Beyond the classroom….OLLI’s Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are formed and led by members who want to connect with other OLLI members who share a common interest outside of the classroom setting.
Since October is Family History Month, we’re spotlighting our Family History SIG.
The Family History Special Interest Group is one of OLLI’s biggest Special Interest Groups with 75 members and 25 - 30 members regularly attending meetings both in-person and via Zoom. Barbara McGeachy has been coordinator of the group for the last twelve years. Barbara describes her interest in the group as a calling for sharing stories. She shares, “My grandmother shared stories about many of her ancestors including her grandfather who served in the Civil War. We must share our stories or they will be lost forever.” We appreciate Barbara’s commitment, organization and passion for family history!
Meeting on the second Friday of each month from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., each Family History Group meeting is organized around a different genealogy-related topic, theme, or resource presented by a Family History SIG member or someone that Barbara brings in from a genealogical society. Some of the topics they are planning to explore this academic year include Heritage Tourism, Sons of the American Revolution, Irish Research and Genealogy Technology (all subject to change, of course).
This group is open to people at all levels of genealogical knowledge and experience.
Ed Webb is the Family History SIG member who will be presenting at the SIG meeting on December 13. Ed shares, “As a genealogist for my family and a regular participant in the OLLI Family History SIG for several years, I always find the sessions interesting, and I applaud OLLI’s support of the group to continue learning about family history and genealogy research. Hearing about family stories, like the one about my aunt Mary that I’ll present in December 2024, makes the research much more understandable…. Because SIG members are frequently the presenters, the sessions are more informal and engaging. From my work on the story of my aunt Mary, I have learned more about research sources and discovered much about my father’s family that I had only heard snippets about. Now I have confirmed and elaborated on those snippets into a story that I want to share about her and my family. Explaining how I located the information may help others in their own research.”
Are you interested in joining the Family History Special Interest Group? Email Barbara at barbnral@gmail.com so that she can add you to her mailing list and get Zoom link and meeting information to you. Here’s your chance to start or continue a lasting passion for genealogy too!
*The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at NC State provides non-credit short courses, study trips, and special events for adults aged 50+. Topics are wide-ranging in the liberal arts and sciences, and we emphasize learning for the joy of learning. Programs range from one-time lectures to six-week courses, and we provide many opportunities to connect with others who share your interests. Most of our courses are held at the easily-accessible McKimmon Conference and Training Center.
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