Tennessee Genealogical Society upcoming events

Event Education-America 250! (Wednesday, April 15, 2026)

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:00:00 GMT

AMERICA 250!

Join historian Linda Moss Mines as she examines the creation of the republic, five critical moments in its life and a cadre of unsung patriots who helped mold the ‘land of the free and the home of the brave.’ History matters and the stories inspire and encourage us to assure the we not only have a republic, but that “we can keep it.”

Linda Moss Mines is a historian and educator has spent the last 54 years teaching secondary, collegiate and public history with an emphasis on the stories of the republic and its constitutional-based government. She writes for a weekly history column for the Patriot Post, the Chattanooga Times-Free Press and speaks across the region, state and nation more than 200 times each year.

Linda serves as

- The official Chattanooga and Hamilton County Historian
- The Vice-Chairman of the Executive Board, Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center and recently Co-Chaired the six-day 2025 National Medal of Honor Convention
- Secretary, Chattanooga Area Veterans Council
- Trustee, Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation
- Chairman, Chattanooga Parks and Outdoor Commission
- Chairman, Southeast TN Regional America 250 Committee
- Southeast TN Rep, TN Cemetery Commission
- Immediate Past Chairman, Erlanger Health System Board of Directors and currently serves on the Foundation Board

Access will be through GoToWebinar. Instructions and Connectivity Link will be forwarded via email to all registrants upon registration, six days prior and again 1 hour prior to the event. Making the connection is quick and easy only requiring a computer and Internet connectivity from wherever you chose to watch the event. Your questions help drive the meetings, and we will be there to help each other.

Event Education-Let's Discuss It! (Saturday, April 25, 2026)

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Let's Discuss It! by John Ware

Join our popular discussion group and learn what is trending in Genealogy.

John is a retired Pharmaceutical Research Chemist and Project Systems Analyst. John has been married for over 50 years to his high school sweetheart and they have two children and two grandchildren. He began family research in the 60’s Investigating both his adopted and biological lines. He is a member of several genealogical societies. He has served as a board member of the Tennessee Genealogical Society in several capacities and is the current Director of Education and Vice President.

Event Education-Berlin Airlift (Saturday, May 02, 2026)

Sat, 02 May 2026 15:00:00 GMT

BERLIN AIRLIFT BY MIKE ELLICOTT

In an unsuccessful attempt to force the Western Allies out of Berlin, the Soviet Union blockaded all ground transportation to that City beginning on April 24, 1948. The United States, Great Britain, and France vowed to keep West Berlin alive and free. Over the next eleven months, 277,000 individual flights carried over 2.3 million tons of food and supplies from West Germany to Berlin, keeping its 2.0 million residents free and dealing the Soviet Union a stunning defeat. Learn about this fascinating story of courage, resourcefulness, and perseverance from Retired Army Colonel and Amateur Historian Mike Ellicott.

Mike Ellicott is a retired Army Officer and a retired higher education facilities officer. He now has time to spend on his lifelong love of history and he and his wife Marilyn currently lead tours of the Gettysburg and Normandy Battlefields, Germany, where they lived for 14 years, and the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. He completed a twenty-six-year career in the Army Corps of Engineers, retiring as a Colonel and Commander of the Corps of Engineers’ Europe District in Frankfurt, Germany. He went on to a 16-year career in Higher Education Facilities Construction and Operations and retired again as the Vice Chancellor for Facilities Planning and Construction for the Texas Tech University System in Lubbock, TX. He earned Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Mechanical Engineering and taught engineering at the Military Academy at West Point and at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA. He was a Registered Professional Engineer in Virginia. Mike and Marilyn live in Collierville, TN. They have two sons, Mike Jr., also a retired Engineer Colonel, and Randy, a Hospital Facilities Compliance Specialist, and three grandchildren. He is the Past President of the Friends of Morton Museum in Collierville and a Director of the Engineers’ Club of Memphis.

Event Education-Finding Your Elusive Female Ancestors in Local Archives (Thursday, May 07, 2026)

Thu, 07 May 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Finding Your Elusive Female Ancestors in Local Archives by Melissa Barker

PLEASE NOTE THIS STARTS AT 6:00PM

Local archives of all kinds have records for your female ancestors. Many times, these records are not digitized or available online. Learn from a seasoned archivist how to locate and research female records in local archives.

