CHANGE OF LOCATION --WCGS Nov Meeting

The location of the November 17 meeting of the Williamson County Genealogical Society has been changed.  We will meet in the Grand Dining Room at the Allen R. Baca Center in Round Rock.  The Baca Center is located near the Round Rock Public Library.
 

Join us for our member sharing meeting, “What I Have Learned.”

Williamson County Genealogical Society Meeting

7:30 pm – 9:00 pm, Thursday, November 17

Allen R. Baca Center

301 W. Bagdad Avenue, Bldg 2

Round Rock, TX 78664

Directions to the Baca Center
From IH 35, exit FM 620/Main Street. Go East on 620/Main Street heading towards downtown Round Rock.  Turn Right on N Brown St.  Go two blocks and take a Right on W. Bagdad Ave.  The Baca Center is the second building on the left.  The parking garage is located underneath the Baca Center with an elevator in the center which leads up into the building.

ANNOUNCEMENT FOR LOCATION CHANGE OF NOVEMBER MEETING

The location of the November 17 meeting of the Williamson County Genealogical Society has been changed.  We will meet in the Grand Dining Room at the Allen R. Baca Center in Round Rock.  The Baca Center is located near the Round Rock Public Library.

Join us for our member sharing meeting, “What I Have Learned.”

Williamson County Genealogical Society Meeting

7:30 pm – 9:00 pm, Thursday, November 17

Allen R. Baca Center

301 W. Bagdad Avenue, Bldg 2

Round Rock, TX 78664

1940 Census Info....

The 1940 Census is coming!!  I am excited..... 

Hey All.....Here are the links from the Genealogy After Hours 1940 Census Class that Randy mentioned.  Have fun preparing for the big release day!!!!  Please leave comments and questions here and we will see what we can do to answer them!!!

http://www.archives.gov/research/census/1940/start-research.html
http://www.archives.gov/research/arc/
http://stevemorse.org/census/

 

Start Your 1940 Census Research

www.archives.gov

‎1940 Census at the National Archives and Records Administration

 

October WCGS Meeting: Thursday, October 20, 2011 @ 7:30

Genealogy From Scratch......

Are you excited about finally starting to research your family history but don’t know what to do first? Some Williamson County Genealogical Society members have been in your shoes, and they can help you. Come to "Genealogy from Scratch" on Saturday Sept 24, 2011 from 9-2. You must pre-register, here is more info.  

Genealogy From Scratch 

Also you will need to bring your own lunch and drinks. 

September Meeting, Thurday Sept 15, 2011 @ 7:30

1940 Census

I saw this today and all I can say is WOO HOO!!  Come on April 2012!!!  Ancestry has announced they will have the 1940 Census available for free through the end of 2013!!  Here is the news release...

1940 Census Release

1940 U.S. Census to be Free on Ancestry.com

PROVO, UTAH (August 17, 2011)- Ancestry.com, the world’s largest online family history resource, today announced that both the images and indexes to the 1940 U.S. Federal Census will be made free to search, browse, and explore in the United States when this important collection commences streaming onto the website in mid-April 2012.

When complete, more than 3.8 million original document images containing 130 million plus records will be available to search by more than 45 fields, including name, gender, race, street address, county and state. It will be Ancestry.com’s most comprehensively indexed set of historical records to date.         
Ancestry.com is committing to make the 1940 Census free from release through to the end of 2013, and by doing so hopes to help more people get started exploring their family history.  As this census will be the most recent to be made publicly available, it represents the best chance for those new to family history to make that all-important first discovery.

“The release of the 1940 U.S. Census will be an exciting event for any American interested in learning more about their family history,” said Ancestry.com CEO Tim Sullivan. “By making this hugely important collection free to the public for an extended period, we hope to inspire a whole new generation of Americans to start researching their family history.” 
“Ancestry.com is working to make the 1940 Census a truly unique interactive search experience...as well as the starting point to help new users easily get started on the world’s leading online family history resource.  After finding that first family connection in the 1940 Census, we believe new users will be able to make amazing discoveries by searching our 7 billion digitized historical records, exploring the 26 million family trees created on Ancestry, and collaborating with our nearly 1.7 million subscribing members. We think that 2012 is going to be a great year of discovery for all family historians.”

