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Third Thursday Webinar
Webinar: Navigating the Records From The War of 1812
Thursday, August 20, 2026
From bounty land to pensions, there are no shortage of genealogical records for soldiers from The War of 1812. Learn why these records were created, how to make sense of them, and what those records can contain for your ancestors.
- PRESENTER: Brian Rhinehart
- TIME: 7 p.m. ET
- COST: FREE to all
- LOCATION: Zoom
- The recording will be available to GSP members until October 19, 2026
About the speaker:
Brian Rhinehart is a professional genealogist and speaker and is the owner of CivilWarRecords.com. He is a graduate of Boston University’s Certificate of Genealogy Research and is a regular researcher for the television show Finding Your Roots. A direct descendant of eight Civil War soldiers, Brian specializes in research and record retrieval for Civil War and War of 1812 soldiers at the National Archives in Washington DC and has retrieved military files for hundreds of clients there.
Virtual Special Interest Groups
Virtual SIG: GSP Member Gathering
Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026
It’s time to join us again for the Member Gathering on the 15th! This month after we cover what is new at GSP and in the world of genealogy, we will have longer breakouts, by popular demand. GSP members can choose one of the following breakout rooms:
-General Genealogy & Beginners
-Communities: Farmers
-Methodology: Organizing
-PALS: Planning for a Lineage Society
- TIME: 7 p.m. ET
- COST: Free for GSP members only
- LOCATION: Zoom
Where will you gather? Join our interactive virtual discussion group to share and/or learn genealogy research tips on one of these subjects. All skill levels are welcome! The event is FREE and only for all GSP members.
Virtual: Tech SIG
friday, August 28, 2026
Do you love using Technology or do you have problems with it? Do you think Technology could help with your genealogy research, but you don’t know where to start? Are you confused when people talk about files, uploading vs downloading, organizational tools, bookmarks, new software programs, genealogy software, AI, scanning, or anything else techy in nature?
Are you ready to dig deeper into the wide world of technology. Are you ready to take your use of Technology to a new level?
Well, GSP has a solution for you!
It’s our Tech SIG and, because it’s virtual, you can attend no matter where you live. Come join us!
This month’s topic: FOLD 3
- TIME: 7:00 p.m. ET
- COST: Free and open to GSP members only
- LOCATION: Zoom
The Tech SIG occurs on the fourth Friday of every month. It is open to GSP members only.
In-Person Special Interest Groups
Genealogists Helping Genealogists
- DATE: Saturday, September 12, 2026, Saturday, October 10, 2026
- 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
- DATE: Tuesday, August 25, 2026; Tuesday, September 22, 2026
- 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.
In-Person Beginner Genealogy Workshops
Village Library of Wrightstown Library
MOnday, August 17, 2026
Introduction to Genealogy
Come and learn more about the art and science of genealogy in this introductory program.
GSP Vice President Kathryn Donahue will provide information to get folks started on their own family history journey. Feel free to bring your questions.
- PRESENTER: Kathryn Donahue
- TIME: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- COST: FREE
- LOCATION: Village Library of Wrightstown, Community Room
- 727 Penns Park Road
- Wrightstown, PA 18940
Northeast Regional Library
Saturday, August 22, 2026
Building Your Family Tree: A Beginner’s Workshop
Learn the basic steps for building your family tree in this hands-on beginner’s workshop. Participants will begin creating a family tree, identify helpful genealogy resources available at home, search U.S. census records, and explore online resources related to their ethnic heritage. Whether you are just starting your family tree or looking for basic research tools, this workshop will provide practical guidance as you begin uncovering your family history.
- PRESENTER: GSP Vice President, Kathryn Donahue
- TIME: 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
- COST: FREE
- LOCATION: Northeast Regional Library
- 2228 Cottman Avenue (Cottman Ave. & Oakland St.)
- Philadelphia, PA 19149-1297
Historic St. George’s Church
New Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Discover Your Roots: Join Our Pennsylvania Genealogy Workshop!
Ready to trace your family tree? Join us for a 3-hour, hands-on genealogy workshop designed for all experience levels!
