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Virtual events
Special Interest Group: GSP Member Gathering
Sunday, February 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:
-FamilySearch Full Text and Land Records
-The Do’s and Don’ts of Applying to a Lineage Society. Focus on PALS
-British Isles Immigrants
-General Genealogy Discussion
- TIME: 7 p.m. ET
- COST: Free for GSP members
- 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.
Webinar: The Page-Turning Truth: write a compelling autobiography or family history story
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Gain actionable insights and techniques to bring your memoir or family story to life—without overstepping the truth. Overcome writer’s block by focusing on vignettes that contain the Goldilocks zone of detail: not too much, not too little, but just right. Navigate sensitive subjects with empathy and learn to hit compelling emotional notes in your story.
- PRESENTER: Rhonda Lauritzen
- TIME: 7 p.m. ET
- COST: FREE
- LOCATION: Zoom
- The recording will be available to GSP members until April 20, 2026.
About the speaker:
Rhonda Lauritzen is a professional biographer and a regular speaker at conferences. She has an MBA from the University of Utah, served as the CEO of her family’s business, and a state college VP. Her writing journey began with her parents’ family business saga, and in 2016, she founded Evalogue.Life. Since then, Rhonda has been hired to tell the stories of families, buildings, and cities. Her two most recent books were traditionally published last year: A Child in Berlin by Post Hill Press, and Creative Insecurity: Lean Into the Unknown and Unleash Your Inner Misfit by Simon & Schuster. She believes that when you tell your story, it changes the ending.
Webinar: Finding Your Elusive Ancestor
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Regardless of where, when, or whom you are researching, this presentation will help you find your most elusive family members. Sydney F. Cruice, a professional genealogist, will explain how to become a more efficient and effective family researcher. Learn proven methods and techniques to uncover your most difficult ancestors. She will also discuss the documents and record sets most likely to aid in your search.
- PRESENTER: Sydney F. Cruice
- TIME: 7:00 p.m. ET
- COST: FREE
- LOCATION: Zoom
- The recording will be available to GSP members until April 18, 2026
About the speaker:
Sydney F. Cruice is a professional genealogy researcher, writer, teacher, and international lecturer with over 30 years of experience. Sydney specializes in the Mid-Atlantic region with an emphasis on military and land records. She has lectured at the following institutes and conferences:
- The Genealogy Research Institute of Pennsylvania (GRIP)
- The Salt Lake City Institute of Genealogy (SLIG)
- The Institute for Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR)
- The International Association of Jewish Genealogy Societies Conference (IAJGS)
- International German Genealogy Partnership Conference (IGGP)
- Researching Family in Pennsylvania (RFIPA)
She is known for her Foundations of Genealogy courses, which she taught at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania for over seven years.
Sydney also served as President of the Association of Professional Genealogists, Greater Philadelphia Area Chapter, for six years.
She earned her BA from Pennsylvania State University and her MBA from Drexel University.
In-Person Special Interest Groups
Genealogists Helping Genealogists
- DATE: Saturday, February 14, 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, February 24, 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.
GSP Member Tours
Friends Historical Library
Friends Historical Library was established in 1871 to collect, preserve, and make available archival, manuscript, printed, and visual records concerning the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) from their origins in the mid-seventeenth century to the present. Friends Historical Library is one of the outstanding research facilities for the study of Quaker history.
In addition to its focus on Quaker history, the FHL has a significant research collection for the regional and local history of the middle-Atlantic region of the United States and the history of American social reform. Quakers played prominent roles in almost every major reform movement in American history, including abolition, African American history, Indian rights, women’s rights, prison reform, humane treatment of the mentally ill, and temperance. The collections also reflect the significant role Friends played in the development of science, technology, education, and business in Britain and America.The Library additionally maintains the collections of the Swarthmore Historical Society.
- DATE: March 13, 2026
- TOUR TIME: 1:00 p.m.
- RESEARCH: The tour does not include research. If you are staying to research, you should use this form to schedule an appointment. Appointment slots are available from 9 am to 12 noon and from 2 pm (after the tour) until 4 pm. Appointment requests should be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance to ensure any offsite materials will be available.
- COST: $12 for GSP Members; $17 for non-members
- LOCATION: Swarthmore College
- McCabe Library, (located directly adjacent to the Scott Arboretum)
- First Floor, (the first door on your left as you enter the library)
- 500 College Avenue
- Swarthmore, PA 19081
- PARKING: Parking is free. There is significant construction taking place on campus. Some parking lots and routes from the train station may be unavailable at times. The closest visitor lot, Ben West, does not currently have a direct path to the library. If you have an ADA placard, there are several spots adjacent to the library by the Rose Garden. Please check the campus construction page for the up-to-date construction map.
Additional Information: https://www.swarthmore.edu/libraries/visit-special-collections
Space is limited. We expect this tour to sell out.
Membership will be verified. If unsure of membership status, please click the log in/log out button in the toolbar and then subscriptions.
Upcoming 2026 GSP webinars
- 16 Apr – “How DNA Solved the Idaho Multiple-Murder Case but Raised Ethical Issues” with Michael Ramage
- 21 May – “Hidden Gems in German and Polish Archives” with Ute Brandenburg
- 18 Jun – “The 1838 and 1847 Pennsylvania Abolition Society Census” with 1838 Black Metropolis
- 16 Jul – “An Archivist’s Guide to Genealogical Research at the Heinz History Center” with Sierra Green
- 20 Aug – “Navigating the Records From The War of 1812” with Brian Rhinehart
- 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
Intro to U.S. Church Records: Why We Care Where Grandma Went to Church
Zoom event with Sunny Jane Morton
January 15, 2026
View the recorded presentation. This recording is for GSP members until March 16, 2026.
Timeline Techniques for Early Rural Genealogy
Zoom event with Kimberly F.B. Bucklaw
December 18, 2025
View the recorded presentation. This recording is for GSP members until February 16, 2026.
The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania Annual Business Meeting 2025
See a review of GSP’s last 12 months, what’s in store for 2025 and the election of officers and directors.
Saturday, March 22, 2025
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.
