2020 Meetings
January 22, 2020 -- What's New in Family Search (familysearch.org) at the Family History Center - A Field Trip
We almost feel silly saying this is a Field Trip, since it's just a few miles down Rochester Road! After we have a brief talk from one of the FHC experts, we'll have tons of time to research. You may be interested to know that three members of our Board volunteer at the FHC.
February 22, 2020 Genealogy Roadshow - Submit 'brickwall' questions in advance; we will present recommendations on where to look for answers.
Normally the CranGenClub holds one Roundtable per year. It's a chance to 'pick the brains' of more experienced genealogists. As a new twist, we will do an offline roundtable among the officers and experienced researchers in our club, to try to break down member-submitted brick walls. Then, in January, we'll meet to review suggestions on where you should look to solve your brick wall.
If you'd like to be a volunteer researcher for this project, contact us at info@cranberrygenealogy.orgCaveat - we may not have time to work on all submissions, but we'll do our best. Plus, you will learn how we did the research.
March 25, 2020 - Meeting was canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic. The topic that was to be presented is preserved here for reference.
The topic for the March meeting of the Cranberry Genealogy Club will be “Using Census Records for Genealogical Research”. The presentation by Sharon Cimoch, CranGenClub member, will focus upon an overview of the content of census records, resources for understanding and using census records, and opportunities to volunteer to index census records. Cimoch is also a dedicated member of the local branch of the DAR and a member and past president of the North Hills Genealogists. Her program will include some examples of research finds from various census records.
Original: As the 2020 United States Federal Census data is collected and in anticipation of the release of the 1950 census in April, 2022, our March program will present information about using census records for genealogical research. Since 1790, the decennial U.S. Federal Census has recorded massive amounts of data about its residents. This program will review census essentials and offer search strategies for researchers.
April 22, 2020 - This meeting was canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic. The topic that was to be presented is preserved here for reference. All the News that's Fit to Print: Using Newspapers in Your Research, presented by Amy Arner. Newspapers have a wealth of information, however many researchers stop after locating death notices and obituaries for their ancestors. Learn what information you may find in newspapers and how to locate newspapers for the areas where you're researching.
May 27, 2020 -Meeting canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic.
June 24, 2020 - Socially Distanced Cemetery Walk - Evans City Cemetery (used in the movie "Night of the Living Dead").
July, 2020 - Recommended to all members, that they attend the GRIP Meetings via Zoom in June and July.
August 26, 2020 - Amy Arner: All the News that's Fit to Print: Using Newspapers in Your Research. Via Zoom Meeting.
Newspapers have a wealth of information, however many researchers stop after locating death notices and obituaries for their ancestors. Learn what information you may find in newspapers and how to locate newspapers for the areas where you're researching.
September 23, 2020 - The Importance of Family History Writing Co-Presenters: Rich Watson and Sue Ennis
Knowing options for how to present your genealogical research to others can include writing and sharing your work. During this presentation, learn four styles of writing your family history. Suggestions for including your research, tips for writing, and examples of final projects will be shared.
October 28, 2020 - Virtual Field Trip, LeMoyne House, Washington County Historical Society, presented by Executive Director Clay Kilgore. Here is a link to the Washington County Historical Society: https://www.wchspa.org/
November 18, 2020 - Organizing Paper and Digital Files, and Mind-Mapping
Once you gather your genealogy, and record everything that you’ve found, how do you get a grip on the “mess” you’ve created? Rebecca Kichta Miller will walk you through how to simply organize your research, on paper or digitally, and keep it that way. Then she’ll teach you how to organize your mind with a technique called mind-mapping.
Ms. Kichta-Miller has been ‘doing genealogy’ since 1971, and is a popular and lively presenter. She runs the website “Shake the Tree” and is President-Elect of the Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society as well as Editor of the Society’s newsletter, Jots from the Point.
December 10, 2020 6:30 PM - Bonus Meeting - Recipes to Remember: Creating a Cookbook
Our Program Chair, Judi Boren, came up with this great idea - you can create your own cookbook containing family recipes handed down from your ancestors. Heritage Cookbook Company co-owner Virginie Martocq will explain how it's done.
