Meeting and Events
*** Note new meeting location!*** Monthly meetings are held in the Meeting Room of the new York County History Center facility at 121 N. Pershing Avenue, York, Pennsylvania, unless otherwise noted. Free parking available behind the building. Meetings are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted. The business portion of the meeting begins at 2:30 PM, followed by the program. To register for in-person attendance or Zoom registration, visit https://www.yorkhistorycenter.org/event/south-central-pennsylvania-genealogical-society To attend via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YorkCountyHistoryCenter/ Our upcoming meetings are scheduled as follows ... October 12, 2024, 2:15 p.m. *** Note: this is a Saturday!***
Tour of the new Pennsylvania State Archives 1681 North Sixth Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102 by Aaron McWilliams, head of the Public Services Section The tour of the new Archives building will take attendees through the Search Room and staff-only areas to see how the records in the State Archives are stored and made accessible to the public. Along the way, attendees will learn about the new building, the search room, and current Archives projects. For those who wish to carpool, we will be meeting at the Park-and-Ride parking lot just off the Emigsville exit of Interstate 83. We will leave the parking lot promptly at 1:30 p.m. Directions to the State Archives available here. About Aaron McWilliams: Aaron is head of the Public Services Section at the Pennsylvania State Archives. He is responsible for handling research inquiries at the Archives and frequently represents the agency at genealogical events. His areas of expertise include Pennsylvania state land records, Pennsylvania’s Revolutionary War militia, and genealogy. He has appeared on WITF’s Radio Smart Talk and contributed to both “Who Do You Think You Are?” and “Finding Your Roots.” Prior to joining the Pennsylvania State Archives, Aaron worked as a reference archivist at the Maryland State Archives and as a professional genealogist. November 3, 2024, 2:30 p.m.
Not Your Typical Cemetery—What We Know About Native American Burials in Lancaster and York Counties by Darvin L Martin] This presentation will focus on how Native American burial grounds are very different than what we think of as a typical cemetery and are often overlooked and not adequately protected. We’ll explore some of the cultural and historical issues in the contemporary context of protecting and preserving sites, and include a bit on an assessment about a number of sites all around us. The topic will also include important clues that may indicate a Native American burial site and what can be done to keep such sites as sacred spaces. About Darvin L. Martin: For the last twenty years Darvin L Martin has explored the connections between local Native Americans and the early Pennsylvania colonists. His focus on family roots, geography and history, particularly the local history not found in common textbooks, has compelled him to blend his interests to seek to understand what this land was like before European colonists arrived, and to evaluate the various interactions between these new immigrants and the people already living here. Darvin has published numerous books and articles focused on family history, local cemeteries, and these colonial interactions including the booklet Clash of Cultures (2008) and the articles “The Susquehannocks’ First Contact with an Expanding Europe” (October 2015) and “Connadago, New Albion, and the Great Minqua Path” ((January 2016) in the Journal Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage. December 2024 - No meeting
January 5, 2025, 2:30 p.m.
Show and Tell and Ask Start the New Year with entertaining or enlightening our SCPGS audience by sharing an intriguing family find or story which has special meaning for you. Maybe it’s a memorable photo of an ancestor, or a trinket, or garment. Maybe it’s a request for assistance or a recent discovery that created a hole in your Brick Wall. On any account, this relaxed and informal event has in the past led to some serendipity and mutual discoveries. February 2, 2025, 2:30 p.m.
Veiled Chapters of The Hampton Plantation by Neicy DeShields-Moulton "Veiled Chapters of The Hampton Plantation" is more than just a presentation it is a history lesson; it is a journey of discovery, empathy, and reconciliation. By confronting the obscured narratives right in our backyards, Neicy seeks to deepen our understanding of the complexities of our shared heritage. She hopes to cultivate interest in genealogy among young people and communities, ensuring that these hidden chapters of history are finally brought to light. About Neicy: Neicy DeShields-Moulton is a retired Computer Hardware Engineer with over 27 years of experience in genealogy. As a dedicated member of the African American Historical Society of Lancaster, PA, she also serves as a valued board member at The York County History Center and Museum in York, PA. Beyond her professional achievements, Neicy is deeply passionate about genealogy and family history. She has delivered engaging presentations at various organizations and educational institutions across South Central Pennsylvania and Maryland. Neicy actively contributes to significant projects such as the "Emancipation Across Generations" initiative, where she is part of the heritage guide team. She has also collaborated with Hampton Plantation on the "Tracing Lives Through Slavery: Engaging Hallowed Ground" project and currently serves as a consultant on other related projects. SAVE THE DATES FOR THESE FUTURE MEETINGS!
March 2, 2025 April 6, 2025 May 4, 2025 June 8, 2025 |
PAST PROGRAMS ARCHIVE May 2024 - A Visit to Conewago Chapel, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus April 2024 - Research at the New Pennsylvania State Archives Building March 2024 - How to Find a Needle in a Haystack Without Even Looking February 2024 - Tracking the Migration of Black Families January 2024 - Show & Tell November 2023 - Catharine Ziegler and Her Defense after Being Accused of Witchcraft in 1829 in York County October 2023 - The 1863 Pennsylvania Campaign August 2023 - Pennsylvania German Language Heritage June 2023 - Unearthing Camp Security May 2023 - Tour of Saint Luke's Union Church Cemetery April 2023 - Researching PA Civil War Draft Records March 2023 - Pennsylvania Prison Records February 2023 - African American Genealogy January 2023 - Show & Tell & Ask November 2022 - Revisiting Online Research of German Ancestors October 2022 - Indian Languages Influence in the Susquehanna Region August 2022 - Using Online Deeds in Family History Research June 2022 - Henry James Young Awards May 2022 - Researching the History of Institutionalized People in Pennsylvania Apr 2022 - The Challenges Facing the Continental Congress in York Mar 2022 - 18th Century Gunsmithing in Eastern PA Feb 2022 - PA’s Celtic Language Heritage Jan 2022 - The Architecture of the Dempwolfs Nov 2021 - The Churches and Chaplains of York County During the Civil War Oct 2021 - Genealogical Resources of the York County History Center’s Library and Archives Aug 2021 - Pennsylvania State Archives’ Online Resources Jun 2021 -History of the Henry James Young Award May 2021 - MA & PA Railroad Heritage Village visit Apr 2021 - Cumberland County Records Mar 2021 - PA State Archives Moves Into the Future Feb 2021 - York County Coroner's Office Aug 2020 - Using Online Newspaper Collections in Research Oct 2020 - Genealogical Adventures During the Pandemic Nov 2020 - Using Oral History in Genealogical Research |