Muscatine County Genealogical Society

07/26/2025

Beginning Genealogy
A workshop sponsored by the Muscatine County Genealogical Society

On TV shows such as “Finding Your Roots” (PBS) and “Who Do You Think You Are” (NBC), the host reveals the guests’ genealogy, but they do not show how the genealogy was found. Muscatine County Genealogical Society (MCGS) is offering a six week beginner’s genealogy workshop starting September 13, 2025. This class introduces you to how you can start making your own genealogical discoveries in your own family.

If you are interested in genealogy, join us for this six week program. Each class is one hour. Classes meet at Musser Public Library, 408 East 2nd St, Muscatine, IA.

There is no charge for the workshop. Registration is required.

Email [email protected] to register.
Subject: Genealogy Class in Muscatine
Please provide your (1) Name, (2) Email, (3) Phone.
We will send you a confirming email.

Come join us!

Saturday,
September 13, 2025,
10:30 a.m.
Class 1 – In the Beginning
Where and how to begin and keep track of your information. Define a search goal.
Saturday,
September 20, 2025
10:30 a.m.
Class 2 – Internet Searches
Rewards and pit-falls of internet searches. How and where to search the internet.
Saturday,
September 27, 2025,
10:30 a.m.
Class 3 – What’s in a Census?
Where to find census reports.
The information you will find on a census.
Saturday,
October 4, 2025,
10:30 a.m.
Class 4 – Types of Records
Vital Records.
Primary versus secondary sources.
Saturday,
October 11, 2025,
10:30 a.m.
Class 5 – There’s More to Life (and Family) Than the Internet
Libraries, repositories, books, newspapers, courthouse records and more.
Saturday,
October 18, 2025,
10:30 a.m.
Class 6 – This is Just the Beginning
Photo and document storage.
Question and answers.

06/15/2025

Hello MCGS Genealogy Students,

The Muscatine County Genealogical Society’s next class is on Saturday, June 21st and the focus is on Reading Estate Inventory and Sale Bills. Our programs are designed to assist beginning and intermediate genealogists with their genealogical journey.

You can discover all kinds of information from reading an ancestor’s will, estate inventory, sale bill and other “antique” documents. That is – if you can read it. Handwriting, creative and phonetic spelling, antique terminology and old alphabet letters such as the long “s” can hinder your ability to decipher these written treasures. Learn tips and tricks to demystify these documents. Mike Thomas will lead the class.

This program is free to members of the Muscatine County Genealogical Society. Non-member donation is $5.00 per person, per program. Pre-registration is not required. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, June 21st.

Muscatine County Genealogical Society
Iowa State University Muscatine County Extension Office
1601 Plaza Place, Muscatine, IA
Meeting: Saturday, June 21, 2025
1:00 p.m. General Meeting
2:00 p.m. Reading Estate Inventory and Sale Bills

Future genealogical programs are as follows:

Date
Class Name
Presenter(s)
August 16, 2025
Brick Walls
Mike Wedell & Anne Thomas
September 13 – Oct 18th
Beginning Genealogy; Musser Library Saturdays from 10:30 – 11:30am;
Mike Wedell & Anne Thomas
October 18, 2025
Bring and Share
MCGS

For more information, contact Muscatine County Genealogical Society, President Lynn McCleary, e-mail [email protected].

08/13/2024

Breaking Down a (Genealogical) Brick Wall

We all hit a brick wall (get stuck) when searching for our ancestors. Perhaps your “brick wall” is not knowing when an ancestor died, the maiden name of a great grandmother, trying to confirm a family story or a dozen other scenarios that have you stumped. Join us to learn some of the tips and tricks for breaking down that wall.

Mike Wedell and Anne Thomas will try to help you break down your brick wall. We will meet at 2:00 on Saturday, August 17 at the Extension Office, following the monthly Muscatine County Genealogical Society meeting which starts at 1:00. Feel free to bring your brick wall and what tools you’ve already used to try to break it down. We will have access to Ancestry, Family Search, Newspapers.com, Fold 3 and other programs to aid in the search for new tools.

The largest online newspaper archive. Used by millions every month for historical research, family history, crime investigations, journalism, and more.

06/07/2024

Genealogists of every level (beginner, intermediate and advanced) frequently obtain DNA results for themselves and their family members. Should you have your genetic DNA tested? We will touch on the basics of genetic DNA which may help you find your ancestry and ethnicity, verify ancestral lines found through traditional paper genealogical records and help you decide whether genetic DNA is right for you.

DNA Basics program will be held at 2:00 p.m. following the Muscatine County Genealogical Society general meeting. This program is free to members of the Muscatine County Genealogical Society. Non-member donation is $5.00 per person, per program. Pre-registration is not required.

Come join us!
Muscatine County Genealogical Society
Iowa State University Muscatine County Extension Office
1601 Plaza Place, Muscatine, IA
meeting June 15, 2024
1:00 p.m. General Meeting
2:00 p.m. Program: DNA Basics
For more information, contact Muscatine County Genealogical Society, president Lynn McCleary, email [email protected].

04/02/2024

Beginning Genealogy
A workshop sponsored by the Muscatine County Genealogical Society

On TV shows such as “Finding Your Roots” (PBS) and “Who Do You Think You Are” (NBC), the host reveals the guests’ genealogy, but they do not show how the genealogy was found. Muscatine County Genealogical Society (MCGS) is offering a six week beginner’s genealogy workshop starting April 6, 2024. This class introduces you to how you can start making your own genealogical discoveries in your own family.

