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Meeting Details: Second Tuesday of each month, October-May
Time: 1:00-3:00 PM
Location: Activity Center Navajo/Hohokam Rooms
Who Can Attend: Any Sun City resident is welcome!
Stay Informed: Email Christine Takerian, our Membership Chair at scovgcmembership@aol.com to receive advance notices.
Handouts: Speaker materials are typically available one week before each meeting - then you can click on the handout title to view, download, or print
Planning for the Upcoming Year is In Progress!
October 13: Practical AI: Time-Saving Solutions for Genealogists: Unlock the power of AI to transform your genealogy research and reclaim valuable time in your day. Whether you're looking to break through brick walls in your family history or just want more time to focus on what matters most, this lecture will introduce you to practical AI tools and strategies that can make your genealogical journey smoother and more productive. Join us to learn how AI can become your indispensable assistant.
Jennifer Zinck is a professional genealogist, writer, editor, and educator who combines evidence-based research with a genuine enthusiasm for uncovering the past. She holds the Certified Genealogist® credential from the Board for Certification of Genealogists, where she serves as a Trustee, and the Accredited Genealogist® credential from ICAPGen. Based in Connecticut, Jennifer specializes in New England research—especially Connecticut—and the interpretation of DNA evidence. Jennifer is dedicated to helping others build accurate, ethical genealogies and to promoting the thoughtful use of genetic information and emerging technologies.
November 10: Get the Scoop on Your Ancestors with Newspapers: Lisa Louise Cooke provides a practical roadmap for successful newspaper research. Discover the wide range of family history clues newspapers can reveal. Learn how to identify and locate the right newspapers conveniently and cost-effectively, while minimizing the chance that valuable sources are overlooked. You’ll also learn practical strategies for using OCR and AI, and the art of turning clues found in a single article into new searches, new leads, and new discoveries!
Lisa Louise Cooke is a trailblazing thought leader, author, and captivating genealogy speaker who redefines how we connect with our ancestral past. Through her innovative platforms like the Genealogy Gems Podcast (launched in 2007) and a thriving YouTube channel, she empowers a global audience to uncover their family stories. Lisa is the author of several bestselling books, including “The Genealogist’s Google Toolbox, 3rd Edition”, and offers exclusive, on-demand genealogy education through her Premium Membership at https://lisalouisecooke.com. A trusted voice in the field, she pens a regular column for Family Tree Magazine. Known for her engaging style and practical strategies, Lisa will inspire and re-energize your research.
December 8 - Family Trees Have Feelings Too: The Do's and Don'ts of Getting Your Relatives to Care About Genealogy: You've fallen in love with genealogy. Your family? They love you, but their eyes glaze over the moment you mention Great-Aunt Mildred's naturalization papers. Sound familiar?
Join us for a practical, laugh-out-loud session on bridging the gap between your passion for the past and your family's passion for literally anything else. We'll cover the biggest mistakes genealogy enthusiasts make—hint: nobody wants a forty-slide slideshow at Thanksgiving—and the surprisingly simple tricks that turn skeptics into storytellers.
Learn how to uplevel your next family reunion into something people actually look forward to. Get the lowdown on using social media, email threads, and shared Google folders to keep the momentum alive long after everyone goes home, without becoming "that relative" who won't stop talking about ancestry.com.
Come curious. Leave inspired. Your family tree will thank you.
Scott C. Miller is a proud, longtime resident of Sun City Oro Valley, having called it home since January of this year. He has been deeply immersed in the world of genealogy for several months now, a tenure he considers more than sufficient to dispense expert advice.
By trade, Scott has spent decades traveling the country teaching community leaders how to support families out of poverty—so naturally, he figured convincing his own relatives to care about their family history would be easy. He was wrong.
Mornings find him chasing the elusive happy feeling that a good round of golf is supposed to provide. Afternoons are devoted to his "second chapter" venture, the Happiness Network. He's also the author of several books, most recently The Inevitability of Joy: Higher Consciousness, Better Systems, Happier People—a title he's chosen to believe applies retroactively to every family reunion he's ever attended.
Six Week Beginner's Course began January 15 2027
taught by Karen Hasselbach
This course will give you solid grounding and numerous guidelines for doing your genealogy research. It is offered free of charge to club members. Space available to start late - send email to Karen: candydish7@gmail.com
The class meets Friday afternoons from 1:00-3:00 at the Technology Center in the Welcome Center from January 15 - February 19th. Field trip to the Family History Center to be scheduled.
2025-2026 MEETINGS:
October 14 - Pre-1850 Records: Uncovering Your Early American and European Ancestors
Journey back to America's early days and European origins with expert researcher Ed Storey! Before the 1850 census revolutionized genealogy, our ancestors on both sides of the Atlantic left different types of records that require special detective skills to find and interpret. Learn proven research strategies for navigating colonial and early American documents as well as European parish registers, civil records, and emigration sources. Discover alternative record sources when traditional ones don't exist, and master techniques for piecing together your pre-1850 family puzzle across continents. Ed will share insider tips that will help you push your American and European lines back further than you thought possible.
