Learn Family Tree Maker (FTM): Genealogy Program
for Windows and Mac

ZOOM-only & FREE for everyone

Join the FTM Interest Group, facilitated by Sue Dolezal, to learn about using the features of FTM in the most effective ways, and discover the additions and improvements in version 2024.   

While the group will use the free, online FTM Companion Guide as a study guide for the sessions, your comments, questions, and tips will make the interest group a lively workshop experience for everyone.

Click here to  view the FTM webpage in the Events section of the BGS website. The plan right now is for the group to meet every other month through May.

The Zoom meeting will be open at 5:45 PM for extra chatting time before the official start at 6 PM. Join early, if you are available.

Registration is required to receive the link to join the Zoom meeting.

OPEN HOUSE—BRING YOUR QUESTIONS
It's a new program year!

Experienced & Independent

Researchers Welcome! 

Ancestor Short Story Project - Orientation & Writing Workshop

The Project begins with an orientation program from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM on Thursday, Sep 25th, at the BGS Library in Williamson Hall (in-person only).

Get started with Kelly McCray introducing the Ancestor Short Story Project, including guidelines and available resources. Following the introduction is Short Story Writing with Pat Kliewer, who will instruct about writing specifically for this genealogical project.

Review the Ancestor Short Story Project webpage for more information.

Optional—bring your laptop (WiFi available). This program is FREE and registration is required.

If you are a member and are unable to attend this orientation and would still like to participate and/or submit a short story for a BGS Newsletter and future publication, please contact Kelly at distantvoicesnl@gmail.com.

On the 1st Saturday of the month, BGS regularly hosts a FREE, in-person Genealogy Open Lab. The Lab is dedicated genealogy research time without the distractions at home. Research on your own, or if you have questions about a research problem, the Open Lab volunteers or other participants are nearby to offer assistance.

There is not a program presentation at the Open Lab. Bring your laptop or other device to use for research; WiFi is available. Come once, or come every 1st Saturday. The BGS Library is open, too, from 10 AM to 2:00 PM.

The public is invited to the Open Lab. If you are interested in starting your family tree, come to the Lab. We can help your find you first ancestor and assist you in beginning to research your family history. 

Location: Williamson Hall, 2200 NE Hwy 20, Bend, 97701. Click here for a map to see the Hall's location. Thank you for clicking Register to RSVP, so we know to expect you.

     FamilySearch is a massive website made up of
many dozens of different research tools for:

AND ALL OF THIS IS FREE FOR EVERYONE TO USE!
We will explore each of the features that FamilySearch offers,
and we will focus on how to dig through the site from a variety of entry points.

Cyndi Ingle, a genealogist for more than 45 years, is the creator  of CyndisList.com and the author of numerous articles and three books. Cyndi is an expert in using technology for genealogy, research in the United States, and organizational methodology. She is the Executive Director for the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research.

HARVEST & HALLOWEEN FUN!

Experienced & Independent

Researchers Welcome! 

On the 1st Saturday of the month, BGS regularly hosts a FREE, in-person Genealogy Open Lab. The Lab is dedicated genealogy research time without the distractions at home. Research on your own, or if you have questions about a research problem, the Open Lab volunteers or other participants are nearby to offer assistance.

There is not a program presentation at the Open Lab. Bring your laptop or other device to use for research; WiFi is available. Come once, or come every 1st Saturday. The BGS Library is open, too, from 10 AM to 2:00 PM.

The public is invited to the Open Lab. If you are interested in starting your family tree, come to the Lab. We can help your find you first ancestor and assist you in beginning to research your family history. 

Location: Williamson Hall, 2200 NE Hwy 20, Bend, 97701. Click here for a map to see the Hall's location. Thank you for clicking Register to RSVP, so we know to expect you.

• MEET PERSI AND DISCOVER TREASURES IN GENEALOGY PERIODICALS
• You may be missing out on 30% of genealogy discoveries if you’re not digging into history and genealogy newsletters, journals and magazines. Biographical profiles, stories about ancestral churches or schools, how-to tips for researching a locale, indexes and transcripts of local records are all among those treasures. Learn to find and access this content using PERSI, the Periodical Source Index. Let Sunny show you how to navigate PERSI on the FREE Allen County Public Library website portal and hear success stories that can inspire your own foray into periodical research.

Sunny Jane Morton is a Contributing Editor at Family Tree Magazine and the  Content Director at YourDNAGuide.com. She is co-author of How to Find Your Family History in U.S. Church Records, co-authored with Harold Henderson, which received a book award from the National Genealogical Society. Her other book, Story of My Life: A Workbook for Preserving Your Legacy, is now in its 2nd edition. Her forthcoming book is a guide to the archives of Catholic nuns and sisters. She has been an instructor for GRIP Genealogy Institute and the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy.

Experienced & Independent

Researchers Welcome! 

