The Rock County Genealogical Society

04/02/2026

Friends of RCGS - Please mark your calendars!

Free Zoom-Only Presentation by the Rock County Genealogical Society
LOYALIST LEGACIES: THE OTHER SIDE OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
Kate Penney-Howard is a lifelong family researcher who earned a Master of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, and a pastor in Fort Wayne brings an enthusiastic and authoritative presentation style to this program. Not every colonist wanted independence... and one of them might be your ancestor. She'll explore how to identify and research Loyalist family members, understand their motivations, and follow their paths to Canada, England, or reconciliation with the new nation.
How to Attend: Anyone is invited to attend this free Zoom presentation on Tuesday, April 14 at 6:30 PM. This is a Zoom-only presentation and must be watched at the scheduled time. The Zoom link, passcode and audience handout can all be found at the RCGS website at: www.rcgswi.org/events--speakers.

03/10/2026

Tonight! Login via Zoom link on rcgswi.org at 6:30 to learn what you need to know before visiting Wisconsin Historical Library. Don't forget to download the handout found on the website. "See" you there!

The RCGS HOME page is home to exclusive & unique family history research materials; see birth, marriage, death and cemetery indexes, atlases and helpful tutorials. Most materials are public, but some pages are restricted to current RCGS members.

02/21/2026

Free Zoom-Only Presentation by the Rock County Genealogical Society
VISITING THE WISCONSIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND USING ITS HOLDINGS
Located at 816 State Street in Madison, the Wisconsin Historical Society holds one of the top five genealogical collections in the country, with materials from across the U.S. and Canada. Reference Librarian, Jill Fuller will help you discover more about the extensive family history collections at the WHS, including newspapers, family history books, court records, and more. Learn how to search the catalog and website to find materials on your family, both during a visit to WHS and remotely from home.
How to Attend: Anyone is invited to attend this free Zoom presentation on Tuesday, March 10 at 6:30 PM. This is a Zoom-only presentation and must be watched at the scheduled time. The Zoom link, passcode and audience handout can all be found at the RCGS website at: www.rcgswi.org/events--speakers.

02/13/2026

Local Friends of RCGS,
The Hedberg Public Library would like us to be aware of this free live and in-person presentation:
Topic: The Shaping Beloit's African American Community
Speaker: Cheryl Caldwell, founder of the African American Historical Society of Beloit
Date & Time: Tuesday, February 24, 6-7:30 pm
Location: The Community Room of the Hedberg Library, 316 S. Main St., Janesville, WI
This program is part of Hedberg Public Library's America 250 - Rock County history series. Each month beginning Tuesday, February 24 and continuing through June 16, this program series will explore and honor contributions multiple groups have made to Rock County history. Presentations from local experts will highlight Yankees from the northeast, African-Americans from the south, Irish and Norwegian immigrants, women, and U.S. Military Veterans. Join us as we showcase a rich tapestry of Rock County stories to celebrate and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Our history is America’s history!
Please direct questions to Mary Buelow, Public Services Librarian, Hedberg Public Library at MBuelow@hedbergpubliclibrary.org

The RCGS HOME page is home to exclusive & unique family history research materials; see birth, marriage, death and cemetery indexes, atlases and helpful tutorials. Most materials are public, but some pages are restricted to current RCGS members.

02/11/2026

The theme of our April "Roots in the Rock" Society newsletter is Rock County Residents.
Do you have an interesting story or biography of an ancestor who was a Rock County resident?
If so, please forward it for possible publication to Ruth Anderson, our newsletter editor at rcgs.library@gmail.com.
Even if newsletter space doesn't allow every submission, with your permission, we'll try to publish your story on our website's Family Stories page.

Thanks

The RCGS HOME page is home to exclusive & unique family history research materials; see birth, marriage, death and cemetery indexes, atlases and helpful tutorials. Most materials are public, but some pages are restricted to current RCGS members.

