Georgia experts to speak at genealogical society March meeting

AJC file photo

AJC file photo

Experts from Georgia Public Library Services and the Atlanta History Center are among the speakers who will take part in the March Seminar/Quarterly Meeting of the Georgia Genealogical Society.

The March 17 event, to be held at the Georgia Archives in Morrow, runs from a 9:30 a.m. registration to 4:30 p.m. Speakers include: Angela Stanley, director of the library services’ Georgia HomePLACE, on the topic “Georgia’s Treasures: Exploring your Genealogy, History, and Culture at Public Libraries in Georgia”; Sue VerHoef, director of Oral History and Genealogy at the Atlanta History Center, on “Climbing Your Family Tree at the Atlanta History Center”; Leslie Barker Thomas, of the Georgia Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association, on “Finding Your Cherokee Ancestors”; and Kristin Harms, professional genealogist, on “Georgia On My Mind: Colonial Research in Georgia.”

The cost for Georgia Genealogical Society members is $25 and for nonmembers is $35. Send to GGS, P.O. Box 550247, Atlanta, 30355 by March 7 postmark. Register online at gagensociety.org via PayPal by March 13 deadline. Participants are on their own for lunch. More information is on the website, or call Maggie Thomas 678-800-8456.

This should be a great opportunity to learn more about places in Georgia to do research, as well as answer the nagging question many have about possible Native American roots. GGS hosts four meetings a year, as well as the Institute of Genealogy & Historical Research in the summer in Athens, and publishes a quarterly.

Victorian cemetery carvings and their meanings topic of Lunch and Learn

The Georgia Archives Lunch and Learn topic for March 9 will be “Etched in Stone: The Language Carved in Victorian Cemeteries,” presented by Penny Cliff, education specialist at the Georgia Archives. Cliff, a native of England, brings her experiences with cemeteries hither and yon to her talk. The noon event is free; bring your own lunch. For further information, see GeorgiaArchives.org or call 678-364-3710.

A good place to find books on Victorian cemeteries, both guidebooks and those identifying symbolism, is at historic Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta, check oaklandcemetery.com and online shop.

Atlanta Italian Genealogy and Heritage Group

The Atlanta Italian Genealogy and Heritage Group, which runs the Facebook page “Atlanta Italian Heritage,” meets several times during the year with various programs. The group is coordinated by Larry Zani, who can be reached at larry_Zani@compuserve.com. The group welcome all Italian-Americans.

Irish records reclamation project

A project is underway to digitally recreate the contents of the Public Record Office of Ireland that burned in 1922, causing a massive loss of records. The “Beyond 2022: Ireland’s Virtual Record Treasury” is expected to be completed by 2022.