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Join a book club focused on genealogy at your library

Photo courtesy Orange County Library System

Orange County Library System Genealogy Events – January 2024

OCLS’s West Oaks Branch and Genealogy Center offers events that cover a range of basic and beginning genealogy research. Each month, we are pleased to let you know about these offerings from this valued History Center partner. To learn more about these and other OCLS events, visit ocls.info.

Finding Your Roots
This series will cover the core elements needed to build a strong foundation for your genealogical research.

Genealogy 101
West Oaks Branch
Friday, January 26, 3 p.m.
Virtual
Tuesday, January 2, 1 p.m.
This week will cover an introduction to genealogical research, techniques, and resources.

Census Records
Virtual
Tuesday, January 9, 1 p.m.
Discover how to use the information from the census in your research.

Vital Records
Virtual
Tuesday, January 16, 1 p.m.
This week will focus on vital records, which are important pieces of information for your family history.

Land Records
Virtual
Tuesday, January 23, 1 p.m.
This week will focus on land records. Learn about deeds, mortgages, platting and surveys.

Probate Records
Virtual
Tuesday, January 30, 1 p.m.
Learn how to locate and use probate records in your family history research.

West Oaks Branch & Genealogy Center Overview
Virtual
Wednesday, January 3, 6:30 p.m.
Learn about the services and resources that are offered by the library to help you with your genealogical research.

Exploring FamilySearch.org
Virtual
Thursday, January 4, Noon
FamilySearch is a tremendous and free source for family history research. Learn how to navigate this website and how to make the most of the information that it contains.

Searching on Ancestry.com
Virtual
Wednesday, January 10, 6:30 p.m.
Learn how to make the most out of your searches on Ancestry Library Edition and Ancestry.com.

Organizing Your Family History Research
Virtual
Thursday, January 11, Noon
Keep your genealogy research on track by staying organized. Learn how to organize your genealogy documents and do your research in a systematic manner.

Sunday Morning Genealogy
Virtual
Sunday, January 14, 11 a.m.
Grab a cup of coffee (or tea) and join us for this Sunday morning genealogy hangout. Feel free to ask any type of genealogy question or propose a genealogy discussion topic.

Building Your Family Tree on Ancestry.com
Virtual
Wednesday, January 17, 6:30 p.m.
Discover all of the tools and resources Ancestry.com has to help you build your family tree online.

Facts vs. Stories Writing for Genealogy
Virtual
Thursday, January 18, Noon
Learn how to turn your family history facts into engaging stories that your relatives will want to read.

Exploring DNA Tools on Ancestry.com
Virtual
Wednesday, January 24, 6:30 p.m.
Learn about the latest tools Ancestry.com has developed to assist you in working with your DNA matches.

Key Websites for Genealogy Research
Virtual
Thursday, January 25, Noon
Familiarize yourself with the core genealogical websites and explore the similarities and differences between them.

Genealogy Book Club
Virtual
Wednesday, January 31, 6:30 p.m.
Join in the conversation as we discuss and learn from the genealogy techniques and sources used in The Chester Creek Murders by Nathan Dylan Goodwin.