Genealogical Societies
This chapter lists both local and national genealogy societies. At genealogical societies, you will meet like-minded people who are eager to share their experiences and knowledge. Members have a passion for the search for ancestors, a love of history, and an affinity for puzzle-solving. You will be connected to a network of people who answer your questions, make suggestions that solve your research problem, and share how they solved research problems for themselves.
Guest speakers at meetings or workshops can introduce you to new research skills and resources. Most societies have a website that posts society meetings. Topics may include the latest products, society news, internet tricks and tools, and educational opportunities locally or nationwide.
Many societies publish newsletters, and larger societies may even publish journals with research and surnames from records that are not available anywhere else. The larger societies also make available a wealth of information in members-only sections of their websites, such as transcriptions of local records and meeting materials. Membership can offer a real bonus of information and links to other sites.
Delaware
Delaware Genealogical Society
505 N. Market St., Wilmington, DE 19801
Online: delgensoc.org
Email: president@delgensoc.org
The Delaware Genealogical Society (DGS) hosts regular educational programs with local and national speakers. The society also supports a day of research help at the Delaware Historical Society Research Library. DGS membership offers a number of benefits, including access to the DGS Member Library section of this website, which holds the Delaware Genealogical Society Journal Archive; the DGS Newsletter Archive; DGS meeting and event materials; and record transcriptions not available elsewhere. For more information about membership, visit Join/Renew. DGS also maintains the Delaware Genealogical Society Facebook group.
Delaware Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society
PO Box 7205, Wilmington, DE 19803
Online: www.deaahgs.com
Email: DEAAHGS2017@gmail.com
This society is a chartered member of the National Organization of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc. The society meets regularly and offers access to online genealogical resources. It has an active Facebook page.
Downstate Delaware Genealogical Society
PO Box 1787, Dover, DE 19903
Online: downstatedegenealogists.org
Email: info@downstatedegenealogists.org
This society has published books of tombstone transcriptions and newspaper abstracts. The society hosts several educational meetings a year.
Sussex County Genealogical Society
c/o Rehoboth Beach Public Library, 226 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Online: scgsdelaware.org
Email: info@scgsdelaware.org
This group hosts monthly meetings, discussion groups, and special presentations; there is a calendar of events on its website.
Maryland
Lower Delmarva Genealogical Society
Box 3602, Salisbury, MD 21802
Online: www.ldgs.org
Email: info@ldgs.org
In addition to holding meetings regularly, this group publishes a semiannual news-magazine with biographical information on Delmarva ancestors; back issues are available at a nominal cost for non-members.
Maryland Genealogical Society
201 W. Monument St., Baltimore, MD 21201
Online: mdgensoc.org
Email: info@mdgensoc.org
New Jersey
Genealogical Society of Salem County, Inc.
PO Box 231, Woodstown, NJ 08098
Online: gsscnj.org
Email: genealogicalsocietysalemcounty@gmail.com
Genealogical Society of New Jersey
PO Box 1476, Trenton, NJ 08607
Online: www.gsnj.org
Email: sales@njgenealogy.com
Pennsylvania
Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania
2100 Byberry Rd, Suite 111, Philadelphia, PA 19166
Online: genpa.org
Email: info@genpa.org
Telephone: (267) 686-2296
See Record Repositories, for more information about this society.
Virginia
Virginia Genealogical Society
PO Box 626, Orange, VA 22960
Online: vgs.org
Email: admin@vgs.org
Through its meetings, research, and publications, this society encourages public awareness of family history and fosters an understanding of genealogy. Although the society does not maintain its own research library due to its proximity to important active research centers in Virginia, it does provide a list of genealogists who research in local facilities.
National
National Genealogical Society
6400 Arlington Blvd, Suite 810, Falls Church, VA 22042
Online: www.ngsgenealogy.org
Email: ngs@ngsgenealogy.org
Telephone: (800) 473-0060
This society focuses on education, standards of research, and the preservation of records. It is a national society for every skill level, from the beginner to the most advanced family historian, offering publications, courses, and guidance in research.