Our club is active and engaged! Ready to join or renew?
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
6:30 PM, Virtual, Free Program Explore the Pennsylvania State Library Collections Visit the Pennsylvania State Library from the comfort of home, with Amy Woytovich, Genealogy and Local History Librarian. Take notes and plan to visit in-person. Register here for the Zoom link... |
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
7:00 PM, Virtual, Free Program Using Land and Deed Records in Your Research Learn why land records are important; how people got land, and how first title was obtained; how land is delineated and described and how to locate your ancestors' land; and, how and where you find land records. An estimated 80 percent of men owned land during the nineteenth century, and deeds can be useful in documenting lives and relationships. But records involving land transfers after the original title holder often require a deeper level of understanding to be used effectively. Register for the Zoom link... |
Our presenter on June 25: Bill Eddleman, a ninth-generation Missourian, was a professor of biology at Southeast Missouri State University for 22 years and also served as provost of Southeast Missouri State University before his retirement in 2016. Long interested in local and regional history, he was the president of the Cape County Genealogical Society for 14 years and has edited the society's quarterly publication for nearly 30 years. He started at the State Historical Society of Missouri in July 2017, where he serves as Coordinator for its Cape Girardeau Research Center. He has done a multi-part video series on basic genealogy for streaming on the SHSMO website, writes genealogy and local history columns for the Cape Girardeau Southeast Missourian newspaper, and has a local history radio show, “Tales from Days Gone By,” on KRCU public radio.
Register 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.
Genea-Break
2nd Wednesday at 7:00 PM. Members Only 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, you may revisit on the Members Only page. 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 Note: No meeting on May 26 (Memorial Day) 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/
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/
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.
The Cranberry Township FamilySearch Center is closed for renovations
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.
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
Secretaries: John Francis, Rita Romig
Outreach: 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
Secretaries: John Francis, Rita Romig
Outreach: 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 18 May 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 18 May 2025