Monthly Programs

March 29, 2023 Dr. Jane Magill, Genetics Researcher and Faculty, Texas A&M, Retired
"The Huguenots: French Protestants of the 1500s and 1600s

The Huguenots were a controversial religious sect in France in the 1500s and 1600s when France was almost totally Catholic.

Jane Magill was born and raised in Canada and emigrated to the US many years ago to attend graduate school in genetics at Cornell University in New York where she met her husband. After graduation they came to Texas A&M and stayed their entire careers to teach and do research. The Magill's have a daughter and three grandchildren, all living in Maryland.

April 26, 2023 Ms. Irene Walters, Librarian, Clayton Library
Houston Public Library's Family History Research Center
"Medical Genealogy: Defining Obscure Medical Terms Used by Our Ancestors''

You may have heard that Great Aunt Mary was consumptive and know that means she had tuberculosis, but what if someone had phthsis pulmonalis, phthisis, potter's asthma, or white plague? Come or zoom in and learn about some of the diseases our ancestors faced and where to find out what the medical terms you see in obituaries or death certificates mean. (FYI, all the terms above have been used for tuberculosis).

Irene B. Walters came to Houston Public Library's Family History Research Center at the Clayton Library Campus from New York in 1997 after receiving her librarian degree from State University of New York in Buffalo. As well as helping researchers at the library, Irene gives talks on various aspects of genealogical research including: the internet, newspaper research, passenger list and naturalization record searching, as well as Irish and French research. Irene started her own genealogy research as a teenager and has taken her lines back through New York State into France, Ireland and recently Germany. Though like all families, some ancestors are being more difficult!

May 31, 2023
Linda Duckett Attaway
Linda traces the footsteps in her great grandfather’s 1928 memoir of his Texas adventures. W. P. Duckett’s narrative (1852-1934) weaves a fascinating story from departing with a young wife in a covered wagon from Starrville, Smith County in 1874 to head west, temporarily settling then moving often while creating a myriad of businesses.

Our Texas native member presenter is a retired North Mesquite High School French teacher who enjoys creating genealogical research trips and writing about her discoveries. She is currently president of the Hiram Bennett Chapter of the D. R. T. and a member of the D.A. R. She has created three public presentations: “The French in Texas”; “Generals Washington and Lafayette: Side by Side”; and plays the part of General Santa Anna in a skit which is based on Michener’s The Eagle and the Raven.

Statewide Conferences/Events

• Texas State Genealogical Society Annual Conference
   
• Texas Institute of Genealogical Research Biennial Conference
   

National Conferences/Events

• Roots Tech
   
• The National Genealogical Society Annual Family History Conference
   Note: The NGS and the Federation of Genealogical Societies have merged October 1, 2020
   
• The Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research