Bastrop County Genealogical Society

03/08/2026

March 14, 2026 BCGS Meeting -

In the world of genealogy, newspapers are often overlooked yet incredibly powerful tools for uncovering personal stories, tracing ancestral movements, and discovering historical context.   This presentation will discuss all of the newspaper websites that you must include in your genealogy research...

02/23/2026

02/21/2026

Another learning opportunity! One year it was in San Antonio. I wonder when it will be back in Texas! :) https://www.facebook.com/share/p/184TsCrh2v/

Coming to the 2026 NGS Family History Conference? Plan time in your schedule to research at the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center, one of the largest genealogy libraries in the country.

Imagine attending a session, gaining a new strategy, and then walking over to apply it immediately using world-class collections. Building research time into your trip can turn inspiration into real discoveries.
Will you be adding research hours to your conference plans?

02/14/2026

FREE is amazing !!! Don’t forget to Sign up!

Save your spot.

02/14/2026

YES! We are meeting Saturday, Feb. 14th!
Sorry for the late notice! The topic is Streamlining Genealogical Research Plans with AI: Step-by-Step

This practical session offers a detailed look at integrating AI into your genealogical research planning workflow. We’ll explore AI-powered tools that can assist with each step of the planning process: clarifying research objectives, analyzing, and summarizing known facts, generating hypotheses based on existing data, expanding your list of potential sources, and creating an optimized research strategy. Learn how to use AI to save time, reduce oversight, and create more robust research plans while maintaining control over your genealogical process.

02/07/2026

Hard to believe it’s been a whole year! Sign up for virtual free sessions today!

Save your spot.

02/07/2026

Some of the first park rangers in America weren’t rangers at all. They were Buffalo Soldiers—Black Americans who served in the U.S. Army after the Civil War. These soldiers protected wildlife from poachers, built trails, and helped shape the foundations of our national parks.

Interior continues to preserve and honor the history of these first rangers at places like Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, Fort Selden National Historic Site, Yosemite National Park and more.

We invite you to explore the numerous sites in the National Park System that have the distinction of possessing a history with these famed soldiers.

01/12/2026

Announcing our 2026 Meeting Schedule! Add to your calendar and we hope to see you at the Bastrop Public Library at 1:00 pm on the 2nd Saturdays!

January 10 - Genealogy Reboot - Strategies to Jumpstart Your Research

February 14 - Streamlining Genealogical Research Plans with AI: Step-by-Step

March 14 - Top Newspaper Sites That You MUST RESEARCH!

April 11 - Organizing Your Research Trip

May 9 - The Best Uses of AI for Genealogists.

June 13 - Sources for Seeking Scoundrels

July 11 - Demystifying Haplogroups

August 8 - Record As You Go, Cite As You Go, & File As You Go

September 12 - Scottish Genealogy – Are we a Clan or a Family?

October 10 - Who Hid the Body? Finding Your Ancestor’s Place of Burial

November No Meeting

December No Meeting

01/09/2026

The Bastrop County Historical Society is commemorating the Semiquincentennial of the United States with a special display called the Revolutionary Wall with historic Sanborn maps dating from 1885 to 1935 and how Bastrop expanded over time.

Bastrop County Museum & Visitor Center
Jan 7-31 | 10AM - 5PM
Free

01/07/2026

Genealogy Reboot is all about hitting the reset button as we step into a new year. January has a way of inviting fresh starts—new goals, new habits, and new perspectives—and our family history journey deserves the same intentional reboot. Whether your research has stalled, your files feel overwhelming, or you’re simply craving a clearer direction, this session is designed to help you begin again with confidence and momentum.

Think of this as a restart, not a redo. You’re not throwing away the work you’ve already done—you’re building on it with renewed focus. We’ll talk about letting go of research ruts, simplifying what’s become complicated, and reconnecting with why genealogy matters to you in the first place. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s progress. By starting fresh, setting realistic intentions, and adopting smarter strategies, you can make this the year your genealogy finally feels manageable, meaningful, and fun again.

Let’s reboot—together—and step into the new year with curiosity, clarity, and a plan you’re actually excited to follow.

Hope to see you January 10th at 1pm in the History Room at the Bastrop Public Library.

Hello Family Researcher! The BCGS 2025 Schedule is on our calendar! Please join us on the 2nd Saturdays at 1 pm in the Maynard Room at the Bastrop Public Library. There are no fees or membership requirements. We welcome anyone who wants to learn more about their family history and/or wants to improv...

01/07/2026

Genealogy Reboot! That’s what we will be talking bout this coming Saturday at 1:00 pm in the Bastrop Public Library History Room. Bring your thoughts and ideas to share how to restart or keep going. See you there!

12/13/2025

No meeting today but this is good info instead….

There's information hiding in census records that most people scroll right past. Information that leads to other documents. Information that breaks through brick walls.

For example, the 1940 census marks who gave the information—critical for knowing if it's reliable. The 1900 census is the only one with exact birth months, your key to baptismal records and birth certificates. Naturalization codes unlock citizenship documents. Property ownership markers lead to deeds and tax records.

Every census entry is a door to other records. You just need to know which columns actually matter. Here's what separates amateur researchers from the pros
..continued in comments 👇