02/03/2026

Friends of RCGS,

Free Presentation by Rock County Genealogical Society
Jennifer Warner, family historian and frequent speaker, presents, "Do I Have Indigenous Ancestors in My Family Tree?". Attendees will learn about Native American Tribes’ past/present. We touch on unique cultural issues involving tribal membership and heritage - and will go over the different records that are available and how to best access them.

Anyone is invited to attend this free Zoom presentation on Tuesday, February 10 at 6:30 PM. The Zoom link, passcode and audience handout can all be found at the RCGS website at:

The RCGS Speakers & Programs page provides information about dates, times, location (including map directions), speakers biographies for the Society's FREE program, seminar, workshop and field trip topics.

01/02/2026

Join us via Zoom on the 2nd Tuesday every month.
Our January offering is Scott Norrick, speaking on, "AMERICA AT 250! RESEARCHING YOUR REVOLUTIONARY WAR ANCESTORS".
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
6:30 PM Wisconsin Time (CST)
Location: Zoom-only (winter schedule)
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88011119318?pwd=8iyELzzhthyBNbWqQarJ09qwLXeSLQ.1
Zoom passcode: Family (note the capital "F")
Audience handout: Download PDF at https://www.rcgswi.org/events--speakers.html

01/02/2026

RCGS Free Zoom Program - 6:30 PM CST, Tuesday, January 13: America at 250! Researching Your Revolutionary War Ancestors

12/17/2025

DID YOU MISS THE HOLIDAY PARTY? The tables were loaded with food aplenty, tree decorated and tables set. About a dozen guests had their fill (including 'Santa') and heirlooms and history shared before raffle gifts were drawn. We wish all a merry Christmas (& happy Hanukkah). Happy New Year. 'See you' in January for a new virtual genealogy program.

12/04/2025

HOLIDAY HEIRLOOM AND MEAL PARTY
Date & Time: Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 6:30 p.m. local WI time.
Cost: Free and open to the public. Main entrée, plates and utensils are provided, just bring a dish to share.

Location: Join us at the Tomah Room in the Milton House Museum (no Zoom of this event).
Program Presenter: Attendees themselves
Program Summary: Anyone with a family story or heirloom to discuss is invited to briefly address the group.
How to Attend: This event is a live-only (no Zoom) holiday celebration. Members and the public are invited to attend and asked to bring a dish to share and an optional family heirloom to discuss. We meet at the second level Tomah Room of the Milton House Museum, 18 S. Janesville St., Milton, WI (map) at the scheduled time. Ample parking, handicap access, elevator, snacks, soft drinks and door prizes are included. (Note - Live Social Meeting - no Zoom Broadcast).

11/21/2025

I hope you are enjoying the Ken Burns documentary which is airing this week on PBS .it is very interesting and entertaining --a (re) telling of the "Americans" and the various forces and bloody battles fought for colonial independence from Britain. The series runs for two more days.

11/02/2025

PLEASE JOIN US FOR THIS ZOOM PROGRAM--AT HOME OR AT THE MILTON HOUSE

TITLE : IRISH ANCESTORS- THE TOP 5 WEBSITES YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

This webinar is a romp through the top 5 websites where you will find information on your Irish ancestors. Best of all, they are all free! This is ideal if you are at the start of your Irish ancestral research and will give you a good grounding before delving into the more obscure record sets. We will cover the main collections on each web site and will include search hints and tips so that you can maximize your search.

Presenter--Natalie Bodle is a professionally qualified genealogist, author and a speaker on the international circuit. Her company, www.RootsRevealed.co.uk, is a Professional Genealogy and Family History Research Service which is based in Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. She has many years’ experience of researching family trees and achieved professional qualification after completing a Post Graduate Certificate in Genealogical, Palaeographic and Heraldic Studies with the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.

HOW TO ATTEND: This Zoom presentation can be watched live at the second level Tomah Room of the Milton House Museum, 18 S. Janesville St., Milton, WI (map) at the scheduled time. Ample parking, handicap access, elevator, snacks, soft drinks and door prizes are included. The Zoom link, required passcode and handout can be accessed on our RCGS Website if you wish to view at home. Navigate to our speakers page for November.

Please join us for this interesting and informative program.