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 FTM 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.

Ancestor Short
Story Workshop

Bring your ancestor’s story to life!

This workshop is designed for anyone working on a short story about an ancestor. It’s not about fiction—it’s about turning real family history into meaningful narratives.

 What to Expect

There’s no set agenda — we’ll start with some light discussion and sharing to see where everyone is in their writing journey. We’ll touch on a few helpful resources and practical tips to get ideas flowing. Then it’s time to write, share, and encourage one another as we develop our ancestor stories together.

Open to All Writers of Family History

• BGS Members may choose to submit their finished story for possible inclusion in the upcoming BGS Publication—but there’s no requirement to do so.

• Non-members are warmly welcome too! The workshops are open to anyone who wants to write a short story about an ancestor.

Details

• Date & Time: Thursday, Jan 22 | 1:00–3:00 PM

• Location: BGS Library [MAP]

• Cost: Free for members and non-members alike

• What to Bring: Laptop, journal, or digital notebook. Wi-Fi and extension outlets will be available.

• Registration: Required
  (see the Ancestor Short Story Project page for details).

✨ Whether you’re polishing a story for publication or simply capturing family memories, this workshop is a welcoming space to explore, write, and connect.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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.

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. 

10 AM (Pacific Time) on Wednesday, February 18th, 2026  Hybrid- Zoom or in person at Williamson Hall.  (you are encouraged to come in person).  

Join our GERMAN Interest Group meeting:  The Bend Genealogical Society’s German Interest Group is meeting again in 2026.

The group focus is researching German ancestors in Europe and the US. The group welcomes anyone with an interest in Germanic Ancestors, including those in current German borders, Swiss, Bohemia, Moravia, Austria, Poland, Hungry and Russia.

Three meetings are planned: Feb 18th, Mar 18th, and Apr 15th.  The group will be led by BGS member Jim Kleinschmidt.

The 1st meeting topic:  Germanic People's History (Prehistory to 1950) - This will be a presentation by our group coordinator, James Kleinschmidt.  Focusing on the History of the Germanic People This is intended to provide a perspective on how your Germanic Ancestors lived prior to emigration, their emigration and and history until 1950. 

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.

10 AM (Pacific Time) on Wednesday, March18th, 2026  Hybrid- Zoom or in person at Williamson Hall.  (you are encouraged to come in person).  

Join our GERMAN Interest Group meeting:  The Bend Genealogical Society’s German Interest Group is meeting again in 2026.

The group focus is researching German ancestors in Europe and the US. The group welcomes anyone with an interest in Germanic Ancestors, including those in current German borders, Swiss, Bohemia, Moravia, Austria, Poland, Hungry and Russia.

Three meetings are planned for 2026: Feb 18th, Mar 18th, & Apr 15th.    The group will be led by BGS member Jim Kleinschmidt.

The 2nd meeting topic:   A Tale of Two Emigrations-This is a personal story of the group coordinator’s (Jim Kleinschmidt) maternal family history (Langer). This story traces their first  emigration from Franconia to Northeast Bohemia (Czechia) and their subsequent emigration to the United States (in particular, Wisconsin and Minnesota). The presentation will include not only the history, but sources, websites, references, and techniques used to construct this history and that you might also use to track your family's emigration.

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.

10 AM (Pacific Time) on Wednesday, April15th, 2026  Hybrid- Zoom or in person at Williamson Hall.  (you are encouraged to come in person).  

Join our GERMAN Interest Group meeting:  The Bend Genealogical Society’s German Interest Group is meeting again in 2026.

The group focus is researching German ancestors in Europe and the US. The group welcomes anyone with an interest in Germanic Ancestors, including those in current German borders, Swiss, Bohemia, Moravia, Austria, Poland, Hungry and Russia.

Three meetings are planned for 2026: Feb 18th, Mar 18th, & Apr 15th.    The group will be led by BGS member Jim Kleinschmidt.

The 3rd meeting topic:   The Fate of Those Who Remained in Europe (1914-Present) This presentation will focus on the fate of emigrant families’ relatives who remained in Europe during and after World War I. Most emigration stopped prior toWorld War I. This presentation will focus on the coodinator’s (Jim Kleinschmidt) specific relatives experiences as well as the overall general experiences of Germanic people remaining through Europe.

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.

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.

Experienced & Independent

Researchers Welcome!