We almost feel silly saying this is a Field Trip, since it's just a few miles down Rochester Road! After we have a brief talk from one of the FHC experts, we'll have tons of time to research. You may be interested to know that three members of our Board volunteer at the FHC.
February 22, 2020 Genealogy Roadshow - Submit 'brickwall' questions in advance; we will present recommendations on where to look for answers.
Normally the CranGenClub holds one Roundtable per year. It's a chance to 'pick the brains' of more experienced genealogists. As a new twist, we will do an offline roundtable among the officers and experienced researchers in our club, to try to break down member-submitted brick walls. Then, in January, we'll meet to review suggestions on where you should look to solve your brick wall.
If you'd like to be a volunteer researcher for this project, contact us at info@cranberrygenealogy.orgCaveat - we may not have time to work on all submissions, but we'll do our best. Plus, you will learn how we did the research.
March 25, 2020 - Meeting was canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic. The topic that was to be presented is preserved here for reference.
The topic for the March meeting of the Cranberry Genealogy Club will be “Using Census Records for Genealogical Research”. The presentation by Sharon Cimoch, CranGenClub member, will focus upon an overview of the content of census records, resources for understanding and using census records, and opportunities to volunteer to index census records. Cimoch is also a dedicated member of the local branch of the DAR and a member and past president of the North Hills Genealogists. Her program will include some examples of research finds from various census records.
Original: As the 2020 United States Federal Census data is collected and in anticipation of the release of the 1950 census in April, 2022, our March program will present information about using census records for genealogical research. Since 1790, the decennial U.S. Federal Census has recorded massive amounts of data about its residents. This program will review census essentials and offer search strategies for researchers.
April 22, 2020 - This meeting was canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic. The topic that was to be presented is preserved here for reference. All the News that's Fit to Print: Using Newspapers in Your Research, presented by Amy Arner. Newspapers have a wealth of information, however many researchers stop after locating death notices and obituaries for their ancestors. Learn what information you may find in newspapers and how to locate newspapers for the areas where you're researching.
May 27, 2020 -Meeting canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic.
June 24, 2020 - Socially Distanced Cemetery Walk - Evans City Cemetery (used in the movie "Night of the Living Dead").
July, 2020 - Recommended to all members, that they attend the GRIP Meetings via Zoom in June and July.
August 26, 2020 - Amy Arner: All the News that's Fit to Print: Using Newspapers in Your Research. Via Zoom Meeting.
Newspapers have a wealth of information, however many researchers stop after locating death notices and obituaries for their ancestors. Learn what information you may find in newspapers and how to locate newspapers for the areas where you're researching.
September 23, 2020 - The Importance of Family History Writing Co-Presenters: Rich Watson and Sue Ennis
Knowing options for how to present your genealogical research to others can include writing and sharing your work. During this presentation, learn four styles of writing your family history. Suggestions for including your research, tips for writing, and examples of final projects will be shared.
October 28, 2020 - Virtual Field Trip, LeMoyne House, Washington County Historical Society, presented by Executive Director Clay Kilgore. Here is a link to the Washington County Historical Society: https://www.wchspa.org/
November 18, 2020 - Organizing Paper and Digital Files, and Mind-Mapping
Once you gather your genealogy, and record everything that you’ve found, how do you get a grip on the “mess” you’ve created? Rebecca Kichta Miller will walk you through how to simply organize your research, on paper or digitally, and keep it that way. Then she’ll teach you how to organize your mind with a technique called mind-mapping.
Ms. Kichta-Miller has been ‘doing genealogy’ since 1971, and is a popular and lively presenter. She runs the website “Shake the Tree” and is President-Elect of the Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society as well as Editor of the Society’s newsletter, Jots from the Point.
December 10, 2020 6:30 PM - Bonus Meeting - Recipes to Remember: Creating a Cookbook
Our Program Chair, Judi Boren, came up with this great idea - you can create your own cookbook containing family recipes handed down from your ancestors. Heritage Cookbook Company co-owner Virginie Martocq will explain how it's done.