Wisconsin State Genealogical Society (WSGS)

08/14/2026

For those wondering, there is also a virtual option. You can watch a recording of the conference for 3 days after the conference.

Early bird registration ends September 10 which is the cutoff date for ordering meals and the printed syllabus. You can even register in person at the event.

Registration is now available for our Fall Conference in Mineral Point, WI

Register online: https://wsgs.getrecur.com/events/view/RU1BSUw6JlNPVVJDRTpXZWJzaXRlQnVpbGRlciZTVUJDUklCRVJJRDotMSZHVUlEOmIyYmM0MmM5LWUwNWUtNDUyOC04YTBmLTlmNTBkZmZiNWMwZQ%3D%3D

You can download, print and mail in the registrations here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2fre6dwe8tr4mpri1x7ue/Fall-Conference-Full-Registration-and-Talks-1.pdf?rlkey=rwvnn0acvjk8em1nn4k77y7d6&dl=0

2026 WSGS Fall Conference!
“When Genealogy Yields Painful Family Secrets”
October 9-10, 2026 at Quality Inn, Mineral Point, WI
Host Society: Lafayette Historical and Genealogy Society

Friday’s Speakers and Presenters
Jeanette Bowman Borich has written historical fiction short stories and non-fiction based upon her genealogy research. She is the author of “From Sonvilier to Canada to Illinois: A Remarkable Swiss Emigration Story.” The South Dakota State Historical Society awarded her a 2025 grant to research Jefferson, South Dakota’s French Settlement.
Bethany Brander is the site manager for Pendarvis and First Capitol historic sites in Mineral Point and Belmont, WI.
Shan Thomas is the archivist at the Mineral Point Library Archives. In 2025 the Archives was awarded the Governor’s Award for Archival Excellence.
Saturday’s Speaker
Kate Penney Howard is a genetic genealogist and speaker specializing in endogamy and breaking down challenging research barriers with DNA. Her speaking engagements include RootsTech, Strathclyde Institute for Genealogical Studies, East Coast Genetic Genealogy Conference, the International Congress on Medieval Studies, the Society for German Genealogy in Eastern Europe, the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies, and the New England Regional Genealogical Consortium, in addition to many state and county level organizations. Learn more at https://katepenneyhoward.com/

Saturday Lunch $20
Cornish Pasty Meal from Walker House
• Walker House Salad with spring greens, tomatoes, diced apples, raisins, craisins, fiesta cheese
• Saffron Buns from our Bakery
• Cornish Beef Pasty with House sauce on the side (award-winning from the Food Network!)
o Chicken, vegetarian, and gluten-free beef pasties also available.
• Desert: Sweet Surprises from our Bakery

Schedule
October 9, 2026: Friday Pre-Conference
11:30 a.m. Registration Opens
1:00 p.m. Session 1: Jeanette Bowman Borich, “Shullsburg’s Lead mine, French Canadian and Swiss Immigration and Emigration in the early- to mid-1800s”
2:00 p.m. Break
2:15 p.m. Session 2: Bethany Brander, “200 Years of ‘Pointers’”
3:30 p.m. Two optional tours to choose from!
Free Tour of Mineral Point Old Pioneer Cemetery with Shan Thomas, Archivist (weather permitting)
OR
Pendarvis tour ($11.00) with Bethany Brander https://pendarvis.wisconsinhistory.org/plan/

October 10, 2026: Saturday Conference
8:00 a.m. Registration and Vendors Open
9:00 a.m. Welcome: John Fassbender, WSGS President; Presentation of Wisconsin Historical Society/WSGS Family History/Genealogy Book Award
9:30 a.m. Session 1: Kate Penney Howard, “Using Artificial Intelligence to Amplify your Genealogical Work”
10:30 a.m. Break/Vendor Exhibits
10:45 a.m. Session 2: Kate Penney Howard, “When Family History Hurts: A Trauma-informed Approach”
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. Session 3: Kate Penney Howard, “Beyond a Shadow of a Doubt: Using DNA to Affirm Documentary Evidence”
2:30 p.m. Break, Last chance to check out vendors!
3:00 p.m. Session 4: Kate Penney Howard, “Murder in the Mountains: Solving a Paternity Case with DNA and Court Records”
4:30 p.m. WSGS Board Meeting
Hotel Information
The WSGS Fall Conference will be held on Friday and Saturday, October 9-10, 2026 at the Quality Inn in Mineral Point, WI. Room block options include 1 King bed or 2 Queen beds, $120 for single and double occupancy. Extra occupants $10.
Reserve a room by September 9 by calling the hotel directly: (608) 987-4747
https://www.choicehotels.com/wisconsin/mineral-point/quality-inn%20hotels/wi083?mc=llgoxxpx

