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Virtual events
Thursday, July 18, 2024
The “Push” and the “Pull”: Decision-Making of the 19th Century Emigrant
With the notable exception of Native Americans and African Americans, we are a nation of immigrants. Between the years of 1816 and 1930 over 54 million people emigrated from Europe with most immigrating to the United States, Canada and Australia, and even more from the Pan-Pacific region. Do you wonder why your ancestors emigrated? It is likely that they did not leave a record of why they left and why they chose to immigrate to the location they decided upon. Scholarly works, and data gathered in the 19th century add to our understanding. A manuscript will serve as our case study and provides us with clues about the decision-making of one German family in 1864.
- PRESENTER: Jill Morelli
- TIME: 7 p.m. ET
- COST: Free to all
- LOCATION: Zoom
- The recording will be available to GSP members until Aug. 17, 2024
About the speaker:
Jill Morelli, CG, CGL is a writer, lecturer and co-founder of the online Applied Genealogy Institute, providing practicum-based educational opportunities for intermediate and advanced genealogists. In 2017, she founded the Certification Discussion Group, an online series discussing her certification journey in order to demystify the process for others. She specializes in Scandinavian research and is constantly honing her methodological skills. She lectures nationally and has written articles for National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Swedish American Genealogist, NCGS Journal and many others. Jill is past president of the Seattle Genealogical Society, co-chair of SGS Centennial 2023, program director for the Puget Sound-APG chapter, and a member of many local and national genealogical societies.
In-Person GSP Member Tours
TUesday, May 21, 2024 / Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Behind the Scenes: Mercer Museum Library Tour
The Mercer Museum Research Library is a major research center for local and family history related to Bucks County and the surrounding region. With its roots in the founding of the Bucks County Historical Society in 1880, the Library houses over 20,000 books, periodicals and pamphlets, 2,500 feet of county government archives, over 880 manuscript collections, more than 12,000 images, and maps and other records. These items document not only local history, but the life and work of Henry Chapman Mercer and early American technology, culture and folk art.
This special library tour allows guests to peek behind the scenes. Included on the tour are two locked vaults that store the library’s archival collection. These storage rooms are typically not open to the public. Staff will review the history of the library and its evolution over the past 140 years. Tour guests can also learn about new research services, how to access the collection, and meet library staff.
- DATES: Tuesday, May 21, 2024 or Tuesday, July 30, 2024
- TIME: 11 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. with a choice to stay for research 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- COST: $10 for GSP members only
- LOCATION: Mercer Museum Research Library – 84 S Pine St, Doylestown, PA 18901
- Both tours are sold out. If you’d like to be on the waitlist, please email info@genpa.org
*The Bucks County Genealogical Society will be hosting a virtual event on Aug. 3, 2024 at 10 a.m. ET with Mercer Museum’s archivist Annie Halliday. For more information about the lecture “Genealogical Resources at the Research Library of the Bucks County Historical Society” go to the BCGS calendar of events page.
Pennsylvania State Archives Tour
Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 / Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024
Join us for a Pennsylvania State Archives tour. Aaron McWilliams, Head of the Public Services Section, will guide us through the search room, staff work areas, and the storage room hallway, where attendees can see into the storage areas. The tour takes between 30 to 45 minutes. Afterwards, attendees have the choice to research in both digital and original records until 4 p.m.
- DATES: Sat. Aug. 24, 2024 and Wed. Oct. 23, 2024
- TIME: 9:15 a.m. – 10:00 with the choice to stay and research until 4 p.m.
- COST: Free for GSP members only
- LOCATION: 1681 N. Sixth Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102-1106
In-Person Special Interest Groups
Genealogists Helping Genealogists
- DATE: Saturday, July 13, 2024
- In-person round table discussion group
- TIME: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- COST: GSP members- free; Non-members- $5
- LOCATION: GSP 2100 Byberry Rd., Suite 111, Philadelphia
- Space is limited. Email info@genpa.org to reserve.
This SIG has a roundtable format, starting with a “tip of the month” (a 5- to 10-minute presentation on an investigative tool), after which the meeting then will be opened for discussion on individual genealogical questions.
All skill levels are welcome. This is an in-person only meeting with the aim of furthering individual research. If you have any genealogy research questions; looking for help trying to break through your brick wall; or just want to meet up with fellow genealogists, come join us.
Genealogy Small Talk
- DATES: Tuesday June 25, 2024; July 23, 2024
- In-person round table discussion group
- TIME: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
- COST: Free to GSP members; $5 for non-members
- LOCATION: GSP 2100 Byberry Rd., Suite 111, Philadelphia PA 19116
- Space is limited. Email info@genpa.org to reserve.
Enhance your genealogy research knowledge! Join our roundtable discussion group in-person on the fourth Tuesday of every month. Everyone will have the opportunity to express new ideas, ask questions, learn new techniques with time to research. This is a friendly atmosphere for all.
Virtual Special Interest Group: GSP Member Gathering returns Sept. 15, 2024
Topics to be determined. Registration opens in August.
Upcoming GSP webinars
- 15 Aug – “Finding Vital Records for Eastern European Ancestors” with Justin Houser
- 19 Sep – “The Draft and the Selective Service System” with Michael Strauss
- 17 Oct – “Scots Irish of Early Pennsylvania” with Judith Ridner
- 21 Nov – “The WPA in PA and Beyond: What it Created for Genealogists” with Paula Stuart-Warren
- 19 Dec – “Researching Pennsylvania House Histories—A Case Study” with Pam Pracser Anderson
Webinar Recordings
The Silk Industry in Eastern Pennsylvania: 1890-1990
Zoom event with Martha Capwell Fox
Thursday, June 20, 2024
Members only. View the recorded presentation. Webinar is available until August 19, 2024
Translating, Transcribing and Summarizing Documents Using AI
Zoom event with Thomas MacEntee
Thursday, May 16, 2024
Members only. View the recorded presentation. Webinar is available until July 15, 2024
Annual General Business Meeting
Zoom event with election of officers and directors
Saturday, March 23, 2024 – 11 a.m. ET
Members only. View the recorded presentation.
This is a Members Only Area
Unlock a treasure trove of records: Become a GSP Member
As a member, you’ll gain exclusive access to our vast collection of Pennsylvania county records, church registers, funeral and cemetery records, family Bible record collections, family papers and correspondence. Additionally, explore published genealogies, town and county histories, as well as periodicals filled with valuable insights for your research.
Join us today and embark on an extraordinary journey into your past!
Visiting the GSP Office?
Directions: Coming from the Roosevelt Blvd we are the first driveway on the left, after WaWa, GSP is listed on the property sign on the bottom row. The entrance is across from the Gazebo and you ring the bell to the right of Gen of PA to be buzzed in.
