Lineage and Genealogical Society Fair to be held in Arlington

If you are one of the over 30 million people who have done DNA tests, over 39 million people who visit FamilySearch.org each month, among more than 16 million who watched the PBS show Finding Your Roots last season, or the more than 3 million subscribers who have joined Ancestry.com, your next step is waiting for you in Arlington on Saturday, January 22^nd.

A Lineage and Genealogical Society Fair will be held from 1 pm – 4 pm at the Arlington Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The free event gathers more than a dozen organizations, ready to connect with you and help you connect with distant cousins.

The event is sponsored by the Lucretia Council Cochran Chapter, National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, and includes area genealogical societies and public library genealogical sections, as well as a wide range of lineage societies.

Free and open to the public, the Lineage and Genealogical Society Fair is a great way for you to find out more about what these organizations offer.

Meg Anderson, Treasurer of the Lucretia Council Cochran Chapter, NSDAR, says, “Lineage societies offer people the opportunity to connect with others and their communities. For some, they’re the center of their social life. For others, they’re a way to preserve heritage. No matter what your interest – history, philanthropy, or genealogy – a lineage society is a wonderful way to explore those interests.”

In addition to the lineage societies, there will also be representatives from other organizations, including HOGAR de Dallas, an organization specifically formed to stimulate interest in Hispanic genealogy and assist in the research of Hispanic lineages.

The Family History Center will be open and staffed, so attendees can receive assistance in research during the fair. The Family History Centers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offer access to a wide range of genealogical resources free of charge, including many subscription sites.

Representatives from area genealogical societies and library genealogical sections will also provide information. John Anderson, President of the Arlington Genealogical Society, says, “Genealogical societies are the perfect fit for people who have an interest in genealogy and want to meet others with a shared interest and develop their skills. We offer research support, great speakers, and the opportunity to learn more about your family.”

Interest in forming lineage societies arose when the United States celebrated its centennial in 1876, and the number of societies – and their membership – has grown ever since.

There are hundreds of lineage societies in the United States, honoring and preserving the history of different groups of people. From The General Society of Mayflower Descendants to the National Society, Descendants of American Farmers, there’s a group for everyone with an interest in not only finding their ancestors but also preserving the memory of what those ancestors did.

The Lucretia Council Cochran Chapter, NSDAR has hosted a lineage fair previously, and the event makes it easy for people to connect with many organizations in one convenient location. It is also the perfect way to explore what the Family History Center has to offer. Plenty of parking is available, and admission is free. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/lineagesocietyfair or the website at http://bit.ly/lineagefair.