08/13/2026

The National Genealogical Society (NGS) invites innovative proposals for its 2027 Family History Conference scheduled for 19–22 May in Madison, Wisconsin. Proposals are accepted for (a) main conference sessions, (b) pre-conference workshops, and (c) FOCUS on Genealogy Organizations (FOCUS) sessions.*

The conference theme, Lakesides & Legacies, encourages a broad look at the places, records, communities, and stories that shaped our ancestors’ lives and the legacies they left behind—and how genealogists and family historians can discover the past and preserve it for the future.

Get all the details on proposal requirements, session format options, and more on the conference website at https://conference.ngsgenealogy.org/speaker-call-for-proposals/. Submit by 15 September 2026 or share this with someone who may be interested.

*FOCUS on Genealogy Organizations is an annual pre-conference event that brings together genealogy society and library leaders, volunteers, board members, and more.

08/13/2026

Sharing some virtual events being put on by our friends at the Wisconsin Historical Society

Madeline Island A-Z Featured May 22 | 10:00 AM - August 27 | 5:00 PM Madeline Island Museum La Pointe, WI example short description

08/10/2026

The Rock County [WI] Genealogical Society offers a free in-person presentation & Zoom Simulcast entitled:
BREAK DOWN YOUR ROCK COUNTY BRICK WALLS - A DEMONSTRATION OF THE HOLDINGS & CAPABILITIES OF THE RCGS LIBRARY RESEARCH CENTER

Time and Place: Tuesday, August 11, 6:30 PM at the Milton House Museum, 18 S. Janesville St., Milton, WI with Zoom Simulcast.

Program Presenter: Ruth Anderson is the RCGS Librarian and Rock County Historian. Ruth is a UW-W grad born & raised on a small Rock County dairy farm. She has been studying genealogy for 40+ years. For many years, her goal has been to put family history into historical context. She is a research specialist who has helped hundreds of family researchers.

Program Summary: Ruth Anderson and her talented genealogical research volunteers will showcase techniques and resources of the RCGS Library by demonstrating several Rock County research inquiries to show how you can apply the holdings of the Library, Archives and our digital subscriptions to identify long-lost ancestors if you've hit a brick wall. You can access Research Help by visiting www.RCGSWI.org or the Milton House Research Center.
How to Attend: The public is invited to this live, in-person presentation at the Milton House Museum, 18 S. Janesville Rd., Milton, WI (Map Link) or view via Zoom on your Home PC or Smartphone with the Zoom app. The Zoom link, passcode, and audience handout can all be found at the RCGS website at: www.rcgswi.org/events--speakers.

07/30/2026

The Rock County Genealogical Society is pleased to distribute a special edition of the Roots in the Rock Newsletter - an "America 250" themed edition.
You can open and print the attachment below or view it online here: tinyurl.com/V49-Iss3-SpecEd.

07/27/2026

Have you ever wondered whether your Polish heritage could help you qualify for Polish citizenship? For many descendants of Polish immigrants, the answer is yes—but the process can depend on family history, historical records, and specific legal requirements.
Join the Polish Genealogical Society of America for our next quarterly webinar:
Obtaining Polish Citizenship
Sunday, August 16, 2026
2:00 PM CDT
Presenter: Barbara Wróblewska, Your Roots in Poland
This webinar will provide valuable insights into the pathways to Polish citizenship and the documentation needed to pursue it.
Barbara Wróblewska will explain:
• The difference between citizenship by descent and by Presidential Grant
• What historical documents are required to prove eligibility
• The role of Polish culture and Polonia engagement
• Referral letters and supporting documentation
• Polish language requirements and the consular interview process
Registration is free for PGSA members and $15 for non-members.
Register today:

PLEASE NOTE, SIGNING UP FOR THE WEBINAR IS A 2-STEP PROCESS. ONCE YOU GO THROUGH THE BOOKSTORE, YOU WILL RECEIVE A RECEIPT WITH A DOWNLOAD OF A PDF FILE. THAT FILE CONTAINS THE REGISTRATION LINK AND YOU MUST THEN COMPLETE THE WEBINAR REGISTRATION. If you do not receive a receipt, contact us at sales...

