Genealogy & Preservation Center - MCMLS

06/03/2026

Rawr-ing into summer! 🦖
We had an absolute blast hosting the kickoff for the Summer Reading Program today in the Genealogy department! This year, history came alive for our youngest researchers. The kids were excited to get hands-on with our ancient display. Through these unique preservation efforts and interactive exhibitions, we hope to inspire the younger generation to take a deeper dive into their own family histories and the world around them.

Here’s to a summer of discovery, reading, and history! 📚🦕



All library programs are free and open to the public. If any individual requires accommodation to participate in the library events, programs, or classes please contact the host library location. Please contact the host location at least 3 days before the program/event.

06/02/2026

The Genealogy and Preservation Center's custom-made; ADA-compliant Bureau Pod-Room has arrived!

Patrons will be able to record oral histories, interview presenters and guest speakers, and create genealogy and history-related podcasts. Funding for the Bureau Pod-Room is made possible by the Mellon Foundation Grant.

Equipment included in the booth includes the RODECaster Pro II All-in-One Production Solution for Podcasting, RODE PodMic Cardioid Dynamic Broadcast Microphone with Pop Filters, Audio-Technica Open-Air Headphones, and BILIONE Multifunctional Desktop Microphone Stands.

Reservations are required and begin Monday, June 8, 2026, at 9am - call 936.522.2138.

06/02/2026

If you’re eager to travel back in time and unravel some exciting mysteries, you’ve come to the perfect place! Join us every 1st Tuesday at 10AM for our History & Mystery Book Club, where we dive into fascinating historical fiction and intriguing mysteries that transport us to different eras.

All library programs are free and open to the public. If any individual requires accommodation to participate in the library events, programs, or classes please contact the host library location. Please contact the host location at least 3 days before the progam/event.

06/01/2026

Even though the Genealogy & Preservation Center doesn't offer books to check out, we do offer plenty to read. Spend time with us this summer exploring records, stories, and documents that bring your family history to life. Genealogists know just how many hours can disappear in our great books, why not count those hours toward your Summer Reading goals?

🎉The 𝙐𝙣𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮™ 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 starts 𝗧𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗬, Monday, June 1!📚
For information about our MCMLS Summer Reading Program click the following link. https://countylibrary.org/summer_reading.php

Participants may register and log their titles on the 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗭𝗼𝗻𝗲 app or pick up a printed reading log at their local MCMLS library.

Register for Reader Zone at https://app.readerzone.com/login

05/28/2026

Join us for our Mexico Research Series webinar! Genealogy expert Nefi Salazar will share key strategies and archival sources to help you identify conquistador and early settler ancestors from the 1500s. You'll learn how to navigate colonial archives, trace names through contemporary chronicles, and understand the motivations behind early Spanish colonial interactions. - Thursday June 4th at 1:00pm

Whether you are deep into your family tree or just starting out, this presentation will give you the tools to connect your lineage across centuries.

05/27/2026

We are so excited to announce that the Genealogy & Preservation Center has added the book “Combee” by Dr. Fields-Black to our collection. Stop by and explore this remarkable new book.

American Ancestors is providing a FREE ONLINE AUTHOR EVENT on June 9, 2026, at 6 pm ET/5 pm CT. Be sure to click the link below for registration https://www.americanancestors.org/events/combee-harriet-tubman-combahee-river-raid-and-black-freedom-during-civil-war-edda-l-fields?utm_campaign=18167199-FY26%20American%20Inspiration&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8xHY89wpwpXEGD9g6DX3AzqMPTzY2twRBbmvziyZLTgCa3H4EsBH3iDYcdNGIoKrZBUm8Sodl-I0EAphdLaCGddyA-_H9u3HftdvpVaTDqKiEjQPw&_hsmi=420595813&utm_content=420595813&utm_source=hs_email.

American Ancestors event is presented in partnership with 10 Million Names and the Museum of African American History.

www.countylibrary.org
Montgomery County Genealogical and Historical Society

Join us the week before the Juneteenth to hear from Edda L. Fields-Black about COMBEE, the first detailed account of one of the most dramatic episodes of the Civil War: the June 1863 Combahee River Raid in South Carolina. There, Harriet Tubman and 150 African American Union soldiers rescued and emancipated more than 700 slaves. Dr. Fields-Black’s account is based on original documentation and written by a descendant of the enslaved men and women who fought in the raid; and, in the process, liberated themselves. https://hubs.ly/Q04hxj750

05/27/2026

🎉𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟭!📚
All ages are invited to join in the fun June 1st through July 25th at your 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗴𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 libraries by participating in special events and a reading challenge with incentives. Prizes are available to those who reach their goal by the end of the Program.

This year’s theme is 𝙐𝙣𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮™ and will include free shows with performers including magicians and puppeteers, arts and crafts, movies and games, and more exciting events! Events are free and open to the public. If any individual requires an accommodation to participate in the library events, programs, or classes, please contact the host library at least 3 days before the program/event.

𝙐𝙣𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮™ this summer—dig up a good book—maybe even one about dinosaurs—and discover something new at your library! For more information about the Summer Reading Program, click the link to the Summer Reading news article. https://www.countylibrary.org/news_detail_T8_R78.php

Find special programs on the events calendar at www.countylibrary.org and 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 to stay up to date on exciting news and events.

Visit our 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲 for your Reader Zone location code, event guidelines, and more. https://countylibrary.org/summer_reading.php

05/22/2026

05/22/2026

REMINDER: 𝗨𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲

All MCMLS Libraries will be CLOSED Saturday, May 23 through Monday, May 25 in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.

Check out our genealogy databases this weekend! https://countylibrary.org/services/services_by_audience/genealogy_databases.php or our Digital Library is available 24/7 at www.countylibrary.org

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🚨𝗨𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲🚨
All MCMLS Libraries will be CLOSED Saturday, May 23 through Monday, May 25 in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.

Our Digital Library is available 24/7 at www.countylibrary.org

05/21/2026

LIVE WEBINAR WATCH PARTY: Organizing AI Research: Saving & Searching Your Best Genealogy Chats - Thursday, May 28 at 1-3 pm

AI chatbots are transforming genealogy, but how do you make sure your most important discoveries aren’t lost in a sea of conversations? This practical session will show you how to collect, organize, search, and future-proof your best LLM (Large Language Model) chats—across platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. You’ll learn step-by-step workflows, smart tagging and annotation, and automated tools to find and preserve your key research insights. Ensure your most important chats don’t get lost, forgotten, or accidentally deleted.

All library programs are free and open to the public. If any individual requieres accommodation to participate in the library events, programs, or classes please contact the host library location. Please contact the host location at least 3 days before the progam/event.

www.countylibrary.org