Genealogy Roadshow

PBS announced in May that thy will have the new series, Genealogy Roadshow, in their fall lineup. MHGS is happy to be a sponsor of this program which will start on Monday September23 at 8:00-9:00 our time on KPTS. This show will run for four Mondays through October 14. This series will be part detective story, part emotional journey, and will combine history and science to uncover fascinating stories of diverse Americans. Each individual's past will line to a larger community history, revealing the rich cultural tapestry of America. 

Genealogy Roadshow's premiere season will feature participation from Four American cities - Nashville, Austin, Detroit and San Francisco - who want to explore unverified genealogical claims, passed down through family history, that may or may not connect them to an event or historical figure. Genealogy experts will work with the participants chosen and will use DNA, family heirlooms, letters, pictures, historical documents and other clues to hunt down more information. 

MHGS will hold a "Watch Party" at the Society Library at 1203 North Main each Monday evening of the Genealogy Roadshow. We will open the library at 7:30 p.m. and attendance is free. We do need to know how many are interested in the "Watch Party" so we can plan seating and get everything ready. Make your reservations by calling 316 264-3611 or e-mail mhgs1121@aol.com.

Sumner County Historical & Genealogical Society

On Monday, August 26th, at 6:30 p.m., Lori DeWinkler, Lead Investigator and Historian for Moonlit Ghost Hunts, will present the program “Wellington After Dark” to Sumner County Historical and Genealogical Society members and guests at the Wellington Senior Center, 308 S. Washington.

Lori DeWinkler, a paranormal investigator since 2008, loves being a paranormal investigator for Moonlit Ghost Hunts, www.moonlitghosthunts.com. 

But Dewinkler doesn’t just go to a location for the first time on the night of the investigation. She checks out the location ahead of time. Thoroughly.

She researches the building’s history, who owned it, who lived there, and maybe even who died there.

She reads newspaper articles, talks to folks who know the history of the location, and the area, searches for clues, and compiles and analyzes her findings before the group ever goes in to investigate. And she gets excited when the pieces of the historic puzzle start falling into place and she can pull together a structure’s fascinating history before an investigation.

DeWinkler will share several fascinating stories about Wellington and Sumner County and bring along some of the tools they use to investigate.

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m.. There is no charge for the program and everyone is welcome. In case of bad weather cancellation, contact Jane Moore at 620-447-3266. For more information, go to www.ks-schgs.blogspot.com.

Sumner County Historical & Genealogical Society

March 25^th Meeting
Contact: Sherry Kline – 620-326-3401

On Monday, March 25th, at 6:30 p.m., Dolores Carr, Wellington, will present the Women’s History month program “Who Was Mary Elizabeth Lease: Kansas Homesteader, Mission Teacher, or Political Activist?”  to Sumner County Historical and Genealogical Society members and guests at the Best of Orient meeting room, 114 E. Lincoln, Wellington.

The meal begins at 5:30 p.m. and the meeting at 6:30 p.m.. There is no charge for the program and everyone is welcome. For possible bad weather cancellation, contact Best of the Orient at 620-399-8575 or President Jane Moore at 620-447-3266.

Dolores Carr said that Mary Elizabeth Lease, author, speaker, and editor, was born in Pennsylvania to upper-class Irish immigrants Joseph P. and Mary Elizabeth Clyens, was raised in New York, and was well educated before coming to Kansas to teach in an Osage Mission after her father and older brothers died fighting for the union in the civil war. 

According to Carr, Mary Elizabeth Lease “read for the law” while earning money washing clothes for the neighbors, and after marrying, she and her husband homesteaded in Kingman County, Kansas but were not able to make a go of it, and she and her family moved to Wichita where she founded a club for woman who wanted to improve their education.

 “She became a speaker for the Populist Party,” Carr said, “and was often called “The Lady Orator of the West” and “the Kansas Cyclone” by some because of her speaking abilities.”

 “She could just mesmerize the audience,” Carr said.

Carr stated that Lease believed that if she had been a man she would have been appointed to the U. S. Senate, but Carr added that because Lease promoted women’s suffrage as well as temperance and was politically active in the Populist Party some comments about her were not complimentary.

“She was probably a woman ahead of her time,” Carr said.

Kansas Genealogical Society to Host The Second U. S. Volunteer Infantry: Galvanized Yankees

Kansas Genealogical Society will host The Second U.S. Volunteer Infantry: Galvanized Yankees*, a presentation by Stan Reed, 2 PM Thursday, April 12, 2012 in the upper level meeting room next to GNC, Village Square Mall, 2601 Central, Dodge City.

Stan Reed is a retired Army Major and Vietnam Veteran with 2 Purple Hearts. Former Superintendent of the Kansas Old Soldiers Home at Ft. Dodge, Stan has 42 years experience speaking and teaching genealogy and American History. His primary focus has been on U.S. Civil War history and the U.S. westward expansion.

The public is invited to attend this program. There will be time for questions and answers and refreshments will be served. For more information contact KGS at 620-225-1951, Tuesday through Friday, 1:30 to 5 PM.

