Mesquite Historical and Genealogical Society

11/02/2025

Thank you, Virginia, for your unwavering support of our Society. You will be greatly missed. We wish you all the best in your retirement.

After 46 years in public service, Virginia Mundt retires as Mesquite's Director of Library Services. The mayor proclaimed Virginia Mundt Day in honor of her positive impact on the city.

10/25/2025

The Mesquite Historical & Genealogical Society is proud to announce that Barbara Coakley will be the speaker at our November 13, 2025 meeting. Barbara’s topic for this presentation is Avoiding Bias: Consider All the Possibilities. Unrecognized bias can lead genealogists astray, resulting in inaccurate conclusions and incomplete family stories. We’ll explore how cognitive bias creeps into genealogical research and the behaviors that can skew results. You’ll learn how to combat bias using proven tools such as the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS), a consistent research process, and comprehensive source checklists.
The meeting begins at 6:30 PM. This is a Zoom only session, so please register using the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/9s315l4wRQGMYGlt9TxDtg

Barbara’s interest in family history began over 30 years ago when her Aunt gave her an envelope of family papers. Through the years, she has traveled throughout the U.S. and Europe, visiting her ancestors' homelands and doing research. Her current focus is sharing the stories of her ancestors'.

Before she retired, she taught Continuing Education classes in Genealogy for Collin College from 2008 - 2022. She lectures on a wide variety of topics. Her genealogical education includes:

ProGen 4
Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research
Genealogical Institute of Pittsburgh
Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy
Genealogical Institute on Federal Records
Texas Institute of Genealogical Research
FGS, NGS, and NEHGS Conferences

She is President of Genealogy Friends of Plano (TX) Libraries, and volunteers for the Texas State Genealogical Society and the Dallas Genealogical Society. She belongs to the DAR and national, state, and local genealogical and historical societies across the U.S.

09/30/2025

The Society was saddened at the death of our frequest speaker Patti Gillespie. Patti was a friend of the MH&G Society and an excellent speaker. We will miss her! Prayers go out to her husband, children and grandchildren.

View Patricia Gillespie's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

09/19/2025

Please join us on Thursday, October 9 for our monthly meeting. Our guest speaker will be Kelvin L. Meyers who will speak on the topic of My Ancestor in Court. The meeting will be a hybrid meeting held via Zoom and in person at the Main Branch of the Mesquite Public Library. Please join us at 6:00 PM for refreshments, with our business meeting and Kelvin’s presentation beginning at 6:30 PM. If registering for the Zoom meeting, please use the following link.

General Meeting Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/KJHSXA14Sk6SiSv_LKBrHA

From the County Court to the Supreme Court, court records may hold clues and answers to questions that you have about your ancestor. Suits in equity, trespass to try title, a suit brought by next friend, what do these terms mean and what can you learn from these suits? Case studies will be used to illustrate the types of records found and their use in solving problems.

A fifth generation Texan and professional forensic genealogist since 1996, Kelvin is a frequent speaker to genealogical societies and family associations throughout the United States. Kelvin works with several mineral companies in Texas researching heirs throughout the US and the world to holdings in Texas. Kelvin works with estate and probate attorneys throughout the US identifying missing and unknown heirs to estates.
He is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogist, a past President of the Lone Star Chapter of APG and is the current President of the Forensic Special Interest Group.
In 2016 Kelvin published Research in Texas for NGS (National Genealogical Society) Research in the States series. Kelvin is also the cofounder and former director of the Texas Institute of Genealogical Research (TIGR) sponsored by the Texas State Genealogical Society.
The Dallas Genealogical Society awarded Kelvin the Lloyd DeWitt Bockstruck Distinguished Service Award in December of 2018.
The Texas State Genealogical Society made Kelvin a Fellow of the society in 2023.
He recently completed the chapter, “Mineral Rights and the Forensic Genealogist” in the upcoming NGS book, Forensic Genealogy Theory and Practice, edited by Michael Ramage and Catherine Desmarais.

