Two Free Genealogy Meetings about Old Family Photos - You're Invited!
Speaker both nights: Professional Genealogist Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective.
Tuesday, 21 May at 6:45 P.M. at Dutilh Church, Cranberry Township, PA TOPIC: Genealogy Photos Roadshow
Wednesday, 22 May at 6:30 P.M. at the Cranberry Township Municipal Bldg. in Chamber Council meeting room, which is across from the Library entrance. TOPIC: Genealogical Clues in Family Photos
See below for details on each meeting:
Tuesday, 21 May at 6:45 P.M. at Dutilh Church, Cranberry Township, PA TOPIC: Genealogy Photos Roadshow
Wednesday, 22 May at 6:30 P.M. at the Cranberry Township Municipal Bldg. in Chamber Council meeting room, which is across from the Library entrance. TOPIC: Genealogical Clues in Family Photos
See below for details on each meeting:
North Hills Genealogists (2nd Location in Cranberry)
Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at 6:45 PM
Photo Detective Roadshow
by Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective
North Hills Genealogists meet at Northland Library in McCandless Township. Cranberry has partnered with them to add a Second location in Cranberry Township at Dutilh Church, 1270 Dutilh Rd., Cranberry Township, PA 16066 - meet in the sanctuary.
Directions: From Rt. 19, take St. Francis Way, (as though going to hospital), turn right, and follow to make right into church parking lot.
RSVP with your name to susanennis@verizon.net if you plan to attend the bonus workshop on Tuesday at Dutilh Church.
Plenty of seating, so guests are welcome to attend.
Summary: Have you ever wished that a photo detective could help you learn more about your pictures full of unknown people, or in a timeframe you can’t determine? Well, wish no more! The May meeting of North Hills Genealogists will be a live episode of “The Photo Detective.” If you’ve watched “Antiques Roadshow,” then you know how this works - a virtual show and tell. This is a totally interactive event in which NHG and CGC members will have submitted photos ahead of time and then meet virtually with Maureen Taylor, an internationally recognized expert on historic photograph identification, to learn about the specific clues she has uncovered.
Directions: From Rt. 19, take St. Francis Way, (as though going to hospital), turn right, and follow to make right into church parking lot.
RSVP with your name to susanennis@verizon.net if you plan to attend the bonus workshop on Tuesday at Dutilh Church.
Plenty of seating, so guests are welcome to attend.
Summary: Have you ever wished that a photo detective could help you learn more about your pictures full of unknown people, or in a timeframe you can’t determine? Well, wish no more! The May meeting of North Hills Genealogists will be a live episode of “The Photo Detective.” If you’ve watched “Antiques Roadshow,” then you know how this works - a virtual show and tell. This is a totally interactive event in which NHG and CGC members will have submitted photos ahead of time and then meet virtually with Maureen Taylor, an internationally recognized expert on historic photograph identification, to learn about the specific clues she has uncovered.
Cranberry Genealogy Club
Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 6:30 PM
Genealogical Clues in Family Photos
by Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective
A single photograph can unlock a family mystery. The details are in the photographic clues. Pictures document births, deaths, marriages, and more. You can use an image as genealogical proof by understanding the language of family photographs. Learn what clues within photos can reveal more about the story within the photo.
Maureen Taylor is an internationally recognized expert on history photograph identification, photo preservation and family history research. Sought out by clients all over the world, from as far away as New Zealand, her pioneering work in historic photo research is unprecedented, evidenced by her success in solving photo mysteries. She has been featured in numerous publications and was dubbed "the nation's foremost historical photo detective' by The Wall Street Journal. Maureen has spoken on photo history, photograph preservation and family history at historical and genealogical societies, museums, conferences, libraries, and other organizations across the U. S. and in London and Canada. Her focus is on helping people rediscover their family history one picture at a time, and is passionate about getting folks to dig deep into their family history to tell the story of their ancestors. For more than a decade, she’s searched for images of individuals who lived during the Revolutionary War but also lived into the age of photography. It’s currently a two-volume set titled, The Last Muster, and the subject of three short films, A Trio of Revolutionary Voices. The quest for more photographs is ongoing.
Ms. Taylor's live webinars are supported by the North Hills Genealogists; and co-sponsored by the Cranberry Library and Cranberry Township Historical Society.
Maureen Taylor is an internationally recognized expert on history photograph identification, photo preservation and family history research. Sought out by clients all over the world, from as far away as New Zealand, her pioneering work in historic photo research is unprecedented, evidenced by her success in solving photo mysteries. She has been featured in numerous publications and was dubbed "the nation's foremost historical photo detective' by The Wall Street Journal. Maureen has spoken on photo history, photograph preservation and family history at historical and genealogical societies, museums, conferences, libraries, and other organizations across the U. S. and in London and Canada. Her focus is on helping people rediscover their family history one picture at a time, and is passionate about getting folks to dig deep into their family history to tell the story of their ancestors. For more than a decade, she’s searched for images of individuals who lived during the Revolutionary War but also lived into the age of photography. It’s currently a two-volume set titled, The Last Muster, and the subject of three short films, A Trio of Revolutionary Voices. The quest for more photographs is ongoing.
