Regular programs of the Society are held at 7:00 p.m. on the last Monday of each month (except for January, February & December) at:
Saint Michael & All Angels Church, 53720 N Ironwood Road, South Bend, IN 46635
Every second year, the election of officers shall be held at the regularly scheduled program in November; installation shall be at the March program.
Visitors are welcome. Membership is suggested.
Board Meeting for the South Bend Area Genealogical Society
On Monday, November 24, 2025, the South Bend Area Genealogical Society will feature a FREE presentation by Ellen Anderson on Pay it Forward Genealogy. In big and small ways, our genealogy research benefits from the kindness, and contributions of others Learn about a variety of ways, some big, but mainly small, that you can contribute to the research of
others by paying forward that kindness.
Ellen is a Local and Family History Librarian at the St Joseph County Public Library in South Bend, who is passionate about serving her community through reference, education, preservation, and access to information.
FOR MEMBERS ONLY
FREE! However, membership is encouraged for all the other great perks
During the months of December, January, and February, the South Bend Area Genealogical Society takes a break for family time, and family trees. We will see you in March when our meetings and programs resume.
December through February
Board Meeting for the South Bend Area Genealogical Society
Join us for a presentation by Dr. Matthew Baumgartner on Nathanael Green who served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. He was reputed to be one of George Washington’s most talented and dependable officers, who also happened to be a Quaker. Quaker theology rejects any forms of physical violence in favor of diplomacy. Matt will tell us how General Green managed his professional and personal conflicts.
FOR MEMBERS ONLY
Board Meeting for the South Bend Area Genealogical Society
On Saturday, April 25, 2026, the South Bend Area Genealogical Society will host a FREE spring conference featuring our guest speaker, professional genealogist Caron Primas Brennan.
Her programs will include:
Learn more about Caron at her website, Your Cousin Caron at https://yourcousincaron.com/
FREE! However, membership is encouraged for all the other great perks. How to join SBAGS
Board Meeting for the South Bend Area Genealogical Society
Due to the Memorial Day holiday, our May members meeting moves to Monday, May 18, 2026.
The South Bend Area Genealogical Society will host professional genealogist J. Mark Lowe whose presentation is titled “Locating Hard to Find Family with New Tools and Old Tested Methods”.
Oh, that feeling when you find something about those invisible, elusive family characters who seem to hide intentionally! Join us as Mark shares some new tools like FS “Free Text Search,” Cross DB searching, and discusses some old standards like Focused Reviews and Basic Searching.
Learn more about J. Mark Lowe here or view his YouTube Channel.
Board Meeting for the South Bend Area Genealogical Society
On Monday, June 29, 2026, join us for a presentation by Dana Ann Palmer titled “Hoosier Family: Getting Started with Indiana Research”.
The South Bend Genealogical Society is hosting Dana Ann Palmer, CG®, CGL® who specializes in Midwestern research, lineage society applications, and publishing family books. In addition to her client work, she is part of the Mayflower Silver Books team, and lectures at RootsTech and the National Genealogical Society (NGS) conferences. Her website is http://treasuredlineage.com/
In November 2025, her book Ultimate Guide to Mastering FamilySearch was published in digital and print formats.
Learn more about it and get your copy here.
FOR MEMBERS ONLY
Board Meeting for the South Bend Area Genealogical Society
On Monday, July 27, 2026, join us for a presentation by Kris Rzepczynski titled “Wills, Thrills, and Chills: Digging into Probate Records”.
The South Bend Genealogical Society is hosting Kris Rzepczynski, Senior Archivist at the Archives of Michigan in Lansing, with a special interest in genealogy and local history. He specializes in family history and Michigan research, and has worked in the genealogical community for nearly 20 years.
Learn more about Kris here from his website Genealogy Kris
FOR MEMBERS ONLY
Board Meeting for the South Bend Area Genealogical Society
On Monday, August 31, 2026, join us for a presentation by Tina Beaird on Courthouse Finds.
The South Bend Genealogical Society is hosting Tina Beaird, owner of Tamarack Genealogy, who lectures nationwide on topics such as genealogical methodology and much more. She is also the genealogy & local history librarian at a mid-sized Chicagoland public library.
Learn more about Tina from her website Tamarack Genealogy
FOR MEMBERS ONLY
Board Meeting for the South Bend Area Genealogical Society
On Monday, September 28, 2026, the South Bend Area Genealogical Society will feature a presentation by Janice Sellers titled “Get Me to the Church on Time: Finding Religious Records”.
You can learn more about Janice from her website: http://www.ancestraldiscoveries.com/
Board Meeting for the South Bend Area Genealogical Society
On Monday, October 26, 2026, the South Bend Area Genealogical Society will feature a presentation by Aaron Helman. Aaron is a Midwestern historian, storyteller, and the author of several acclaimed regional books, including The Turtle, The Mitten, and An Epic History of Michigan, Ride the Jack Rabbit, and An Incomplete History of St. Joseph County, Indiana. His work explores the surprising, forgotten, and fascinating corners of American history — often with a focus on the Great Lakes and the communities that grew around them.
In late 2024, Aaron resurrected the South Bend News-Times, formerly the city’s other newspaper, as a free monthly digital newsmagazine that showcases the richness of life in and around South Bend.
South Bend Area Genealogical Society's annual dinner. Registration will be required with a $20.00 fee for dinner. We will open registration closer to the dinner date.
Board Meeting for the South Bend Area Genealogical Society
On Monday, November 30, 2026, join us for a presentation titled “Three Countries, One American Story: My Ancestral Road Trip”
The South Bend Genealogical Society is hosting Notre Dame Professor Rose Luminiello, a comparative and intellectual historian of Modern Europe and Migration, with a focus on the intellectual and social histories of Catholic political protest and resistance in Ireland and Poland.
She will take us on her journey that combines her work in historical migrations with her own genealogical story.
FOR MEMBERS ONLY
