Rogue Valley Genealogical Society

08/31/2025

Offer ends 9/3 at 10am ET.

08/29/2025

Join us for Genealogy Week! All classes are FREE for everyone.
● A hands-on practice and help session will follow each class. Class participants are invited to bring their
lunch and stay (or leave for lunch and return) to practice their newly learned skills with assistance from
RVGS volunteers. Feel free to bring your own laptop or use one of our library computers.
● All classes will be hybrid, offered both via Zoom and in-person in the RVGS Library.
● Registration is required for each class you plan to attend, register at rvsglibrary.org > Classes & Events
> Genealogy Week Registration. Class registration includes registration for the practice session, no
need to register twice.
● Registration closes at noon the day before each class.
● All registrants will receive an email after noon the day before each class with handout and zoom link.
Please print the handout before attending.
● See our Calendar of Events for more details at rvgslibrary.org > Classes & Events > Calendar of
Events.

08/27/2025

The Rogue Valley Genealogical Society Library will be closed on Monday, September 1, in honor of our Nation's labor force. Happy Labor Day! 👩‍🏭👨‍🚒👨‍🔧

08/27/2025

Having trouble reading handwritten documents, check this out!

Breaking news for family historians: Ancestry has quietly rolled out an AI-powered “Transcribe” button that reads handwriting from images you upload to your tree. https://youtu.be/_P0vNfLC9K8&list=UULFcvpi8XvOScBogIxmarmADw

In this quick tour I show where to find it (Memories → Gallery), what file types it accepts, why you may need to complete the details panel before the button appears, and what kind of results to expect on tough documents like old wills and foreign-language parish entries. It’s in beta, so accuracy will vary—but it can slash your typing time and help you get more documents into your research notes fast. I also show how to copy the transcript and translate it with external tools when needed.

08/23/2025

We have three items for sale at the RVGS Library, 3405 S Pacific Hwy. (see photos). View, pay, and pickup at the library.
1. 4-drawer file cabinet - $20
2. Computer desk - $40
3. Round 4-shelf display rack - $40

08/16/2025

Join us for Genealogy Week!
● All classes are FREE for everyone.
● A hands-on practice and help session will follow each class. Class participants are invited to bring their
lunch and stay (or leave for lunch and return) to practice their newly learned skills with assistance from
RVGS volunteers. Feel free to bring your own laptop or use one of our library computers.
● All classes will be hybrid, offered both via Zoom and in-person in the RVGS Library.
● Registration is required for each class you plan to attend, register at rvsglibrary.org > Classes & Events > Genealogy Week Registration. Class registration includes registration for the practice session, no need to register twice.
● Registration closes at noon the day before each class.
● All registrants will receive an email after noon the day before each class with handout and zoom link. Please print the handout before attending.
● See our Calendar of Events for more details at rvgslibrary.org > Classes & Events > Calendar of Events.

Subscribe to updates from the Rogue Valley Genealogical Society, and you'll get emails announcing new topics and the outcome of existing topics.

08/01/2025

Free Divorce Record Collections for the United States - Updated

Online divorce records are sometimes hard to find. But here are 1,480 updated collection links for the country that are available online.

Check them out at https://theancestorhunt.com/blog/1480-free-online-divorce-record-collections-for-the-united-states/

07/18/2025

NEW PODCAST TODAY! Connie Knox and Ashley Moore dive into the fascinating world of cemetery research. https://youtu.be/h8R-cGLuQSc&list=UULFcvpi8XvOScBogIxmarmADw

The discussion provides valuable tips on using websites like Find a Grave, BillionGraves, and Cemetery Census for locating family memorials.
Learn about creating virtual cemeteries, recognizing the symbolism on tombstones, and the importance of calling ahead before visiting cemeteries.
Discover advice on photographing tombstones effectively and the nuances of military cemetery burials.
Ashley and Connie also talk about cultural practices and the role of genealogical societies in preserving cemetery records.
📚 Stories in Store (Book) https://amzn.to/4nK33LP

07/12/2025

NEW TODAY! Ancestry.com has just launched a brand-new Auto Clusters tool as part of their Pro Tools subscription—and it's a game-changer for DNA research! https://youtu.be/XneeQfFZHDs&list=UULFcvpi8XvOScBogIxmarmADw

In this episode, Connie Knox walks you through Ancestry’s new DNA clustering feature. You'll learn how to access the tool, what the color-coded clusters mean, and how this can help you identify which branches of your family tree your DNA matches belong to.

Connie also explains how to use this tool to group matches by great-grandparent couples, how to interpret the shared matches in each cluster, and how to use this information to break through brick walls in your family history.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced genetic genealogist, this new Auto Clusters tool will help you work smarter with your DNA matches.

07/12/2025

Prospective lineage society members often question how to present their evidence of eligibility. It's always best to present the proof as clearly and as specifically as possible.

07/12/2025

10 Bits of Advice for New Genealogy Researchers

Are you a new genealogy researcher? Fairly new? Not new but need a reminder or two? Then this is for you!

There are a lot of ways to get off track in your pursuit of ancestors. Here are some ideas and reminders.

Get the list of advice and the Quicksheet with tips for you at https://theancestorhunt.com/blog/10-bits-of-advice-for-new-genealogy-researchers/