MONTHLY RCGS Program Meetings: 6:30 PM on the 2nd Tuesday of the Month
Scroll Down for Future Months' Speakers, Programs, Zoom Links and Zoom Passcodes
Scroll Down for Future Months' Speakers, Programs, Zoom Links and Zoom Passcodes
FEBRUARY 2026 - ZOOM-ONLY PROGRAM (Watch from Home)
DO I HAVE INDIGENOUS ANCESTORS IN MY FAMILY TREE?
Date & Time: Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 6:30 p.m. local WI time.
Program Presenter: Jennifer Warner,
DO I HAVE INDIGENOUS ANCESTORS IN MY FAMILY TREE?
Date & Time: Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 6:30 p.m. local WI time.
Program Presenter: Jennifer Warner,
| audience_handout_-_do_i_have_indigenous_ancestors_in_my_family_tree.pdf |
MARCH 2026 - ZOOM-ONLY PROGRAM (Watch from Home)
VISITING THE WISCONSIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND USING ITS HOLDINGS
Date & Time: Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 6:30 p.m. local WI time.
Cost: Free and open to the public.
Location: Zoom-only winter program (Jan-Feb-Mar) - view live on your Home PC or Smartphone with the Zoom app.
Program Presenter: Jill Fuller, Reference Librarian & Stacks Manager of the Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections for the Wisconsin Historical Society located at 816 State Street, Madison, WI.
Program Summary: to be added
How to Attend: This is a Zoom-only presentation and must be watched at the scheduled time. The Zoom link, and handout link below allow participation from your home PC, Mac, or smartphone.
Download the Audience Handout below in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format: Available Soon
VISITING THE WISCONSIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND USING ITS HOLDINGS
Date & Time: Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 6:30 p.m. local WI time.
Cost: Free and open to the public.
Location: Zoom-only winter program (Jan-Feb-Mar) - view live on your Home PC or Smartphone with the Zoom app.
Program Presenter: Jill Fuller, Reference Librarian & Stacks Manager of the Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections for the Wisconsin Historical Society located at 816 State Street, Madison, WI.
Program Summary: to be added
How to Attend: This is a Zoom-only presentation and must be watched at the scheduled time. The Zoom link, and handout link below allow participation from your home PC, Mac, or smartphone.
- Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8112728664?pwd=GvSnQ1fZnTC86gb8jQ7LnadxOoa2KL.1&omn=86266015335
- Password: Family (note the capital "F")
Download the Audience Handout below in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format: Available Soon
APRIL 2026 - ZOOM-ONLY SIMULCAST PROGRAM (Watch from Home)
LOYALIST LEGACIES: THE OTHER SIDE OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
Date & Time: Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 6:30 p.m. local WI time.
Cost: Free and open to the public.
Location: Zoom-only winter program (Jan-Feb-Mar-Apr) - view live on your Home PC or Smartphone with the Zoom app..
Program Presenter: Kate Penney-Howard brings decades of experience in family research and genealogy presentations. Her programs captivate audiences by seamlessly blending historical context, technical guidance, and well-placed humor that keeps listeners engaged throughout. She has spoken before include RootsTech, Strathclyde Institute for Genealogical Studies, East Coast Genetic Genealogy Conference, the International Congress on Medieval Studies, the Society for German Genealogy in Eastern Europe, and the New England Regional Genealogical Consortium, in addition to many state and county level organizations. Kate studied vocal music and earned a Master of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis in 2011. She has served as a pastor in Fort Wayne since her ordination in 2012.
Program Summary: Not every colonist wanted independence... and one of them might be your ancestor. We'll explore how to identify and research Loyalist family members, understand their motivations, and follow their paths to Canada, England, or reconciliation with the new nation.
How to Attend: This live presentation may be attended at the Milton House (address & Map Link above) OR viewed remotely on Zoom at the same scheduled time. The Zoom link, and handout link below allow participation from your home PC, Mac, or smartphone.
Download the Audience Handout below in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format: Available Soon
LOYALIST LEGACIES: THE OTHER SIDE OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
Date & Time: Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 6:30 p.m. local WI time.
Cost: Free and open to the public.
Location: Zoom-only winter program (Jan-Feb-Mar-Apr) - view live on your Home PC or Smartphone with the Zoom app..
Program Presenter: Kate Penney-Howard brings decades of experience in family research and genealogy presentations. Her programs captivate audiences by seamlessly blending historical context, technical guidance, and well-placed humor that keeps listeners engaged throughout. She has spoken before include RootsTech, Strathclyde Institute for Genealogical Studies, East Coast Genetic Genealogy Conference, the International Congress on Medieval Studies, the Society for German Genealogy in Eastern Europe, and the New England Regional Genealogical Consortium, in addition to many state and county level organizations. Kate studied vocal music and earned a Master of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis in 2011. She has served as a pastor in Fort Wayne since her ordination in 2012.
Program Summary: Not every colonist wanted independence... and one of them might be your ancestor. We'll explore how to identify and research Loyalist family members, understand their motivations, and follow their paths to Canada, England, or reconciliation with the new nation.
