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Saturday, March 15
Genetic Genealogy (DNA) (Classes)
10:00 am to 11:30 am Hybrid - In person OR Zoom (your choice)
This course will be an overview of the basics of DNA testing (Genetic Genealogy). If you have ever been tempted to take a DNA test, this class will help you understand how the tests work, what they can tell you, and how you can apply the results to your family history research.
- Instructor: Carla Anders
- Carla Anders is from Warren County and is a retired Web Developer. She has been a long-time member of IGS who has served on the board and currently serves as a member of the Technology and Education Committees. Carla has been Superintendent of Genealogy for the Warren County Fair since 2018 and has served in various positions for the Warren County Genealogical Society and Missouri State Genealogical Association.
- Location: Hybrid - In person OR Zoom (your choice)
- Cost: Members $15 Non-Members $25
Select the "Register Now" button to reserve your spot at this class.
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Saturday, March 15
DNA Painter (Classes)
1:00 pm to 2:30 pm Hybrid - In person OR Zoom (your choice)
This course will be an overview of the features available at DNA Painter, a website that offers free access. There are many helpful tools on this website to help you understand your DNA matches and how to use those matches to answer questions with your family history (Non-Paternal Events, Adoption, etc…)
- Instructor: Carla Anders
- Carla Anders is from Warren County and is a retired Web Developer. She has been a long-time member of IGS who has served on the board and currently serves as a member of the Technology and Education Committees. Carla has been Superintendent of Genealogy for the Warren County Fair since 2018 and has served in various positions for the Warren County Genealogical Society and Missouri State Genealogical Association.
- Location: Hybrid - In person OR Zoom (your choice)
- Cost: Members $15 Non-Members $25
Select the "Register Now" button to reserve your spot at this class
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Saturday, March 22
The Legacy of Iowa's Black History (Events)
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm IGS Conference Center
This event was rescheduled from its original date (15 Feb 2025) due to an inclement weather forecast. All details about the event remain the same.
Explore the rich legacy of Iowa’s Black history through compelling vignettes. This presentation highlights both well-known and lesser-known Black residents, including individuals from Muscatine County. Additionally, it will provide valuable insights and resources for researching Black history, offering guidance on key considerations for uncovering these important stories.
Ricki King, founder of Roots to Branches Genealogy, LLC, is a retired John Deere Financial professional, and twice published author in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly. She helped Woodland Cemetery gain recognition in the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom and advocates for preserving Iowa’s Black history. King chairs the Iowa Historical Foundation and serves as a State Historical Society of Iowa Trustee.
We look forward to seeing you at this free event!
- Presenter: Ricki King
- Ricki King is leading an effort to bring the legacy of Iowa's Black history and places to light. She is the Iowa Historical Foundation Chair and a Board Trustee of the State Historical Society of Iowa.
- Location: IGS Conference Center (628 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, Iowa)
- Cost: Free and open to the public. No need for registration.
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Saturday, April 12
Researching with AI (Classes)
1:30 pm to 3:00 pm Zoom only
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming genealogy. In this presentation, we will dive into an introduction to AI tools that can assist you during your genealogy journey. While AI offers powerful advancements, we will also discuss its limitations, ethical considerations, and best practices for integrating it into traditional genealogical research.
- Instructor: Stacy Weaver
- Stacy has over 25 years of genealogy experience and is working towards accreditation through ICAPGen
- Location: Zoom only
- Cost: Members: $15 Non-Members: $25
Select the "Register Now" button to reserve your spot
Register Now
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Saturday, April 12
Writing a Family History (Classes)
4:00 pm to 5:30 pm Zoom only
Do you want to write up your family history but don’t know where to start? Join us in learning how to write a family history, starting with just one person. Learn practical steps to start writing your ancestors stories
- Instructor: Stacy Weaver
- Stacy has over 25 years of genealogy experience and is working towards accreditation through ICAPGen
- Location: Zoom only
- Cost: Members: $15 Non-Members: $25
Select the "Register Now" button to reserve your spot
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Saturday, April 26
IGS Spring Conference: Family Search Technology (Conferences)
9:00 am Hybrid - In person OR Zoom (your choice)
Hear from a FamilySearch Representative.
What's new and upcoming after RootsTech Releases.
Plus hear from 2 of our in-house instructors.
Learn more of FamilySearch's AI searching ability.
