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SCGS is a member of the Friends of the Delaware Archives
SCGS is a member of the National Genealogical Society
SCGS is an official Society in the 1940 Census Indexing Project
SCGS is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
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Saturday, April 18 through Saturday, April 18
The Tax Man Cometh (Calendar of Events)
Lewes Library Lewes DE
Speaker Larry W Thomas, a member of the National Genealogical Society, Association of Professional Genealogists, Georgia Genealogical Society, Gwinnett Genealogical Society and Past President of the Cobb County Genealogical Society, with an MBA with a concentration in Management Information Systems
Also a Graduate of ProGen 38. Mr. Thomas has his own company, Gilshot Genealogy Services at AtlantaGenealogy.com
As Daniel Defoe famously wrote, “Things as certain as death and taxes…” — and for genealogists, tax records are often among the most underutilized resources. This presentation explores the incredible range of information available in historical tax records, which were consistently maintained in most jurisdictions well before census and vital records became common. From property values and land ownership to economic standing and household composition, tax rolls can reveal more than many researchers expect. We’ll examine examples from across the U.S. and demonstrate how tax data can help track migration, identify neighbors and kin, and provide valuable context between census years. Up until the early 1900s, people were taxed on their land and other possessions and these can help in the research of your ancestors. learn from them.
Please sign p at Lewes.lib.de.us for a seat or an invitation to a zoom link.
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Tuesday, May 12
Roots Magic 11 Special Interest Group (Calendar of Events)
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm Zoom meeting
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday May 12, 2026 at 3:00 pm. The group will review basic data entry related to adding individuals, places and place details.
You do not need to be a member of SCGS to join our meetings. Participants use either Windows or Mac versions of the software.and range from beginners to those with more than a decade experience with Roots Magic. If you would like to join the monthly meeting and also participate in our group email exchanges please send a request to: carolhedlund@gmail.com and place RootsMagic SIG in the subject line.
General questions and issues are welcome. Our discussions have touched upon
various aspects of using RM and included general problem solving, data sharing
with other online trees and creating reports, charts and "books" as a means of
preserving and passing on our family research.
Please Note: You may also receive an invitation by sending email to events@scgsdelaware.org requesting to be added to the RootsMagic user grouop.
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Saturday, May 16 through Saturday, May 16
Methodical Approach to Finding Cousins Using DNA (Calendar of Events)
10:00 am to 12:30 pm Lewes Library Lewes DE
A Methodical Approach to Finding Cousins Using DNA introduces a clear, step-by-step framework for using autosomal DNA test results to identify and place unknown cousins. The talk focuses on organizing matches, evaluating shared DNA evidence, and systematically clustering relatives to reveal ancestral connections. Attendees will learn practical techniques for turning large DNA match lists into actionable research leads, integrating DNA evidence with traditional records to confidently extend and verify their family trees.
Jon Smith ,
PMP, serves on the boards of four genealogical societies and holds multiple leadership roles, including Secretary and Education Chair of the North Carolina Genealogical Society. In addition, he serves as the Education Chair for the Sussex County (Delaware) Genealogical Society and the Howard County (Maryland) Genealogical Society, and the Genealogist for the North Carolina Cline Family Association. In addition, Jon serves as an Instructor of Genealogy for Howard County Community College in Maryland and Cheer Academy in Delaware.
Jon regularly provides presentations to genealogical societies, primarily across North Carolina, and recently spoke at the North Carolina Genealogical Society’s Annual Conference.
All sixteen branches of Jon’s family settled in the Hickory, North Carolina area by 1790 and remained there. As a result, he frequently encounters cousins in that area during his research and collaborates in a close-knit research group of eight cousins, since everyone relates to each other in multiple ways.
Jon earned his master’s degree from Florida State University with a focus on Artificial Intelligence and holds an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His genealogical interests center on DNA analysis, particularly endogamy, artificial intelligence applications, and the development of analytical tools for family tree research and evaluation.
Please sign on to the Lewes Library website and go to events to obtain a zoom or room seat reservation.
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Monday, June 1 through Monday, June 1
Family Tree Maker Special Interest Group (Calendar of Events)
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm Held via Zoom
The next meeting of the Sussex County Genealogical Society's Family Tree Maker Special Interest Group (SCGS FTM SIG) will be Monday, June 1, 2026, 2p - 3:30p via Zoom. Note, this meeting date is one week later than the typical 4th Monday of the month, May 25th, due to the Memorial Day holiday on that date.
Join a discussion about using the Family Tree Maker genealogy database software. Meetings include feature discussions, FTM information resources, and open question & answer discussions. These meetings are held via Zoom every other month on the 4th Monday of the month at 2:00p. The meetings are open to both SCGS members and non-members.
To receive notification of the meetings please send an email to events@scgsdelaware.org
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Monday, July 27
Family Tree Maker Special Interest Group (Calendar of Events)
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm Held via Zoom
The next meeting of the Sussex County Genealogical Society's Family Tree Maker Special Interest Group (SCGS FTM SIG) will be Monday, July 27, 2026, 2p - 3:30p via Zoom.
Join a discussion about using the Family Tree Maker genealogy database software. Meetings include feature discussions, FTM information resources, and open question & answer discussions. These meetings are held via Zoom every other month on the 4th Monday of the month at 2:00p. The meetings are open to both SCGS members and non-members.
