Kitchen

Kitchen Round Table Talks

The Arkansas Genealogical Society is excited to announce the launch of a new Zoom forum called “Kitchen Round Table Talks.” Each month, we will select a genealogical topic or application to engage in a lively discussion among a group of participants online. To encourage participation, we limit the number of attendees, therefore, registration is required. In the event of a high demand for a specific topic, we can arrange an additional meeting to accommodate more participants.

We eagerly invite individuals to suggest topics of interest and encourage volunteers to lead discussions on subjects they are particularly passionate about. It is important to note that this initiative is a work in progress, and we anticipate making adjustments based on trial and error. Your participation and feedback are invaluable as we refine our approach.

As a benefit of membership in the Arkansas Genealogical Society, these sessions are recorded and available for members to view at any time. If you are not yet a member, we invite you to join.

To secure your spot, please register through the link below:

Have a question? Suggestion? Contact us through the form below:

From Rolodex to Records: The Secrets Beneath the Candy Shop – Wendy Citron Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 6:30 PM CDT	In this session, Wendy guides attendees through the intricate world of Jewish genealogical research—where languages shift, borders blur, and myths that “all the records were lost” persist. Drawing from her own family’s extraordinary journey—one that began with a simple question and ultimately revealed a family secret tied to Murder, Inc., the infamous Jewish Mafia—she demonstrates how persistence and methodical research can uncover truth in the most unexpected places. You will learn essential strategies for Jewish genealogical research—how to successfully overcome gaps in sources and records, interpret shifting identities, and follow clues across languages, cultures, and time. You will also gain an understanding of how to piece together fragmented stories, trace Ashkenazic roots hidden under “Russian” or “Polish” labels, and bring to light the vibrant histories once thought irretrievable. Registration Closed Wendy Citron is a professional genealogist, artist, and educator specializing in Jewish and Eastern European research. She serves as a Research Specialist at the FamilySearch Library and as an administrator with the JewishGen Ukraine Research Division’s Data Acquisition Team. Wendy is also the founder of two professional genealogy communities: the Ukraine Genealogy Alliance, focused on resource sharing, education, and collaborative efforts for research, and Geniends, a professional genealogist networking group that supports mentorship and shared expertise. Her research also extends to a one-name study in West Limerick, Ireland, where she integrates genetic genealogy, advanced digital tools, and traditional research to reconstruct interconnected family networks and migration patterns.
Exploring Resources for Civil War Research – Russell P. Baker Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 6:30 PM CDT	Our Octogenarian Genealogist, Russell Baker, will take you through the many resources for Civil War Research. Some are timeless, and others are recently released and discovered. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience a presentation from a tried and true researcher on both Arkansas and the Civil War. This event is a must attend! Registration Closed For those within the Arkansas genealogical community, Russell is a familiar figure. Affectionately known as “The Octogenarian Historian” and with a remarkable 50 years of service on the AGS board and a background as the retired archival supervisor and former acting director of the Arkansas State Archives in Little Rock, his expertise is unparalleled. He is the author of two of AGS’s most popular publications, the Arkansas Township Atlas and Arkansas Post Offices: From Memdag to Norsk, A Historical Directory 1832-1900. Over the years, he has frequently lectured nationally on genealogical research and theory. He is continually working on new publications and is continuing to make meaningful contributions as an esteemed board member.
Effective Use of Ancestry.com – Scott Lee Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 6:30 PM CDT	I clicked all those little green leaves and built my tree, but I keep finding mistakes. How do I fix them? This presentation will show you how to avoid incorporating other people’s mistakes into your tree and use the Ancestry.com service effectively. It will teach techniques for building a more reliable, evidence-based tree. Registration Closed Scott Lee is a retired software engineer who has researched his family history since 1979. He has served as an officer in several genealogical societies and lectures on genealogical topics. Currently, he is the 1st Vice President of the Arkansas Genealogical Society. Scott grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, but his work took him to Indiana, Oregon, North Carolina, and New York City. In retirement, he and his wife, Deirdre, have returned to their families in Arkansas. His career included the medical field, engineering, computer graphics, and consulting in the process of building reliable software. In retirement, he is working on the design of deep learning neural networks and software for genealogy. In his spare time, he enjoys writing science fiction, studying ancient calendars, developing open-source software, keeping up with the latest advances in physics and astronomy, and, of course, researching his family history.
