Meeting Schedule

Morris Area Genealogy Society meetings are generally held the first Tuesday of the month, from September through May, at the Morris County Library, 30 East Hanover Ave., Whippany, NJ. Refreshments are served at 6:15; the program begins at 6:45. (Directions to the Library)
A list of our past monthly programs, since the startup of MAGS in 1988 through Feb 2024 can be found here.
In addition to its regular meetings, MAGS also sponsors Special Interest Groups. These SIG meetings are being held either in person or online via Zoom; please confirm on the Meetings>SIG page.

2025 - 2026 MEETING SCHEDULE

2 Sep 2025
Hybrid

City Directories: More Than a Listing of Names - by Sharon Hodges

For records that have been around since the late 1700s, city directories are one of the most overlooked resources by genealogists. These books tell a great deal about our past by including names and information about residents and businesses. With a city directory a genealogist can get a picture of a community, but there is so much more that can be learned beyond where someone lived between federal censuses. Discover what other hidden treasures can be found by using city directories!

A professional genealogist, teacher and lecturer, Sharon Hodges has been involved in genealogical research for over 30 years. She has written articles for the NGS Magazine and often been a guest on Tracing Your Family Roots. Sharon has lectured in New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia and at a host of national and local genealogical conferences. She’s a member of numerous genealogical societies. In her free time, she does genealogical research for clients, with specialties in New Jersey, Virginia, eastern Maryland, and Washington, D.C

7 Oct 2025
Hybrid

Making the Most of Indirect Evidence: Forming Sound Genealogical Conclusions - by Sydney F. Cruice

Many researchers miss clues and pieces of information that could allow them to discover family members and their relationship to other family members. In this program we will look at case studies in order to examine the more sophisticated issues of genealogical source evaluation. We will look at the research methods necessary to extract all the information contained in genealogical sources. We will explore how to assemble and combine pieces of information from various sources to form sound genealogical conclusions and maximize indirect evidence.

Sydney F. Cruice is a professional genealogist, writer, and national lecturer. She holds an MBA from Drexel University and a BA from Penn State. She’s the current president of the Association of Professional Genealogists in the Philadelphia Area, a genealogy advisor for the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and a faculty member and program coordinator of the Researching Family in Pennsylvania Institute in Philadelphia and is a mover and shaker in groups encouraging cooperation between genealogical and historical organizations in the greater Philadelphia area.

18 Nov 2025

Hybrid --
Note Date Change

Squeezing All the Facts Out of Your DNA Matches - by Kate Penney Howard

Near the top of your match list, you’ve got this mystery match that just might be the key to your research. The only problem is: they don’t have a visible tree and they didn’t respond to the message you sent two years ago. But that doesn’t mean that you should give up!

This presentation will give users of every skill level more tools to crack that difficult case. You’ll learn about strategies for logically approaching your search, what you can glean from your match’s profile, how free & paid resources can help you, and you’ll receive a research template that will help you ensure you have left no stone unturned.

Kate Penney Howard is a genetic genealogist and speaker specializing in endogamy and breaking down challenging research barriers with DNA. She brings decades of experience in family research and hundreds of successfully solved genetic genealogy cases.
Past speaking engagements include Roots Tech, East Coast Genetic Genealogy Conference, the International Congress on Medieval Studies, and Untangling Our Roots. She studied vocal music and earned a Master of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary. She has served as a pastor since her ordination in 2012.

2 Dec 2025

In Person

Annual Holiday Party. Members Only - Cancelled due to weather
Join in the fun! We will hear interesting stories from members.
You are invited to bring a holiday treat to share during this party.
Our "gift exchange" table will be available. All items will be raffled off.
We will be IN PERSON at the Morris County Library, 6:15 - 8:30 pm, large meeting room on the first floor.

6 Jan 2026
Zoom Only

Sanborn Maps for Genealogy - by Jeanette Sheliga

Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps for Genealogy – The Sanborn Map Company published many detailed maps of cities and towns around the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries. Using them, in conjunction with other sources, can help tell the stories of your ancestors and give you a picture of what their living conditions and communities were like during the time that they resided there.

A favorite presentation of Jeanette’s!

Jeanette Sheliga of Jeanette’s Genealogy lives in Lockport, NY and has been researching her family tree since 2002 and lecturing since 2011. She has had the privilege to speak for societies, libraries, and institutes and publish articles in various genealogy magazines. Jeanette is the President of the Virtual Genealogical Association (VGA) and holds leadership positions in local and national societies.

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.

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.

3 Mar 2026
ZOOM Only - Note Change due to weather

Basic Artificial Intelligence for Genealogy - by Casey Zahn

Everyone is talking about how they are using ChatGPT or Full Text and having hallucinations in their genealogical research. And you don’t have a clue about any of this! Or perhaps you hear AI and think that computers are controlling your work genealogical research!! Let’s learn about using AI in your genealogy projects and discover ways to help you find more about your families.

Catherine "Casey" Zahn is a retired teacher. Born in CT she began the Central Jersey Genealogical Club and was a past trustee for the Genealogical Society of New Jersey. She wrote two books on teaching children genealogy and served as the program chair for the Federation of Genealogical Societies Conference in Philadelphia. She often Speakes throughout the region for genealogical societies. Casey serves as a governor for the Connecticut Society of Genealogists, and is working on her New England, New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey roots.

7 Apr 2026
Hybrid

What's New in Family Tree Maker - by Mark Olsen

We will discuss Family Tree Maker, the latest version, updates, features and more. This is an interactive session. We love to see you and discuss all your Family Tree Maker questions. We will discuss the recent updates to FTM 2019, and the upcoming FTM 2024. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

We will also discuss Family Tree Maker partner products - Charting Companion and Family Book Creator - both are amazing plug-ins that can help you create incredible charts, graphs, and books.

This class is for all levels of genealogists whether you are just getting started or very experienced.

Mark Olsen is the Family Tree Maker Ambassador to historical and genealogical societies around the world working to support their members as they use Family Tree Maker. Mark is a graduate of Brigham Young University and holds a bachelor's degree in Family History with a Spanish records emphasis. He has been working in the genealogy industry since 2007 and has been the Family Tree Maker Ambassador since 2016.

5 May 2026
Hybrid

Tracing Your Revolutionary War Ancestors - by Lynne Skead

Explore practical strategies for uncovering your family’s Revolutionary War connections. This program introduces key resources for identifying your revolutionary war era ancestor, how to use muster rolls, service records, pension files, wills, census records and town records to illuminate their lives and service. The session also highlights research tools from the DAR and SAR, both active partners in America250, to support accurate lineage research and historical discovery.

Lynne Skead is an experienced genealogical researcher and has served as Registrar of the Hester Schuyler Colfax Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for thirteen years, assisting prospective members in documenting their Revolutionary War patriots. Her work centers on uncovering family histories, interpreting historical records, and bringing the stories of early American soldiers to life. She has led research and writing projects on Revolutionary War service, local history, and America250 initiatives. Her presentation offers practical, accessible strategies for tracing patriot ancestors and understanding the records of the late 1700s and early 1800s.

There are generally no meetings in June, July and August.