The Rock County Genealogical Society

11/02/2025

PLEASE JOIN US FOR THIS ZOOM PROGRAM--AT HOME OR AT THE MILTON HOUSE

TITLE : IRISH ANCESTORS- THE TOP 5 WEBSITES YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

This webinar is a romp through the top 5 websites where you will find information on your Irish ancestors. Best of all, they are all free! This is ideal if you are at the start of your Irish ancestral research and will give you a good grounding before delving into the more obscure record sets. We will cover the main collections on each web site and will include search hints and tips so that you can maximize your search.

Presenter--Natalie Bodle is a professionally qualified genealogist, author and a speaker on the international circuit. Her company, www.RootsRevealed.co.uk, is a Professional Genealogy and Family History Research Service which is based in Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. She has many years’ experience of researching family trees and achieved professional qualification after completing a Post Graduate Certificate in Genealogical, Palaeographic and Heraldic Studies with the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.

HOW TO ATTEND: This Zoom presentation can be watched live at the second level Tomah Room of the Milton House Museum, 18 S. Janesville St., Milton, WI (map) at the scheduled time. Ample parking, handicap access, elevator, snacks, soft drinks and door prizes are included. The Zoom link, required passcode and handout can be accessed on our RCGS Website if you wish to view at home. Navigate to our speakers page for November.

Please join us for this interesting and informative program.

11/02/2025

FREE ROCK COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY ZOOM PROGRAM TUES NOV 11 6:30pm LOCAL TIME --IRISH ANCESTORS:THE TOP 5 WEBSITES YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT: Tuesday, November 11 6:30 pm LOCAL WI. TIME

10/14/2025

Wreath for Milton House annual auction is done.The theme is "Polar Express". Come to the Dec 4, 6:30pm auction in support of our society. We need bidders.

10/11/2025

Sharing: Hope you can join us for this interesting topic. Free on Zoom and in person. Register here: https://www.caggni.org/event-6349356.

CAGGNI, the Computer Assisted Genealogy Group of Northern Illinois, holds regular meetings online and at various libraries in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago.

09/14/2025

RCGS Scholarship Needs Your Help

Members and Friends of Rock County Genealogical Society,

Registrations for our program on October 4th are light so far, and we could use your help, if we are to fund the 7th annual scholarships for local high school graduates. By registering securely online here, you can meaningfully participate in one of four ways:
Attend the conference in-person at the Milton House on October 4th
Attend the conference by Zoom from anywhere on October 4th
Watch the recorded program sessions for 3 months following the conference
Simply donating to the scholarship fund

See the webpage for details of date, time and speakers. Thank you in advance for your consideration,

RCGS Board of Directors
Rock County Genealogical Society
RCGS.WI@gmail.com

09/09/2025

Saturday, October 4, 2025
SEVENTH ANNUAL RCGS SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISING CONFERENCE
Proceeds from this conference go to the annual scholarship awarded by RCGS to a deserving Rock County high school senior to assist with the cost of tuition in college or trade school. REGISTER ONLINE NOW. Welcome at 9:00 a.m., Programs: 9:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. THIS IS A LIVE IN-PERSON WORKSHOP 1)Genealogy 101 - The basics plus expert pointers and 10 traps to avoid
2) Goodrich & Davis Families - Finding & using records to document their lives
3) UW-Whitewater Archives - Exploring and using historical Rock County and area photos, files & documents 4) Fifty Fun Genealogy Activities - Family Fun,Famous Kin & Photo Frolics. Location: at the Tomah Room of the Milton House or via Zoom. Handouts: PDF versions are available shortly after registration, or printed copies of the handouts are available at the conference.
Lunch is extra : Sub sandwiches, including vegetarian options, water, and soda, is available for $15 extra at checkout.
Registration Fee RCGS & Milton House member $25: Non-Member $35
Optional Tax-Deductible Donation to the RCGS Scholarship Fund