Getting Started with the FamilySearch Family Tree - Stacy Weaver
Navigating Historical Records & Catalog - Theresa Liewer
Unlocking Family History with the FamilySearch Wiki - Stacy Weaver
Unlocking Hidden Records with FamilySearch Full-Text Search - Stacy Weaver
Lunch: Hy-Vee sandwiches
IGS will be open for extended hours on the night before.
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Saturday, May 17 through Sunday, May 18
Slumber Party (Events)
4:00 pm to 6:00 am IGS Library
The fun begins at 4 pm at the library and wraps up at 6 am. Take advantage of all the IGS Library has to offer including MyHeritage Library Edition and access to FamilySearch records only available at FamilySearch affiliate libraries. Stay for a few hours or all night.
There will be optional activites throuout the event. This is the approximate schedule:
- 7 pm Class - WikiTree to assist with your genealogy research
- 10 pm - Dinner Break
- 2 am - Trivia and Scavenger Hunt
You're welcome to bring snacks to share. Coffee and Cookies will be provided by Vibrant Coffeehouse + Cookies from the East Village. The library temperature is cool. We recommend bringing a light sweater or jacket to the event.
Registration is $20/person for members and non-members.
Please register no later than May 14th.
Registration opens soon!!! |
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Tuesday, June 10 through Saturday, June 14
Jewelry Sale (Events)
Iowa Genealogical Society - Conference Center
June Jewelry Sale fundraiser for IGS!
A members only preview will be held on Wednesday, June 11.
June 12, 13, 14th will be public dates.
We will need volunteers to clean, price and display the jewelry.
We would like the jewelry to arrive at the library no later than May 1st in order to prepare for the sale.
Gather up your jewelry before spring gets here and be ready to have fun with jewelry!
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Monday, July 14
Show & Tell (Events)
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm Iowa Genealogical Society
Just like Show and Tell in grade school, everyone will
have 2 to 3 minutes to "show" and "tell' about that
genealogy gem that still makes you smile, warms your
heart, and gets you pumped up to research some more.
If you prefer to just listen and be inspired, that's okay too.
We're excited to introduce Vibrant Coffeehouse + Kitchen as our promoation partner for this event. Come and enjoy coffee and dessert courtesy of Vibrant!
Vibrant is located one block west of IGS at 520 E Grand Ave.
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Saturday, September 20
Private Tour of Woodland Cemetery, Followed by lunch at Noah's Ark (Events)
9:00 am to 1:00 pm Woodland Cemetery, Des Moines, Iowa
Join us for an exclusive IGS members-only event featuring a private tour of Woodland Cemetery with historian Archie Cook on Saturday, September 20, from 9 AM to 1 PM. Explore the rich history of Des Moines’ historic Woodland Cemetery and learn about its notable figures during this guided tour. Afterward, we’ll gather for a social lunch at Noah’s Ark Restaurant—a perfect opportunity to connect and reflect on the experience. Save the date! More details on registration will be available soon.
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Wednesday, October 8
The History of Des Moines Public School (Events)
2:00 pm to 5:00 pm IGS Conference Center
Public schools have been a part of Des Moines since 1846. In 1907, 13 independent school districts within the city limits merged to form the Greater Des Moines School District.
Join us on Saturday, November 8, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM for this free event as historian Archie Cook takes us on a journey through this fascinating history. The presentation will explore Des Moines schools past and present, with a focus on the city’s high schools—those still in operation as well as those that have been abandoned or demolished. In addition to the schools themselves, he will highlight 6 to 12 notable graduates from each.
This will be an enlightening and engaging presentation. Social time will follow, providing an opportunity to ask questions and chat with Archie. He will answer questions as time permits.
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Saturday, October 25 through Sunday, October 26
Slumber Party (Events)
4:00 pm to 6:00 am IGS Library
The fun begins at 4 pm at the library and wraps up at 6 am. Take advantage of all the IGS Library has to offer including MyHeritage Library Edition and access to FamilySearch records only available at FamilySearch affiliate libraries. Stay for a few hours or all night.
There will be optional activites throuout the event. This is the approximate schedule:
- 7 pm Class - ??? to assist with your genealogy research
- 10 pm - Dinner Break
- 2 am - Trivia and Scavenger Hunt
You're welcome to bring snacks to share. Coffee and Cookies will be provided by Vibrant Coffeehouse + Cookies from the East Village. The library temperature is cool. We recommend bringing a light sweater or jacket to the event.
Registration is $20/person for members and non-members.
Please register no later than Oct 22nd.
Registration opens soon!!! |
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Friday, December 5
IGS Holiday Party and Social (Events)
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm IGS Conference Center
Save the date and stay tuned for more information. |
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