Come explore your family history at the Genealogy Fair! This event will feature local groups and organizations sharing helpful tips. Throughout the day, ask questions, pick up free resources, and learn new tools for tracing your family tree either by browsing informational tables and/or attending educational workshops. Whether you’re just getting started or digging deeper into your roots, there’s something for everyone!

6 hours. For ages 18+ years. Registration recommended for educational sessions, but tables and displays will be available for all to browse. Light refreshments provided. See the events schedule below for more details and links to individual events with registration.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Morning Session

10:00 am-1:00 pm, Tables & Displays (Main Library, Upstairs)

10:00 am-12:00 pm, Ask a Librarian: Genealogy Edition! Details and register here>

Lunch

12:00 pm-1:00 pm, Time for lunch on your own, but light refreshments will be provided during event.

Afternoon Session

1:00 pm-2:00 pm, Keynote: The Best Uses of AI for Genealogists Details and register here>

1:00 pm-2:00 pm & 3:00 pm-4:00 pm, Hands-On Computer Lab (Greenawald Room)

Volunteers will be available to assist you as you research or explore online tools. Computers will be available, but you can bring your own device if you prefer. Remember to bring passwords, documents, and notes for any accounts or tools that you plan to access.

All experience levels welcome. Registration is not required.

2:00 pm-3:00 pm, Hands-On with Ancestry.com: Guided Training and Workshop for Beginners Details and register here>

3:00 pm-4:00 pm, An Introduction on Adding DNA to Your Genealogy Toolbox Details and register here>

Special thanks to the KINdred Spirits Genealogy Workshop Group for volunteering their time to help make this event a success. 

KINdred Spirits Genealogy Workshop Group (GWG) is an informal network of amateur genealogists officially established in 2017 by Harrisburg natives Dr. Sharonn Williams, founder, and Mr. Calobe Jackson, consultant. Members are descendants of the enslaved and slaveholders, having varying degrees of experience with family history research, who gather to learn from and provide support for one another as they honor legacy and document lineage. The group provides services and activities free of charge and is part of the Hari Jones Hidden Histories project with the Dauphin County Library System. 

To receive additional information and meeting invitations and links:

• Send Email: KindredSpiritsGWG@gmail.com

• Join the Mailing List: forms.gle/9Y7zfiHjMer5VkkK9.

Hari Jones Hidden Histories Program Series and Collection

The Library has partnered with the Dauphin County Commissioners to create a carefully curated, permanent Hidden Histories collection and program series that celebrates the life and work of visionary historian, Hari Jones. Both the program series and collection have been designed to foster ongoing community dialogue, discussion, and discernment.