09/09/2025

Hello, friends! I'm excited to be the September program for The Rock County Genealogical Society! Join me on Saturday, September 20th at Milton Junction Cemetery in Milton, WI. I'll talk about and demonstrate safe methods to clean headstones. Please note this isn't a hands-on workshop like I led in the Spring at Milton Cemetery, but I'll bring all of my personal supplies to get a few to help with hands-on cleaning of the stones if you'd like. Or you can just bring a chair and watch the fun! Hope to see you there! 🪦🧽

The RCGS Speakers & Programs page provides information about dates, times, location (including map directions), speakers biographies for the Society's FREE program, seminar, workshop and field trip topics.

09/09/2025

Please join us for an in-person" how to" clean old grave headstones. This will take place at the Milton Junction Cemetery at 41 North John Paul Road, Milton Wisconsin. Please refer to our RCGS website for directions to this Cemetery. THIS IS AN IN PERSON ONLY PROGRAM. NO ZOOM BROADCAST. PROGRAM WILL BEGIN AT 2PM AT THE CEMETERY.

Program Presenter: Julie Marquardt, also known as the "Wisco Stone Scrubber" on social media, is a passionate cemetery preservationist and local historian based in Milton, Wisconsin. With a deep respect for the stories etched in stone, she specializes in gravestone cleaning using safe, conservation-minded techniques. Julie brings a unique blend of historical knowledge and hands-on skill to her work, helping communities care for and preserve their cemeteries with dignity. Her popular Spring cleaning workshops at Milton Cemetery have taught many volunteers how to safely clean and protect aging grave markers without causing damage.

Program Summary: Julie will be presenting a public program on gravestone cleaning at Milton Junction Cemetery at 41 N John Paul Rd,Milton, WI. She will demonstrate best practices for cleaning gravestones. Dress for the mess if you're interested in participating in a limited hands-on for interested attendees. Whether you're a family historian, cemetery caretaker, or simply curious, her presentation will offer practical guidance for this " hobby"

08/30/2025

Friends of RCGS,
It's that time again: Please consider attending the annual All Day RCGS Scholarship Fundraiser Conference - either in person or by Zoom.
All net proceeds go to local high school graduates. Mark your calendar and share this email with friends and family.

SECURE ONLINE REGISTRATION LINK: RCGS SCHOLARSHIP CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
or Pay by Check to: RCGS Scholarship, P. O. Box 0936 Janesville, Wisconsin 53547-0936

Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
Local WI Time: Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.; Welcome at 9:00 a.m.; 1st Speaker at 9:15 a.m.
By Zoom: From your home via PC, Mac, Tablet or Smartphone. Link provided upon registration, or
In Person: Upstairs Tomah Room of the Milton House Museum, 18 S. Janesville Street, Milton, WI (map)
Facilities: Free onsite parking, handicap access & elevator; adjacent restrooms; water & soft drinks; lunch (if pre-purchased)
Cost: $25 for RCGS and Milton House Museum members; $35 non-members
Lunch: Meal options available at checkout
Topics & Speakers:
GENEALOGY 101 - Detailed basics plus expert tips and 10 traps to avoid, Dave Bradford, RCGS Board Chair & Webmaster
MILTONS GOODRICH & DAVIS FAMILIES - Using records reconstruct their lives, Keighton Klos, Executive Director Milton House Museum
UW-WHITEWATER ARCHIVES - Exploring & using Rock Co. and area records, photos and more, Jennifer Motzko, UW-W Archivist
50 FUN GENEALOGY ACTIVITIES - Family fun, famous kin, photo frolics & shopping frenzy, Dave Bradford, RCGS Board Chair & Webmaster
We really hope to see you there! 🎉📚💻🎈😊

The RCGS HOME page is home to exclusive & unique family history research materials; see birth, marriage, death and cemetery indexes, atlases and helpful tutorials. Most materials are public, but some pages are restricted to current RCGS members.

