General Meeting Schedule 2026
All meetings Sat 10:30 -12:00
(unless otherwise listed)
(unless otherwise listed)
24 Jan 2026 10:30 AM
Community Service of Ancestors and How That Influenced You:
A Symposium in Honor of
The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Saturday, January 24, 2026 – 10:30 A.M.
Virtual only via Zoom
28 Feb 2026
10:30 AM
Major Slave Era Auctions, The Africans Sold & Their Buyers,
Erwin Polk
Bear Public Library.
Hybrid in person & virtual meeting. Email [email protected] for a Zoom link by Friday, Feb. 27th.
10:30 AM
Major Slave Era Auctions, The Africans Sold & Their Buyers,
Erwin Polk
Bear Public Library.
Hybrid in person & virtual meeting. Email [email protected] for a Zoom link by Friday, Feb. 27th.
28 Mar 2026
10:30 AM
G A R D E N I N G R E V O L U T I O N :
T H E D E C L A R A T I O N O F I N D E P E N D E N C E A N D
B L A C K W O M E N ’ S S E L F - E V I D E N T T R U T H S
presented by Dr. Tonya Thames-Taylor at Brandywine Public Library. Hybrid in person & virtual meeting. Email [email protected] for a Zoom link by Friday, March 27th.
10:30 AM
G A R D E N I N G R E V O L U T I O N :
T H E D E C L A R A T I O N O F I N D E P E N D E N C E A N D
B L A C K W O M E N ’ S S E L F - E V I D E N T T R U T H S
presented by Dr. Tonya Thames-Taylor at Brandywine Public Library. Hybrid in person & virtual meeting. Email [email protected] for a Zoom link by Friday, March 27th.
25 Apr 2026
10:30 AM
Foundations in DNA 1 of 5: Introduction to DNA and Genetic Genealogy - Blaine Bettinger.
Discover how DNA testing can transform your family history research! This foundational lecture introduces the core principles of genetic genealogy, explaining the types of DNA tests available (autosomal, Y-DNA, and mitochondrial), what they can reveal, and how they complement traditional genealogical methods. Learn how genetic insights can connect you to your ancestors and provide new avenues to explore your family’s story.
10:30 AM
Foundations in DNA 1 of 5: Introduction to DNA and Genetic Genealogy - Blaine Bettinger.
Discover how DNA testing can transform your family history research! This foundational lecture introduces the core principles of genetic genealogy, explaining the types of DNA tests available (autosomal, Y-DNA, and mitochondrial), what they can reveal, and how they complement traditional genealogical methods. Learn how genetic insights can connect you to your ancestors and provide new avenues to explore your family’s story.
16 May 2026
“Payne-ful” Business: Charleston’s Journey to Truth
Margaret Seidler, Author
Zoom only
10:30 AM
Email [email protected] for a Zoom link by Friday, May 15
“Payne-ful” Business: Charleston’s Journey to Truth
Margaret Seidler, Author
Zoom only
10:30 AM
Email [email protected] for a Zoom link by Friday, May 15
27 Jun 2026
10:30 AM
Foundations in DNA 3 of 5: Understanding Autosomal DNA
By Blaine Bettinger
Autosomal DNA (at-DNA) is a powerful tool for genealogists, offering a window into your broader family tree. This lecture explores the science of at-DNA inheritance, its strengths and limitations, and practical ways to apply it to your genealogical research. Discover how at-DNA can help you identify unknown ancestors, connect with relatives, and solve family mysteries.
Virtual only
Email [email protected] for a Zoom link by Friday, 26 Jun
10:30 AM
Foundations in DNA 3 of 5: Understanding Autosomal DNA
By Blaine Bettinger
Autosomal DNA (at-DNA) is a powerful tool for genealogists, offering a window into your broader family tree. This lecture explores the science of at-DNA inheritance, its strengths and limitations, and practical ways to apply it to your genealogical research. Discover how at-DNA can help you identify unknown ancestors, connect with relatives, and solve family mysteries.
Virtual only
Email [email protected] for a Zoom link by Friday, 26 Jun
25 Jul 2026
10:30 AM
Brandywine Library - Hybrid
Syl Woolford - The Woolford Family during the Revolutionary War
Roger Woolford came to the Maryland colony in 1662. He received land grants in Somerset and Dorchester counties. His family grew and his family wealth grew over the early years of the British colonies. When the Revolutionary War began, General George Washington called on local militias to join the Continental Army. Colonel Thomas Woolford answered the call and joined the Revolutionary War on January of 1776. He served seven years in the Continental army.
This presentation tells the history of the Woolford Family of Sommerset and Dorchester Counties from the time Roger Woolford landed in Virginia in 1661 through the Revolutionary War to his descendants who are living today. Three hundred and sixty two years of history in one hour.
10:30 AM
Email [email protected] for a Zoom link by Friday, Jul 24
10:30 AM
Brandywine Library - Hybrid
Syl Woolford - The Woolford Family during the Revolutionary War
Roger Woolford came to the Maryland colony in 1662. He received land grants in Somerset and Dorchester counties. His family grew and his family wealth grew over the early years of the British colonies. When the Revolutionary War began, General George Washington called on local militias to join the Continental Army. Colonel Thomas Woolford answered the call and joined the Revolutionary War on January of 1776. He served seven years in the Continental army.
This presentation tells the history of the Woolford Family of Sommerset and Dorchester Counties from the time Roger Woolford landed in Virginia in 1661 through the Revolutionary War to his descendants who are living today. Three hundred and sixty two years of history in one hour.
10:30 AM
Email [email protected] for a Zoom link by Friday, Jul 24
22 Aug 2026
10:30 AM
Brandywine Library/hybrid
Washerwomen and the Atlanta Washerwomen Strike of 1881
M. Patricia Johnson, Vice President of History, DEAAHGS
Description: In the United States, from slavery to the 19th century and beyond, Washerwoman was one of the most common occupations for African American women. After emancipation many freedwomen continued in this line of work to support themselves and their families. Due to racial barriers, misogyny, lack of education, and even Jim Crow laws, there still remained few employment opportunities for many African American women outside of washerwoman. This presentation will discuss the history of washerwomen, the plight of African American washerwomen, and the Atlanta Washerwomen Strike of 1881: its causes, formation, backlash, and aftermath.
10:30 AM
Brandywine Library/hybrid
Washerwomen and the Atlanta Washerwomen Strike of 1881
M. Patricia Johnson, Vice President of History, DEAAHGS
Description: In the United States, from slavery to the 19th century and beyond, Washerwoman was one of the most common occupations for African American women. After emancipation many freedwomen continued in this line of work to support themselves and their families. Due to racial barriers, misogyny, lack of education, and even Jim Crow laws, there still remained few employment opportunities for many African American women outside of washerwoman. This presentation will discuss the history of washerwomen, the plight of African American washerwomen, and the Atlanta Washerwomen Strike of 1881: its causes, formation, backlash, and aftermath.
26 Sep 2026
10:30 AM
10:30 AM
24 Oct 2026
10:30 AM
10:30 AM
21 Nov 2026
10:30 AM
10:30 AM
No December Meeting
Happy Holidays!
See you in 2027!
Happy Holidays!
See you in 2027!