Our members engage in genealogy research that encompasses a wide area of genealogical research. We welcome family history researchers interested in all states and countries.
Mesa County Genealogical Society Brochure
MCGS is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
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to join our Facebook Group. You will be able to communicate with other members and post interesting genealogy related information.
After asking to 'Join' will will need to answer a few simple questions, then read and agree to the group rules.
Meetings
Society meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month from 7 - 9 PM. See the schedule below for program details.
Many meetings are held in a hybrid (Zoom/in-person) format. Check your e-mails for details
Our meetings are held at the Keller Williams Realty building at 2474 Patterson Rd. An email with any handouts and an invitation to attend the meeting via Zoom will be sent prior to the meeting date.
The MCGS Business Meetings are held either before or after the regular 'General Program' meetings.
What's New on the MCGS Website?
Thank you to community member Jacob Dougherty for the update on the actual location of the Gateway Cemetery. The map has been updated on the Gateway Cemetery page.
Several obituaries for some of the first burials in Elmwood Cemetery have been located and added.
MCGS Programs and Calendar of Events
Thank You to the MCGS Program Committee. Listed below is the preliminary lineup for our programs this coming year. In addition to the programs listed below several additional topics are being considered for 2025 including the 'Atomic Energy Cabin' field trip, Foriegn research strategies, Using WPA records, etc.
The 'First Friday' listed at the beginning of every month is a free opportunity for community members (and MCGS members) to visit the Mesa County Library listed for one-on-one assistance with your genealogy question(s). Check the 'Events' page on the Mesa County Library website and search for "genealogy". Registration is suggested so that we can pair you with one of our members who has experience with your particular genealogy question.
| May 3 | First Friday - Fruita Library 10 am - 12 pm |
| May 9 | General Program - "The Davis Family and the Founding of Daven Haven Lodge in Grand Lake" - Presenter MCGS member, poet, author, and educator Jill Burkey will share her research using the census, land records, newspaper articles and other sources to recount the story of the women in her family who built the resort in Grand Lake. This story is intertwined with national events, the KKK, the Depression and WWII. |
| Jun 7 | First Friday - Palisade Library 2 - 4 pm |
| Jun 13 | General Program: MCGS member, society Secretary,and FamilySearch Center expert Bonnie Emmert will give 'A more in-depth look at using familysearch.org' - This will be a working session which will allow you to submit specific questions (in advance) about the use of FamilySearch in your own research. You are invited to bring your own laptop (or device of choice) to follow along. |
| Jul 5 | First Friday - Clifton Library 12 pm - 2 pm |
| Jul 11 | General Program: 'The Library of Congress (LOC)' for genealogy research. A presentation that will give you a look at the LOC website and how to use the information with your own family research.- Presenter: Sherrie Galloway. Tentatively, this program may be scheduled during the day. |
| Aug 2 | First Friday - Central Library 1 - 3 pm |
| Aug 8 | MCGS Annual potluck picnic. As in previous years this will be held at the LDS Church and FamilySearch Center picnic shelter on Orchard Ave. |
| Aug 18th - 22nd or 24th | Salt Lake City Research Trip. Check your email for additional details. |
| Sep 6 | First Friday - Fruita Library 10 am - 12 pm |
| Sep 12 | Historic tour of New Elmwood Cemtery - Fruita - Field Trip. Stories about some of the burials presented by MCGS member and society Vice President Dave Fishell. |
| Sep 12 | Semi-Annual Business and Board Meeting |
| Sep 14 | Collbran Genealogy Program. This was a very successful program in 2023 and we will be repeating it this year. An email will be sent with additional details. Mark your calendar. |
| Oct 4 | First Friday - Palisade Library 2 pm - 4 pm |
| Oct 10 | General Program - Tentative: Writing your Family History - Speaker to be announced |
| Nov 1 | First Friday - Clifton Library 12 pm - 2 pm |
| Nov 14 | General Program - 'Benjamin Harrison "Chickasaw Ben" White: A Complex genealogy research project in Virginia: Presented by MCGS member and society President Karen Merritt Sturgill |
| Dec 6 | First Friday - Central Library 1 - 3 pm |
| Dec | MCGS Annual Holiday Potluck - Mesa County Posse Building. Check your email for details. |
| Jan 9 2025 | Tentative - Even if your ancestor did not produce any diaries, letters, or memoirs, you may be able to use the written records of friends, neighbors and collateral ancestors to give a more indepth look at your ancestors lives. |
| Feb 13 2025 | Annual Meeting. Short webinar - topic to be announced. |
Genealogy Events of Interest
Current Officers, Board Members, and Committee Chairs
| Karen Merritt Sturgill | President |
| Dave Fishell | Vice President |
| Bonnie Emmert | Secretary |
| Laurie Buniger | Treasurer |
| Pamela Paxton | Frank Nemanich | Jody Blackmer |
| Program Committee | Chair: Brenda Sabo, Members: Laurie Buniger, Karen McGuirk, Dave Fishell, Gail Woodmansee |
| Historian | Brenda Sabo |
| Membership/Outreach | Vacant |
| Newsletter | Gail Woodmansee |
| Parliamentarian | Vacant |
| Research | Darrel Sartin |
| Genealogist/Librarian | Karen Sturgill |
| Webmaster | Karen Sturgill | Ad Hoc Cemetery Project Committee | Chair: Dave Fishell, Co-Chair: Laurie Buniger |
Mesa County Genealogical Society is a member of the Colorado Council of Genealogical Societies (CCGS) and the National Genealogical Society (NGS). The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) was merged with the NGS in the summer of 2019.
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