Old Fort Genealogical Society to host seminar

Researching one's ancestry can be a long, exhausting process and one local organization wants to lend a helping hand.

The Old Fort Genealogical Society of Southeast Kansas, Inc., will host a spring seminar titled "Spring into Genealogy," on March 27 in the Fort Scott Community College Academic Building Round Room, 2108 S. Horton St. The all-day event will begin at 8:30 a.m. with registration and the first program will start at 9 a.m.

"It's educational and will let people know how to get started in genealogy," OFGS member and seminar organizer Sandra Haimerl said. "It's a hobby in a way ... it's like solving mysteries."

The beginner-level seminar will feature a series of guest speakers who will give presentations on topics related to genealogy. Local historian Arnold Schofield, the superintendent of the Marais des Cygnes Massacre and Mine Creek Battlefield State Historic Site near Pleasanton, is the first speaker on the event schedule. Schofield will talk about his recent involvement in researching the African-American Settlement of Fort Scott from 1842-1942.

Local resident Larry Swaim's program titled "Getting Started" will help those people who are new to genealogy or considering tracing their ancestors but don't know how to get started. Swaim, a retired USD 234 teacher, has been involved in genealogy for nearly 30 years and has taught a genealogy class to local students.

Helen Lodge, an amateur genealogist from Nevada, Mo., will offer people tips on how to overcome obstacles in their genealogical research, also known as "brick walls." Lodge teaches a genealogy class at Cottey College each May and has taught adult education classes in both Iowa and Missouri.

"When doing one's genealogy, nearly everyone has a few brick walls," she said.

Haimerl said many people also have ancestors who fought in the Civil War. After obtaining their service records and pension papers a person may have some questions regarding these particular ancestors. David Haimerl's program on understanding Civil War Service Records is designed to help people find answers to their questions. David may also have time during the day to answer questions concerning particular service records brought in by attendees.

David has been interested in military history since he was a child. Because he lives in the area, he has focused on the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the Civil War. He currently volunteers at the Fort Scott National Historic Site and is presently conducting research for another Civil War book on a local regiment.

The OFGS, founded in 1974, provides a service to area residents who are interested in researching their ancestry. It is a nonprofit corporation that works to preserve the history of families and communities in the region. The organization's library, located at 1 E. Third St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday. For more information, call (620) 223-3300.

The seminar is free of charge and open to the public. There will be various genealogical materials for sale at the event.