Just like Show and Tell in grade school, everyone will
have 2 to 3 minutes to "show" and "tell' about that
genealogy gem that still makes you smile, warms your
heart, and gets you pumped up to research some more.
If you prefer to just listen and be inspired, that's okay too.
We're excited to introduce Vibrant Coffeehouse + Kitchen as our promotion partner for this event. Come and enjoy coffee and cookies courtesy of Vibrant!
Vibrant is located one block west of IGS at 520 E Grand Ave.
Saturday, August 2
Military Research Primer (Classes)
10:00 am to 11:30 pm
Hybrid - In person OR Zoom (your choice)
Did your ancestor serve in the United States military? If the answer is “Yes” or “I’m not sure”, this class might be for you. Ever wonder how to find out about your ancestor’s military service or just find out if he served? If “Yes”, then this class might be for you.
This class is meant to help people understand what types of military records exist, the information they contain, where they can be found, and how they might be of use in your genealogy. It also provides a handy checklist that can be used to help you determine if your ancestor might have participated in a war or conflict.
Instructor: Carla Anders
Carla Anders is from Warren County and is a retired Web Developer. She has been a long-time member of IGS who has served on the board and currently serves as a member of the Education Committee. Carla began researching her family history in 1977 and began Genetic Genealogy research (DNA testing) in 2010.
Location: Hybrid - In person OR Zoom (your choice)
In-Person at the Iowa Genealogical Society Library 628 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA Free Parking Available | Open to the Public | No Registration Required
Ready to dig into your family history? Whether you're just getting started or need a refresher, the Iowa Genealogical Society is here to help!
Join us for a free introductory class that covers the basics of genealogical research.
Private Tour of Woodland Cemetery, Followed by lunch at Noah's Ark (Events)
9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Woodland Cemetery, Des Moines, Iowa
Join us for an exclusive IGS members-only event featuring a private tour of Woodland Cemetery with historian Archie Cook on Saturday, September 20, from 9 AM to 1 PM. Explore the rich history of Des Moines’ historic Woodland Cemetery and learn about its notable figures during this guided tour. Afterward, we’ll gather for a social lunch at Noah’s Ark Restaurant—a perfect opportunity to connect and reflect on the experience. Save the date! More details on registration will be available soon.
Saturday, October 18
Archives Across America: Unlocking National and Midwest Genealogy Resources (Conferences)
9:00 am
In person at the IGS Library OR Zoom (your choice)
About the Conference:
Join us for a day of expert-led sessions exploring some of the most valuable genealogy resources across the United States and Midwest. Whether you're digging into military records, uncovering treasures at the Library of Congress, or tapping into Midwest repositories, this conference is packed with tips, strategies, and new discoveries for your family history research.
Session covered will include:
Family History Resources from the Library of Congress
Spirit of St. Louis: Military & Civilian Records at the National Personnel Records Center
Military Records at the US National Archives
Unlocking the Treasures Within Midwest Archives and Repositories
Click on the LEARN MORE button (below) for more details about these sessions.
Speaker:
Tina Beaird
Owner of Tamarack Genealogy and Genealogy & Local History Librarian in the Chicagoland area. Tina holds a Master’s in Library and Information Science specializing in Archives/Preservation, and has won multiple grants for historic preservation and digitization projects.
Event Details
Cost: $70 for IGS Members, $90 Non-Members
Attendance: Attend the conference in person or via Zoom
Lunch: TBD
Pre-Conference Research: The library will be open Friday, October 17 until 7:00 PM for your own research. Indicate if you're interest in participating when you register.
The fun begins at 4 pm at the library and wraps up at 6 am. Take advantage of all the IGS Library has to offer including MyHeritage Library Edition and access to FamilySearch records only available at FamilySearch affiliate libraries. Stay for a few hours or all night.
There will be optional activites throuout the event. This is the approximate schedule:
7 pm Class - ??? to assist with your genealogy research
10 pm - Dinner Break
2 am - Trivia and Scavenger Hunt
You're welcome to bring snacks to share. Coffee and Cookies will be provided by Vibrant Coffeehouse + Cookies from the East Village. The library temperature is cool. We recommend bringing a light sweater or jacket to the event.
Registration is $20/person for members and non-members.
Have you ever wondered what the Native American “rolls” are and how can you use them to gather information about your Native American ancestors? This class will walk you through the Cherokee rolls for one family and show you the wealth of information to be found on these rolls.
Instructor: Carla Anders
Carla Anders is from Warren County and is a retired Web Developer. She has been a long-time member of IGS who has served on the board and currently serves as a member of the Education Committee. Carla began researching her family history in 1977 and began Genetic Genealogy research (DNA testing) in 2010.
Location: Hybrid - In person OR Zoom (your choice)
Public schools have been a part of Des Moines since 1846. In 1907, 13 independent school districts within the city limits merged to form the Greater Des Moines School District.
Join us on Saturday, November 8, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM for this free event as historian Archie Cook along with Mike Rowley, Mary Christopher and John Zeller takes us on a journey through this fascinating history of Des Moines Public Schools. The presentation will explore the city schools with a special focus on its high schools - both those still in operation as well as those that have been abandoned and demolished. In addition to the schools themselves, 6 to 12 notable graduates from each will be highlighted.
This will be an enlightening and engaging presentation. Social time will follow, providing an opportunity to ask questions and chat with the presenters. Questions will be answered as time permits.
Friday, December 5
IGS Holiday Party and Social (Events)
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
IGS Conference Center
Save the date and stay tuned for more information.