07/22/2026

The Colorado Chapter of Palatines to America has several upcoming events this fall:
Monthly Focus Group Tuesday, August 11 at 6:30 PM MDT Zoom only Featuring Karen Ellingson Topic: Free and Frugal Genealogy Resources To receive the Zoom link, please email Jennifer Bigham at [email protected].

Fall Seminar Saturday, October 3 In-person and Zoom Registration coming soon Featuring Gail Blankenau
Topics include: • Power Combination: German Church Records and Farm Histories • Finding Your Family in Numbers: How to Find and Navigate German Census Records • Finding Your Germanic Home Village and Parish • Mountain Peaks and Trails: Your Swiss Ancestral Journey

07/20/2026

The Green County Genealogical Society will present- "Jenny Appleseed” by Jessica Michna.
The presentation is August 1 at 10 am in the Monroe Public Library community room on the second floor.
The program is open to the public.

Jenny Appleseed – Lost Lore and Tall Tales
Almost as soon as the first colonists settled in the New World, stories of exceptional people and situations were told to enthralled listeners. Over time, some of these tales have been lost in the dust of history. Meet Jenny Appleseed, the fictional sister of “Johnny Appleseed”, as she takes you on a journey through American Folklore. Along the way you will meet such memorable characters as Rip Van Winkle, Pecos Bill, Paul Bunyan and of course, John Chapman.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Jessica Michna developed a love of history at an early age. She and her family visited many historic sites throughout America. Her school years would find her appearing in various productions, in addition to costume design and construction. Upon graduation several scholarships were offered to further her studies in theater arts. She would opt to earn a degree in psychology from the UW system working several years as a researcher and lecturer.
Her love of theater and history would eventually bring Jessica to found her company, “First Impressions”. Since its founding in the year 2000, Jessica has expanded her repertoire to include seventeen historic figures.
In 2016 she was awarded the Presidential Service Center’s Distinguished Service award for her riveting portrayals of First Ladies.

Indoor/Outdoor Events –customized
For any questions about the meeting or presentation, call Donna at 608-921-1537. The GCGS Research Center (located in the lower level of the Monroe Public Library is open to the public for research Tuesdays 10 am-3 pm. Other times available by
appointment. The phone number is 608-328-7436 and the website is

Green County Genealogical Society is your resource center for Green County and surrounding counties

07/20/2026

The Luxembourg American Cultural Society is pleased to present the 20th Annual Luxembourg Fest Cultural Forum taking place on Friday August 7th featuring presenting speaker, Nathalie Jacoby, Director of the Luxembourg Literature Archive (Centre national de littérature). This year's forum will guide guests through Luxembourg's literature landscape featuring many different languages. Guests will explore what makes the Luxembourgish Literature unique, investigating the exciting possibilities playing with language(s).

The forum takes place at the Cedarburg Cultural Center with registration and coffee at 9:30 am and the conference from 10 am - 12:30pm. Registration is now open at https://www.lacs.lu/events/forum-2026/.

This year, join speaker Nathalie Jacoby as she presents on Luxembourg’s literacy landscape! In this talk, we will look at – and listen to – some of the unusual aspects of literature from Luxembourg. We will find out what makes Luxembourg literature unique and investigate the exciting possibili...

