Our meetings are held on the 1st Saturday of the month at 1:30 p.m. at the Greene County Records Center and Archives​ in Xenia, Ohio (535 Ledbetter Rd)*  Please note that we are in the process of transitioning our meeting locations and some presentations may have a different location listed.
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All meetings are free and open to the public; unless noted otherwise, registration is not required.

​*We will have a Zoom link for our meetings if you are unable to attend in person.  Please email us using the form on the contact page if you would like the link.
2025 Greene County Chapter Calendar​
  • 4 Jan 25: Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps for Genealogy 
    • Speaker: Jeanette Sheliga (virtual)
    • Abstract: The Sanborn Map Company published many detailed maps of cities and towns around the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries. Using them, in conjunction with other sources, can help tell the stories of your ancestors and give you a picture of what their living conditions and communities were like during the time that they resided there.
    • Bio: Jeanette Sheliga of Jeanette’s Genealogy lives in Lockport, NY and has been researching her family tree since 2002 and lecturing since 2011. She has had the privilege to speak for societies and libraries locally and virtually all over the world. Jeanette is the President of the Virtual Genealogical Association (VGA); she holds positions in local, state, and national societies; she has completed the study groups of ProGen 49 and ProGen Practicum 02; and has attended many genealogy institutes.
  • 1 Feb 25:  Relating the Stories of Relatively Recent Relatives
    • Speaker: Sunny Jane Morton (virtual)
    • Abstract: Recording the stories and facts of recent generations is foundational to accurate, meaningful genealogy. But how do you document research discoveries intertwined with (and colored by) personal memories, with due respect for other living loved ones? We’ll talk about creating a storytelling arc out of a life’s events. You’ll see rich 20th century records that reveal recent generations. And we’ll tackle the obstacle of objectivity for recent generations, because who is really objective about their own parents and grandparents? Nobody.
    • Bio: Sunny Jane Morton is a Contributing Editor at Family Tree Magazine and the Content Director at YourDNAGuide.com. She is co-author of How to Find Your Family History in U.S. Church Records, co-authored with Harold Henderson, CG, which received a book award from the National Genealogical Society. Her other book, Story of My Life: A Workbook for Preserving Your Legacy, is now in its 2nd edition. She is past Editor of Ohio Genealogy News. She will be an instructor for GRIP Genealogy Institute 2025 (Practical Family History Writing) and the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy Spring Virtual 2025 (Researching Women from 1850-1960).
  • 1 Mar 25: The Way Things Weren’t: Common Historical Misconceptions and Their Consequences
    • Speaker: Katy Bodenhorn Barnes (virtual)
    • Abstract: Incorrect assumptions about our ancestors’ practices and motivations can cause research headaches. Context allows you to avoid those mistakes.
    • Bio: Katy Bodenhorn Barnes is the Genealogy Director for the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. She has a B.A. in Family History and over a decade of client research experience.
  •  5 Apr 25:  Brigadier General Charles Young: Built from Community
  • 3 May 25: No Chapter Meeting - join us at the OGS Annual Conference!​
  • 7 Jun 25: Boring Farmers No More
    • Speaker: Michael John Neil
    • Abstract: Michael will discuss a variety of sources where you can learn more about your farming ancestor, their life, and their farm operation. Farmers leave records, too.
    • Bio: Michael has been an active genealogical researcher since the early 1980s and has researched his or his children’s families in most states east of the Mississippi River and several European countries. He operates the website Genealogy Tip of the Day and has lectured nationally on a wide variety of genealogical topics, given day-long seminars, and regularly leads research trips to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City and the Allen County Public Library in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. He has a master’s degree in mathematics and has was formerly on the math faculty of Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, Illinois. His research interests include, methodology, land records, the immigrant experience, chain migration, and researching female ancestors.  Michael is a native of Hancock County, Illinois; graduated from the former Carthage High School (where his parents and maternal also were graduated from); and graduated with a bachelor and master’s degree from Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois (where his mother was also graduated from). Michael’s research experiences are varied. His maternal ancestors are all from Ostfriesland, Germany, and on his paternal side he is 1/8 Irish, 1/8 German, with the remaining portion being colonial immigrants who arrived in points from Virginia north, including a few who were on the Mayflower.
  • 5 Jul 25: No meeting - Happy Independence Day!
  • 2 Aug 25: Using Find a Grave as a Family History Resource
    • Speaker: Brenda Mowen
    • Abstract: Have you ever wondered where online grave information comes from and whether it is reliable? This session provides an overview of Find a Grave, the world’s largest burial database, including basic features, search engine, contributors, data sources, photos, family links, virtual cemeteries, grave locator and interfaces with other genealogical websites. Also, learn how to become a Find a Grave member and/or contributor. 
    • Bio: A cemetery enthusiast and former Greene countian, Brenda Mowen is a long-time Find a Grave contributor. She has assembled grave data from more than 20 cemeteries and contributed roughly 28k memorials, 45k photos and 100k GPS coordinates to the Find a Grave system. She is currently collaborating with Cathy Leininger to leverage Find a Grave to simplify data collection for the Chapter’s Woodland Cemetery Project.
  • 6 Sep 25: GLO'ing with the BLM Records
    • Speaker: Sandra Rumble
    • Abstract: General Land Office (GLO) records contain information about the early settlers of Ohio and the GLO website is your gateway to finding these records.
    • Bio: Sandy started her career as a software developer and trainer. For over 30 years, she was the go-to person to train new users in cutting-edge software developing in-house training programs for new development tools. Expanding her interest in teaching outside the software industry, Sandy began teaching genealogy, DNA testing, the Constitution, Congress, and the judicial system at the Delaware Valley University Center for Learning in Retirement. She recently began speaking at genealogical institutes, conferences, genealogical and historical societies, and DAR Chapters. As a course coordinator for GRIP, Sandy coordinated Documentation for Lineage Societies and co-coordinated Answering the Call of Uncle Sam, an exploration of 18th & 19th century American military records. Her website is: https://rumblesoft.com/
  • 4 Oct 25: Greene County Revolutionary War Veterans
    • Speaker: Mary McKinley (In Person)
    • Abstract: Greene County and Ohio may not have existed during the Revolutionary War but we still have our fair share of Revolutionary history. Explore the history and lives of the Revolutionary War veterans who lived in Greene County.
    • Bio: Mary McKinley is the Public Outreach Coordinator at the Greene County Records Center and Archives.
  • 1 Nov 25: Permanent.org Overview 
    • Speaker: Lori Harris
    • Abstract: TBD
    • Bio: TBD
  • 6 Dec 25: Chapter Holiday Party 
​Other calendar items of note:​​