Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
Our Society sponsors a variety of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) to support our members who have interests in special genealogical topics. These groups generally meet once a month from September through May (no sessions during the summer).These meetings are interactive allowing opportunities for questions, discussions, and sharing of information.
New Special Interest Group – starting in November 2024
Hands-on DNA Special Interest Group
DNA testing is a complex, technical and powerful tool for genealogists, adding to paper records with the genetic information written in our cells. DNA testing is complementary to paper records and together a more complete picture of family history can be created. This SIG will start with the basics through the experience of its leader, Mike Day. Mike is a former teacher and technologist who brings a decade of experience as a user of DNA testing services and a career of understanding technologies. This SIG will start as an “Over the shoulder session in a meeting room and will be structured to cover the topics of the members who attend. Mike has tested with many testing services and has experience with Chromosome mapping, Y-DNA testing and contacting people who are DNA relatives. The SIG will be held on Friday afternoon on the 2nd Friday of the month starting in November; start time will be at 1:00pm. A meeting place is still being decided. More details will be published on the website and in Past Tracks as soon as they become available.
Current SIGs include:
• Storytellers – Writing Family Stories: don't let your stories or research get lost in time! Write stories to share with family and future generations.
• FamilyTree Maker: a user's group helping genealogists at all levels on how to best use this software.
• Beginner's Genealogy: this SIG covers all the basics on how to get started.
• Why It Matters to Family History: this SIG is a series of 8 sessions that will examine important issues facing family historians; this series will run monthly through Nov. 6, 2024.
SIGs in search of a SIG Leader:
We have several SIGs listed below that are no longer active because they need a leader. If you're interested in becoming a SIG Leader, or have a suggestion for a new group, contact our Education Director at
education@azsags.org
• RootsMagic
• Legacy Software
• Irish
• German
• Mayflower Descendants
• Genealogical Records of the States
• Genealogical Resources & Research of the World