08/07/2025

AUGUST 2025 - PROGRAM
MILTON'S HISTORIC MUSINGS, A BOOK BY DOUG WELCH
Date & Time: Tuesday, August 12, 2025, 6:30 p.m. local WI time.
Cost: Free and open to the public.
Location: Join us at the Milton House Museum or view live on your Home PC or Smartphone with the Zoom app.

Program Presenter: Doug Welch is an accomplished author who has served as curator and administrative director of the Main Hall Museum on Milton College campus since 2019. In 2012, Welch wrapped up a 33-year newspaper career, including 22 years as the editor of Milton’s weekly newspaper. A lifelong Milton resident, Welch garnered numerous awards for column and editorial writing, reporting and photography.

Program Summary: Doug will discuss his book, Milton’s Historic Musings using the vast photo archives of the Milton Historical Society and the Milton College Preservation Society with dozens of stories and profiles from Milton's history. The book and talk take an extensive look at the Milton House, the Goodrich family, early Milton settlers, the abolitionist movement, and the Underground Railroad prior to the Civil War. The talk includes more recent Milton activity and is complemented by many archival photos.
How to Attend: This presentation will be presented live at the second level Tomah Room of the Milton House Museum, 18 S. Janesville St., Milton, WI at the scheduled time. Ample parking, handicap access, elevator, snacks, soft drinks and door prizes are included. If attending remotely, please access the The Zoom link and password on our website at rcgswi.org. Navigate to the speakers page for August speaker-- use the zoom link and required password.
Please join us for this interesting and informative program!

The RCGS HOME page is home to exclusive & unique family history research materials; see birth, marriage, death and cemetery indexes, atlases and helpful tutorials. Most materials are public, but some pages are restricted to current RCGS members.

08/07/2025

FREE ROCK COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY PROGRAM-MILTON'S HISTORIC MUSINGS, A BOOK BY DOUG WELCH- 12 AUG ,2025 AT 6:30 PM. Attend in person at Milton House or via Zoom per wee page

The RCGS HOME page is home to exclusive & unique family history research materials; see birth, marriage, death and cemetery indexes, atlases and helpful tutorials. Most materials are public, but some pages are restricted to current RCGS members.

07/01/2025

USING PHOTOGRAPHY HISTORY IN GENEALOGY

Date & Time: Tuesday, July 8, 2025, 6:30 p.m. local WI time.
Cost: Free and open to the public.

Location: Join us at the Milton House Museum or view live on your Home PC or Smartphone with the Zoom app (see Zoom link and access code at our website RCGSWI.ORG). Navigate to Speakers Page for July Speaker.

Program Presenter: Vicki Ruthe Hahn is the founder of the IL-WI State Line Genealogical Club, LLC and regularly presents programs to regional libraries, genealogical and historical societies.
Program Summary: Photographs give a direct insight into the past, and into the lives of individuals portrayed in them. They are a perfect way for genealogists to identify ancestors (from 1839 on) by analyzing physical resemblance, the history of fashions worn, backgrounds, and special occasions depicted. Learn how to help narrow the dates by identifying what photography studios and camera/developing/mounting technologies were used through the history of photography. Explore how to combine photography with other genealogical techniques, and organization. (A companion program to “Contemporary Fashion Through the Decades, What They Wore When”. Each of the two programs are independent, but complementary.)

How to Attend: This Zoom presentation can be watched live at the second level Tomah Room of the Milton House Museum, 18 S. Janesville St., Milton, WI at the scheduled time. Ample parking, handicap access, elevator, snacks, soft drinks and raffle prizes are included.Explore how to combine photography with other genealogical techniques, and organization. Bring a vintage photograph along, and we can try to identify the range of years that it was taken.

Please join us for this interesting and informative program.

The RCGS HOME page is home to exclusive & unique family history research materials; see birth, marriage, death and cemetery indexes, atlases and helpful tutorials. Most materials are public, but some pages are restricted to current RCGS members.