Story County Genealogical Society

03/27/2026

Ever wondered what Iowa looked like before towns, roads, and boundaries? Tune in on Wednesday, April 1, at 10:00 AM, author, historian, and Notes on Iowa founder Kevin Mason will be live on Talk of Iowa on Iowa Public Radio.

He’ll be discussing his new book, "Retracing the Dragoon Trail in Iowa," on its day of release from Michigan State University Press. The book offers a journey through the landscapes, stories, and legacies of the 1835 Dragoon Expedition, which helped shape the state we know today.

If you’re interested in Iowa’s past, the connections between people and place, or the stories that still echo along the Des Moines River, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

03/25/2026

https://genealogybargains.com/newspaper-finder/ Ever have that "why did no one tell me about this sooner?" moment? 🤦‍♂️📖

If you’ve been spending hours hunting for historical newspaper archives and hitting brick walls, you need to meet Newspaper Finder.

Most of us know that birth and death certificates are great, but they’re "dry"—they give you names and dates, but newspapers give you the stories. We’re talking about:

Detailed obituaries naming every surviving sibling

Marriage announcements mentioning hometowns in Ireland or Italy

Small-town news about your great-grandfather’s "unlicensed still" (no judgment!)

The problem? These archives are scattered across state libraries, universities, and local societies. Newspaper Finder is a FREE directory that does the searching for you. It points you exactly where the digital archive lives so you don't waste time (or subscription money!) on things already available for free.

Stop guessing and start searching. Your ancestors made the news—go find them! 👇 Read the full guide at Genealogy Bargains: https://genealogybargains.com/newspaper-finder/

03/22/2026

Come to the Library for a presentation and conversation with Civil War re-enactor, historian, and writer O.J. Fargo as part of the Ames History Museum Lecture Series:

Just Before the Battle Mother: A Visit from a Civil War Soldier
Tuesday, March 24
7pm, Auditorium and online via Zoom

Dressed in full Union Army regalia, O.J. Fargo focuses his first person presentation on an individual Iowa soldier’s Civil War experience. He will detail the experiences of an Iowan during the conflict.

Fargo will also bring an artifact display and full electronic Civil War roster of all men who served in and from Iowa, searchable by name, city, county and/or birthplace.

Find out more at www.ameshistory.org

Ames History Museum

03/18/2026

03/18/2026

03/16/2026

🌟 IGS Member Benefit Spotlight!

Did you know Iowa Genealogical Society members enjoy FREE access to MyHeritage Library Edition wherever they choose to research?

By logging in through the Members-Only section of the IGS website, members can use this valuable genealogy resource from home, during a lunch break, at the library, or even from their favorite coffee shop.

🌟 Not a member yet? This is a great time to join!

New members can take advantage of the America 250 Special Rate — just $17.76 for the first year.

This special offer is available for a limited time, so don’t miss out.

Join today and start enjoying valuable genealogy benefits — wherever you live!

👉 Join here: Iowa Genealogical Society – Become a Member
https://iowagenealogy.org/onlineJoin.php

03/16/2026

IGS - Using MyHeritage Lunch and Learn.

This program will share some of the best tips and tricks for using MyHeritage to build and expand your family history. 👉 Click here to register and receive your Zoom link. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/gwK46qCsRaCioNf7wKuQAQ #/registration

Did you know that IGS members can use MyHeritage Library Edition for FREE—from home, the library, or even their favorite coffee shop?

Not a member yet? Join today and take advantage of our $17.76 America 250 Membership Special!
👉 Click here to learn more and join IGS. https://iowagenealogy.org/cpage.php?pt=266

03/16/2026

Keep it simple, researchers! 💡
Do you have an example of when going broad has worked out for the better?

If you're interested in more expert tips on how to improve your searches, check out our Search 101 Tips and Tricks Virtual Event on Youtube: https://bit.ly/40XmoyW

03/14/2026

03/06/2026