1)"Following Footprints is Fun": Semi-Annual Seminars Held in The Spring and Fall. An all-day, 13-session group of classes for beginning genealogists and seasoned searchers alike, taught by experienced local presenters. It's really a fun day, learning how to make the very most of your research time and your cash. A 104-page booklet and a box lunch are included in registration, $15 for members. For nonmembers, it's $20, with $5 of that applied to membership if you decide to join AGS. For more information on the Semi-Annual Seminars, click here. For information on the Fall 2005 Seminar, click here.

2) Spring Seminar. An all-day Saturday event, with national speakers on genealogical research methodology.  Past speakers were Bill Dollarhide, Ron Bremer, Marilyn Miller Morton, and Bob Davis on "Georgia Research.".  One year's Spring Seminar was "Are Your Ancestors Hiding in a Computer?" with Jennifer and Blaine Schmidt from North Carolina.  

Spring Seminar 2005 - 19 February
"Following Footprints is Fun"

3) Homecoming Seminar. Our annual Homecoming 3-day weekend is popular with everyone, and members come from near and far for the festivities. It's in late August, and the Saturday Seminar is its highlight. This event is a real "biggie", and increases in size each year! For information on the next Homecoming Seminar, click here.

2005 Homecoming/Seminar - 20 August
"A New Century in Genealogical Research"

A Visit to Augusta's Magnolia Cemetery. The following article about a previous year's Homecoming Seminar appeared in the November/December 1997 National Archives, Southeast Region, Newsletter, published at East Point, Georgia. The editor was Terry Manning.

The 18th Annual Homecoming/Seminar held by the Augusta Genealogical Society was held on August 22-24, 1997. On Friday, the AGS Library was the host to several activities, including visits to local courthouses, a reception at the library, and a walking tour of Magnolia Cemetery. Activities on Saturday were held at the Augusta State University where over a dozen lectures were presented. Following the lectures was a barbecue supper on the veranda at the Performing Arts Theater. The weather was perfect for the occasion. Events concluded on Sunday with research at the AGS library.

My wife and I found the tour of Magnolia Cemetery especially interesting. We were fortunate to have noted lecturer, Carrie Adamson, lead the tour for us. Carrie's knowledge of local family histories, combined with her interest in headstone art, makes for an extremely interesting genealogical adventure. If you have the opportunity, you should be sure to visit the cemetery. It holds the largest stand of magnolia trees in Georgia. Beneath them are the headstones that tell whole stories of the persons held at their base.

You will find beautiful examples of almost every symbolic art form used in headstone architecture in this cemetery: angels, urns, sabers, crosses, the trinity, weeping willows, anchors, torches, and family crests, just to name a few. If you look closely you may find the 105-year-old Revolutionary War veteran with a cannon guarding his grave, or the headstone shaped like a fire hydrant for the volunteer fireman buried there. There is also a large Jewish cemetery located on the grounds. So if you find tombstone art of interest you won't want to miss this beautiflil cemetery when visiting the Augusta area.

And, you won't want to miss visiting the AGS Library in its new home at 1109 Broad Street The staff are very friendly and helpful and will make you feel right at home. If you can stay overnight in the area, visit the Partridge Inn, a lovely historic inn located in the historic Summerville section of Augusta.

For more information on the Homecoming Seminar, click here