WELCOME 
The Morris Area Genealogy Society (MAGS) provides a lively forum for resource sharing, mutual assistance, and instruction for those interested in family history and genealogy. Beginners as well as more experienced genealogists profit from monthly lectures on topics relating to genealogy. 

Since our origin in 1988 at the Joint Free Public Library of Morristown and Morris Township, our Society has grown and we now meet at the Morris County Library (MCL)*, 30 East Hanover Ave., Whippany, NJ on the first Tuesday evening of the month, unless otherwise noted on the meeting schedule. Visitors are welcome at our monthly meetings. Refreshments are served at 6:15; the program runs from 6:45 - 8:15 pm.

If a monthly meeting needs to be cancelled, every effort is made by the MAGS Board to notify the Morris County Library before 3 pm, with a cancellation notification posted on this page of this website. When in doubt, please call the Morris County Library directly.

The Morris County Library meeting rooms are open.  We are making every effort to run our monthly general meetings both in person and via Zoom. See below for the latest scheduled meeting.

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

​Among the benefits of membership are a subscription to the quarterly Morris Area Genealogy Society Newsletter and participation in our MAGS Special Interest Groups (SIGs). A MAGS SIG is a smaller group within the larger organization (MAGS) with a shared interest in a specific area; it focuses on particular challenges and topics such as research strategies in a smaller, less formal setting.  SIGs can provide individual help on your genealogy research. Go to our Special Interest Group page for more information.

Our newest benefit of membership is access to our private MAGS Presentation Website where recordings of most of our prior general monthly meetings are available. Click here for direct access to this website.
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Members are encouraged to volunteer their time and share their expertise by serving on committees.

*Directions to the Library. Telephone number: 973-285-6930.
​​The Morris County Library (MCL) meeting rooms have been reopened. 
Check individual SIGs to see when how they are meeting.
  • MONTHLY GENERAL MEETINGS -  in person at MCL; most will also be Zoom (hybrid) meetings to accommodate members who live far away.  
  • ​ BEGINNERS AND BEYOND SIG - in person - open to non-MAGS members also
  •  BRICK WALLS SIG -  in person
  •  DNA SIG - in person 
  • COMPUTER GENEALOGY AND FAMILY HISTORY WRITING SIG - Zoom only
     SIG members should watch their email for notices.   

If you are a MAGS member and are interested in joining a SIG, send an email to: 
               [email protected] 
and advise what SIG(s) you wish to participate in.  ​

​MAGS - UPCOMING MEETING

​If you are not a MAGS member and are interested in attending this free meeting via Zoom, please send an email one week before the meeting date to [email protected] .​  
3 Feb 2026
Zoom ONLY
​​Breathe Life into Your Genealogy with the Power of Story - by William E. "Bill" Cole
​Have you shared your genealogical research findings’ excitement and observed glazed-over eyes? Unfortunately, that happens more than we care to admit. Even though our research contains facts and dates, its real value is passing along the stories of our ancestors’ lives! That is precisely why storytelling is such an important genealogical skill. It is vital to engage your audience.
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To get others interested in the field or specifically in your genealogy, this presentation introduces an easy-to-use five-part checklist. It helps you uncover, craft, and deliver powerful stories that impact and delight others as you breathe life into your genealogy with the power of story.

Bill Cole’s passion for genealogy and family history began at an early age. Born on his grandfather Cole’s 78th birthday, he has vigorously pursued his family history since 1980. Bill has uncovered two ancestors born at sea, a shipwrecked rogue who survived Jamestown, two Mayflower passengers, one Mayflower Adventurer, multiple Revolutionary War patriots on both sides, and other fascinating characters – including one involved in a California stagecoach robbery.

Bill is a member of the Mayflower Society, American Ancestors, Downey Historical Society, North Carolina’s Surry County Genealogical Society, and the Sacramento German Genealogical Society where he served six years as vice president. He also co-chaired the International German Genealogy Conferences held in Minneapolis in 2017 and in Sacramento in 2019. In business, Bill Cole is an internationally respected trainer, keynote speaker and executive coach. His presentations have taken him to North, Central, and South America, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and England.
Website last updated: 2026 January 24
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MAGS  Presentation Website
Morris Area Genealogy Society in New Jersey or MAGS


Membership access to private MAGS Presentation Website
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        This site may be linked to but not duplicated without the specific permission of Morris Area Genealogy Society [email:[email protected]].  It is permissible to print or save files for personal use only.