KCGS Annual Meeting and Conference

June 23, 2012

2012 KCGS Annual Meeting and Conference will be June 23, 2012, in the Kanza Room of the Memorial Union at Emporia State University, co-hosted by Flint Hills Genealogical Society.
Our Speaker will be Julie Miller of Colorado. She will present the following lectures:
The 5 Steps of Genealogical Proof
Make the Census Work for You
When Grandpa Went Off to War: U.S. Military Records
An Ounce of Prevention: Making a Genealogical Disaster Plan

Registration and additional information

1940 Census

Kansas was among the first five states to have the images of the 1940 census released on April 2, 2012. By 5:00 p.m. that day the indexing began and has continued relentlessly. It is now nearly 5:00 a.m. on April 5 and we have completed the indexing of 15% of the images. Thanks to all who are helping with the project. Take time to browse for your family but keep up the excellent work on the Indexing Project! Get all of your friends involved by having them create an account at https://indexing.familysearch.org/newuser/nuhome.jsf?3.12.12 and selecting Kansas Council of Genealogical Societies as their choice in the "group list".

1940 Federal Census Release

Word was received this morning by Kansas Council of Genealogical Societies that the imagines for the Kansas census would be among the first five states to be uploaded. That means that indexing can begin either late Monday or early Tuesday. If you haven't already singed up please go immediately to https://the1940census.com/?cid=fsHomeT1940Plt and create an account, list Kansas as your favorite state to index, then download the free software that will be used for indexing. In your profile select Kansas Council of Genealogical Societies as your group.

Indexing is quit simple and can be done in the comfort of your own home, day or night. You can do as much or as little as you desire and no one will say anything regarding your choices. The index you submit will be proof read by a second individual and even a third if necessary. If you can't read the hand writing you simply send that image back stating it is unreadable.

Volume 28 Kansas Forgotten Settlers

Kansas Council of Genealogical Societies, Inc. has announced the release of Volume 28 of Kansas Forgotten Settlers. You can find the index on line at http://skyways.lib.ks.us/genweb/kcgs/FS26%20A-E.htm. Check it out and order your copy today!
Applications are also available on line and KCGS would welcome your submission.

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.

1940 Federal Census

You have, no doubt, heard by now that the 1940 Federal Census will be released by the NARA on April 2, 2012. The digitized images will be available immediately after and indexing will start as the state images are put up. Kansas Council of Genealogical Societies has agreed to coordinate the indexing efforts of all Kansas enumeration districts. If every genealogist in Kansas were to index just one district and review one district Kansas could easily be the first state to have a completed index. Let's work toward that goal!

How many times in your research have you used "Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness" or ask that a photo be taken by a "Find-A-Grave" volunteer? Now is your chance to help out other researchers. Although the images are not yet available you can sign up to help by visiting https://www.familysearch.org/1940census and entering your name and e-mail and by placing Kansas in the box that says "Favorite State to Index".

Sign up now and be ready to start on the first day the Kansas images appear.

More information will be released in the following weeks by our state coordinator, Helen E. Bortz.

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.