Topeka Genealogical Society

09/18/2025

🕯️👻 Haunted History in Topeka – September TGS Monthly Meeting 👻🕯️
📅 Thursday, September 25th
🕖 7:00 PM
📍 Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library – Marvin Auditorium 101C
This month, we’re diving into the eerie side of Topeka’s past with Cathy Ramirez, founder of Kansas Ghost Tours, as she presents “Haunted Sites and Ghosts in Topeka.” With 20+ years as a paranormal investigator, Cathy brings ghost stories to life—grounded in real history and local lore.
For genealogists and family historians, this is more than just a spooky evening. Discover how haunted locations often connect to real families, forgotten ancestors, and untold stories. You might even uncover clues that lead to new research paths or deepen your understanding of your own Topeka roots.
Whether you're tracing lineage or just love a good ghost tale, come join us for a night where history and mystery meet. 🎩🕰️
📣 Free and open to the public—bring a friend and your curiosity!
Or register here for a Zoom link and enjoy the program from home.

Monthly Program - Haunted Sites and Ghosts in Topeka at Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library on Thu Sep 25 2025, 07:00pm CDT: September 25, 2025 at...

09/03/2025

Bring your genealogy questions to our upcoming Foundations of Family History Interest Group meeting! To register and get the Zoom link: https://tinyurl.com/3wkfapcb

08/26/2025

TGS Dinner and Quilt Program this Thursday, August 28! Don't miss this opportunity for fun, friendship, and food!
We will meet for dinner at 5:30 pm at On the Border restaurant before our monthly program at the Topeka and Shawnee County Library at 7:00 pm. TGS member, John Manning will present our August program, "Quilting and Genealogy: Stitching Together the Fabric of Our Lives." He will share how handmade quilts can reveal hidden genealogy gems.
If you cannot attend dinner, please make a purchase at On the Border any time between 11:00 am and 9:00 pm and mention TGS. 20% of your purchase will be donated to our organization. See details on the flyer in the comments section below.
If you prefer to attend the meeting from home, register for the Zoom link at

Monthly Program - Quilting and Genealogy: Stitching Together the Fabric of Our Lives at Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library on Thu Aug 28 2025,...

08/20/2025

🧵✨ You're Invited! ✨🧵
Quilts + Genealogy = A Night of Beautiful Connections
If you love the artistry of quilts and the stories stitched into every square, or if you're a genealogy buff who thrives on uncovering family history—this one's for you!
📅 Thursday, August 28, 2025
🕖 7:00 PM Central Time
📍 Topeka & Shawnee County Library or 💻 Join us on Zoom!
🎟️ Register for Zoom & Details Here https://tgstopeka.org/events/ #!event/2025/8/28/monthly-program-quilting-and-genealogy-stitching-together-the-fabric-of-our-lives
Monthly Program: Quilting and Genealogy—Stitching Together the Fabric of Our Lives
Presented by John Manning, member of both the Johnson County and Topeka Genealogical Societies.
Discover how quilts can be more than cozy keepsakes—they're historical documents in fabric form! From military service and celebration quilts to cemetery and signature quilts, John will share case studies that show how these treasures can unlock genealogical insights.
Whether you're a thread-and-needle artist or a family history sleuth, come explore how these two passions intertwine. Let’s stitch stories together!
🧶 Come for the quilts. Stay for the stories. Leave inspired.

Monthly Program - Quilting and Genealogy: Stitching Together the Fabric of Our Lives at Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library on Thu Aug 28 2025,...

08/16/2025

TGS was well represented today at the Riley County Genealogy and History Fair in Manhattan. Barb and Cindy promoted TGS and several other members represented lineage and genealogy societies in our area. We had a great day networking and meeting new people.

08/03/2025

The Topeka Genealogical Society has some great opportunities in store for YOU this month to socialize and learn with other folks who share your interest in family history.

Monday, August 4 (TOMORROW!) at 9:30 am - Join us for our monthly Morning Joe & Jaw coffee klatch at Perkins American Food Co.

Tuesday, August 12 at 7:00 pm - Join Barb LaClair for a lesson on military records in a Zoom meeting

Tuesday, August 19 at 9:30 am - Come to the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library second floor genealogy room for individualized help from Cindy Cruz and other TGS members in
the Brick Wall Special Interest Group or just do some research among friends. Bring your laptop, use the library computers, or search the stacks!

Friday, August 22 at 10:00 am - Join Marty Flanagan for a Zoom meeting to learn about the superpower of X in DNA research.

Thursday, August 28 at 5:00 - Join us for a fundraiser dinner at On the Border Restaurant and at 7:00 for our monthly program at the public library. This month John Manning will speak about the connections between "Quilting and Genealogy: Stitching Together the Fabric of Our Lives." Attend in person or by Zoom.