Ed Storey
Ed Storey
Ed Storey grew up in Rochester, where he worked for General Motors, as an engineer. He also lived in El Paso and Beijing before moving to Colorado with his wife, Nancy, and finally to Arizona. Storey has written regularly for genealogy magazines like Your Genealogy Today and Internet Genealogy. His ancestors seem to have come from England and Germany, with a time in India. Recent presentation topics include finding older records and how to look up records for England and her colonies, such as India or St Helena. He is active in AzGAB, as well as English societies that specialize in India and the county of Norfolk.
November 11 - Beyond the Basics: Getting the Most Out of FamilySearch.org
FamilySearch.org is a powerful free resource for discovering, organizing, and preserving family history, yet
many researchers only scratch the surface of what it can do. This presentation explores strategies for using
advanced search tools, record hints, and research aids, while also highlighting the unique benefits available
through FamilySearch Centers. Attendees will learn how visiting a FamilySearch Center unlocks access to
affiliated partner websites and premium records that can take their research further.
Adele Post
Adele Post
Adele is the director of the Tucson Arizona West FamilySearch Center at 3530 W Magee Rd. She is a seasoned family history researcher with nearly three decades of experience in genealogical
research, historical preservation, and community heritage projects.
Adele has trained and supported many individuals in building family trees, navigating advanced research tools, and preserving their family legacies—all as a dedicated volunteer. She specializes in U.S. Southwest family history, land records, and cemetery preservation.
December 9 - Holiday Heritage Celebration
Join us for our annual holiday celebration as we explore the rich cultural tapestry of America! Journey through different regions of the United States as you enjoy hands-on activities that bring history to life, plus indulge in a delicious American Smorgasbord featuring appetizers and desserts representing various regional traditions. Come hungry and ready to learn!
January 13 - Surprises in Vital Records: Hidden Gems You're Missing
Think you know everything vital records can tell you? Think again! David Fryxell will open your eyes to the surprising details hiding in plain sight on birth, death, and marriage certificates. Discover how to extract maximum genealogical gold from these essential documents and learn what clues you might be overlooking in your research.
David Fryxell
David Fryxell
David A. Fryxell is an award-winning author and editor who founded Family Tree Magazine, the nation's leading genealogy publication. He is the author of The Family Tree Guide to Scandinavian Genealogy and has extensive experience in genealogical research and publishing. As a recognized writing expert who penned the Nonfiction column for Writer's Digest for over a decade, he brings both genealogical knowledge and proven instructional skills to help researchers effectively document and share their family history discoveries. His work has been recognized in Who's Who in America for more than 25 years.
February 10 - The Lazy Genealogist: Work Smarter not Harder!
Popular speaker, Amy Urman, returns with game-changing strategies to supercharge your genealogy research! Learn time-saving techniques, productivity hacks, and clever shortcuts that will help you accomplish more in less time. Say goodbye to research overwhelm and hello to efficient, effective family history detective work.
Amy Urman
Amy Urman
Amy Urman is an Arizona licensed private investigator and professional genealogist known for her expertise in forensic genealogy, genealogical research, and asset recovery. She, is a member of the National Genealogy Society, serves in multiple roles with the DAR, and is a frequent speaker at genealogy societies and clubs.
Karen Janczy
Karen Janczy
Mrs. .Karen Janczy has been doing family genealogy for almost thirty years and is a member of over forty lineage societies, holding many National, State and local offices. She has successfully assisted others in application preparation and submission. Mrs. Janczy is a retired NSDAR Staff Genealogist, having worked from 2008-2022. She served as the National Vice Chair, Lineage Support, Analysis 2022-2025 and is currently an Analysis Specialist for the Lineage Research Committee. Mrs. Janczy is also a retired Registered Nurse and has a BA in Liberal Studies from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, and an MS in Management from the University of Maryland University College. A fourth-generation Floridian, Mrs. Janczy lives in Southern Maryland with her husband Mike and spoiled Corgi, Dylan.
April 14 - Solving Genealogical Problems with Timelines
Plotting an individual on a timeline is a valuable tool to help in genealogy research. Because it summarizes a life, the timeline can point out areas of further research, errors and inconsistencies, interconnections between persons, and relationships to historical events. This discussion will demonstrate numerous types of timelines, how they can be created and how they can be used in analysis.
Suzanne Young Brayer
Suzanne Young Brayer
Suzanne is an educator, historical researcher and avid genealogist. She graduated BA and MA in history and education from Arizona State University.
Her fascination with history was a natural segue into the field of family history. She and her father worked together gathering the pieces of their ancestry puzzle. From Mayflower ancestors to Quakers to Revolutionary War patriots to 19th century German immigrants and a few criminals along the way, she, like most of us, represents the “melting pot” of American culture.
She has taught genealogy classes and spoken to numerous groups throughout Arizona and the West. She is a lecturer, teacher and genealogist with over 35 years experience.
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