Walls and Bagels - 1st Saturday at 8:00 AM - Open to All
We call it "Bricks and Bagels" but feel free to grab a donut 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 or talk about your successes. We meet on the first Saturday each month at 8:00 AM at the Cranberry Giant Eagle. There is a Starbucks inside. We meet in the seating area between Starbucks and the beer and wine section. Starbucks has pastries, muffins and breakfast sandwiches, and Giant Eagle has donuts, bagels, etc. in the Bakery section. |
Zelienople Public Library - 4th Monday at 10:30 AM - Open to All
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 the session via Zoom, call the library for the link. 724-452-9330. Registration is not required. Sessions are free and open to the public. |

Heinz History Center, Detre Library & Archives
Check out these upcoming events for genealogists from the Heinz History Center, some with plans still emerging. Thanks to Sierra Green for getting these events to us. Refer to the “Events Page” found within the Heinz History Center’s website: www.heinzhistorycenter.org/events/
Exploring Your African Roots with Dr. Gina Paige
Saturday, April 26 | 11:00 AM-1:00 PM. Featuring African Ancestry founder Dr. Gina Paige, this event will uncover insights into the roots of local people who have completed DNA genealogical testing via African Ancestry, a world leader in tracing lineages of African descent. The live reveal will include a discussion the results of DNA testing to determine the African ethnic origins of the tester. [Presented by the History Center’s African American Program and the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society Pittsburgh Chapter.]
Italian Genealogy Workshop
Sunday, June 1 | 11:00 AM-5:00 PM. Featuring leading Italian genealogist Rich Venezia, this workshop will convey insights into tracing Italian ancestors from Western Pennsylvania back to Italy. Special emphasis will also be placed upon the genealogical research necessary to attain Italian dual-citizenship. [Presented by the History Center’s Italian American Program and Detre Library & Archives as well as the Italian Sons and Daughters of America.]
Czech and Sloak Genealogy Workshop
Sunday, June 29 | 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. Join us for a tour de force of genealogical records relevant for individuals with Czech, Carpatho-Rusyn, and Slovak ancestors. This event will feature nationally-recognized speakers including
Michal Razus, Jim Hudec, and Rich Custer. Speakers will also reveal where to turn for the largest caches of Czech and Slovak records available online. Attendees will also learn more about the rich genealogical resources available in Western Pennsylvania to enrich understanding of our local Czech, Carpatho-Rusyn, and Slovak ancestors.
Check out these upcoming events for genealogists from the Heinz History Center, some with plans still emerging. Thanks to Sierra Green for getting these events to us. Refer to the “Events Page” found within the Heinz History Center’s website: www.heinzhistorycenter.org/events/
Exploring Your African Roots with Dr. Gina Paige
Saturday, April 26 | 11:00 AM-1:00 PM. Featuring African Ancestry founder Dr. Gina Paige, this event will uncover insights into the roots of local people who have completed DNA genealogical testing via African Ancestry, a world leader in tracing lineages of African descent. The live reveal will include a discussion the results of DNA testing to determine the African ethnic origins of the tester. [Presented by the History Center’s African American Program and the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society Pittsburgh Chapter.]
Italian Genealogy Workshop
Sunday, June 1 | 11:00 AM-5:00 PM. Featuring leading Italian genealogist Rich Venezia, this workshop will convey insights into tracing Italian ancestors from Western Pennsylvania back to Italy. Special emphasis will also be placed upon the genealogical research necessary to attain Italian dual-citizenship. [Presented by the History Center’s Italian American Program and Detre Library & Archives as well as the Italian Sons and Daughters of America.]
Czech and Sloak Genealogy Workshop
Sunday, June 29 | 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. Join us for a tour de force of genealogical records relevant for individuals with Czech, Carpatho-Rusyn, and Slovak ancestors. This event will feature nationally-recognized speakers including
Michal Razus, Jim Hudec, and Rich Custer. Speakers will also reveal where to turn for the largest caches of Czech and Slovak records available online. Attendees will also learn more about the rich genealogical resources available in Western Pennsylvania to enrich understanding of our local Czech, Carpatho-Rusyn, and Slovak ancestors.
FamilySearch Center closes March 12 for renovations
Stay tuned! The FSC is undergoing a significant renovation. We'll notify club members as soon as it reopens.
Visit the FamilySearch Center for free access to technology and to a menu of library databases with assistance from volunteers at every center. Using FamilySearch.org within the FamilySearch Centers provides exclusive access to certain record collections as well as those that can be accessed from home. In addition to FamilySearch.org, there is also access to worldwide records from these databases: Ancestry, MyHeritage, FindMyPast, Geneanet, American Ancestors, Newspapers.com, and other quality options.
If visiting for the first time, ask a volunteer for a short orientation about using the resources. Then dive into the records and accomplish some research goals! There are easy ways to save records that you discover. You may download the images onto a thumb drive or e-mail the records to yourself. There is also the option to print the record images there at the FamilySearch Center.
Seeing a familiar face might be important to you when you visit the center. Members of the Cranberry Genealogy Club often volunteer there. If you are interested in serving as an occasional volunteer at the Cranberry FamilySearch Center, your help would be welcome! Stop by on a Wednesday and offer your help for future sessions.