MHGS Announces Programs

January 2012
"Party Lines, Smudge Pots and LP Records --- Stepping Back in Time" presented by Annette Schmidt, MHGS Recording Secretary and Board Member
Saturday, January 28 at 10:00 a.m. at Midwest.
In the first month of the new year, it's the perfect time to reflect and wax nostalgic about the "good old days." Join Annette for a lively interactive discussion involving some of our fondest, most foolish and funniest memories from the past. It's pop culture gone retro!

February 2012
"Evaluating Sources" presented by Margaret Lucas, MHGS Librarian and Board Member
Saturday, Feb 11 at 1:00 p.m. at Midwest.
It's going to be more than just a discussion on primary and secondary sources, but also on evaluating sources, finding out how to determine the difference between information, knowledge and sources; the difference between a theory and proof of that theory; justifying a conclusion based upon indirect or conflicting evidence; how to intelligently argue with pieces of information--that is, looking for inherent flaws, biases, and contradictions.

March 2012
Before there was a Sedgwick County, before there was a Wichita, there was a First Presbyterian Church… "Preserving History Through Its Archives" with Gary Huffman, Archivist at First Presbyterian Church
Saturday, March 3 --- exact time to be announced at later date --- will meet at the First Presbyterian Church, 525 North Broadway Street.
The history of First Presbyterian Church is interwoven with the history of the county and the city. Many of the early church members were movers and shakers in the community. Come visit so you can share in a rich community resource.

Celebrate Family History Month

Celebrate Family History Month with Midwest Historical & Genealogical Society and All of Its Partners

What do you get when you combine genealogy, trolley rides, and partnerships? An absolutely delightful day of fun and discovery on Saturday, October 22nd!

"Ride to the Past" will get you to places you might never have been. Not only does October Jubilee promise to be a great day at Midwest by shopping the used book sale, seeing the display of vintage bikes from the Coasters Bicycle Club, and learning about our latest and greatest collection being unveiled at the library, you can also hop aboard a River City Trolley that will stop at the Kansas African American Museum and the Genealogy Department at the downtown public library, just across the street from the Wichita-Sedgwick County Museum.

Being underwritten by the Wichita Genealogical Society, the trolley will run in a loop from Midwest to the Kansas African American Museum and then on to the downtown Wichita Public Library and its Genealogy Department (downstairs) before it loops back to Midwest and begins all over again. WGS's Trolley Tour called "Ride to the Past" is offered FREE of charge for 2 1/2 hours starting at 1:00 from Midwest.

Both the Kansas African American Museum and the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum are waiving admission prices for those entering with trolley tour stickers which will be issued when you step aboard. Our friends from WGS have a special afternoon planned in the Genealogy Department at the library with special exhibits on display along with family history packets and tours. So stop along the way and enjoy yourself!

Start your day early at Midwest, grab a bite to eat (we hope to have a vendor on site), and then in the afternoon hop aboard the trolley. Celebrate Family History Month in a way that's never been offered before!

Tartan Day Video

There is a video of Dr. Frank Maurer's Tartan Day presentation at Midwest Historical and Genealogical Society at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmlXf1B10VE

Frank Maurer & the Tartan Stone

Frank Maurer, Californian, using only a mallet and chisel, has hand carved a Stone native to each state (in Kansas, that would be limestone) and presents it in a special ceremony. Frank will be at Midwest Historical & Genealogical Society, 1203 North Main, Wichita, KS to hold this ceremony for Kansas on August 14 at 11:00 a.m.
During the ceremony he covers some of his personal life history, his Scottish genealogy, his DNA history and the history and future development of the Tartan Day celebrations. The Stone will contain engravings of all eight official state symbols, the words "Tartan Day" and other carvings specific to Kansas.
The ceremony will take place outdoors in order for the Caledonian Pipes and Drums to have room to march and play in honor of Scottish history. A short reception will be held after the presentation in the main room of the library. All are welcome.

KCGS Annual Meeting and Conference 2011

Kansas Council of Genealogical Societies will hold it's annual meeting and conference June 18, 2011, with Riley County Genealogical Society as the co-host, in Manhattan, KS. The featured speaker will be Anne Staley, Jacksville, Florida.

Bus Trip to Oklahoma Historical Society

August 2, 2010 - Midwest Historical and Genealogical Society plans a bus trip to Oklahoma City - Oklahoma Historical Society. Leave MHGS Library at 7AM, Arrive Oklahoma Historical Society at 10AM, Leave Oklahoma Historical Society at 5PM, Dinner TBD, Return to MHGS Library approximately 9:30 PM. Contact Sara Jones at 264-3611 for more information.

Veritage Car Show

Sending A Special Invitation Your Way!
Midwest Historical and Genealogical Society announces its Julyapalooza 2010 — A Read, White and Blue Event on Saturday, July 10th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 1203 North Main in Wichita. A select display of antique and vintage cars will be featured along with food,fun, and an interesting array of genealogical books and materials we've never offered before for sale as well as tours of Midwest's own library. Julyapalooza is a first-ever, don't-miss, bring-the-entire-family event open to the public at large — but the welcome mat is especially out for you as our member. There is no admission fee and ample on-street parking is available. Drawings will be held at noon, 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. Keep July sizzling by getting out and extending your celebration of fun, food, and wholesome family fare at Midwest. The more, the merrier, so please join us on Saturday, July the 10th!