FindAGrave – Jennifer Pennington Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 6:30 PM CDT	This presentation explores Find a Grave as a valuable tool for genealogical research, highlighting both its strengths and its limitations. We will look at how genealogists and family history researchers can use memorials, tombstone photographs, burial details, family links, and contributor-added information to generate clues that support broader research. The presentation will also address important questions about accuracy, source evaluation, memorial management, and best practices for using Find a Grave. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/riu1AEN-RY-BRG6PnwH0pA Jennifer Pennington’s multidisciplinary career spans the non-profit, for-profit, and academic sectors. In addition to starting different businesses, Jennifer has been an adjunct professor for ten years. Jennifer first became interested in genealogy in elementary school and has researched her own family for decades. She has been a researcher with Anders Genealogical Services for nearly three years, and she serves on the board of the Wisconsin State Genealogical Society, Germanic Genealogy Society, and the Heritage Education Commission.
Beyond the Census: Discovering Ancestor Stories – Regan Richardson Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 6:30 PM CDT	Census records provide valuable snapshots, but they rarely tell the full story of an ancestor’s life. In this workshop, participants will learn how to move beyond census data to find the stories that census records can’t tell. Using alternative sources such as historical encyclopedias, newspapers, city and business directories and more, we will work to shape your ancestors’ stories. Through practical examples, attendees will discover how these records can add context, personality, and depth to ancestor profiles—transforming names and dates into meaningful life stories. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/76UKvQFDTcS5tnndfeyiLA Regan Richardson is a professional genealogist, managing editor of The Arkansas Family Historian, and second vice president of the Arkansas Genealogical Society. With a deep commitment to uncovering the human stories behind historical records, Regan specializes in transforming traditional research—such as census data—into rich, contextual family narratives. She works with researchers and writers to strengthen historical storytelling while maintaining rigorous documentation standards. Regan encourages genealogists to look beyond the records and discover the lived experiences that bring ancestors fully to life.
I Am Just Like You: I Am Not Like You — Researching LGBTQ+ and Underrepresented Ancestors – Phil James Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 6:30 PM CDT	Beyond LGBTQ+ research, we’ll examine approaches to researching other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups, including Hispanic/Latino, Jewish, and Black communities. You’ll gain guidance on evolving terminology, culturally aware research practices, and how to navigate uncertainty with confidence, along with resources to help you uncover and honor diverse family histories. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/S1-A-tFnQTm6hfNq0t7SSw Phil James has been a practicing genealogist since about 1970, first as a hobby, and now full-time. His background in anthropology and computer science, specifically software, firmware, and hardware testing in Quality Assurance, has informed his pursuit of data and nuance — and his desire to be represented and counted. He has taught numerous classes, most recently: 3: 90-minute sessions for Open House, a SF, CA LGBT housing and social organization.
DNA Oddities: Uncovering the Strange Truths of Genetic Research – Scott Lee Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at 6:30 PM CDT	DNA and biological reproduction are more complex than most people realize. Misunderstandings about how DNA is inherited can lead to false assumptions and confusing, seemingly contradictory results. This presentation reveals fascinating and little-known facts about DNA that are crucial for interpreting unexpected genetic findings. Topics include: the importance of centimorgans, DNA crossovers, vanishing twin syndrome, chimeras, and the impact of endogamy. Technical details and jargon will be kept to a minimum, making these concepts accessible to all. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/QGSJDdr7Q_ii2zbgWAG_zQ
Libraries, Societies & Archives: Support’em, Use’em or Lose’em- Mary Evans Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at 6:30 PM CDT	Why do libraries and museums have sign-in sheets when you come in? Because they constantly need to prove they should exist! Over & over again. If people are not coming in “using” them, then what is their future? All genealogists KNOW (or should know/ better know) that NOT everything is online. If these wonderful resources or repositories fail, then what happens to the records? They need your admission fees, membership renewals, and a response to their fundraisers! What can we do to help? Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/HHQBDqkjTHi_Rs9tEWwYFw