Melissa Barker is a Certified Archives Manager and Public Historian currently working at the Houston County, Tennessee Archives & Museum and has been in these position for the past 15 years. She is affectionally known as The Archive Lady in the genealogy community. She lectures, teaches, and writes about the genealogy research process, researching in archives and records preservation. She conducts virtual presentations across the United States and other countries for various genealogy groups and societies. She writes a popular blog entitled A Genealogist in the Archives and is a well-known published book reviewer. She has been a Professional Genealogist for the past 22 years with expertise in Tennessee records. She has been researching her own family history for the past 36 years.

Event Education-Writing Your Family History SIG (Wednesday, May 13, 2026)

Wed, 13 May 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Writing Your Family History SIG

Facilitator - Carla Maitland

Join us for four workshops this year in our GoToMeeting platform as we meet together, face-to-face, and discuss, share, and critique each other’s family history writing. Whether you choose journals, blogs, newsletters, books, or some other form of writing, we can all use the input of others. These sessions will be led by a facilitator, who will not directly teach, but who will guide the discussions, ensuring the involvement of everyone. Bring your pen, pencil, computer or whatever you use to write, and join the sessions with ideas to share with others as well!

These sessions are currently scheduled for one Wednesday morning every three months at 10:00 a.m. (CST), and will last approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours each session. YOU MUST REGISTER FOR EACH DATE SEPARATELY!

DATES FOR 2026

MAY 13, 2026

AUG 12, 2026

NOV 4, 2026

Event Education-E.B. Madison: Local Legal Legend (Saturday, May 16, 2026)

Sat, 16 May 2026 15:00:00 GMT

E.B. Madison: Local Legal Legend

by Tyler E. Boyd

"E.B. Madison: Local Legal Legend" is about a prominent attorney in Athens, TN who has a very distinguished genealogy in more ways than one. He was born in 1870 and died in 1948. He practiced law in Athens for over 50 years.

Tyler L. Boyd is an author, historian, and educator from Athens, TN. He works for McMinn Co. Schools. He serves as president of the McMinn Co. Historical Society, secretary of the McMinn Co. Library Board, and Programs Committee member at the McMinn Co. Living Heritage Museum. He is also a member of the Hiwassee Chapter SAR. His first book, Tennessee Statesman Harry T. Burn, won several awards, including the East Tennessee Historical Society's Award of Distinction and the DAR's Historic Preservation Award. His second book, Nellie Kenyon: Trailblazing Tennessee Journalist, won the Project Excellence Award from the East Tennessee Historical Society. His third book, The Biggs Machine: Old Time Politics in Polk County, Tennessee, published in 2023, also won the Project Excellence Award. He is working on two new books.

Event Education-Let's Discuss It! (Saturday, May 30, 2026)

Sat, 30 May 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Let's Discuss It! by John Ware

Join our popular discussion group and learn what is trending in Genealogy.

Event Education-Ten Reasons Why History Resources Solve Our Genealogical Puzzles (Saturday, June 06, 2026)

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Ten Reasons Why History Resources Solve Our Genealogical Puzzles by Paula Stuart-Warren CG®, FMGS, FUGA

Many of the answers we seek in our family history research can be solved with the use of historical background and details. It could answer why your family moved to that new place, why they moved in a specific year, which church they attended, why they married in a different state, why they aren’t on a certain census, or what happened to Granduncle Elias. Family history is history. Examples in the presentation and handout will provide some paths for you to take.

She is a long-time genealogical educator, researcher, and consultant focusing on unusual resources, manuscripts, methodology, and analyzing records. She also specializes in Native American research, the WPA, and railroad records. She has spent extensive research time at libraries, courthouses, libraries, state archives, historical societies, and the U.S. National Archives. She is currently a coordinator and instructor for the GRIP Genealogy Institute, Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR), and has presented in courses for Ancestry Academy, Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), and Texas Institute of Genealogical Research (TIGR) and continues to present virtual seminars and webinars across the U.S. and Canada. She is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Federation of Genealogical Societies, of the Minnesota Genealogical Society, a former officer of the Association of Professional Genealogists, and has been a Board-Certified Genealogist since 1988.

She is descended from eight ancestral countries and has researched family connections across the U.S. and Canada, including her father-in-law’s Southern roots. She currently has her own educational website and blog at http://genealogybypaula.com and is enthusiastic about sharing knowledge and continuing education.

