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Research Groups & Learning

The Washington DC FamilySearch Center hosts a variety of free research groups, videos, and learning opportunities for genealogists at every level. Whether you are just starting out or working through a difficult brick wall, our resources offer community, collaboration, and expert guidance.

Research Groups by Special Interest

African American Genealogy Research. Focus: African-American genealogy, history, and culture. Meets

African American Research

Focus: African American genealogy, history, and culture.


Meets weekly on Monday at 10 am, alternating between Zoom and and in-person at the Center.. 


Contact Frank Jenkins at FHCAASIG@gmail.com


AI Curious Genealogy. Focus: Explore the new AI tools to help with your family history.  Meets on t

AI & Genealogy

Focus: Explore AI based tools and strategies to help with your family history. 


Meets on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 11 am. Hybrid: in-person at the Center and on Zoom.


Contact Doug Hill at aicuriousgen@gmail.com

Italian Genealogy Research. Focus: Italian genealogy research, including records, surnames, and immi

Italian Research

Focus: Italian genealogy research, including records, surnames, and immigration.


Meets the 4th Monday of the month at, 7 pm. Hybrid:  in-person at the Center and Zoom.


Contact Janet Schiller at Italian_SIG@outlook.com


Eastern European Genealogy Research. Focus: Genealogy research in Eastern European countries such as

Eastern European Research

Focus: Genealogy research in Eastern European countries such as Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, Slovakia, and more.


Meets the 3rd Saturday at 1 pm.


Contact Mary Ann Evan at maryann.evan@gmail.com

Irish Genealogy Research. Focus: Exploring Irish heritage and genealogy strategies. Meets the 3rd W

Irish Research

Focus: Exploring Irish heritage and genealogy strategies.


Meets the 3rd Wednesday at 7 pm.  


Contact Cindy Finelli at cfinelli16@gmail.com

Roots Magic User Group. Focus: Tutorials and support for RootsMagic software users. Meets monthly o

RootsMagic 11

Focus: Tutorials and support for RootsMagic software users.


Meets monthly on the 1st and 2nd Saturdays at 9:30 am. 


Contact Gary Petranek at gpetranek@gmail.com

Beginner DNA. Focus: Introducing the basics of DNA testing and how to interpret results. Meets the

Beginner DNA

Focus: Introducing the basics of DNA testing and how to interpret results.


Meets the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7 pm.


Contact: Andy Hochreiter at ajhochreiter@comcast.net

Advanced DNA Interest Group. Focus: Advanced DNA analysis techniques for experienced researchers. M

Advanced DNA

Focus: Advanced DNA analysis techniques for experienced researchers.


Meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7 pm. 


Contact: Jim Bartlett at jim4bartletts@verizon.net

How it Works

1.  Reach out to the point-of-contact of the group(s) that you are interested in to get  additional meeting details and to confirm the schedule. You can also drop in to in-person meetings.

2. Bring any family history notes, documents, or questions you may have, or just prepare to listen, learn, and ask questions along the way.  

3. Our groups are free and open to the public. You do not need to be a member of any organization to participate.

Videos

Check here for educational videos created by Washington DC FamilySearch Center volunteers.

Stay Informed About Learning Opportunities

Providing research resources and learning opportunities to assist you in your family search is central to our mission. Stay up-to-date by visiting the Center, joining a research group, reading our Generations Newsletter and Memory Lane blog, or checking out the News & Events page.

NEWS & EVENTS