07/17/2026

Registration is now available for our Fall Conference in Mineral Point, WI

Register online: https://wsgs.getrecur.com/events/view/RU1BSUw6JlNPVVJDRTpXZWJzaXRlQnVpbGRlciZTVUJDUklCRVJJRDotMSZHVUlEOmIyYmM0MmM5LWUwNWUtNDUyOC04YTBmLTlmNTBkZmZiNWMwZQ%3D%3D

You can download, print and mail in the registrations here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2fre6dwe8tr4mpri1x7ue/Fall-Conference-Full-Registration-and-Talks-1.pdf?rlkey=rwvnn0acvjk8em1nn4k77y7d6&dl=0

2026 WSGS Fall Conference!
“When Genealogy Yields Painful Family Secrets”
October 9-10, 2026 at Quality Inn, Mineral Point, WI
Host Society: Lafayette Historical and Genealogy Society

Friday’s Speakers and Presenters
Jeanette Bowman Borich has written historical fiction short stories and non-fiction based upon her genealogy research. She is the author of “From Sonvilier to Canada to Illinois: A Remarkable Swiss Emigration Story.” The South Dakota State Historical Society awarded her a 2025 grant to research Jefferson, South Dakota’s French Settlement.
Bethany Brander is the site manager for Pendarvis and First Capitol historic sites in Mineral Point and Belmont, WI.
Shan Thomas is the archivist at the Mineral Point Library Archives. In 2025 the Archives was awarded the Governor’s Award for Archival Excellence.
Saturday’s Speaker
Kate Penney Howard is a genetic genealogist and speaker specializing in endogamy and breaking down challenging research barriers with DNA. Her speaking engagements include RootsTech, Strathclyde Institute for Genealogical Studies, East Coast Genetic Genealogy Conference, the International Congress on Medieval Studies, the Society for German Genealogy in Eastern Europe, the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies, and the New England Regional Genealogical Consortium, in addition to many state and county level organizations. Learn more at https://katepenneyhoward.com/

Saturday Lunch $20
Cornish Pasty Meal from Walker House
• Walker House Salad with spring greens, tomatoes, diced apples, raisins, craisins, fiesta cheese
• Saffron Buns from our Bakery
• Cornish Beef Pasty with House sauce on the side (award-winning from the Food Network!)
o Chicken, vegetarian, and gluten-free beef pasties also available.
• Desert: Sweet Surprises from our Bakery

Schedule
October 9, 2026: Friday Pre-Conference
11:30 a.m. Registration Opens
1:00 p.m. Session 1: Jeanette Bowman Borich, “Shullsburg’s Lead mine, French Canadian and Swiss Immigration and Emigration in the early- to mid-1800s”
2:00 p.m. Break
2:15 p.m. Session 2: Bethany Brander, “200 Years of ‘Pointers’”
3:30 p.m. Two optional tours to choose from!
Free Tour of Mineral Point Old Pioneer Cemetery with Shan Thomas, Archivist (weather permitting)
OR
Pendarvis tour ($11.00) with Bethany Brander https://pendarvis.wisconsinhistory.org/plan/

October 10, 2026: Saturday Conference
8:00 a.m. Registration and Vendors Open
9:00 a.m. Welcome: John Fassbender, WSGS President; Presentation of Wisconsin Historical Society/WSGS Family History/Genealogy Book Award
9:30 a.m. Session 1: Kate Penney Howard, “Using Artificial Intelligence to Amplify your Genealogical Work”
10:30 a.m. Break/Vendor Exhibits
10:45 a.m. Session 2: Kate Penney Howard, “When Family History Hurts: A Trauma-informed Approach”
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. Session 3: Kate Penney Howard, “Beyond a Shadow of a Doubt: Using DNA to Affirm Documentary Evidence”
2:30 p.m. Break, Last chance to check out vendors!
3:00 p.m. Session 4: Kate Penney Howard, “Murder in the Mountains: Solving a Paternity Case with DNA and Court Records”
4:30 p.m. WSGS Board Meeting
Hotel Information
The WSGS Fall Conference will be held on Friday and Saturday, October 9-10, 2026 at the Quality Inn in Mineral Point, WI. Room block options include 1 King bed or 2 Queen beds, $120 for single and double occupancy. Extra occupants $10.
Reserve a room by September 9 by calling the hotel directly: (608) 987-4747
https://www.choicehotels.com/wisconsin/mineral-point/quality-inn%20hotels/wi083?mc=llgoxxpx