Geauga County Genealogical Society

09/26/2025

Registration is open for Rootstech 2026. March 5-7, 2026. In-person, $$ (Salt Lake City, UT) or Online (Free).

A family history conference. An on-demand learning library. A way to grow closer to the people, places, and stories that matter most. RootsTech is all that and so much more. Join us as we celebrate together the joy of connection.

09/12/2025

If you haven't already and are planning on attending the conference, registration closes Monday September 15. There is still time to reserve your spot.

Registration Booklet Registration cost is $180.00 for an OGS Member and $250.00 for a Non-Member of OGS. This year we are offering a virtual option for a fee of $280.00. All registrations include an electronic syllabus and in-person registrations include a boxed lunch on Saturday. We will also be ha...

09/11/2025

Chester Grave Hunters presents "Fall tour of Quirk Cemetery", Chesterland, OH.

If you've ever wondered how Chesterland came to be, who the founding families were, and what stories sleep beneath the stones where generations came to rest, join us!

Friday, October 10th 6:30pm-Twilight Tour &

Saturday October 11th 5:00pm-Golden Hour Tour & 6:30pm-Twilight Tour

Recommended for ages 12 and up.

Space is limited and registration is required!

$5 donation is suggested on day of tour

To register, send email to chestergravehunters@gmail.com

Include:
*Your name
*Address
*Phone number
*Names of those in your party(limit 2 tickets per email address)
*Preferred tour day/time

Registration is not confirmed until you receive a reply from them.

Parking info and arrival instructions will be included in your confirmation email.

09/10/2025

Thank you to Bill Jackson, local historian and Kris Carroll, Director of Geauga County Public Library, for an awesome program on the history of (and future home of the Chardon Library) Bridle Downs in Chardon.

09/10/2025

We had such an amazing turnout for tonight's program "The History of Bridle Downs-Site of the new Library" that there will be a 2nd program. If you were unable to attend or would like to see it again, register NOW! Seats are limited.

Thursday Oct 9, 7pm-8:30pm at the Chardon Library. This is the program only, there will be no business meeting.

The oval impression of a race track in the middle of Chardon is all that remains of what was once our own “Geauga Derby”. Local historian, Bill Jackson, will recount the...

08/11/2025

UPDATE... Registration is now OPEN for our Sept program! Don't wait any longer as there are only 34 seats left!. Click the link to register. See you there!

https://geaugalibrary.libcal.com/event/14708060

We are one month away from the start of our Fall programs. Our program committee has been hard at work this year securing speakers to bring you amazing, informative, and hopefully helpful, programs.

Our programs will be held in the Bostwick Room at the Chardon Library, unless otherwise noted. In person programs will begin with a little social time at 6:30pm, a brief business meeting at 7:00pm, followed by our speaker.

Tues September 9, 2025. “The History of Bridle Downs – Site of new Chardon Library and GCPL Genealogy Department”
The oval impression of a race track in the middle of Chardon is all that remains of what was once our own “Geauga Derby”. Local historian, Bill Jackson, will recount the fascinating history of horse racing in Chardon. Then, Kris Carroll, director of Geauga County Public Library, will relate how she beat the odds to secure this prime real estate for the new Chardon Library.

Tues October 14, 2025
"Family Stories from Geauga Attics and Archives: How We Got Here" The president and secretary of Geauga County Genealogical Society will share stories from their family trees that reflect the origins of many present day Geaugans. Their ancestors’ journeys began in Europe, included stops in New England, Cuyahoga and Lake counties and finally ended in Geauga County. Then, Lynn Vandervort, GCPL local historian, will share one of her most memorable projects – discovering a treasure of family stories in the Allyn Room that came from a Geauga County attic.

Tues November 11, 2025 - ZOOM ONLY, 7:00pm
“Researching Your Union Civil War Ancestors”. Celebrate Veterans Day with us! Thank your veteran relatives by recording their service on your family tree. Scott Norrick will instruct us on how to find and use the records of Union soldiers. Featured on the Extreme Genes podcast, Scott is a nationally known speaker and professional genealogist. Bring your questions about your Union Civil War Veterans.

Registration opens Friday August 15th. https://geaugalibrary.libcal.com/event/14708060

Come join us and bring a friend!!

08/11/2025

This Saturday, August 16, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, OGS will host "Road Trip to Family History."

During the event, the OGS Library will be open to the public for research. Additionally, OGS staff and local/family librarians from Stark, Summit, Wayne and Medina county, along with Lauren Kuntzman, Family History & Learning Center Manager with Medina County District Library, will be available to help guide researchers and answer questions.

To learn more about the event, visit the OGS event calendar at https://www.ogs.org/event/road-trip/.

Everyone is welcome to attend. It is a FREE open house and NO REGISTRATION IS NEEDED.

07/08/2025

Registration is now open for 2025 OGS Fall Retreat, September 26-27 at the Samuel D Isaly Library (OGS Library) 611 St. Rt. 97 W, Bellville OH 44813. For more information and to register, visit

Registration Booklet Registration cost is $180.00 for an OGS Member and $250.00 for a Non-Member of OGS. This year we are offering a virtual option for a fee of $280.00. All registrations include an electronic syllabus and in-person registrations include a boxed lunch on Saturday. We will also be ha...

06/15/2025

I'd also like to thank Judy MacKeigan, Cleveland Metroparks Historian/Archivist, for her presentation on Feargus B. Squire, his accomplishments and the mystery behind Squire's Castle. There was so much I didn't know about Feargus Squire! Congratulations Judy on your retirement, too!

06/15/2025

A huge Thank You to OGS Trustee and Director of NorthEast Ohio Genealogical Round Table, Mr John Cunningham, for joining us at our June field trip and installing our 2025-2027 officers . President Rex Saleck (2nd term), Vice President Cheryl McClellan (2nd term), Secretary Cathy Schwind (2nd term), and our new Treasurer Julie Rash. Congratulations to all!

06/12/2025

The Ohio Genealogical Society is thrilled to announce its 2025 Members-Only Bus Tour, an unforgettable journey through Kentucky’s rich cultural and historical landscape. Mark your calendars for October 13–16, 2025, and get ready for four days of exploration, education, and fellowship with fellow genealogy enthusiasts!

The Ohio Genealogical Society is thrilled to announce its 2025 Members-Only Bus Tour, an unforgettable journey through Kentucky’s rich cultural and historical landscape. Mark your calendars for October 13–16, 2025

05/24/2025

One of the perks of being a Geauga County Genealogical Society (GCGS) Member is not only our Christmas party, but our year-end field trip.

On June 10, 2025, we will have a brief business meeting along with the voting and swearing in of our 2025-2027 Board Members. After the meeting, our members and their guests will listen to Historian/Archivist Judith MacKeigan as she talks about the "Mysteries of Squire's Castle" and the story of Feargus B. Squire and his many accomplishments at the Old River Rd Picnic Area in the North Chagrin Reservation. Following the program, we will take a tour of Squire's Castle.

If you are a member and are interested in coming along, please message me for more details. Registration for program is not required.