How to Attend: This live presentation may be attended at the Milton House (address & Map Link above) OR viewed remotely on Zoom at the same scheduled time. The Zoom link, and handout link below allow participation from your home PC, Mac, or smartphone.
- Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89760039873?pwd=wyGf7941Mw8wWSIO7QyvGtFEWp1ibD.1
- Password: Family (note capital F)
Download the Audience Handout below in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format: Available Soon
MAY 2026 - LIVE IN MILTON & ZOOM SIMULCAST PROGRAM
WORLD WAR II GERMAN POW CAMPS IN WISCONSIN
Date & Time: Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 6:30 p.m. local WI time.
Cost: Free and open to the public.
Location: Live Presentation at the Milton House Museum, 18 S. Janesville Rd., Milton, WI (Map Link) or view by Zoom on your Home PC or Smartphone with the Zoom app.
Program Presenter: Bob Block is a resident of Oregon, WI. He retired after working With the Wisconsin Crime Lab in Madison, WI for 34 years before retiring as head of the drug identification unit having testified in courts of law 500 times as an expert witness. Bob is an active member of the Oregon Area Historical Society and has an interest in historic topics.
Program Summary: Most people are unaware that Wisconsin had POW (Prisoner of War) camps during WWII and are surprised to learn that there were 38 of them, having a total of 20,000 mostly German POWs. In this presentation, learn about POWs camps in Wisconsin. This presentation tells interesting stories of those who may have lived in a community that once had a POW camp, those who worked side by side with POWs and those who were once prisoners in a POW camp. You will find this presentation to be informative, educational and entertaining
How to Attend: This live presentation may be attended at the Milton House (address & Map Link above) OR viewed remotely on Zoom at the same scheduled time. The Zoom link, and handout link below allow participation from your home PC, Mac, or smartphone.
Download the Audience Handout below in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format: Available Soon
WORLD WAR II GERMAN POW CAMPS IN WISCONSIN
Date & Time: Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 6:30 p.m. local WI time.
Cost: Free and open to the public.
Location: Live Presentation at the Milton House Museum, 18 S. Janesville Rd., Milton, WI (Map Link) or view by Zoom on your Home PC or Smartphone with the Zoom app.
Program Presenter: Bob Block is a resident of Oregon, WI. He retired after working With the Wisconsin Crime Lab in Madison, WI for 34 years before retiring as head of the drug identification unit having testified in courts of law 500 times as an expert witness. Bob is an active member of the Oregon Area Historical Society and has an interest in historic topics.
Program Summary: Most people are unaware that Wisconsin had POW (Prisoner of War) camps during WWII and are surprised to learn that there were 38 of them, having a total of 20,000 mostly German POWs. In this presentation, learn about POWs camps in Wisconsin. This presentation tells interesting stories of those who may have lived in a community that once had a POW camp, those who worked side by side with POWs and those who were once prisoners in a POW camp. You will find this presentation to be informative, educational and entertaining
How to Attend: This live presentation may be attended at the Milton House (address & Map Link above) OR viewed remotely on Zoom at the same scheduled time. The Zoom link, and handout link below allow participation from your home PC, Mac, or smartphone.
- Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87660908251?pwd=6AVun8SaqsRbLfqyPdU1mGLLNYMVYg.1
- Password: Family (note capital F)
Download the Audience Handout below in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format: Available Soon
| pow_synopsis_master_us___wi.docx |
JUNE 2026 - LIVE, IN-PERSON & ZOOM SIMULCAST
WRITING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY FOR THE NON-WRITER
Date & Time: Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 6:30 p.m. local WI time.
Cost: Free and open to the public.
Location: Live Presentation at the Milton House Museum, 18 S. Janesville Rd., Milton, WI (Map Link) or view by Zoom on your Home PC or Smartphone with the Zoom app.
Program Presenter: Steve Szabados is a genealogy lecturer and author. He has traced his ancestors back to the 1600s in New England and the 1730s in Ireland, England, Poland, Germany, Bohemia, and Slovenia. His goal is to share his passion for Family History, and he has given numerous presentations to genealogical groups and libraries in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Illinois and has a master's degree from Northern Illinois University. He is a member of the Northwest Suburban Council of Genealogists, the Illinois State Genealogical Society, and the Polish Genealogical Society of America. He is also a genealogy volunteer at the Arlington Heights, Illinois, Library and the Genealogy Columnist for the Polish American Journal
Program Summary: Writing Your Family History for the Nonwriter Were your ancestors royalty or members of the working class? Were they rich or barely surviving? Whoever they were, we need to preserve their memory. The program will discuss a process and format that makes transforming your research efforts into a written family history easier. Learn a method to easily save your information and tips to help them "come alive." If we do not preserve our ancestors' memories and stories for future generations, who will?
How to Attend: This live presentation may be attended at the Milton House (address & Map Link above) OR viewed remotely on Zoom at the same scheduled time. The Zoom link, and handout link below allow participation from your home PC, Mac, or smartphone.
Download the Audience Handout below in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format: Available Soon
WRITING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY FOR THE NON-WRITER
Date & Time: Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 6:30 p.m. local WI time.