In addition, there are conferences in Jefferson City, MO, Kansas City, MO, and Manhattan, KS this month. Check the TGS website for details and Zoom registration for all the above events.

There’s always something happening at the Topeka Genealogical Society, and we would love to have you participate! Check this page often to see what is coming up, and how to register (if needed) and attend. Are you interested in seeing only some types of events, such as all Monthly Programs? Use th...

07/25/2025

TGS members are lively and spirited folks who enjoy socializing and learning together. Last night's dinner and meeting were examples of both! Fifteen members gathered for dinner and fifty live and Zoom members attended our fantastic program on Railroad Records by Danni Altman-Newell. A lucky gentleman in the audience went home with our door prize of all three volumes of the TGS publication, "Kansas Pioneers," too!
If you missed this fun-filled evening, check out all the upcoming TGS events on our website at tgstopeka.org
Our August 28th program will be "Quilting and Genealogy: Stitching Together the Fabric of Our Lives" by TGS member John Manning. Mark your calendar now!

07/24/2025

Don't forget! The Topeka Genealogical Society monthly meeting is tonight, July 24 at 7:00 pm at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. “I've Been Working on the Railroad…Records” by Danni Altman-Newell, Kansas City researcher and member of the Topeka Genealogical Society is our program for the evening.
We will be giving away the three volumes of Kansas Pioneer books in a free drawing at the meeting tonight!
Danni's handout is posted on the TGS website with the event listing.
Attend in person—no registration needed
Want to ride the rails virtually? Register here for a Zoom link to the meeting: https://events.tscpl.org/event/13728923
Please support our fundraiser today at Red Robin Restaurant from 11:00 am - 10:00 pm. See the attached flyer in the comments below. Members will meet for dinner at 5:00. Thank you!

Kansas City researcher and Topeka Genealogical Society member, Danni Altman-Newell of Talking Box Genealogy, will present tips and strategies for researching railroad related records.

07/21/2025

🚂 All Aboard the Genealogy Express!
Ready to trace your ancestors down the iron rails of history? Attend the Topeka Genealogical Society monthly meeting on Thursday, July 24 at 7:00 pm at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library for “I've Been Working on the Railroad…Records” with Danni Altman-Newell, Kansas City researcher and member of the Topeka Genealogical Society.
From engineers to brakemen, railroad workers left behind trails of documentation that can be elusive—but oh-so-rewarding. Danni will unveil expert strategies to help you uncover genealogical gold in these hidden archives.
Whether your great-grandpa swung a sledgehammer or steered a steam engine, this free program could help you bring their story to life.
📍 Attend in person—no registration needed
💻 Want to ride the rails virtually? Register here for a Zoom link to the meeting: https://events.tscpl.org/event/13728923
Let’s dig into the records that connected a nation—and may just connect you to your past.

Kansas City researcher and Topeka Genealogical Society member, Danni Altman-Newell of Talking Box Genealogy, will present tips and strategies for researching railroad related records.

07/21/2025

Upcoming! MGC Staff will again be presenting some classes for the Genealogy KC 2025 event (free)coming up next month in Kansas City north of the river. Click on the link for information and registration: https://genealogykc.org/genealogy-kc-2025 GenealogyKC

07/11/2025

🎤Yo, you got ancestors chillin’ in the past,
But writing their stories got you stuck real fast?
Don’t sweat it—come through, no need for stress,
‘Cause TGS got the tools to help you express!
💥 Brick Wall SIG in the Zoom zone,
July 15 from the comfort of home.
Cindy Cruz breaks it down—AI in the mix,
Writing bios and poems with digital tricks.
🎨 Wanna drop a kids' tale or a laugh-filled jam?
Or give grandma’s life a literary glam?
Even if you think you got no writing flair,
AI’s got your back—we’ll get you there.
🎓 So register now, hit up the site:
https://tgstopeka.org/events/ #!event/2025/7/15/brick-wall-problem-solving-special-interest-group
get your link right.
9:30 is the time to rewrite, reunite, and ignite—
Your family's stories told bold and bright.

Join Cindy Cruz for a TGS class on "USING AI APPLICATIONS TO WRITE ANCESTOR BIOGRAPHIES" on Tuesday, July 15 at 9:30 am on Zoom!

Brick Wall Problem-Solving Special Interest Group at Virtual - Zoom on Tue Jul 15 2025, 09:30am CDT: Virtual Meeting: The focus of this group is...

07/06/2025

Our monthly coffee, Morning Joe and Jaw, is TOMORROW, Monday, July 7, at Perkins on Wanamaker at 9:30 a.m. Please join TGS members for fellowship, food, and fun. Bring your stories, questions, and/or a friend along! We have a wonderful time together.
P.S. Buy a meal and get a free piece of pie! Take it home for later or eat it with your breakfast!
https://tgstopeka.org/events/ #!event/2025/7/7/morning-joe-and-jaw