Atchinson County Genealogical Society

MEET THE AUTHORS, SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2009, ATCHISON LIBRARY: CAROL AYERS, 9:30 A.M. - "LINCOLN IN KANSAS". BILL MCFARLAND, 10:30 A.M. "KEEP THE FLAG TO THE FRONT"
“Lincoln in Kansas” is the story of Lincoln’s historic campaign stop in northeast Kansas where he tweaked his famous Cooper Union Address along this particular leg of the presidential campaign. Ayers is a Leavenworth resident and based her research from a rare document collection archived at the University of St. Mary.
“Keep the Flag to the Front” is the story of the Eight Kansas Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War, traveled 10,750 miles, participated in 17 battles and was the last Kansas regiment to be discharged after the war. McFarland has taught in the public school system for over 30 years has been a Civil War reenactor for more than 15 years.
REGISTRATION 9:00. THE PROGRAM IS FREE TO THE PUBLIC with REFRESHMENTS and DOOR PRIZES

Did Granny Tell You There Was an Indian in Your Past?

Family History Month Seminar by Robert Winter Owl Vann, Genealogical Lecturer and Native American Storyteller with session topics: Climbing the Family Totem Pole, Geographical Migrations of Native Americans, Government Records for Indian Research and Methods of Organization and Records Management. (Sessions are intended for beginning genealogists and those just starting their Native American Research.
Active in genealogical research since 1963, Robert Winter Owl Vann has taught genealogy classes to church groups as well as adult Community Extension classes through Sam Houston State University. He is an LDS Family History Center Associate Director, a Beta tester for the new familysearch.com program, a family Church Services Missionary, and is the current President of the Walker County (AL) Genealogy Society.
Mr. Vann has national experience as a Native American Historian and Storyteller, and regularly does workshops and lectures on things Cherokee. His three-issue article on Cherokee research was published in the Valley Leaves Quarterly of the Tennessee Valley Genealogical Society.
Join Midwest Historical and Genealogical Society on Saturday, October 11, 2008 from 8:15 AM to 4:30 PM at the Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex at Wichita State University, 5015 East 29th Street N, Wichita, KS. Reservations made by September 30 will include a box lunch at no additional charge. $25 for MHGS members, $35 for non-members. For reservation contact MHGS at 316 264-3611 or by e-mail.
Funded in part by a grant from the City of Wichita.

Reno County Genealogical Society

Reno County Genealogical Society invites you to join them for their
June program, "Through The Eyes of Young Pioneers",  June 16,
2008 at the Hutchinson Public Library,  901 N. Main Street.
Among many of the thousands of homesteaders and town builders
in the19th century Kansas were children and teenagers who
recorded their experiences. Using diaries, letters, and reminiscences,
this program considers the land, people, towns, and daily life as seen
through the eyes of the young.

Provided by the Kansas Humanities Council
Presented by Marilyn J. Holt

Reno County Genealogical Society
P. O. Box 5
Hutchinson, KS 67504-0005

Topeka Genealogical Society Brings Megan Smolenyak to Kansas

Topeka Genealogical Society will hold their annual conference on Saturday, April 26, 2008 at the Kansas State History Center, 6425 SW Sixth Street, Topeka, Kansas. This conference will be co-hosted by the Kansas State Historical Society and the hosts are pleased to announce that the guest speaker will be Megan Smolenyak. She will make four presentations during the conference: "Trace Your Roots with DNA", "Beyond Y-DNA: Your Genetic Genealogy Options", "Building a Village-Based Community", 'Reverse Genealogy: Techniques for Finding Your Lost Loved Ones".

Megan Smolenyak, author of Honoring Our Ancestors: Inspiring Stories of the Quest for Our Roots, In Search of Our Ancestors: 101 Inspiring Stories of Serendipity and Connection in Rediscovering Our Family History, and They Came to America: Finding Your Immigrant Ancestors has been an avid genealogist since the 6th grade and is skilled in many aspects of family history research. Megan is co-founder of Roots Television, a pioneering and popular online channel of genealogy and history-oriented programming. Her latest book, Trace Your Roots with DNA: Using Genetic Tests to Explore Your Family Tree, is co-authored with Ann Turner, MD, has been featured in Newsweek, The New York Times, on NPR, and in the Book of the Month Club.

For registration information visit the TGS web site .

Placing Out: The Orphan Trains

An encore broadcast of its most recent historical documentary, "Placing Out: The Orphan Trains," will be on Smoky Hills Public Television on Thursday, Nov. 29, at 7:00 p.m.

Among those interviewed for the documentary were actual orphan train rider Ann Harrison, Lincoln, NB, and rider descendants Francis Schippers, Hays; Doloris Pfeifer Pederson, Russell; Walter Straub and Kevin Lockwood, both of Great Bend; and Sharla Thill, Ellinwood.

Between 1854 and 1929 an estimated 200,000 orphaned, abandoned and homeless children, primarily from cities in the East, were put on trains headed for the Midwest in hopes of finding new homes.