Event Education-Digitizing History and the Veterans Bounty Land Records Project (Saturday, June 13, 2026)

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Digitizing History & the Veterans Bounty Land Records

by Rebecca Whitman Koford

Bounty land was the reward for service to veterans from the Revolution through the Mexican War. Applications for bounty land from veterans or their heirs are bursting with genealogical information, but researchers rarely see it because records for the War of 1812 onwards are only found at the National Archives. Learn about the value of these records, how to access them, and the project to digitize them and make them publicly available.

Rebecca Whitman Koford holds credentials as a Certified Genealogist® and as a Certified Genealogical Lecturer®. She focuses on research in Maryland, Upstate New York, Virginia, the District of Columbia, colonial records, military records from the Revolution through the Civil War, federal records at the National Archives (D.C.), and land records of all types. She is co-author of the NGS Research in the States series book on Maryland. Rebecca is a graduate and former mentor of the ProGen Study Group and served as its Administrator from 2015–2020. She speaks at national conferences and regularly teaches at the Salt Lake Institute ofGenealogy (SLIG), the Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research (IGHR). She served as Executive Director of the Board for Certification of Genealogists® from 2018–2024. In 2021, she was named as Director of the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed) in Washington, D.C. Rebecca served as Vice-President of the National Genealogical Society 2024–2026.

Event Education-How Slavery Ended in Tennessee (Wednesday, June 17, 2026)

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 15:00:00 GMT

How Slavery Ended in Tennessee

by Teresa Hill Mays

While much of the national conversation around Juneteenth focuses on Texas, my research explores the specific events and stages of emancipation within Tennessee. The presentation will cover the timeline from the first local announcements of freedom through the final official designation of Juneteenth as a federal holiday.

Teresa Hill Mays, has over 40 years of experience in research and documentation of the history of families and places. Her interest in research began in childhood and blossomed.

Her current roles include the following:

Member of the Tennessee Genealogical Society, where she serves on the Program Committee and is their Multicultural Advisor.

President of the Afro American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS) Memphis and Mid-South Chapter and serves on the AAHGS National Chapters Committee.

Appointed to the Shelby County Historical Commission and is the first African American to serve as County Genealogist in 2022 and later elected Vice Chair in 2024.

Appointed to the Orange Mound Library and Genealogy Center's Advisory Board in 2025.

Event Education-Let's Discuss It (Saturday, June 27, 2026)

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Let's Discuss It! by John Ware

Join our popular discussion group and learn what is trending in Genealogy.

Event Education-Researching Your Revolutionary War Ancestor (Wednesday, July 08, 2026)

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Researching Your Revolutionary War Ancestor

By Craig Scott

Revolutionary War ancestor can be a goldmine of information if you know where to look. This lecture aims to examine types of service, compiled military service records, pension applications, settled accounts, and where other documents can be found using a step-by-step methodology in a case study.

Craig Roberts Scott, MA, CG, FUGA is the President and CEO of Heritage Books, Inc. A professional genealogical and historical researcher for more than forty years, he specializes in the records of the National Archives, especially those that relate to the military. Former IGHR, SLIG, and GRIP Military Course Coordinator.

Event Education-Let's Discuss It! (Saturday, July 25, 2026)

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Let's Discuss It! by John Ware

Join our popular discussion group and learn what is trending in Genealogy.

Event Education-Immigration-Comparing the Past to the Future (Saturday, August 01, 2026)

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Immigration-Comparing the Past to the Future

By Tina Sansone

Tina Sansone will discuss colonial immigration and how it has evolved into what we know it to be today. She is not going to expand on politics in this presentation but stick to demographic, culture, logistics and economics.

Tina Sansone is a professional genealogist and owner of Past and Present Pathways. She is the current Registratar for her DAR chapter. She has the genealogy editor for BellaOnline since 2005. Tina has lectured on different topics for many years and enjoys helping others learn about their ancestors.

Event Education-Climatic Clues-Our Ancestors Weathering Their Lives (Wednesday, August 19, 2026)

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Climatic Clues-Our Ancestors Weathering

Their Lives by Ann Staley

THE RECORDING WILL BE AVAILABLE

FOR 90 DAYS AFTER THE PRESENTATION FOR MEMBERS ONLY

The weather plays a factor in how we handle our day-to-day activities. Our ancestors were no different. Hurricanes, tornadoes, coal inversions, ice storms, etc. played havoc with crops and lives. On the other hand, the sun and rain helped to produce the items necessary for subsistence. The weather, during certain time periods, could give you a clue as to why you can't find your ancestor; one reason - they may have moved. This presentation will examine the various ways our ancestors were affected by the weather including folklore, weather phenomena, climate driven migration, military conflicts, National Weather Bureau, on- and off-line resources, and more.

