“Genealogy at the Archives” is the topic of the June 1 event to be held at the Georgia Archives in Morrow, in conjunction with the Georgia Genealogical Society (GGS).

The program is free but those who wish to attend should register on the Georgia Archives website, georgiaarchives.org, to ensure there are enough seats and handouts for attendees.

The session begins at 9 a.m. with registration and logistics. Robert S. Davis speaks at 9:30 a.m. on “Searching at the Georgia Archives and other Georgia Libraries.” He puts emphasis on what you can find at the Georgia Archives as well as in other great genealogy collections throughout our state, especially in Macon, and how to prepare for such a research trip.

After a break, his second lecture at 10:45 a.m. will be on “How to Use Georgia Land Grant Records.” He will cover the complicated history of Georgia’s land grant systems from the 1730s and the Trustees through the land lotteries of the 19th century until today. He will emphasize how best to use these in your genealogy research.

After a lunch break, at 1:15 p.m., Robin Klemm, of the archives, will speak on “Research Resources at the Georgia Archives,” with special emphasis on the new “Research Help” page on their website.

At 2:30 p.m., there will be a behind-the-scenes tour of the archives (if interested, it is recommended to register to reserve a space).

This will be a good day for those interested in Georgia research. Davis is one of the most prolific speakers and writers on Georgia genealogy, and is well worth hearing, so take advantage of his expertise.

Visiting Georgia genealogy rooms

When you are planning on visiting the genealogy and local history rooms/collections at any of Georgia’s libraries, always check online in their catalog to be sure they have books that you need for your particular project. Some libraries have more than others on a specific geographical area, and that is easy to ascertain. You might need to choose another library based on your research needs.

Hathi Trust

Some great books have been digitized and are available free on the Hathi Trust website at hathitrust.org, so don’t overlook this great resource. Check it out now.

Contact Kenneth H. Thomas Jr., P. O. Box 901, Decatur, GA 30031 or kenthomasongenealogy.com.