Bend Genealogical Society upcoming events

Open Lab & Keep Researching (11 Jul 2026)

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Because the 1st Saturday is July 4th, the FREE, in-person Genealogy Open Lab, will be combined with Keep Researching and both will occur on Saturday, July 11th.

The Lab or Keep Researching is dedicated genealogy research time without the distractions at home. Research on your own, or if you have questions about a research problem, BGS volunteers are nearby to help.

Bring your laptop or other device to use for research; WiFi is available. Since Keep Researching is usually from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, only on July 11th, you can come anytime from 10 AM & 2:30 PM. Research the entire time, or arrive and leave when you need to.

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

Open Lab for Genealogy (1 Aug 2026)

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 17:00:00 GMT

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 Yes to RSVP, so we know to expect you.

Keep Researching (15 Aug 2026)

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 19:30:00 GMT

Experienced & Independent

Researchers Welcome!

You are invited to Williamson Hall on the 3rd Saturday of the month, from 12:30 to 2:30 PM, where you can work on your family history with others who are researching, too.

We often put off researching due to the hectic nature of life. At Keep Researching, you can dedicate 2 hours a month to join other genealogists for undisturbed research time. If you have a specific problem finding information about an ancestor or using a website, you can ask the group for advice. Try some new ideas and perhaps break through a brick wall.

Bring your laptop or other device and work on your tree or build a research plan! Come and attend Keep Researching, away from distractions at home.

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.

Open Lab for Genealogy (5 Sep 2026)

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 17:00:00 GMT

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

Hidden Treasures: Unleashing the Full Potential of FamilySearch's Catalog (8 Sep 2026)

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Hidden Treasures: Unleashing the Full Potential of FamilySearch's Catalog

This presentation will guide you through advanced search techniques and new features within FamilySearch’s newly released Catalog, revealing how to uncover rare documents, records, and resources that can transform your genealogical research. Discover how to navigate this powerful tool to find those elusive family connections and hidden gems in your family tree.

Jamie Lee McManus Mayhew is a California native with deep southern roots, a speaker, family genealogist, genealogical educator, occasional blogger, and professional researcher. She is active in numerous societies and organizations, currently serving as the president of the APG Writers SIG and a director of both the Genealogical Speakers Guild, and the Utah Genealogical Society. She is currently the Director of the Oakhurst, California FamilySearch Center. She holds a BA in sociology, an MA in Educational Technology, and a Professional Learning Certificate in Genealogical Studies (PLCGS).

Registration required to receive the Zoom link.

Keep Researching (19 Sep 2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 19:30:00 GMT

Experienced & Independent

Researchers Welcome!

You are invited to Williamson Hall on the 3rd Saturday of the month, from 12:30 to 2:30 PM, where you can work on your family history with others who are researching, too.

Bring your laptop or other device and work on your tree or build a research plan! Come and attend Keep Researching, away from distractions at home.

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.

Open Lab for Genealogy (3 Oct 2026)

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

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

Finding and Using Obituaries More Effectively: 10 Strategies (13 Oct 2026)

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Finding And Using Obituaries More Effectively: 10 Strategies

Obituaries can help you reconstruct families and find missing relatives, whether you’re doing genealogy or building trees for DNA matches. Learn from actual case studies a full range of strategies for finding obituaries from different time periods. (This includes today: we’ll talk about finding online-only obituary content and understanding differences between original postings and aggregator websites.) Learn a trick for finding citations for unidentified news clippings. You’ve never seen obituary-finding treated with this kind of depth and detail!

Sunny Jane Morton is author of the new book Searching for Sisters: A Guide to Researching Catholic Nuns in the United States; co-author of the award-winning volume How to Find Your Family History in U.S. Church Records; and an instructor at GRIP Genealogy Institute. She is Editor of NGS Magazine; Contributing Editor at Family Tree Magazine, and past Editor of Ohio Genealogy News. Find her at www.sunnymorton.com.

Registration required to receive the Zoom link.

Keep Researching (17 Oct 2026)

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 19:30:00 GMT

Experienced & Independent

Researchers Welcome!

You are invited to Williamson Hall on the 3rd Saturday of the month, from 12:30 to 2:30 PM, where you can work on your family history with others who are researching, too.

Bring your laptop or other device and work on your tree or build a research plan! Come and attend Keep Researching, away from distractions at home.

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.