To receive notification of the meetings please send an email to events@scgsdelaware.org
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Saturday, September 19 through Saturday, September 19
“Saving Our Stories: Digitizing and Restoring Family Photos“ (Calendar of Events)
10:00 am to 12:30 pm Lewes Library Lewes DE
Join SCGS for a special program on preserving your family treasures using the Vivid-Pix
Scanner and software, generously loaned to us by the National Genealogical Society. During this
informative meeting, we will share a step-by-step process demonstrating the entire system—from
scanning photographs and documents to enhancing them through color correction and digital
restoration.
Our Education Chair, Jon Smith, will also share his personal experience using the
system and offer practical tips, followed by a question-and-answer session. This program is
designed to prepare us for upcoming hands-on scanning sessions at the Lewes Library, where
members and the public will be invited to digitize their own family photos and memorabilia. We
are also seeking volunteers who would like to assist with this exciting preservation effort. Come
learn how you can safeguard your family history and help others do the same!
Please sign p at Lewes.lib.de.us for a seat or an invitation to a zoom link. |
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Monday, September 28
Family Tree Maker Special Interest Group (Calendar of Events)
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm Held via Zoom
The next meeting of the Sussex County Genealogical Society's Family Tree Maker Special Interest Group (SCGS FTM SIG) will be Monday, September 28, 2026, 2p - 3:30p via Zoom.
Join a discussion about using the Family Tree Maker genealogy database software. Meetings include feature discussions, FTM information resources, and open question & answer discussions. These meetings are held via Zoom every other month on the 4th Monday of the month at 2:00p. The meetings are open to both SCGS members and non-members.
To receive notification of the meetings please send an email to events@scgsdelaware.org
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Saturday, October 17 through Saturday, October 17
Pauper Records and Genealogy at the Delaware Archives (Calendar of Events)
10:00 am to 12:30 pm Lewes Library Lewes DE
Michael Sullivan, Delaware Archives, Dover DE
“Forgotten Family: Pauper Records and Genealogy at the Delaware Public Archives”
The Delaware Public Archives contains a wealth of resources for genealogists, covering centuries of vital records, wills, deeds, and much more. However, many researchers encounter dead ends, in which a family member seems to drop off the face of the earth. No birth record, no property records, no will or probate. How then do we find these forgotten family members? Pauper records can be indispensable resources for filling these gaps, as they document the Delaware residents that history was most likely to forget: the poor, illegitimate children, unwed mothers, and others. This presentation will guide you through the evolution of public welfare and poor relief in Delaware, the types of records that are available to genealogists for research, and how to access these records at the Delaware Public Archives
Please sign p at Lewes.lib.de.us for a seat or an invitation to a zoom link.
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Saturday, November 21 through Saturday, November 21
Mystery Codes/Passenger Mystery Letters and Numbers (Calendar of Events)
10:00 am to 12:30 pm Lewes Library Lewes DE
What do those letters, numbers, stamps, and pencil marks mean on Immigration Passenger Manifests? Does your ancestor have the letter "D" or "X" next to their name? Do you know what V/L, # 404, USB, Transit, CL, N.O.B, C/A, LPC, SI, NQIV, BSI, PV or C-XXXXX mean? We will learn if and when to contact the US National Archives or USCIS to get more genealogical information from these codes. Plus, what insight we can learn about your ancestor's immigration experience based on these notations.
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Christine Cohen is a long time member of the Whittier Area Genealogical Society (WAGS) and is currrently the Program Director. In addition to WAGS, she is also a member of the Tualatin Chapter of the Daughters of the Americann Revolution, the Society of Daughters of Holland Dames and the Association of Professtional Genealogists. Her Interest in genealogy becan in 1977 with the airing of the TV mini-series "Roots". Her enthusiasm was piqued when she was given a typed pedigree chart, commissioned by her maternal grandfather, of her Dutch heritage from the New Netherlands in the 1650's. She is a native Californian, a graduate of USLA in Political Science and havs recently retired to pursue her geneogy interest full time.
Please sign p at Lewes.lib.de.us for a seat or an invitation to a zoom link. |
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Monday, November 23
Family Tree Maker Special Interest Group (Calendar of Events)
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm Held via Zoom
The next meeting of the Sussex County Genealogical Society's Family Tree Maker Special Interest Group (SCGS FTM SIG) will be Monday, November 23, 2026, 2p - 3:30p via Zoom.
Join a discussion about using the Family Tree Maker genealogy database software. Meetings include feature discussions, FTM information resources, and open question & answer discussions. These meetings are held via Zoom every other month on the 4th Monday of the month at 2:00p. The meetings are open to both SCGS members and non-members.
To receive notification of the meetings please send an email to events@scgsdelaware.org
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Saturday, December 12 through Saturday, December 12
Year End Holiday Share and Enjoy Party (Calendar of Events)
10:00 am to 12:30 pm Lewes Library Lewes DE
Here is that day we wait for all year---- When you get to be the speaker of the day and year!
A day to share our new family findings, or the answers to our brick walls. Perhaps a day to bring a suggestion or hints to our members, Maybe your presentation further on what our speakers showed us during the year?.
Whatever you have found, investigated, thought about, whatever you would like to say. about genealogy. Here is when we celebrate each other and enjoy the day of our ancestors and family..
Sign up for the zoom if you cann come in person and we will watch you from the library too.
Please, bring a covered dish to share with those who will be coming in person like you.
We will meet in the middle sized room that day.. We look forward to your input and historical findings and information.
Please sign p at Lewes.lib.de.us for a seat or an invitation to a zoom link.
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