News Summary
The Williamsburg Area Genealogical Society has grown to 53 members and is preparing to host a genealogical conference. Founded in 2019, the society originally started as a small gathering and has transitioned to virtual meetings, increasing participation significantly. The society offers research tips and support to a diverse membership and is committed to serving the community by providing resources for family history research.
Williamsburg – The Williamsburg Area Genealogical Society has experienced significant growth, increasing its membership to 53 individuals, and is set to host a one-day genealogical conference on September 20, 2024. The society, founded in the spring of 2019 by Debbie Misiag, originally began as a small gathering among classmates from a genealogy course at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at William & Mary.
Initially, meetings were held at Misiag’s dining room table and included small field trips to local resources such as the Family History Center in Toano and the Tidewater Genealogical Society. The pandemic necessitated a shift to virtual meetings, which significantly boosted participation, allowing the society’s membership to grow from 12 to 25 members. As in-person meetings resumed, the group reached its current membership of 53—outgrowing the facilities available at the Osher classroom.
Monthly meetings of the society now take place at the James City County branch of the Williamsburg Regional Library. Misiag, who has prior experience as the historian for the Williamsburg Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, aims to provide a supportive environment for members, who come from diverse backgrounds including newcomers to Williamsburg and those with deep-rooted ties to regions such as New England, Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia.
The society focuses on sharing research tips, project updates, and general support among its members. Each meeting is held on the second Wednesday of every month from September through May, featuring a guest speaker who specializes in family research alongside a member presenting a valuable research tip. Recent meeting topics have included the analysis of census records, using Excel for genealogical organization, as well as navigating popular genealogy websites like Ancestry and Family Search. Members are encouraged to collaborate and share their experiences in genealogical research.
Annual membership costs $30 and is open to anyone interested in genealogy. In 2024, the Williamsburg Area Genealogical Society became an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, further solidifying its commitment to serving the community. With Williamsburg lacking a dedicated historical or genealogical society compared to its neighboring counties, the organization aims to fill this gap, providing resources for individuals looking to research their family history in the area.
The society is not only focused on assisting members in their personal research but is also working towards responding to inquiries from visitors seeking access to local records. The upcoming genealogical conference scheduled for September 20, 2024, promises to deliver valuable information and skills for tracing lineage, with a lineup of speakers and workshops designed to enhance the genealogical knowledge of attendees. Additional details about the conference will be made available on the society’s website, wagsva.org.
As the Williamsburg Area Genealogical Society continues to expand and deepen its impact, it stands as a vital resource in the community for anyone interested in exploring their ancestry and understanding their heritage.
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Additional Resources
- WYD Article on Williamsburg Area Genealogical Society
- Wikipedia: Genealogy
- MassLive Article on Williamsburg Historical Society
- Google Search: genealogy resources
- Pilot Online Obituary of H. Scott Wagner
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Family History
- Dignity Memorial Obituary of William Beck
- Google News: Williamsburg genealogy