08/30/2025

📣📣📣Calling all artists, photographers, poets, and writers! 📣📣📣

Historic Mesquite, Inc. is excited to announce our 1st annual 2025-2026 Youth Arts Showcase! In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, we are accepting submissions for our community's young leaders and artists original works to exhibit at Opal Lawrence Historical Park.

The exhibit, Our Mesquite:America's 250th, will explore Mesquite's past, present, and future through the lens of the American semiquincentennial.

Anyone between the ages of 14-19 that lives or attends school in Mesquite, is eligible to submit an original work of art, photography, poem, or short story. Submissions open January 5th, 2026. The selected works will be exhibited from May-August 2026, with an Opening Reception to kick it off! Prizes will be awarded to top placing artists in each category.

Visit historicmesquite.com to learn more!

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08/21/2025

We are planning a special evening for our members and guests on Thursday, September 11, 2025. Our meeting will be held both in person at the Mesquite Library (Main Branch) at 6:30 PM and also via Zoom. A link is included below to preregister for the presentation.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/hEPoacVpTOiIupsyVzpeaQ

There are so many new technologies that are being utilized for genealogical research. We have chosen two topics for this special presentation, in which we will utilize prerecorded programming:
We will first examine the status of the “Full Text Index” test environment in FamilySearch. First introduced at RootsTech 2024, FamilySearch is continuing to expand the records that are indexed at a rapid pace. One of FamilySearch’s specialists will update us on what’s available and what is currently available as well as what’s coming up.

Have you used one of the AI applications for genealogical research? How would you use Artificial Intelligence for genealogy anyway? Lisa Louise Cooke will (via prerecorded video) a short primer of key terms with respect to AI. Your program chairman, Debbie Stuart, will then demonstrate ChatGPT, which is the AI application that most people start with. We will also take quick looks at Perplexity and Gemini, two additional Artificial Intelligence applications.

Lisa Louise Cooke is a trailblazing thought leader in genealogy, renowned author, and captivating 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 her global audience to uncover their family stories. Lisa is the author of several best-selling books, including The Genealogist’s Google Toolbox, 3rd Edition, and offers exclusive, on-demand genealogy education through her Genealogy Gems Premium Membership. A trusted voice in the field, she pens a regular column for Family Tree Magazine and hosts its podcast. Known for her engaging style and practical strategies, Lisa is the perfect speaker to inspire and empower our audience to explore their roots. Lisa produces a free email bulletin which includes a bonus ebook with the first email. (There is a red Newsletter button on the home screen of her website at https://lisalouisecooke.com/ .

How to find your family history with Lisa Louise Cooke of The Genealogy Gems Podcast. Genealogy Research Tips, FamilySearch, Ancestry DNA

06/19/2025

Looks like a great talk.

Jun 21 "How Do I Know My Sources Are Good and My Research is Accurate?" by Kim Richardson. A free hybrid program presented by Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries (Free) http://www.genealogyfriends.org/saturday-seminars.html

05/21/2025

Please join us on July 12, 2025, as we welcome John A. Sellers presenting a full-day seminar on census records, vital records, courthouse records and wills.

We are very excited to offer our very first hybrid seminar. The registration form allows you to let us know whether you want to attend in person or via Zoom.

John A. Sellers is a fifth generation native to Hopkins County, graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in advertising/public relations, and received is teaching certificate in history from Texas A&M, Commerce. John is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and has over twenty years of both research and lecture experience. He has been a national speaker for both NGS and FGS, and he is a regional speaker throughout Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas and Louisiana. He is the author of a historical newspaper column called "Hopkins County Remembered". He specializes in courthouse research with an emphasis on land records and probate.

We look forward to having you join us for this wonderful day of learning.

05/03/2025

The U.S. Census is one of the most important resources for family historians. Taken every ten years since 1790, it not only tracks the population but also captures valuable details about our ancestors — where they lived, their families, occupations, property, immigration, and much more. Today, we’re diving into some fascinating facts you might not know about the U.S. Census — and how it can unlock new clues in your genealogy research! https://youtu.be/uziwffpfe7M&list=UULFcvpi8XvOScBogIxmarmADw