Presenter:  Patti Hobbs

In 1927 over half of the U.S. population were members of fraternal organizations.  Fraternal organization records can provide details found nowhere else.  Patti Hobbs, Certified Genealogist, will discuss their purposes, the kinds of information contained, and how to locate them.

Join author, historian, and archivist Connie Yen as she discusses her latest book "Savior and Sinner: Emma Molloy and the Graham Murder".  When Evangelist and temperance advocate Emma Molloy moved to the Ozarks in the late 1880s to establish a home for her family while she traveled and lectured, little did she realize misplaced trust in her farm manager, George Graham, would lead to the "Graham Tragedy".  Emma's relationship with George, as well as her status as a respected public figure, placed her at the center of a scandal from which she never fully recovered.  Since 2016 Connie has been the director of the Greene County Archives and Records Center in Springfield, Missouri.

Tim Ritter, popular author, historian, member of OGS - and frequent presenter of OGS workshops - will be joining us for his latest story regarding the shootout on the Springfield Square.  Tim will take us on a fascinating look into the background of J.B. "Wild Bill" Hickock and Davis Tutt, their families, and their twisted paths to Springfield, Missouri, as they face each other with pistols drawn on the public square in 1865.  Within seconds, both men, as well as the confrontation itself, would become legendary.  The aftermath of the shooting can teach us about genealogy and how we look at some of our more notorious ancestors.  Tim is a member of the Douglas and Christian County Historical Societies, Springfield Writers Guild, and the Poe Studies Association.  

The reality of the "Underground Railroad" was more complex and far less well organized than many have assumed, but the saga of a people in bondage trekking to freedom remains compelling and inspiring.  William Piston, Professor Emeritus, MSU, will discuss the myths and realities of the "Underground Railroad," placing it in the context of slavery in Missouri, where runaway slaves were of particular concern.

For this workshop, Bill Eddleman, Ph.D., Associate Director of the Cape Girardeau Research Center, The State Historical Society of Missouri and President of the Missouri State Genealogical Association leads sus through this rarely-used resource.  Many family historians fail to use manuscript collections in their research, either because they are unaware of them or think they are difficult to find.  This session will summarize the types of materials and information one can locate in manuscript collections and how that information can help in your research.

Curious about the story of Native Americans in your family tree?  Learn how to begin the research needed to identify your Native American ancestors and what records are available in local and federal archives.  Join us as OGS member and Local History Associate Renee Glass leads us through the complexities of this popular subject.