Ms. Taylor's live webinars are supported by the North Hills Genealogists; and co-sponsored by the Cranberry Library and Cranberry Township Historical Society.
Upcoming Meetings
June 2019 - GRIP free evening presentations
June 24, 25, and 27. Click here for details.
Cemetery Walk - fulfilling requests from Find-A-Grave in local cemeteries. Location TBA
July 2019 - More GRIP free evening presentations
July 15, 16, and 18. Click here for details.
Cemetery Walk to be announced
June 24, 25, and 27. Click here for details.
Cemetery Walk - fulfilling requests from Find-A-Grave in local cemeteries. Location TBA
July 2019 - More GRIP free evening presentations
July 15, 16, and 18. Click here for details.
Cemetery Walk to be announced
Local Workshops:
Free genealogy workshops led by local genealogist Susan Ennis
Beginners are especially welcome. Volunteers will be on hand to assist you.
Next meeting is Tuesday, June 11. Curious about your family's past? Looking for a new hobby? Learn how to use the library's online genealogy resources to dive into your family's history. All ages and all skill levels welcome! Please bring your own laptop or technology so you can participate in hands on learning. Cranberry Township Public Library from 6:00 - 7:30 PM. Attend one or all sessions. Please pre-register through the library at this link.
Beginners are especially welcome. Volunteers will be on hand to assist you.
Next meeting is Tuesday, June 11. Curious about your family's past? Looking for a new hobby? Learn how to use the library's online genealogy resources to dive into your family's history. All ages and all skill levels welcome! Please bring your own laptop or technology so you can participate in hands on learning. Cranberry Township Public Library from 6:00 - 7:30 PM. Attend one or all sessions. Please pre-register through the library at this link.
Other Local Events:
$40 for general registration and $30 for members
Registration link
Join genealogist Rich Venezia of Rich Roots Genealogy for a workshop on delving into your family history in Italy and the United States. Benefiting beginner and seasoned genealogists alike, this workshop will feature two lectures:
Italian-Americans: Find Your Roots in the Old Country
Discover the breadth of Italian records, what's available and where, and tips and tricks for finding elusive ancestors. This lecture covers an overview of finding places of origin, record availability, a timeline of records, civil registration, church records, and military records. Emphasis will be placed on records that can be accessed online right here in the USA. Discover your famiglia and make Nonna proud!
The Aliens Are Coming: USCIS Record Sets
Many of our 20th-century Italian immigrant ancestors had some contact with the Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS), the predecessor to the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) - whether that be when they immigrated, naturalized, or registered as an alien. Wade through the alphabet soup of the five glorious record sets the USCIS holds to find where your immigrant ancestor may be found. This lecture will cover A-Files (Alien Files), AR-2s (Alien Registration Forms), C-Files (Naturalization Certificate Files), Registry Files, and Visa Files.
This instructional workshop will also include helpful guidance on using the History Center's Italian American Collection to contextualize your local family history here in Western Pennsylvania.
German Genealogy Workshop, Sunday, June 30 | 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Heinz History Center
$40 for general registration and $30 for members
Registration link
Join nationally-renowned genealogist Dr. Michael Lacopo for the History Center’s first German Genealogy Workshop.
This workshop will explore methods for identifying the German origins of your immigrant ancestors as well as strategies on finding and using German church records. “Must use” German genealogical websites and incorporating social history into your Pennsylvania German research will also be covered.
Representatives from the History Center’s Detre Library & Archives, the Archives & Records Center of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, the Carnegie Library Pennsylvania Department, the University of Pittsburgh Archives and Special Collections, as well as other local genealogical and heritage organizations will also be on hand to share insights and best practices with workshop attendees.
- North Hills Genealogists meet the third Tuesday at Northland Library. Next meeting Tuesday, May 21 - special event with Maureen Taylor, the Photo Detective. This is a webinar-style meeting, to be viewed from one of the approved venues (there may be more than one.) Be sure to sign up for this meeting via the library calendar system - a link can be found on their website. Click here for their website.
- Zelienople Genealogy - Zelienople Public Library. 4th Monday at 10:30 AM - 12 Noon. Next sessions are Monday, June 3 and Monday, June 24. No meetings in May due to holidays, etc. Check the Zelie Library genealogy page and web calendar for event details.
- Evans City Library Genealogy: Limited engagement in 2019. Next meeting is Saturday, June 22 at 10 AM.
- Cranberry Library Genealogy: Limited engagement in 2019. Next meeting is Tuesday, Jun 11 at 6 PM.
- Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society (WPGS) meets the second Saturday. Next meeting is Saturday, June 22. WPGS Annual Member Meeting and All-Day Seminar (Conference) 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, in the Carnegie Museum of Art Auditorium. The speaker for this year's seminar will be Rick Sayre, CG, CGL, FUFA. Click here for their website events page.
