From Loyalists to Free People of Color: Stories You Don’t Want to Miss!

You Don’t Have to Live in Virginia Beach to Attend Genealogy Day at the Beach!

Every spring, I look forward to highlighting this event hosted by one of my favorite groups, the Virginia Beach Genealogical Society. Genealogy Day at the Beach is right around the corner—Saturday, April 19, 2025—and this year’s event is shaping up to be one of our best yet. Hosted by the Virginia Beach Genealogical Society and the Virginia Beach Public Library, it’s a day filled with inspiration, learning, and community connections.

But here’s the best part: you don’t have to be in Virginia Beach to join us—and there’s no cost! This event is hybrid, meaning all speaker presentations are available both in person and via Zoom. No matter where you are, you can tune in and enjoy a remarkable lineup of genealogical speakers.

Registering for Zoom access is free, and you’ll find the Zoom links posted on the Virginia Beach Genealogical Society website on the day of the event.

So spread the word! Invite your genealogy friends and make a day of it. You don’t have to live in Virginia Beach to enjoy this incredible lineup of speakers. But if you're local, we would love to see you in person! There's nothing quite like sharing the day with a friendly, enthusiastic group of people who are just as passionate about genealogy as you are. Whether you're into DNA, colonial history, African American research, or family mysteries, you'll find someone here who shares your interests.

Come learn, connect, and get inspired! 

If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page, where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2025 

Upcoming FREE Genealogy Presentation: "Ten Resources I Use Every Day: Miscellaneous Tips for the Online Researcher"

The Virginia Beach Genealogical Society is hosting a FREE hybrid presentation that you will want to attend! On Thursday, October 10, 2024, at 6:00 PM, renowned genealogist Cyndi Ingle will share "Ten Resources I Use Every Day: Miscellaneous Tips for the Online Researcher." Whether you're attending in person or joining via Zoom, this presentation will be an excellent opportunity to learn from one of the most knowledgeable experts in the field. See the flyer at the end of this post to sign up for the meeting via Zoom. 

The Virginia Beach Genealogical Society's monthly meetings are hybrid events, offering convenience for both local attendees and those joining remotely. In addition to the monthly meetings, the society hosts four Special Interest Groups that meet regularly—three via Zoom and one in person. For more about this wonderful group and its valuable resources, visit the Virginia Beach Genealogical Society's website. 

If you want to know about families I research, click here to like my Facebook page, where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2024 

Why I Join Genealogical Societies

The first genealogical society I joined was 2,700+ miles from my home AND in a state where I had no family history. I joined the Southern California Genealogical Society to receive a discount on their conference fees and to have access to their webinars. It's been more than 12 years since that first conference. I attended several more conferences, continue to enjoy their webinars, and often take advantage of the external genealogical resources for use from my home. Fold3 Library Edition, Newspaper Archives, and History Geo are just three of several resources I regularly use for a membership fee of only $35. 

For many years I never considered joining a local genealogy society. Big Mistake! With work and family, I didn't know where I would find the time, and I had no research interests in my home state of Virginia. The Virginia Beach Genealogical Society moved everything to Zoom during the pandemic, so I joined. Its meetings and activities are now one of my favorite post-retirement pastimes. 

By joining a local genealogy society, I met nice people who share my addicting hobby. And although the society is based in Virginia, speakers and programs are seldom about Virginia resources. I learn something useful at every meeting.

If you live in or near Virginia Beach, you might want to check-out
this FREE event on April 15th. 

Also, consider joining genealogical societies in the areas you are researching. This allows you to connect with members who may know about your family and be able to answer questions about the area. 

I am a dues-paying member of seven genealogical societies.  I joined these societies for various reasons and have benefited from genealogical education, access to archives and journals, and free look-up services. 

To find a genealogical society near your home or in an area where you research, use the search form at the National Genealogical Society website. Or, as most genealogical societies have a Facebook page, search Facebook. 

If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page, where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2023