MCGS is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
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to join our Facebook Group. You will be able to communicate with other members and post interesting genealogy related information.
After asking to 'Join' will will need to answer a few simple questions, then read and agree to the group rules.
Meetings
Our Society meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month from 7 - 9 PM, at the Keller Williams Realty building at 2474 Patterson Rd. You are more than welcome to come a bit early to socialize.
Most meetings are held in a hybrid (Zoom/in-person) format and an email with any handouts and an invitation to attend the meeting via Zoom will be sent prior to the meeting date.
The MCGS Business Meetings are held after the regular 'Monthly Program' presentation.
What's New on the MCGS Website?
An article written by Gertrude Radar has been added to the MCGS Cemetery Project Page. If you have a source description for this article please send an email to the MCGS Webmaster.
MCGS Programs and Calendar of Events
To all MCGS Members We will soon begin planning for the 2026 program lineup, and we want you to be part of the process. The MCGS Program Committee is eager to hear your ideas and suggestions. Whether it's a fascinating topic you've always wanted to explore, a dynamic speaker you have heard and feel would be of interest to our members, or details on a skill you would like to master - we want to know! Your input is crucial in finding programs that are not only educational but also inspiring for our members. Let's work together to make this year a truly helpful one for our family history research.
Don’t forget about our “First Friday” sessions, held at the beginning of every month. These events offer a free and friendly opportunity for community members — and MCGS members alike — to receive one-on-one help with genealogy questions. Sessions take place at a different Mesa County Library branch each month, where our experienced volunteers are available to guide you through your research challenges, whether you’re just getting started or tackling a tricky family mystery this could be just the help you need.
To register for upcoming First Friday help sessions, visit the 'Events' page on the Mesa County Library website and search for “genealogy.” While walk-ins are welcome, we encourage you to register in advance. This helps us pair you with a volunteer who has experience in your particular area of interest.
We look forward to hearing your ideas on programs and seeing you at an upcoming First Friday event!
| Jan 8 | "Navigating Ancestral Arrivals: A Genealogist's Treasure Map to Immigration Records" Zoom presentation by Lisa Vogele. Lisa Vogele is a professional genealogist and Certified Travel Associate (CTA). She is the Chief Tree Climber at Travel Your Tree: Where Ancestry Meets Adventure, a genealogy research & travel planning firm specializing in Italy & Ireland. Lisa is passionate about traveling in the footsteps of your ancestors to make or re-establish connections of personal, historical significance.In 2025, Lisa was the inaugural recipient of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) Fellowship to study passport collections in Italian archives. In 2016, Lisa authored Food & Folklore: A Year of Italian Festivals, a guidebook to assist travelers with incorporating heritage festivals into their itineraries, get off the beaten path, and experience local culture through food and historic events.She is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), earned a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University in 2019 and a Certified Travel Associate (CTA) credential. Her travel tips have been featured in the Huffington Post, 1000TravelTips.com, and Dream of Italy. She holds a Master's degree from Clemson University, was raised in Connecticut, and resides in Colorado. Follow Lisa’s travels and discoveries: @travelyourtree on Instagram and Facebook |
| Feb 6 | First Friday - Palisade 2pm - 4pm [As of Dec 2025 the Palisade branch is closed due to ceiling repair. We are hopeful that this will be done by February]. |
| Feb 12 | MCGS Annual Meeting and Elections along with a program to be announced. |
| Mar 6 | First Friday - Clifton 12pm - 2pm |
| Mar 12 | Monthly Program and Business Meeting 7pm - 9pm |
| Apr 3 | First Friday - Central Library 1pm - 3pm |
| Apr 9 | Monthly Program and Business Meeting 7pm - 9pm |
| May 1 | First Friday - Fruita 10am - 12pm |
| May 14 | Monthly Program and Business Meeting 7pm - 9pm |
| Jun 5 | First Friday - Palisade 2pm - 4pm |
| Jun 11 | Monthly Program and Business Meeting 7pm - 9pm |
| Jul 3 | First Friday - Clifton 12pm - 2pm |
| Jul 9 | Monthly Program and Business Meeting 7pm - 9pm |
| Aug 1 | America 250 - Colorado 150 |
| Aug | Annual MCGS Salt Lake City Research Trip ? |
| Aug 7 | First Friday - Central Library 1pm - 3pm |
| Aug 13 | Annual Potluck Picnic - Details will be emailed |
| Sep 4 | First Friday - Fruita 10am - 12pm |
| Sep 10 | Monthly Program and Business Meeting 7pm - 9pm |
| Oct 2 | First Friday - Palisade 2pm - 4pm |
| Oct 8 | Monthly Program and Business Meeting 7pm - 9pm |
| Nov 6 | First Friday - Clifton 12pm - 2pm |
| Nov 12 | Monthly Program and Business Meeting 7pm - 9pm |
| Dec 4 | First Friday - Central Library 1pm - 3pm |
| Dec | Annual Holiday Potluck - Details will be emailed |
Genealogy Events of Interest
Current Officers, Board Members, and Committee Chairs
| Karen Merritt Sturgill | President |
| Dave Fishell | Vice President |
| Bonnie Emmert | Secretary |
| Laurie Buniger | Treasurer |
| Frank Nemanich | Jody Blackmer | Margo Lurvey |
| Program Committee | Chair: Brenda Sabo, Members: Laurie Buniger, Karen McGuirk, Dave Fishell, Gail Woodmansee |
| Historian | Brenda Sabo |
| Membership/Outreach | Bonnie Emmert |
| Newsletter | Gail Woodmansee |
| Parliamentarian | Vacant [ Roberts Rules of Order] |
| Research | Vacant (Members) |
| Genealogist/Librarian | Karen Sturgill |
| Webmaster | Karen Sturgill | Ad Hoc Cemetery Project Committee | Chair: Dave Fishell, Co-Chair: Laurie Buniger |
Mesa County Genealogical Society is a member of the Colorado Council of Genealogical Societies (CCGS) and the National Genealogical Society (NGS). The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) was merged with the NGS in the summer of 2019.
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