- Heinz History Center has two upcoming genealogy workshops:
$40 for general registration and $30 for members
Registration link
Join genealogist Rich Venezia of Rich Roots Genealogy for a workshop on delving into your family history in Italy and the United States. Benefiting beginner and seasoned genealogists alike, this workshop will feature two lectures:
Italian-Americans: Find Your Roots in the Old Country
Discover the breadth of Italian records, what's available and where, and tips and tricks for finding elusive ancestors. This lecture covers an overview of finding places of origin, record availability, a timeline of records, civil registration, church records, and military records. Emphasis will be placed on records that can be accessed online right here in the USA. Discover your famiglia and make Nonna proud!
The Aliens Are Coming: USCIS Record Sets
Many of our 20th-century Italian immigrant ancestors had some contact with the Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS), the predecessor to the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) - whether that be when they immigrated, naturalized, or registered as an alien. Wade through the alphabet soup of the five glorious record sets the USCIS holds to find where your immigrant ancestor may be found. This lecture will cover A-Files (Alien Files), AR-2s (Alien Registration Forms), C-Files (Naturalization Certificate Files), Registry Files, and Visa Files.
This instructional workshop will also include helpful guidance on using the History Center's Italian American Collection to contextualize your local family history here in Western Pennsylvania.
German Genealogy Workshop, Sunday, June 30 | 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Heinz History Center
$40 for general registration and $30 for members
Registration link
Join nationally-renowned genealogist Dr. Michael Lacopo for the History Center’s first German Genealogy Workshop.
This workshop will explore methods for identifying the German origins of your immigrant ancestors as well as strategies on finding and using German church records. “Must use” German genealogical websites and incorporating social history into your Pennsylvania German research will also be covered.
Representatives from the History Center’s Detre Library & Archives, the Archives & Records Center of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, the Carnegie Library Pennsylvania Department, the University of Pittsburgh Archives and Special Collections, as well as other local genealogical and heritage organizations will also be on hand to share insights and best practices with workshop attendees.
- The Cranberry Family History Center is a great resource, as they have many paid subscription websites available for our use, at no charge. Volunteers are available to help you with your research. Beginners are welcome. The FHC is open every Wednesday from 9:30-3:30 and 7-9. Get on their mailing list for notifications when they are closed due to inclement weather or holidays.
- Butler Area Genealogy Society - meets 2nd Tuesday at Butler Public Library. Next meeting June 11; How researchers find hidden treasures in newspapers - by Elissa Scalise Powell, Newspapers contain more than obituaries - they record important events in our ancestor’s lives and can be a substitute for missing vital records. Learn how to access them online and off in order to reap the huge rewards that are hidden in their pages. Click here for the Butler Area Public Library calendar page.
About Us:
Our purpose is to assemble people who are interested in genealogy and in preserving family history, to provide programs for instruction and education of interested persons, and to help others locate and retrieve genealogical information. We are based in Cranberry Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania. We meet the 4th Wednesday of the month, January through October, with special events scheduled for early November. Our meetings are free and open to the public, but membership is encouraged. The $10 annual dues allows us to obtain speakers and support this website, among other activities. Click on Schedule in the upper menu for information on current and future meetings.
President: Susan Ennis
Secretary: Patricia Robison
Programs: Judi Boren
Membership: Pat Purifoy
Treasurer/Webmaster: Debbie Billeter
President: Susan Ennis
Secretary: Patricia Robison
Programs: Judi Boren
Membership: Pat Purifoy
Treasurer/Webmaster: Debbie Billeter
Meeting Location:
We meet in the Franklin Station meeting room, inside the Cranberry Public Library, The address, for those using a GPS, is:
2525 Rochester Road, Cranberry Twp, PA 16066. Meetings start at 6:30 PM unless otherwise indicated on the schedule.
Franklin Station is a divided meeting room. We usually meet in the front section, accessed through the library. When the front section is in use, there will be a sign in the community center hallway directing you to the rear hallway, where the door will be unlocked to allow our members entry. Unless you see a sign, enter through the library.
2525 Rochester Road, Cranberry Twp, PA 16066. Meetings start at 6:30 PM unless otherwise indicated on the schedule.
Franklin Station is a divided meeting room. We usually meet in the front section, accessed through the library. When the front section is in use, there will be a sign in the community center hallway directing you to the rear hallway, where the door will be unlocked to allow our members entry. Unless you see a sign, enter through the library.
Contact Us
If you have questions or would like more information, please e-mail us or send a letter. Our mailing address is:
Cranberry Genealogy Club
c/o Debbie Billeter, Treasurer
27 Sunset Court
Cranberry Twp, PA 16066
Click here to e-mail us. If that doesn't work for you, copy this info@cranberrygenealogy.org into your e-mail "To:" field.
Last updated 16 May 2019
Cranberry Genealogy Club
c/o Debbie Billeter, Treasurer
27 Sunset Court
Cranberry Twp, PA 16066
Click here to e-mail us. If that doesn't work for you, copy this info@cranberrygenealogy.org into your e-mail "To:" field.
Last updated 16 May 2019