Cost: Free and open to the public.
Location: Live Presentation at the Milton House Museum, 18 S. Janesville Rd., Milton, WI (Map Link) or view by Zoom on your Home PC or Smartphone with the Zoom app.
Program Presenter: Steve Szabados is a genealogy lecturer and author. He has traced his ancestors back to the 1600s in New England and the 1730s in Ireland, England, Poland, Germany, Bohemia, and Slovenia. His goal is to share his passion for Family History, and he has given numerous presentations to genealogical groups and libraries in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Illinois and has a master's degree from Northern Illinois University. He is a member of the Northwest Suburban Council of Genealogists, the Illinois State Genealogical Society, and the Polish Genealogical Society of America. He is also a genealogy volunteer at the Arlington Heights, Illinois, Library and the Genealogy Columnist for the Polish American Journal
Program Summary: Writing Your Family History for the Nonwriter Were your ancestors royalty or members of the working class? Were they rich or barely surviving? Whoever they were, we need to preserve their memory. The program will discuss a process and format that makes transforming your research efforts into a written family history easier. Learn a method to easily save your information and tips to help them "come alive." If we do not preserve our ancestors' memories and stories for future generations, who will?
How to Attend: This live presentation may be attended at the Milton House (address & Map Link above) OR viewed remotely on Zoom at the same scheduled time. The Zoom link, and handout link below allow participation from your home PC, Mac, or smartphone.
- Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82375527678?pwd=WoVjIXCs9rXPEGRV1TcwUZ3aEBsil4.1
- Password: Family (note capital F)
Download the Audience Handout below in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format: Available Soon
JUNLY 2026 - LIVE, IN-PERSON & ZOOM SIMULCAST
RITUALS OF ROMANCE: A HISTORY OF COURTSHIP AND WEDDINGS, 1830-1990
Date & Time: Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 6:30 p.m. local WI time.
Cost: Free and open to the public.
Location: Live Presentation at the Milton House Museum, 18 S. Janesville Rd., Milton, WI (Map Link) or view by Zoom on your Home PC or Smartphone with the Zoom app.
Program Presenter: Leslie Bellais is the former curator of social history at the Wisconsin Historical Museum. She retired in January 2019. Leslie gives a wide range of programs on the history of clothing, textiles, quilts, dolls, and toys, including "Flapper Fashion," "Rituals of Romance: A History of Courtship and Weddings,1830-1990," "Civil War Memories & Mementos," and "Over Here: The Wisconsin Homefront in World War I." Leslie is based in Madison. Note: A fee and mileage (outside of Dane County) will be charged.
Program Summary: A bride in a chaste white wedding dress, her face hidden behind a veil, bridesmaids in matching dresses, piles of wedding gifts...all of these have become such entrenched traditions of the wedding ceremony they seem eternal, yet these rituals have existed less than 200 years. Dr. Leslie Bellais will explore how these traditions emerged, and why they've fossilized into the wedding rituals we experience today. She will also compare wedding practices to the rituals of courtship, which in contrast have changed and evolved over time.
How to Attend: This live presentation may be attended at the Milton House (address & Map Link above) OR viewed remotely on Zoom at the same scheduled time. The Zoom link, and handout link below allow participation from your home PC, Mac, or smartphone.
Download the Audience Handout below in Adobe Ac-robat (PDF) format: Available Soon
RITUALS OF ROMANCE: A HISTORY OF COURTSHIP AND WEDDINGS, 1830-1990
Date & Time: Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 6:30 p.m. local WI time.
Cost: Free and open to the public.
Location: Live Presentation at the Milton House Museum, 18 S. Janesville Rd., Milton, WI (Map Link) or view by Zoom on your Home PC or Smartphone with the Zoom app.
Program Presenter: Leslie Bellais is the former curator of social history at the Wisconsin Historical Museum. She retired in January 2019. Leslie gives a wide range of programs on the history of clothing, textiles, quilts, dolls, and toys, including "Flapper Fashion," "Rituals of Romance: A History of Courtship and Weddings,1830-1990," "Civil War Memories & Mementos," and "Over Here: The Wisconsin Homefront in World War I." Leslie is based in Madison. Note: A fee and mileage (outside of Dane County) will be charged.
Program Summary: A bride in a chaste white wedding dress, her face hidden behind a veil, bridesmaids in matching dresses, piles of wedding gifts...all of these have become such entrenched traditions of the wedding ceremony they seem eternal, yet these rituals have existed less than 200 years. Dr. Leslie Bellais will explore how these traditions emerged, and why they've fossilized into the wedding rituals we experience today. She will also compare wedding practices to the rituals of courtship, which in contrast have changed and evolved over time.
How to Attend: This live presentation may be attended at the Milton House (address & Map Link above) OR viewed remotely on Zoom at the same scheduled time. The Zoom link, and handout link below allow participation from your home PC, Mac, or smartphone.
- Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89991412059?pwd=gInsSIn7RjrhzOgiCfgqpkdKCjaL84.1
- Password: Family (note capital F)
Download the Audience Handout below in Adobe Ac-robat (PDF) format: Available Soon