In honor of Family History Month, the Martin F. Schmidt Research Library will be operating under FREE admission EACH SATURDAY for the entire month of October! That’s right – regardless of membership status, everyone is welcome to visit the library for free research each Saturday in October, during regular business hours, 10am-5pm.

Reference staff will be on hand to help get you pointed in the right direction, and while you are in the building you have free access to these online resources:

• Family Search – Affiliate Library – Access to many locked images.
• Ancestry.com Library Edition
• Fold3 Library Edition
• Louisville Courier Journal: 1830-1922
• American Periodicals Series: 1740-1940

Plus, we now have digital microfilm readers – so bring along your flashdrive!

No registration necessary – just come on by!

Are you ready to take the first step in finding YOUR Kentucky Ancestors? Join us for a special session, designed for Kentucky genealogy beginners. We’ll get you started on what questions to ask, locating records and resources (both online and onsite), how to organize your research, and which strategies you’ll need to make progress.

This event is FREE via Zoom – October 2nd, 2021, 2-4pm. Please register here: https://forms.gle/KKfEkXc5CJBcGQaY6

In honor of Family History Month, the Martin F. Schmidt Research Library will be operating under FREE admission EACH SATURDAY for the entire month of October! That’s right – regardless of membership status, everyone is welcome to visit the library for free research each Saturday in October, during regular business hours, 10am-5pm.

Reference staff will be on hand to help get you pointed in the right direction, and while you are in the building you have free access to these online resources:

• Family Search – Affiliate Library – Access to many locked images.
• Ancestry.com Library Edition
• Fold3 Library Edition
• Louisville Courier Journal: 1830-1922
• American Periodicals Series: 1740-1940

Plus, we now have digital microfilm readers – so bring along your flashdrive!

No registration necessary – just come on by!

Join us for an intensive workshop designed to help you take your Kentucky research deeper. Session will be presented by the researchers behind KHS’ award winning TV show, Kentucky Ancestors. Get an inside look at the resources necessary to break through some of Kentucky’s most challenging Brick Walls. Resources featured will include both on-site and online format.

This event is FREE via Zoom – October 9, 2021, 2-4pm. Please register here: https://forms.gle/sbQg9nJ44dHnTD9u7

In honor of Family History Month, the Martin F. Schmidt Research Library will be operating under FREE admission EACH SATURDAY for the entire month of October! That’s right – regardless of membership status, everyone is welcome to visit the library for free research each Saturday in October, during regular business hours, 10am-5pm.

Reference staff will be on hand to help get you pointed in the right direction, and while you are in the building you have free access to these online resources:

• Family Search – Affiliate Library – Access to many locked images.
• Ancestry.com Library Edition
• Fold3 Library Edition
• Louisville Courier Journal: 1830-1922
• American Periodicals Series: 1740-1940

Plus, we now have digital microfilm readers – so bring along your flashdrive!

No registration necessary – just come on by!

In celebration of Family History Month, please join the African American Genealogy Group of Kentucky and the Kentucky Historical Society for a FREE joint virtual event: “Celebrating Untold Stories of Early Kentucky Families” – panel session and film premier – on October 16^th, 1-2:30pm, to be hosted via Zoom!

We welcome the following panelists for a program focused on resources available to help uncover stories and restore voices to those who were rendered voiceless through historical oppression. Guest panel moderated by Cheri Daniels, KHS’ Head of Library and Archives:

• Rachel Grimes: Composer and Filmmaker
• Dr. Alicestyne Turley: Project Director, Freedom Stories International Storytelling Center and Board Member of KHS and the African American Heritage Commission
• Sharyn Mitchell: Berea College Research Specialist
• Kate Hesseldenz: Curator & Development Assistant at Liberty Hall Historic Site
• Denyce Porter Peyton: Genealogist

As we gather together for this special event, panelists will share methodology and resources for researching genealogy specific to early African American families. In conjunction with this event, registrants will be able to view Grimes’ 30 minute film “Along the Way Forth:  Unraveling Dominion” which explores the compelling story of four generations of the Hart family, beginning with recent research into the long life of Dolly, an enslaved woman who was one of the initial settlers at Fort Boonesborough. Viewing of the film will take place via a private YouTube link and attendees are encouraged to view the film prior to the event. A Q&A session will follow the panel discussion.