Stay tuned! The FSC is undergoing a significant renovation. We'll notify club members as soon as it reopens.
Visit the FamilySearch Center for free access to technology and to a menu of library databases with assistance from volunteers at every center. Using FamilySearch.org within the FamilySearch Centers provides exclusive access to certain record collections as well as those that can be accessed from home. In addition to FamilySearch.org, there is also access to worldwide records from these databases: Ancestry, MyHeritage, FindMyPast, Geneanet, American Ancestors, Newspapers.com, and other quality options.
If visiting for the first time, ask a volunteer for a short orientation about using the resources. Then dive into the records and accomplish some research goals! There are easy ways to save records that you discover. You may download the images onto a thumb drive or e-mail the records to yourself. There is also the option to print the record images there at the FamilySearch Center.
Seeing a familiar face might be important to you when you visit the center. Members of the Cranberry Genealogy Club often volunteer there. If you are interested in serving as an occasional volunteer at the Cranberry FamilySearch Center, your help would be welcome! Stop by on a Wednesday and offer your help for future sessions.
Cranberry Township Family History Center is located at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2771 Rochester Rd., Cranberry Township, PA 16066. (intersection of Rochester & Powell Rds.) E-mail: [email protected]. Park in the lot off Powell Road and enter on the left rear side of the building. If Seneca Valley Schools are closed on a Wednesday, due to weather conditions, the FHC will be closed. Call to verify open hours. Ph: 724-742-0922, during center hours.
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Partners Across the Pond
News from ABC Family History Association
The ABC Family History Association in Northern Ireland is a partner group to CranGenClub, and they have months of programming outlined at the bottom of the home page of their website, at https://www.abcfha.com/.
To become an individual member of the ABC FHA, consider the options on the “Membership” web page, found online at
https://www.abcfha.com/membership. Fill out the membership form to email. A nice option is the Online Membership, which offers a reduced annual rate from the Full Membership. A major benefit of having your own membership to ABC FHA is access to all programming, including recordings. Upcoming virtual programs available to any interested genealogists:
ABC FHA’s Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/ABCFamilyHistory
The ABC Family History Association in Northern Ireland is a partner group to CranGenClub, and they have months of programming outlined at the bottom of the home page of their website, at https://www.abcfha.com/.
To become an individual member of the ABC FHA, consider the options on the “Membership” web page, found online at
https://www.abcfha.com/membership. Fill out the membership form to email. A nice option is the Online Membership, which offers a reduced annual rate from the Full Membership. A major benefit of having your own membership to ABC FHA is access to all programming, including recordings. Upcoming virtual programs available to any interested genealogists:
ABC FHA’s Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/ABCFamilyHistory
Local Genealogy Groups
North Hills Genealogists
Visit their website for details... They also have a Facebook page
Beaver County Genealogy & History Center
Meets on the 3rd Wednesday at 7:00 pm. Visit the Beaver County Genealogy and History Center website for open hours and program details or call the Center at 724-775-1775.
Butler County Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania
Meetings are open to the public, and pre-registration is required when meetings take place on Zoom. For the latest information refer to their Facebook page and join the group. Search for Butler County Genealogy Society of Pennsylvania
Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society
Check the WPGS website for coming events and programs.
Visit their website for details... They also have a Facebook page
Beaver County Genealogy & History Center
Meets on the 3rd Wednesday at 7:00 pm. Visit the Beaver County Genealogy and History Center website for open hours and program details or call the Center at 724-775-1775.
Butler County Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania
Meetings are open to the public, and pre-registration is required when meetings take place on Zoom. For the latest information refer to their Facebook page and join the group. Search for Butler County Genealogy Society of Pennsylvania
Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society
Check the WPGS website for coming events and programs.
About Us
Our purpose is to assemble people who are interested in genealogy and in preserving family history, to provide educational and instructive programs, and to help others locate and contextualize genealogical information, to build their family tree. We are based in Cranberry Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania. We meet the 4th Wednesday of the month, typically January through October, plus other special events. Often our meetings are both in-person and via Zoom. Our meetings are free and open to the public, but membership is encouraged. The annual dues allow us to obtain speakers and support this website, among other activities. Review our 2024 Annual Report.
2025 Annual Dues are $15 ($16 if paid online).
President and Newsletter Editor: Susan Ennis
Secretary: John Francis, Rita Romig
Programs: Judi Boren, Patricia Robison
Membership: Pat Purifoy
Treasurer: Debbie Billeter
2025 Annual Dues are $15 ($16 if paid online).
President and Newsletter Editor: Susan Ennis
Secretary: John Francis, Rita Romig
Programs: Judi Boren, Patricia Robison
Membership: Pat Purifoy
Treasurer: Debbie Billeter
Contact Us
If you have questions, or would like more information, Click here to e-mail us. Or copy [email protected] into your e-mail "To:" field. Feedback on this website is welcome! Please let us know how we can improve this site. We try to post a lot of information on the main page, so nobody misses an announcement due to a missed mouse click.
Last updated 15 April 2025
If you have questions, or would like more information, Click here to e-mail us. Or copy [email protected] into your e-mail "To:" field. Feedback on this website is welcome! Please let us know how we can improve this site. We try to post a lot of information on the main page, so nobody misses an announcement due to a missed mouse click.
Last updated 15 April 2025