Third Saturdays
December 2017
The December AAGGKY Third Saturday meeting (16 December 2017) was held at the Clark County Public Library in Winchester. This meeting served as a wrap up of 2017 and a planning opportunity for 2018 and beyond! There were 10 of us in attendance and much was accomplished.
The December AAGGKY Third Saturday meeting (16 December 2017) was held at the Clark County Public Library in Winchester. This meeting served as a wrap up of 2017 and a planning opportunity for 2018 and beyond! There were 10 of us in attendance and much was accomplished.
November 2017
In this month that honors our soldiers, who served so bravely for this country, presenter Robert Bell gave a detailed for the group the history of the recruitment and life of the life of Kentucky Civil War soldiers who were members of the United States Colored Troops. Robert Bell is a living historian and charter member of the 12th United States Colored Heavy Artillery, reactivated, and a life member of the Camp Nelson Heritage Foundation. He is also a charter member of the United States Colored Troops Living History Association, a national group dedicated to the preservation and presentation of the history of the African-American men who served during the Civil War. We met at the Clark County Public Library in Winchester, KY.
In this month that honors our soldiers, who served so bravely for this country, presenter Robert Bell gave a detailed for the group the history of the recruitment and life of the life of Kentucky Civil War soldiers who were members of the United States Colored Troops. Robert Bell is a living historian and charter member of the 12th United States Colored Heavy Artillery, reactivated, and a life member of the Camp Nelson Heritage Foundation. He is also a charter member of the United States Colored Troops Living History Association, a national group dedicated to the preservation and presentation of the history of the African-American men who served during the Civil War. We met at the Clark County Public Library in Winchester, KY.
August 2017
Evernote for Genealogists was the topic of the August Third Saturday (19 August 2017) meeting, which was held at the Scott County Public Library in Georgetown, KY. Our presenter, member Cynthia Maharrey, showed us how to set up an Evernote account; create notes, folders and stacks; and how to use clippings from the web in our research. It was clear that Evernote would help to organize and make our genealogy research easily accessible!
Evernote for Genealogists was the topic of the August Third Saturday (19 August 2017) meeting, which was held at the Scott County Public Library in Georgetown, KY. Our presenter, member Cynthia Maharrey, showed us how to set up an Evernote account; create notes, folders and stacks; and how to use clippings from the web in our research. It was clear that Evernote would help to organize and make our genealogy research easily accessible!
July 2017
The July Third Saturday meeting (15 July 2017) was a COURT HOUSE WORKSHOP held in the County Clerk’s Office at the Jessamine County Courthouse in Nicholasville, KY. Jessamine County was created from Fayette County in 1798. It is one of the few Kentucky courthouses which never burned. Housed there are many unique records not found online. There were several of us in attendance and some of us found ancestor information!!
The July Third Saturday meeting (15 July 2017) was a COURT HOUSE WORKSHOP held in the County Clerk’s Office at the Jessamine County Courthouse in Nicholasville, KY. Jessamine County was created from Fayette County in 1798. It is one of the few Kentucky courthouses which never burned. Housed there are many unique records not found online. There were several of us in attendance and some of us found ancestor information!!
June 2017
On the Third Saturday in June (17 June 2017), AAGGKY met and celebrated Juneteenth with the folks at African Cemetery No. 2. Juneteenth is a holiday that commemorates the abolition of slavery in Texas and the emancipation of African-American slaves throughout the Confederate South. Members of the USCT 12th Heavy Artillery Regiment presented the colors and conducted a roll call for the 94 USCT veterans who are buried there. This was a moving program (as always)! We also had with us wood sculpture artist, LaVon Van Williams, Jr. who treated us with a presentation and a demonstration of how to do wood sculpture! African Cemetery No. 2 is located at 419 E. Seventh St., Lexington, KY.
On the Third Saturday in June (17 June 2017), AAGGKY met and celebrated Juneteenth with the folks at African Cemetery No. 2. Juneteenth is a holiday that commemorates the abolition of slavery in Texas and the emancipation of African-American slaves throughout the Confederate South. Members of the USCT 12th Heavy Artillery Regiment presented the colors and conducted a roll call for the 94 USCT veterans who are buried there. This was a moving program (as always)! We also had with us wood sculpture artist, LaVon Van Williams, Jr. who treated us with a presentation and a demonstration of how to do wood sculpture! African Cemetery No. 2 is located at 419 E. Seventh St., Lexington, KY.
