Rogue Valley Genealogical Society

About Our Special Interest Groups

The Rogue Valley Genealogical Society sponsors a variety of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) that meet each month. Members and patrons with a common interest gather to share information, strategies, and help each other with troubleshooting. Interest groups are free to attend for all. To register for any of the following groups, please see the sections below. Click here to view our event calendar for specific information on each group. Not finding a group that fits your needs? Check out the Special Interest Groups at the Genealogical Forum of Oregon! They are also free to attend.

Colonial America Interest Group

The Colonial America Interest Group meets via Zoom from 2:00 - 3:30 PM on the second Monday of every month to discuss genealogy research in the original 13 colonies. Join facilitator Jeanne Hoadley and bring your stories and research experiences. New members, click here to register. Returning members do not need to register. This special interest group meeting is hybrid, meeting in person at the RVGS Library AND on Zoom. Group members are welcome to join the meeting in either location.

Family Tree Maker User Group - Meeting virtually via Zoom

Barbara MacMillen facilitates this group. It meets from 1:30 - 3:00 PM on the second Tuesday of every month to discuss the Family Tree Maker program and share ideas with each other. If you are not currently a group member, register here for a meeting invitation.

Genealogy Newbies Interest Group - Meets virtually via Zoom

Barbara Northrop moderates this interest group for new genealogists that want a small group setting to ask questions. The group meets via Zoom from 6:00 - 7:30 PM on the second Thursday of every month. This meetings will start with the first 45 minutes of topical structured content and the last half of the session will be open for general questions. Participants must register here to get the zoom link.

Genetic Genealogy Interest Group - Meets virtually via Zoom

Barbara Halvorsen facilitates this interest group for everyone interested in genetic genealogy. They meet on the second Wednesday of the month from 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM. If you are not currently a group member, register here for a meeting invitation.

German Interest Group - Meets virtually via Zoom

The group focus is on German history and research. They meet the second Tuesday of the month from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM at the RVGS library AND broadcast their meeting on Zoom. If you are not currently a group member, register here for a meeting invitation. Contact the group at GermanInterestGroup@rvgslibrary.org. Visit the GIG resources page here.

Great Lakes Interest Group - Meets virtually via Zoom

Thanks to its natural waterways, the Great Lakes region played a pivotal role in the western migration and industrialization of 19th century America. Join us to discuss the original Northwest Territory: its diverse ethnic and political history, geography and migration routes, and research resources in the area. The Great Lakes interest group is a collaboration of the Rogue Valley Genealogical Society and the Genealogical Forum of Oregon and is facilitated by Kim Thurman. The group will meet via Zoom beginning June 8, 2022, from 1:30 - 3:00 PM on the second Wednesday every other month. Click here to register and receive a Zoom link for the meeting. Returning members do not need to register.

Irish Interest Group - Meets virtually via Zoom

Barbara Halvorsen moderates this interest group concentrating on Irish history, culture and researching Irish ancestors. The group meets on the second Friday of the month from 1:30 - 3:00 PM via Zoom. If you are not currently a group member, register here for a meeting invitation.

RVGS Quilt Committee

In 2013, when the Jacksonville Quilters lost their home, the Rogue Valley Genealogical Society stepped up to house some of their collection and in so doing formed the RVGS Quilt Committee. Since that time, the Quilt Committee has been offering classes and making presentations about quilts and their histories and providing quilt documentation services to Southern Oregon. Quilts often reveal aspects of our ancestors’ lives that we otherwise wouldn’t have known and therefore play a significant role in genealogy. Click here to learn more about the Quilt Committee, schedule of events, quilt inventory, and more. Quilt Committee meetings and programs take place in-person at the RVGS Library.