We’ll start with “Genealogy Basics,” covering essential strategies for tracking your ancestors’ paper trail. Then, we’ll tackle Pennsylvania-specific research, teaching you how to navigate the free Pennsylvania Digital Archives and overcome the “Pre-1893 problem” – the era before Pennsylvania officially mandated the recording of county-level birth and death certificates.
You’ll also learn to uncover hidden clues in early colonial records, exploring the Philadelphia Congregations Early Records project, which holds over 80,000 digitized pages. We will highlight incredible historical resources from iconic institutions like Christ Church and Historic St. George’s.
Finally, put your new skills to the test during our “Try It Yourself” interactive sessions, where attendees will pair up to practice navigating these digital archives and interpreting historical documents.
Whether you are building your very first family tree or breaking through a stubborn research “brick wall,” this workshop will give you the tools you need.
- PRESENTER: GSP Board Member, Karen Ellingson
- TIME: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- COST: $25
- LOCATION: Historic St. George’s Church
- 235 N. 4th St.
- Philadelphia, PA 19106
GSP Member Tours
Centre County Library – Pennsylvania Room
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Join us for an exclusive member tour at the Pennsylvania Room of the Centre County Library & Historical Museum.
The Pennsylvania Room is located in the historic Miles-Potter-Humes House, an early nineteenth century Georgian home situated in the heart of downtown Bellefonte. Our host will present an overview of its holdings and provide a tour of the Historical Museum and attic artifacts.
The Pennsylvania Room specializes in Centre County genealogy. Holdings include original Centre County Records, Maps and Atlases, Family History Clipping Files, and Unique Genealogical Research Collections, just to name a few. The Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing Centre County artifacts as well as its history, including everyday life in Bellefonte and surrounding areas.
Please note that the holdings do not include building or land history. If you are interested in this, you should contact the Centre County Historical Society at kstager@centrefurnace.org .
Free wireless internet is available. The Pennsylvania Room offers one public computer for the use of its visitors, and two computers for microfilm viewing.
- DATE: Wed. Aug 26, 2026
- TOUR TIME: 10:00 a.m.
- After the tour you are welcome to stay and research until closing at 5 p.m.
- COST: GSP Members: $10; non-members: $15
- LOCATION: Centre County Library & Historical Museum
- 203 North Allegheny Street (the building sits at the corner of Howard and N. Allegheny Streets)
- Bellefonte, PA 16823
- PARKING OPTIONS:
- There is metered parking on the streets; the meters accept quarters and credit cards. There are public parking spots on both Howard and N. Allegheny.
There will be no on-site sales. Tickets must be purchased online in advance. Space is limited. We expect this to sell out.
Upcoming 2026 GSP webinars
- 17 Sep – “19th Century Naturalizations” with Jefferson Moak
- 15 Oct – “Genealogy at the Moravian Archives” with Thomas J. McCullough
- 19 Nov – “Using Google Earth Pro, Griffith’s Valuation & Irish Townlands, to Map and Visit the Land of Your Ancestors” with Joe Hunter
- 17 Dec – “Timelines: A Path to Your Next Research Steps” with Annette Burke Lyttle
Webinar Recordings
An Archivist’s Guide to Genealogical Research at the Heinz History Center
Zoom event with Sierra Green
July 16, 2026
View the recorded presentation. This recording is available to GSP members until Sept. 14, 2026.
Tracing Black Life Across Time: Matching Households Across the 1838 and 1847 Black Censuses of Philadelphia
Zoom event with 1838 Black Metropolis featuring Dr. Kirsten Lee and Mwihaki “Haki” Kiiru
June 18, 2026
View the recorded presentation. This recording is for GSP members until Aug. 17, 2026.
The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania Annual Business Meeting 2026
See a review of GSP’s last 12 months, what’s in store for 2026 and the election of officers and directors.
Saturday, April 18, 2026
View the annual meeting recording. This recording is available to GSP members.
339 Quaker Manumissions and Beyond Project
Zoom event with the 339 Manumissions and Beyond Project
Thursday, February 20, 2025
View the recorded presentation. It is available to all.
This is a Members Only Area
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.
