RELEASE DATE: JANUARY 29, 2012
KINSEARCHING
by
Marleta Childs
P. O. Box 6825
LUBBOCK, TX 79493-6825
[email protected]
Spring and summer remain popular seasons for holding genealogical seminars and family reunions. Perhaps you will be interested in attending one or more of the ones listed below.
The Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society (LMHS), an organization devoted to preserving and interpreting the culture and context of Anabaptist-related faith communities connected to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, will host its 33rd annual family history conference in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on 19-21 April 2012. This year’s theme will be “Deep Roots: Using DNA to Unlock Your Family’s Ancient Past.” Featured presenters will be James C. Landis, John T. Humphrey, Jane L. S. Davidson, Dr. Charles Heisterkamp III, James M. Beidler, Peter S. Seibert, Dr. Eric Puffenberger, and Charles Fourquet. Keynote speaker will be Darvin L. Martin.
Sessions will concern DNA and how it is useful in family history research, how to utilize the U. S. census, Pennsylvania’s early church registers, how to compare your DNA to publicly available genetic databases, an overview of the history of the War of 1812 and the military service records of its patriots, how to start doing genealogical research, DNA haplogroups and their use in tracing ancient migratory patterns, the early years of the FERRE and LEFEVRE families in Lancaster, a concise history of Germany and how it affected the keeping of various records, Scots-Irish genealogy, Amish and Old Order Mennonite genetics and their use in disease gene identification, the Huguenot diaspora, the use of duplicate documents in genealogical research, Hispanic genealogical resources for beginners, and under-utilized, under-appreciated, and under-used resources for tracing German ancestors. Special sessions will include a genealogical roundtable discussion of case studies, a DNA roundtable discussion, and special project research assistance at the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society library--a major research center for Pennsylvania German, Amish, and Mennonite history, genealogy, and theology.
Additional interesting events will be offered to persons attending the conference. Field trips will include a self-guided tour of Fort McHenry and Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and the opportunity to witness the Fort’s flag-raising ceremony; research opportunities in the Pennsylvania State Library and Archives; a walking tour through historic Philadelphia; and a tour of the 1710 Pequea Settlement where the first permanent European pioneers in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, made their homes. All sessions and activities will be available to LMHS members and non-members alike.
Special rates on lodging will be available until 19 March 2012. The deadline for field trip registration is 31 March; the deadline for the conference registration is 14 April. For more details, write to LMHS, 2215 Millstream Road, Lancaster, PA 17602 or go to the society’s website at www.lmhs.org.
On 1-3 June 2012, the Ansley Family Association will hold its 35th annual reunion in Thomson, Georgia. All persons with an ANSLEY line are invited to attend. For more details, write to James (Jim) Ansley, Jr., 359 Rainbow Lake Drive, Brevard, NC 28712-9770 or call 828-862-4303.
The tenth annual TOLLIVER family reunion will take place at the Carl D. Perkins Community Center in Morehead, KY, on 22-23 June 2012. All TOLLIVER/TOLIVER descendants are invited to attend. For more information, go to the website at www.tolliverfamily.com or get in touch with Emma Lee Tolliver, 472 E. Torrence Rd., Columbus, OH 43214 (phone 614-267-6556; e-mail [email protected]) or Dr. J. D. Reeder, 121 Blackberry, Morehead, KY 40351 (phone 606-784-5669; e-mail: [email protected].)