WCGS July Meeting Info

WCGS June Meeting Iniformation

Texas Resource Page UPDATED!

Texas Resources Page

The Texas Resources page has been updated with:

Indian Wars and Pioneers of Texas

Texas in 1850
                           
                            Are your ancestors there?  Please let us know if these help you in your research!

WCGS May Meeting Info.....

Check Out Our New Pages!!

Membership Page!!

The 2011-2012 Membership Drive is currently underway!!! Come join one of the Williamson County Genealogical Society and see why we have been going strong for 30 years!!!  Click the Membership Page tab for the enrollment form on how to join and our bylaws etc.

Texas Genealogy Blogs!!

Do you have a Texas Genealogy blog related to Williamson County?  Let us know!!!  We would love to help you get the word out!!!  Genealogy blogs are great ways to share your information with others and to let others find you.  You never know when a cousin will find you!!

Reminder of WCGS Meeting on Thursday

Happy 30th Birthday WCGS!!!

It was April 1981 when all the craziness started and the Williamson County Genealogical Society was formed. WCGS is still going strong after 30 years but we need all who have an interest in Genealogy and especially Williamson County History to support the WCGS sites.  We are now on:

Facebook:  WCGS on Facebook

 

Twitter: WCGSTX on Twitter 

WCGS Home Page: WCGS Homepage

WCGS Blog:  WCGS's Blog -- YOU ARE HERE!

ABOUT US

The Williamson County Genealogical Society was founded in April 1981 and is a non-profit organization.

WCGS was formed for the following purposes: 

• To create and advance an interest in genealogy.
• To aid individuals in their genealogical research and compilation of family histories.

To assist with these goals the society is dedicated to: 

• Gathering and preserving genealogical and historical data
• Maintaining a genealogical research library through purchases, contributions, donations and exchanges of books, periodicals, microfilm and electronic media;
• Publishing a quarterly periodical entitled "The Chisholm Trail"; 
• Offering educational opportunities in the form of lectures, classes, and seminars.

Round Rock Public Library Genealogy Advisor

Genealogy Advisor--Round Rock Public Library

April Schedule: Wednesdays 6-8pm; Thursdays 10am-2pm; Saturday, April 16th, 10am-2pm.

Both experienced and novice family history researchers will welcome this opportunity: a chance to consult one-on-one (for free!) with an experienced genealogical consultant. Come and meet Jacquie Wilson. She has worked for the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library & Museum, the Office of the Federal Register, and the National Archives.

Learn how to locate the documents you need, interpret records, request information, or just get started. No advance registration is required. Arrivals will sign in and be assisted on a first-come, first-served basis. Mark your calendar to attend one of these sessions.

Jacquie Wilson
jdemsky62@aol.com

For more information, please call the Library Reference Desk at 218-7000.

Round Rock Public Library, 2nd Floor Reference Desk

216 E. Main St.

Round Rock, TX

WCGS April Meeting Info.....

WCGS Meeting Tonight!!

Just a reminder, tonight is the WCGS Meeting at 7:30 at the Round Rock Public Library.

WCGS Annual Semniar

 with 

Elissa Scalise Powell!

There is still time to register for the WCGS Annual Seminar . To print a registration form and to learn more please visit the WCGS home page!!! 

 WCGS Seminar Registration Info

Date/Time:  Saturday March 19, 2011  8:45-400 PM

Location:    First United Methodist Church 1004 North Mays Round Rock, Texas

* Directions to the Seminar Site in Round Rock:
          - From I-35, Exit #253 on Hwy 79.
          - Continue East on Hwy 79 to the first traffic light.
          - Turn right on North Mays for 1/2 block to church entrance on the right.
          - Watch for seminar signs.