C. Ann Staley, CG®, CGL ®, has spoken regionally, nationally, and at sea. She is the Membership Chair for the Genealogical Speakers Guild; a volunteer of the Florida State Genealogical Society and the National Genealogical Society; and is on the faculty of The International Institute for Genealogical Studies. Ann is the compiler of the Jacksonville Genealogical Society, Inc. Quarterly Full Name Index, Volumes 1 through 4, 1973 through 1976, author of several articles for the NGS Magazine, and the co-author of the NGS Research in the States Series-Florida. She has been researching her family from Alabama, Mississippi, Indiana, and Virginia to France, England, Ireland, and Germany. Her specialties are methodology, vital records and their sources, computer research resources, and conference planning.

Event Education-Let's Discuss It! (Saturday, August 29, 2026)

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Let's Discuss It! by John Ware

Join our popular discussion group and learn what is trending in Genealogy.

Event Education-Beyond the Census: Finding Your Ancestor in Federal Records (Wednesday, September 09, 2026)

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Beyond the Census Record: Finding Your Ancestor in

Federal Records by Sandy Rumble

One of the first record collections new genealogists access is the U.S. Federal Census. It identifies family units, residence, occupation, family relationships, home ownership, and marital status. What more could you want? Hidden in the vaults of the National Archives are first person, narrative, detail rich packets about our ancestors in the military, land, Congressional, State Department, and court records. The National Archives publishes finding aids (indexes) providing a way to easily identify our ancestors. Join us to explore these finding aids and look at examples of what can be found by asking NARA for these paper records.

Sandy started her career as a software developer and trainer, and for over 30 years, she has designed curriculum for cutting-edge software products. Expanding on her interest in teaching, Sandy speaks about military research, Colonial Pennsylvania, lineage research, and research planning. Sandy has taught classes at genealogical institutes, GRIP, SLIG & TIGR, at conferences, as well as genealogical and historical societies. Sandy is coordinating Researching Penn’s Colony for GRIP in July 2026, has coordinated Documentation for Lineage Societies, and has co-coordinated Answering the Call of Uncle Sam, an exploration of 18th- & 19th-century American military records.

Event Education-9/11 Memorials (Saturday, September 19, 2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 15:00:00 GMT

9/11 Memorials by Mike Ellicott

On 9/11, terrorists attacked the symbols of America’s Economic and Military Power and attempted to attack the symbol of our Political Power. The attacks destroyed the World Trade Center in New York City, severely damaged the Pentagon, and changed a field in Central Pennsylvania forever. Immediately following those attacks, impromptu memorials appeared to commemorate the 2.977 citizens of the World we lost. Over time, America erected permanent and thought-provoking Memorials. Retired Army Colonel and Amateur Historian Mike Ellicott will discuss the history behind the 9/11 Museum and Memorial, The Pentagon 9/11 Memorial, and the Flight 93 Memorial, along with the surprising contribution of the former Fishkill Landfill on Staten Island.

Event Education-Let's Discuss It! (Saturday, September 26, 2026)

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Let's Discuss It! by John Ware

Join our popular discussion group and learn what is trending in Genealogy.

Event Education-How to Organize & Preserve Old & New Photographs (Thursday, October 08, 2026)

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Organizing and Preserving Old and New Photographs

by Melissa Barker

Many of us have them, boxes and albums of photographs, photo slides, negatives and even those countless digital photographs that we still haven't removed from our phones. Photographs are precious family history records and preserving them should be high on our priority list. Learn from a seasoned genealogist and archivist how to organize and preserve your original photographs, whether they are sitting in dusty boxes or hanging out on your digital device, so future generations can enjoy them.

Event Education-Let's Discuss It! (Saturday, October 24, 2026)

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Let's Discuss It! by John Ware

Join our popular discussion group and learn what is trending in Genealogy.

Event Education-Let's Discuss It! (Saturday, December 05, 2026)

Sat, 05 Dec 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Let's Discuss It! by John Ware

Join our popular discussion group and learn what is trending in Genealogy.