Learn Family Tree Maker (FTM): Genealogy Program
for Windows and Mac

ZOOM-only & FREE for everyone

Join the FTM Interest Group, facilitated by Sue Dolezal, to learn about using the features of FTM in the most effective ways, and discover the additions and improvements in version 2024.   

While the group will use the free, online FTM Companion Guide as a study guide for the sessions, your comments, questions, and tips will make the interest group a lively workshop experience for everyone.

Click here to  view the FTM webpage in the Events section of the BGS website. The plan right now is for the group to meet every other month through May.

The Zoom meeting will be open at 5:45 PM for extra chatting time before the official start at 6 PM. Join early, if you are available.

Registration is required to receive the link to join the Zoom meeting.

On the 1st Saturday of the month, BGS regularly hosts a FREE, in-person Genealogy Open Lab. The Lab is dedicated genealogy research time without the distractions at home. Research on your own, or if you have questions about a research problem, the Open Lab volunteers or other participants are nearby to offer assistance.

There is not a program presentation at the Open Lab. Bring your laptop or other device to use for research; WiFi is available. Come once, or come every 1st Saturday. The BGS Library is open, too, from 10 AM to 2:00 PM.

The public is invited to the Open Lab. If you are interested in starting your family tree, come to the Lab. We can help your find you first ancestor and assist you in beginning to research your family history. 

Location: Williamson Hall, 2200 NE Hwy 20, Bend, 97701. Click here for a map to see the Hall's location. Thank you for clicking Register to RSVP, so we know to expect you.

This year's Holiday Potluck and Celebration is at Williamson Hall on  Tuesday, December 9 beginning at 10:00 AM. It's time to celebrate genealogy and share a meal together!  Feel free to bring a guest.  Bring cash or your checkbook to pay for your Silent Auction purchases.

The program is members of our Ancestor Short Story Project sharing part of their written short story. These stories have been submitted to our own Kelly McCray who is also BGS's Newsletter Editor. For timely reasons, folks will share part of their story with you.

Silent Auction: This is a fundraiser for BGS, please bring new or gently used items to donate to the auction. Anything you like. Some suggestions are a Christmas ornament, houseplant/planter/vase, figurine, bottle of wine, book, or offer your services for IT help, genealogy research or other special skill. Bidding occurs throughout the morning. Pay for your purchases before you leave. If your item doesn't sell, please take it home with you. 

Potluck (after the Sharing Time):  Everyone brings one or more dishes to put on the potluck table to share. Bring whatever you would like, such as an appetizer, main dish, salad, side dish, pizza, vegetable tray, dessert, or anything else to share with friends.

BGS provides: Coffee, tea, water and all tableware, salt/pepper, etc. The Hall’s kitchen has a refrigerator, stove, a small microwave, and there are outlets for crock pots.

HELP!  We need help with set-up and take-down for the potluck. Tables/chairs and decoration set-up will start on Monday afternoon at 1:00 PM. Then, on Tuesday morning, we’ll be brewing coffee, etc. If you can help with set-up and/or clean-up, please email: info@bendgenealogy.org or call BGS at 541-317-9553.

Experienced & Independent

Researchers Welcome! 

“Naturalization And Citizenship”

Naturalization is the process by which an alien becomes an American citizen. These records can provide a researcher with valuable information such as an ancestor’s person's birth date, birth location in the old country, occupation, immigration year, marital status, spouse information, witnesses' names and addresses. Naturalization and the individual steps to citizenship could be done at any “court of record”.

Learn more about Naturalization and Citizenship with Christine Cohen!

Christine Cohen is active in the Whittier Area Genealogical Society and also belongs to the Tualatin Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Society of Daughters of Holland Dames, and the Association of Professional Genealogists. Her passion for genealogy started in 1977 after watching "Roots" and receiving a pedigree chart detailing her Dutch ancestry from New Netherlands in the 1650s. She recently retired to focus full time on genealogy.

Experienced & Independent

Researchers Welcome! 

10 AM (Pacific Time), Tues, February 10 - Zoom Only

Let Tech Work for You:

Harnessing the Power

of Apps and Tools

 with Kate Penny Howard  

Are you encumbered with boxes of papers left to you by dear Aunt Madge?  Have your grandchildren shown interest in your research, but they want to see information on their phones?  Do you struggle with filling in the rest of the story ("the dash") between a person's birth and death?  Not sure you're ready to trade in your pencil for a stylus, but you want to know more?  This class is for you!

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.

Known for her compassionate approach, Kate helps clients uncover ancestral mysteries while providing them with more complete family medical histories and a stronger sense of identity. Her presentations captivate audiences by seamlessly blending historical context, technical guidance, and well-placed humor that keeps listeners engaged. 

Experienced & Independent

Researchers Welcome! 

Experienced & Independent

Researchers Welcome! 

Experienced & Independent

Researchers Welcome! 

Experienced & Independent

Researchers Welcome! 

Experienced & Independent

Researchers Welcome!