Topeka Genealogical Society

06/04/2026

British Session this Sunday, June 7
Civil Registration: Certificates and Clues
by TGS member Phyllis Ericson
2:00 pm - Zoom Only - Pre-Registration Required

Discover how British birth, marriage, and death records can unlock the stories your ancestors left behind.
If you have any British ancestors who were living in England after 1837, this session is a must for your research.
In this session, we’ll explore real BMD certificates, learn smart search strategies using FreeBMD and the GRO index, and walk step‑by‑step through how to order the records you need. Whether you’re new to British research or ready to sharpen your skills, this session will help you turn these certificates into clues, and clues into discoveries.
Led by Phyllis Ericson, this group welcomes both beginners and experienced researchers.
This Zoom-only session encourages sharing and learning together.
Register now and get the details for joining by clicking this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/2yWEwHFkSGqSVfz8m-b5tQ #/registration

06/02/2026

🌟✨ Join Us for a Fun Day at the Kansas Museum of History! ✨🌟
Bring your brown‑bag lunch and meet up with fellow Topeka Genealogical Society members on Saturday, June 6, 2026!
We’ll gather at 11:30 AM for a relaxed lunch, then dive into the newly renovated museum exhibits with a guided tour at 12:30 PM led by docent Terry Stahl.

🎟️ Tour admission: $8 for seniors
💬 Open to all members & guests — new members especially!
📍 Kansas Museum of History, Topeka
🕒 11:30 AM–2:00 PM

Come for the lunch, the tour, or both — just don’t miss the chance to connect and explore!

For more information, see the event listing on the TGS website:

Kansas Museum of History Lunch and Tour at Kansas Museum of History on Sat Jun 6 2026, 11:30am CDT: Kansas Museum of History Lunch and Tour by Terry Stahl...

05/31/2026

🧬 The Topeka Genealogical Society DNA Special Interest Group is Back with Breakthrough Stories!
Join us Tuesday, June 2 at 10:30am (Zoom) for our next DNA Special Interest Group with leader Paula Smith.
June’s topic: Breaking Thru Brick Walls Using Ancestry’s ThruLines
Hear how DNA helped solve an adoption case, reveal an NPE, and crack a tough brick wall.
Register now at https://tgstopeka.org/events/ #!event/2026/6/2/dna-sig-examples-of-breakthroughs-using-dna to get the Zoom link.

DNA SIG - Examples of breakthroughs using DNA at Virtual - Zoom on Tue Jun 2 2026, 10:30am CDT: Our DNA Special Interest Group is Making Some Changes in...

05/31/2026

Congratulations to Sherri Camp! She is officially retired as Genealogy Librarian at TSCPL. She has been a tireless advocate and educator for family history, a collaborative partner with TGS, and a good friend to many in our community. We wish her well!

05/22/2026

Please join us at 5:00 pm on May 28th for our monthly fundraiser at Red Robin for some good food and lively conversation. If you prefer, you have the option of dining anytime between 11:00 am-10:00 pm or ordering online or in person for carryout. Mention this fundraiser or show them the attached flyer at the checkout register for TGS to receive 20% of sales benefit.
Following dinner, join us at TSCPL at 7:00 pm for our monthly program.
We look forward to seeing you and thank you for your support!

Dinner Gathering and Fundraiser at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews on Thu May 28 2026: Please join us at 5:00pm on May 28th for our monthly fundraiser...

05/22/2026

Public Services Specialist, Liz Frazier, will present the Topeka Genealogical Society's Thursday, May 28 program at 7:00 pm in the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library. Liz will describe the library's impressive array of free technology tools and services that can be put to work for genealogy research, including digitizing photographs, video, and audio recordings, capturing oral histories, and recording in the library's second-floor studio. Her presentation is a timely reminder that preserving our family histories doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. Attend in person, or online via Zoom.

For more information or to register for a Zoom link, visit

“TSCPL Technology Resources for Genealogy” by Liz Frazier at Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library on Thu May 28 2026: “TSCPL...

04/26/2026

Neither snow nor rain....but perhaps a tornado warning, postpones a TGS program! After about thirty minutes of hanging out in the bowels of the TSCPL, we were able to hear our April 23 program, "Topeka's Constitution Hall," by Grant Glenn. Mr. Glenn has been involved in the renovation of the historic building for many years. He shared photos of the transformation of the building and the creation of the sparkling new visitor's center and gave an overview of the many historic events that took place within the stone walls of one of Topeka's crown jewels.
If you missed the program, it will soon be available for on-demand viewing for members on the TGS website under the Past Programs tab.

04/21/2026

Our April dining out social and fundraiser will be at Panera Bread, 1421 SW Wanamaker Road at 5:00 pm on Thursday, April 23. Any purchases made between 8:00 am - 8:00 pm benefit TGS. You may order in person or online. You must show the flyer or digital copy to the cashier for us to receive the 20% donation. We look forward to seeing you for a fun evening! A copy of the flyer is attached.

Following dinner please join us at 7:00 pm at the TSCPL for our monthly program presentation: "Topeka's Constitution Hall".

Monthly Dining Out/ Fundraiser at Jason's Deli on Thu Apr 23 2026, 11:00am CDT: Our April 2026 dining out/fundraiser will be at Panera. 1421 SW Wanamaker...

04/17/2026

Join us for the Topeka Genealogical Society April Meeting!
“Topeka’s Constitution Hall” with Grant Glenn
Thursday, April 23, at 7:00pm
Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library
Kansas first took shape as a free state in the fall of 1855, when delegates gathered in Topeka’s Constitution Hall to draft the Topeka Constitution. Now fully restored, this historic landmark stands as a powerful reminder of Kansas’s pivotal role in the antislavery movement leading up to the Civil War.
At our April meeting, Grant Glenn will share the remarkable story of Constitution Hall—its place in Kansas history, the people who shaped it, and the recent renovation that brought new life to this treasured site.
Monthly programs are free and open to the public.
Attend in person or online via Zoom.
Register for the Zoom link at https://tgstopeka.org/events/ #!event-list

04/17/2026

The TGS Writing Group had another great session together today. We each write a short piece on a suggested theme (or on our current project) and share it with the group. It's a great source of inspiration! We are learning together and plan to branch out by sharing how to add photos to layouts and how AI can be used as an assistant or editor in your writing. We welcome new members to our group!