If you are interested in genealogy, join us for this six week program. Each class is one hour. Classes meet at Musser Public Library, 408 East 2nd St, Muscatine, IA.

There is no charge for the workshop. Registration is required.

Email [email protected] to register.
Subject: Genealogy Class in Muscatine
Please provide your (1) Name, (2) Email, (3) Phone.
We will send you a confirming email.

Come join us!

Saturday,
April 6, 2024,
10:30 a.m.
Class 1 – In the Beginning
Where and how to begin and keep track of your information. Define a search goal.
Saturday,
April 13, 2924,
10:30 a.m.
Class 2 – Internet Searches
Rewards and pit-falls of internet searches. How and where to search the internet.
Saturday,
April 20, 2024,
10:30 a.m.
Class 3 – What’s in a Census?
Where to find census reports.
The information you will find on a census.
Saturday,
April 27, 2024,
10:30 a.m.
Class 4 – Types of Records
Vital Records.
Primary versus secondary sources.
Saturday,
May 4, 2024,
10:30 a.m.
Class 5 – There’s More to Life (and Family) Than the Internet
Libraries, repositories, books, newspapers, courthouse records and more.
Saturday,
May 11, 2024,
10:30 a.m.
Class 6 – This is Just the Beginning
Photo and document storage.
Question and answers.

03/13/2024

Beginning Genealogy

A workshop sponsored by the Muscatine County Genealogical Society



On TV shows such as “Finding Your Roots” (PBS) and “Who Do You Think You Are” (NBC), the host reveals the guests’ genealogy, but they do not show how the genealogy was found. Muscatine County Genealogical Society (MCGS) is offering a six week beginner’s genealogy workshop starting April 6, 2024. This class introduces you to how you can start making your own genealogical discoveries in your own family.



If you are interested in genealogy, join us for this six week program. Each class is one hour. Classes meet at Musser Public Library, 408 East 2nd St, Muscatine, IA.



There is no charge for the workshop. Registration is required.



Email [email protected] to register.

Subject: Genealogy Class in Muscatine

Please provide your (1) Name, (2) Email, (3) Phone.

We will send you a confirming email.



Come join us!



Saturday,

April 6, 2024,

10:30 a.m.

Class 1 – In the Beginning

Where and how to begin and keep track of your information. Define a search goal.

Saturday,

April 13, 2924,

10:30 a.m.

Class 2 – Internet Searches

Rewards and pit-falls of internet searches. How and where to search the internet.

Saturday,

April 20, 2024,

10:30 a.m.

Class 3 – What’s in a Census?

Where to find census reports.

The information you will find on a census.

Saturday,

April 27, 2024,

10:30 a.m.

Class 4 – Types of Records

Vital Records.

Primary versus secondary sources.

Saturday,

May 4, 2024,

10:30 a.m.

Class 5 – There’s More to Life (and Family) Than the Internet

Libraries, repositories, books, newspapers, courthouse records and more.

Saturday,

May 11, 2024,

10:30 a.m.

Class 6 – This is Just the Beginning

Photo and document storage.

Question and answers.

02/05/2024

What is a COLLATERAL in genealogy?

In genealogy, a Collateral is a family member who is not a direct ancestor. This includes aunts, uncles and cousins and cousins and more cousins. Come and learn the difference between a great aunt and a grand aunt, a 2nd cousin and a 3rd cousin, and what “once removed” means in genealogy.

The program will be held at 2:00 p.m. following the Muscatine County Genealogical Society general meeting. This program is free to members of the Muscatine County Genealogical Society. Non-member donation is $5.00 per person, per program. Pre-registration is not required.

Muscatine County Genealogical Society
Iowa State University Muscatine County Extension Office
1601 Plaza Place, Muscatine, IA
meeting February 17, 2024
1:00 p.m. General Meeting
2:00 p.m. Program: Collaterals in Genealogy

For more information, contact Muscatine County Genealogical Society, president Lynn McCleary, email [email protected].

10/31/2023

I found this interesting with restoring a cemetery stone

10/16/2023

Hey what’s in the National Archives? How does it relate to my ancestors?

On Saturday, October 21, Muscatine County Genealogical Society is holding their monthly meeting and education session program. The general meeting starts at 1:00. The educational program starts at 2:00. The meeting is at Iowa State University Muscatine County Extension Office, 1601 Plaza Place, Muscatine, IA 52761

The National Archives and Records Administration is the nation’s repository. We’ve explored land and military records. What else does the National Archives hold? Come explore the National Archives with us.
Visitors are welcome at the general meeting. The program is free to members of the Muscatine County Genealogical Society. Non-member donation is $5.00 for the program.

08/08/2023

⚔️⚓️✈️🛳️ Meed help finding MILITARY RECORDs for family member?

On Saturday, August 19, Muscatine County Genealogical Society is holding their monthly meeting and educational program. The general meeting starts at 1:00. The educational program starts at 2:00. The meeting is at Iowa State University Muscatine County Extension Office, 1601 Plaza Place, Muscatine, IA 52761

Military Records
Did Dad or Mom serve in WWII? How about a grandparent in WWI? Further back in your tree, do you have ancestors who served in the Civil War, War of 1812, Revolutionary War, or other conflicts? Learn how to obtain the records and what the record might show about your ancestor.

Visitors are welcome at the general meeting. The program is free to members of the Muscatine County Genealogical Society. Non-member donation is $5.00 for the program.