May 2017
The May Third Saturday meeting was held at the Eastside Branch of the Lexington Public Library. Our speaker, Mike Jones, Military Historian, presented the program - “African-Americans and the Military in the Early 1900’s”.
Mike gave us the history of African-Americans in the military, but the main focus of the program was World War I and the recruitment and treatment of African-Americans both in the U.S. and in Europe. Many of these troops experienced abroad for the first time, treatment that was not based on racism. Both England and France had black troops, which they readily employed in combat. The French specifically rejected an American directive to treat the black soldiers “as they would be treated at home.” We learned about the 369th Infantry Regiment, which was nicknamed the Harlem Hellfighters. The name "Hell Fighters" was given to them by the Germans due to their toughness and that they never lost a man through capture, lost a trench or a foot of ground to the enemy. Despite serving valiantly, when the soldiers returned home after the war, they found rejection and violence awaiting them. This was a very interesting and engaging story. (Last picture is of Rufus Atwood, who became the President at Kentucky State College (now University) for 33 years!).
The May Third Saturday meeting was held at the Eastside Branch of the Lexington Public Library. Our speaker, Mike Jones, Military Historian, presented the program - “African-Americans and the Military in the Early 1900’s”.
Mike gave us the history of African-Americans in the military, but the main focus of the program was World War I and the recruitment and treatment of African-Americans both in the U.S. and in Europe. Many of these troops experienced abroad for the first time, treatment that was not based on racism. Both England and France had black troops, which they readily employed in combat. The French specifically rejected an American directive to treat the black soldiers “as they would be treated at home.” We learned about the 369th Infantry Regiment, which was nicknamed the Harlem Hellfighters. The name "Hell Fighters" was given to them by the Germans due to their toughness and that they never lost a man through capture, lost a trench or a foot of ground to the enemy. Despite serving valiantly, when the soldiers returned home after the war, they found rejection and violence awaiting them. This was a very interesting and engaging story. (Last picture is of Rufus Atwood, who became the President at Kentucky State College (now University) for 33 years!).
April 2017
The April Third Saturday meeting , which was to be a business meeting, was cancelled and was re-scheduled for 22 April 2017 at the Scott County Public Library in Georgetown. There were 12 members in attendance.
The April Third Saturday meeting , which was to be a business meeting, was cancelled and was re-scheduled for 22 April 2017 at the Scott County Public Library in Georgetown. There were 12 members in attendance.
March 2017
The March Third Saturday meeting was held on 18 March 2017 at the Eastside Library Branch, the newest branch of the Lexington Public Library. Our president, Sharyn Mitchell, showed us how to find and navigate the popular and not-so-well-known websites, links and other resources that will help us find those elusive ancestors!
The March Third Saturday meeting was held on 18 March 2017 at the Eastside Library Branch, the newest branch of the Lexington Public Library. Our president, Sharyn Mitchell, showed us how to find and navigate the popular and not-so-well-known websites, links and other resources that will help us find those elusive ancestors!
February 2017
Member Jerry Bedford, Jr. of Cincinnati discussed DNA testing with AncestryDNA, 23andMe and the popular tool, GedMatch. Jerry told us what to look for in DNA testing and what its limitations are. He also talked about social media resources that are useful for getting tips and ideas.
The meeting was held in Frankfort at the Kentucky State University Student Center.
Member Jerry Bedford, Jr. of Cincinnati discussed DNA testing with AncestryDNA, 23andMe and the popular tool, GedMatch. Jerry told us what to look for in DNA testing and what its limitations are. He also talked about social media resources that are useful for getting tips and ideas.
The meeting was held in Frankfort at the Kentucky State University Student Center.
January 2017
AAGGKY 6th Anniversary Celebration - 21 January 2017 at the Kentucky Historical Society in Frankfort! Officers were sworn in and past presenters were recognized and shared their stories!
AAGGKY 6th Anniversary Celebration - 21 January 2017 at the Kentucky Historical Society in Frankfort! Officers were sworn in and past presenters were recognized and shared their stories!