To register for the October 16^th event, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/jWXtk6FEpA3FpVen7

In honor of Family History Month, the Martin F. Schmidt Research Library will be operating under FREE admission EACH SATURDAY for the entire month of October! That’s right – regardless of membership status, everyone is welcome to visit the library for free research each Saturday in October, during regular business hours, 10am-5pm.

Reference staff will be on hand to help get you pointed in the right direction, and while you are in the building you have free access to these online resources:

• Family Search – Affiliate Library – Access to many locked images.
• Ancestry.com Library Edition
• Fold3 Library Edition
• Louisville Courier Journal: 1830-1922
• American Periodicals Series: 1740-1940

Plus, we now have digital microfilm readers – so bring along your flashdrive!

No registration necessary – just come on by!

DNA Interest Group (D.I.G): Join our Library staff for a new edition of the D.N.A. Interest Group! For the next 6 months of 2021 (May – October), we will be taking the D.I.G. concept further with book chapter, case study, and article discussions – virtually via ZOOM. This class series is an introductory level to give you a solid background on the science behind your DNA test and results! Note: If you missed the previous classes and want to catch up, just purchase the full package to access the videos made of each class.

The topic list for each session can be found below. While not mandatory, it is highly suggested that you purchase or borrow the book: The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy (2ND EDITION) by Blaine Bettinger. With each Zoom session, we will cover specific chapters from the book along with other articles and/or case studies to keep the conversation diverse and relevant. Book can be ordered online or through our 1792 Store!

Six sessions for 2021 – Held the 4th Saturday of the month, 2:00-4:00pm EST:

1. Companies and Ethics (May 22)
2. AtDNA and Ethnicity (June 26)
3. AtDNA and Tools (July 24)
4. Y DNA, MtDNA, and X DNA (August 28)
5. Working with Matches (September 25)
6. Case Studies and Brick Walls (October 23)

Price: Each session is $7 for members and $10 for non-members (Package rates: $40 for members and $60 for non-members). Once signed up, you will receive a Zoom invitation and reading list prior to each session. Plus, each session will be recorded, so if you miss one or want to review what we talked about, a link to the recorded session will be provided to attendees.

Seating is limited – so please register for your class choice(s) prior to the event!

In honor of Family History Month, the Martin F. Schmidt Research Library will be operating under FREE admission EACH SATURDAY for the entire month of October! That’s right – regardless of membership status, everyone is welcome to visit the library for free research each Saturday in October, during regular business hours, 10am-5pm.

Reference staff will be on hand to help get you pointed in the right direction, and while you are in the building you have free access to these online resources:

• Family Search – Affiliate Library – Access to many locked images.
• Ancestry.com Library Edition
• Fold3 Library Edition
• Louisville Courier Journal: 1830-1922
• American Periodicals Series: 1740-1940

Plus, we now have digital microfilm readers – so bring along your flashdrive!

No registration necessary – just come on by!

NOTE: This event will be presented virtually via Zoom! Join our Library staff and special guests on the 5th Saturday of every month, from 2-4PM for tea time and good old fashioned conversation. Have an ancestor that is eluding you? Confused about which source to use next? Need help finding the necessary records? Want to share a story about your family history and traditions? Have questions about the proof standard or how to get the kids involved? Bring along your genealogy issues, hot topics or questions and the group will try to help you out. All research levels welcome – let’s learn from each other’s experiences!

TEA TOPICS for 2021 – Regional Research! October TOPIC: Researching Western Kentucky Families – Past events for the year have been recorded and will be available via YouTube. 

This month’s special guest: Nancy Richey from Western Kentucky University. Nancy serves as the Reading Room Coordinator and Visual Resources Librarian for the Department of Library Special Collections at WKU. A native of Mt. Hermon, Richey has been a faculty member at WKU since July 2008. She is responsible for collection development for the Kentucky Library for Genealogy and Local History, and for providing research assistance and library research instruction to individuals, classes and organizations. 

Each ZOOM Genealogy Tea and Sympathy session is Free. Please pre-register by calling the KHS Refdesk at 502-782-8080 or by e-mailing us at: khsrefdesk@ky.gov Once you have registered, you will be sent a Zoom meeting invitation.