Johnson County Genealogical Society

29/05/2026

Upcoming Events!

For more information about JCGS events, please visit our website: https://jcgsks.org/eventListings.php?nm=70.

20/05/2026

Join us at 10 am, Saturday, May 23, 2026, for our monthly meeting at the Central Resource Library, 87th & Farley, Overland Park, KS.

Search Angel Group: Genetic Genealogist who Works with DNA to Solve Biological Mysteries
by Retta Whinnery

Have you ever wondered how people who are adopted and have no access to paper records can figure out who their biological parents are? Taking a DNA test could be the key. There are DNA Search Angel groups who help people who are adopted, or donor-conceived, or have taken a DNA test and learned that they are not related to half of their known family. DNA Search Angels are genetic genealogists who can work with your DNA matches to build genetic networks to solve biological mysteries.

Retta Whinnery became interested in genealogy after moving to Kansas City in 1990. After learning about her paternal connection to a Quaker immigrant who came from Ireland, she wrote a booklet for her family. Then she started researching her mother's roots. In 2013, she took her first DNA test and enlisted other family members to test. After she retired in 2020, she took a series of courses in genealogy and started volunteering as a Search Angel. She has been a member of the DNA SIG since it started.

20/04/2026

Join us at 10 am, Saturday, April 25, 2026, for our monthly meeting at the Central Resource Library, 87th & Farley, Overland Park, KS.

Genealogical Resources of the Kansas Historical Society
by Adam Hodge, PhD

The state archives at the Kansas Historical Society in Topeka hold a rich trove of resources for those seeking to work on their family history. Using examples relating to Johnson County, this presentation offers an introduction to those many resources, which range from vital records to newspapers to plat alases to manuscript collections. Doing one’s genealogy can be a daunting task, so this presentation aims to give those wanting to work on their family history in Kansas a grasp of the resources available online, on microfilm, and on hard copy at the state archives.

Adam Hodge is the head of reference at the state archives at the Kansas Historical Society. He holds a PhD in the history of the North American West from the University of Nebraska. Adam served on the faculty of a small liberal arts college in Ohio for ten years before relocating to Kansas in 2023. In addition to working on his own genealogy, he remains an active environmental historian who has published in Kansas History and has a book forthcoming with the University of Washington Press.

19/04/2026

Upcoming Events!

For more information about JCGS events, please visit our website: https://jcgsks.org/eventListings.php?nm=70.

26/03/2026

24/03/2026

Reconnect with your roots on Genealogy Day! The free daylong event offers something for everyone from beginners just starting their family tree to seasoned researchers refining their skills.

This event is on Saturday, March 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Central Resource Library. The day will be filled with everything from Memory Lab demonstrations to workshops to a tour of the Library's Genealogy resources (and so much more!)

Find all the details here: https://trst.in/s6NxWH

10/03/2026

Every family has stories waiting to be found. Genealogy Day offers a chance to uncover them. You choose your path, ask your questions and…

27/02/2026

Join us at 10 am, Saturday, February 28, 2026, for our monthly meeting at the Central Resource Library, 87th & Farley, Overland Park, KS.

Digitizing Your Memories:
Capturing, Storing, Sharing, and Troubleshooting

by Ashish Bisarya, JCGS Memory Lab Coordinator

"Digitizing Your Memories," provides a comprehensive roadmap for transforming physical family archives into a secure, lasting digital legacy. Ashish Bisarya, will guide you through the entire archival journey—from navigating specialized equipment at the JCGS Memory Lab to implementing a professional 3-2-1 backup strategy at home. Beyond the scanning process, Ashish will address the common technical hurdles patrons face once they leave the lab, providing practical troubleshooting tips. You will learn how to use simple, free tools on Windows and Mac to edit and share these revived memories, ensuring your family’s history is not only preserved but easily accessible for generations to come.