Janine Baxter
The Quail Creek Genealogy Club (QCGC) carpooled to the Sahuarita Arizona FamilySearch Center in lieu of their March 5 meeting. Fifteen enthusiastic genealogists of all different skill levels enjoyed learning about what’s available at the library research area at the center. All researchers know it can get very costly at times to learn about our ancestors and their past—what with ordering documents and paying for copies of information sources, books, Internet genealogy websites/memberships, etc. But the FamilySearch Center is free!
The staff were very welcoming and friendly. A short orientation session was provided, and then QCGC members were able to sit at one of a dozen or so computers and begin to explore all the free websites and resources the center offers. Many members expressed that now that they are familiar with it, they will be going back to the center on their own to continue to find that “elusive great-grandmother” or other person/fact they are missing.
Next up for the club is one of our quarterly education workshops at 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, in the Kino Mesquite Room. This will be a DNA Skills workshop. We will be exploring the MyHeritage site with a focus on DNA matches. In addition, we will be learning the Leeds Method, which is helpful in identifying potential relationships when dealing with unknown parentage and cases of breaking through “brick walls.”
On a regular basis, the club meets on the first Wednesday of every month at 10 a.m. in the Ocotillo Room. Our next club meeting is Wednesday, May 7. Please come join us. We welcome all levels of genealogy enthusiasts, and there are several members who have the desire and ability to help you start your own research or find your own “missing” ancestor.
Of note, guests are invited to attend two meetings before becoming members. Dues are $15 per year for single membership and $25 per year for dual membership. Workshops and field trips for non-members are $5 per person per event.
Lastly, please take the time to visit our new website at www.quailcreekgenealogyclub.com/home.