Speaker:     Elissa Scalise Powell         

Elissa Scalise Powell, CG^sm, is an expert in western Pennsylvania research.  She served as a Trustee of the Board for Certification of Genealogists for 5 years and their Exhibit Booth Coordinator. She is an instructor for the "Foundations", "Genealogy Profession" and online "Ethnic and Geographic Specialties" modules in Boston University's Genealogical Research Certificate program.  She was a Director for the Association of Professional Genealogists for 6 years, co-edited a cemetery book series and appeared on the PBS show "Ancestors 2" in the cemetery episode.  She is a past President of two societies, taught a beginning genealogy course at a community college for fourteen years and is a contributing author for many publications.   Visit her website to learn more: http://www.powellgenealogy.com/

TOPICS INCLUDE:

Hiding Behind Their Skirts:  Finding Women in Records

Thinking Outside the Index:  Advanced Search Techniques

How Did My Pennsylvania Ancestor Get Here? -- Migration Trails Out of the Keystone State

Rubiks Cube Genealogy:  A New Twist on Your Old Data

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

$55 for registration after Mar 1.  Registration at the door will be $55. The Registration Desk  and vendors will open at 8:00 am.

Happy Independence Day Texas!

On March 1, 1836 while the Alamo was under seige by Santa's Ana's army, five delegates of the Convention of 1836 were appointed to draft a document declaring Texas a free and independent Republic.

To Read more about Texas Independence Day

 Texas Independence Day History

Free Genealogy Webinars--

What is a webinar? A webinar is a seminar online!!  And it is usually FREE!  I discovered a link today where there are several free webinars being offered in the next few weeks.  Everything from learning how to blog about your genealogy, building a research toolbox, preserving photos and much more.   There are also archived webinars you can view.

This is a great resource to enhance your genealogy skills. 

Is there a genealogy skill you would like to know more about?  Leave a comment here and I will see if we can find a class or two for you.

This caught my eye, because my ole friend Thomas MacEntee is teaching the class on backing up your genealogy data.  Thomas is very knowledgeable and this is a great reminder for all of us.  Here is the link to the Legacy Family Tree Webinars:

Famly Tree Free Webinars

We Are Now On Twitter!!!

Yes we are truly on the Social Networking Train!! Facebook, blogging and now Twitter.

You can find us at: WCGSTX on Twitter!!

What should our user name be?

It has been suggested we get a "user name" for our WCGS Facebook page. It will be easier for folks to find us on Facebook rather than having a long number to type in. 

We are looking for suggestions and WCGS and WCGSTX are taken. 

What are your ideas?  Please comment below!

Thank you!! 

Williamson County Resoures

Have you checked out the RESOURCE tab to the blog yet?  There are many free records online available for Williamson County, Texas.

Both my grandfather and great grandfather were born in Taylor, Williamson County, Texas.  In my quest to unravel my family, I have learned the ins and outs of many Williamson County Records.  Did you know all of the Williamson County Land Records are online free of charge?  There are several different sites that have photographs of Williamson County folks.  Also, History of Texas is a wonderful biography that includes Williamson County pioneers.  Many many resources. 

Check out the Resource Tab at the top and let us know what you find!!!  Check back often as it will be updated as I find more sites. If you know of a site that is not listed, please email me.

Happy Hunting!!

Free Online Deed Platter

This is pretty cool!!  A free online deed platter to help you with those wonderful land records you found!!!  Here is a link to the story, where to go to find the platter and how to use it!!!  Please leave your comments and let us know what you think of it!!

Free Online Deed Platter

Free Giveaway at Thursday WCGS Meeting!!

Our very own Randy Whitehed has just returned from RootsTech in Salt Lake City and has very graciously brought back some give aways for Thursday's meeting!  Come and see what all the hub bub is about with Genealogy and Technology!!!  Maybe you will win something cool!!!!

February Meeting WCGS

February meeting of the Williamson County Genealogical society will be at 7:30 on Thursday February 17, 2011 at the Round Rock Public Library. Guest speaker will be: 

 

Joan Upton Hall--

San Gabriel Writers League  

 

“Skills for Creative Non Fiction Writing”

...See you all there!!!