Our club is active and engaged! Ready to join or renew?
Watch your email for more information - Veteran's Shelter in North Boundary Park (Cranberry Township)
Wed., September 25, 2024 (Virtual & In-Person, Cranberry Public Library)
How to Write Ancestral Stories Your Relatives Will Want to Read Part of the thrill of genealogy is sharing our discoveries with those we love, so it can be disappointing when our family members and friends have no interest in the subject. However, with good research, thoughtful planning, and a dash of ingenuity, we can create engaging stories designed to entice even the most reluctant readers. Our presenter: Pam Vestal entered the field of genealogy after a twenty-year career as a professional writer. She lectures on a wide variety of topics and is especially qualified to guide us in gathering information and forming the story. |
Wed., October 23, 2024 (Virtual & In-Person)
A Virtual Tour of the Pennsylvania Archives in Harrisburg In 1681 William Penn founded the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the Charter that gave him the legal right to do so lives today in the Pennsylvania State Archives. About 250,000,000 other documents live in the archives alongside Penn's Charter, and though few of them are as dramatic as the Charter, each one has been selected because it has tremendous historical, legal, or financial value to the Commonwealth. The records in the State Archives are used for serious purposes - to establish the state's boundaries and protect the property rights of our residents; to prove military service or document changes to our environment - but the documents belong to the people of Pennsylvania and are open to all. Your research, online or in-person, could reveal new details about your PA ancestors. Our presenter: Aaron McWilliams is the head of Public Services for the Pennsylvania State Archives and one of our favorite presenters. |
Wed., November 20, 2024
Photo Preservation & Storage (Virtual & In-Person) Are your photos in a box gathering dust? Come learn how to preserve and store your memories for future generations to enjoy. Our presenter: Dana Palmer, CG®, CGL(SM) specializes in lineage society applications, publishing family books, and Midwestern research – specifically Ohio. In addition to her client work, she is part of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants (GSMD) Silver Books team, and lectures at RootsTech and the National Genealogical Society (NGS) conferences. |
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.
Family Tree Maker
Members Only Any Cranberry Genealogy Club member who uses Family Tree Maker for genealogy software is invited to participate in a monthly SIG (Special Interest Group) on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7:00 P.M. This is led by the questions you bring to each session rather than by just one person. By using Zoom, any attendee can share a screen or screenshot as needed to illustrate questions. Let's help each other to use FTM software more effectively! The Zoom link will be sent to members. If you would like to participate - become a member! Questions? Email us at [email protected] |
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. Genea-Breaks follow a theme, but there's always open time for questions and discussion. In 2024: Searching for Records... January 10, Births and Baptisms February 14, Marriages and Banns March 13, Death Records April 10, Census Records May 8, Tax Records June 12, City Directories July 10, Bring your experiences and questions about records for a sampling of several unique types. 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. Grab your coffee and bagel and join the conversation. |
Zelienople Public Library - 4th Monday at 10:30 am
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. |
Meeting Location Moves to the FamilySearch Center
Due to major renovations to the Cranberry Township Municipal Center, the CranGen Club has moved to the FamilySearch Center. Thanks to the LDS church leaders, we are able to use the meeting space in the FamilySearch Center, located in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2771 Rochester Road (intersection of Rochester & Powell) Cranberry Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania. A plus for our members - the center is open on Wednesday evenings for researchers until 8:30 pm so if time permits, stick around and research. NOTE: Please do not bring snacks or beverages into the Family Search facility. Thank you! |
Cranberry Township FamilySearch Center offers full and free access to many databases. Location: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2771 Rochester Rd., Cranberry Township, PA 16066. (intersection of Rochester & Powell Rds.) Park in the lot off Powell Road and enter on the left rear side of the building. During winter weather, call to verify open hours. Ph: 724-742-0922 (During center hours). E-mail: [email protected]. To make the best use of your time, bring your research questions and any supporting information with you. Volunteers are available to assist you.
Open: Wednesdays: 10 am - 3 pm & 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Family Search Center Summer Hours
Open July 24 & 31; Aug. 7. Closed Aug. 8 - 31
Open: Wednesdays: 10 am - 3 pm & 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Family Search Center Summer Hours
Open July 24 & 31; Aug. 7. Closed Aug. 8 - 31
Partners Across the Pond
We are so proud of our international partnership with the ABC Family History Association! Each group has a club membership to the other's organization. Plans for how we collaborate are in the planning stages with ideas including setting up one-on-one consultations, sharing publications and event announcements, and learning together. As members get to know each other - keeping in mind the time difference of course - then we can brainstorm additional ways to collaborate with fellow genealogists in Northern Ireland.
To get acquainted with the ABC Family History Association , based in Northern Ireland, first explore their robust website. An obvious advantage for our members from this partnership with ABC Family History Association is to learn about Northern Ireland's history, view photos, and find out what records might be accessible for genealogists. Take time to review the "Projects" link from the main menu of the ABC FHA website. The menu of group and individual projects is quite inspiring! Perhaps our membership can use these projects to springboard into one of our own. If you are interested in joining ABC Family History, we recommend their "Online Membership".
To get acquainted with the ABC Family History Association , based in Northern Ireland, first explore their robust website. An obvious advantage for our members from this partnership with ABC Family History Association is to learn about Northern Ireland's history, view photos, and find out what records might be accessible for genealogists. Take time to review the "Projects" link from the main menu of the ABC FHA website. The menu of group and individual projects is quite inspiring! Perhaps our membership can use these projects to springboard into one of our own. If you are interested in joining ABC Family History, we recommend their "Online Membership".
Greetings from ABC Chairperson, Joy Smith: "As Chairperson of ABC Family History Association in Northern Ireland, I'm delighted that our two organisations are taking forward this informal partnership which will benefit all of us. So many of our members have ancestors who emigrated to Pennsylvania and other parts of the United States and I'm sure that many of you have ancestors from the 6 counties of Northern Ireland - Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry and Tyrone - or from the 26 counties of the Republic of Ireland. We will be pleased to give advice and support to you in your family history research and hope that you will be able to enjoy taking part in joint projects and other events. We look forward to engaging with you over the coming years."
Other 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 search for Butler County Genealogy Society of Pennsylvania and join the group. The group no longer uses a website.
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 search for Butler County Genealogy Society of Pennsylvania and join the group. The group no longer uses a website.
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, January through October, with other special events. 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.
2024 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
2024 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
Review our 2023 Annual Report
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 22 July 2024
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 22 July 2024