Researching Your Family History at the Clayton Library
Tuesday, October 22nd at 7:00 p.m.
Hybrid: In-person at the Austin Dispute Resolution Center, 5407 N IH-35, Suite 410, Austin, TX 78723 (Chase Bank Building) and via Zoom.
Register HERE
The Family History Research Center at the Clayton Library Campus is a world-renowned archive dedicated to family history and genealogy research. Founded as a separate special collection library in 1968 – the Clayton library provides access to rich and unique genealogy source materials, databases, and expert research staff to help new and seasoned researchers alike.
Join us for a special presentation with new FHRC Manager Carl Smith that provides an overview of the records and resources provided by the Clayton library, along with tips and tricks to maximize your next research trip to Houston.
About our speaker:
Carl’s passion for family history research began as a child growing up and listening to stories that his grandparents would share during summer vacations to Oregon.
A native of Mesa, Arizona, Carl received his Bachelor’s degree in Family History/Genealogy from Brigham Young University and his Masters of Library and Information Science from Syracuse University in Upstate New York.
Before coming to work at the Clayton Library, Carl was the Genealogy Librarian for the Montgomery County Memorial library system in Conroe, Texas as well as Branch manager for the Aldine Branch Library in Harris County, Texas.
His research areas of interest include Southern USA, Mexico, Brazil, and Scandinavian research. He’s also passionate about digitization and record access, library advocacy, as well as getting the next generation interested and involved in family history research.
When not working and doing genealogy Carl enjoys hiking and camping, singing with the International Voices Houston -a local choir- playing piano, and spending time with his family.
Coming up…
Tuesday, November 19th, 7 pm – Topic to be determined
Need more reasons to join? Check out the last year of presentations, many recorded and available behind the member wall!
June/July 2024 -WikiTree Basics pt I & II – Sarah Kroh
May 2024 – Using Autosomal DNA for 18th and 19th Century Mysteries – Blaine Bettinger
April 2024 – AI & Genealogy: Trouble Ahead? – Thomas MacEntee
March 2024 – Roll Call! Researching Your Veteran Ancestors: Civil War, WWI and WWII – Melanie McComb
February 2024 – European Immigrant Ancestors – Nancy Loe
January 2024 – It Might Be Time…To Write That Book – Shirley Salzmann Meyer
November 2023 – Cyndi’s List in Practice – Cyndi Ingle
October 2023 – Oktoberfest and German Immigration – Richard Gruetzner
September 2023 – Genealogical Travel – Pat Murphree and Diane Harvey
July 2023 – Who Says So? Genealogical Documentation – Diana Crisman Smith
June 2023 – Mapping Out Your Family History with Maps – Sydney Cruice
And so much more!
The Austin Genealogical Society gives you the tools to be a better genealogist.
Here’s how we do it:
• SIGs: AGS had several special interest groups (SIGs) that met regularly, and we launch new ones as our members want them. You can find notifications of DNA North at their Facebook page, Capital Area DNA SIG. If you are interested in others, or want to help with starting one, let us know!
• Saturday Morning Drop-In: The third Saturday of each month we have experienced genealogists on hand to assist in solving genealogical issues from basic to complex. Members also come to work collegially. No charge. (on hiatus)
• Monthly Membership Meetings: We showcase an expert on genealogical research methods and new technology. All presentations are designed to help our members become better genealogists. Meetings are typically held on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 7 PM (with exception of some international speakers or special events on 4th Saturday afternoons) and are free. We are currently meeting in a hybrid model, at the Austin Dispute Resolution Center, 5407 N IH-35, Suite 410, Austin (Chase Bank Building in Capital Plaza, 4th floor) and via Zoom.
• Research Trips: Further your research by visiting genealogy libraries and archives across the US. Our fall trip in October 2019 was to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. We’re looking forward to more trips in the future.
• Our Summer Seminar: We bring in a known expert for an extended seminar. In 2023, we welcomed Diahan Southard once again. In October 2025, we are planning to welcome Blaine Bettinger.
Visitors are always welcome at any of our meetings. So please come, and bring a friend!
