On Wednesday, November 13, the Genealogy Club of Newtown will hold a virtual meeting at 7 pm, with speaker Shannon Combs-Bennett (pictured) discussing “Engaging Your Family With Genealogy.”

Most genealogists are eager to share their discoveries about their ancestors with all their family members. The holiday season is an opportunity for many to share that love of genealogy with family members. While not everyone shares the enthusiasm of a genealogist, there are ways to pique their interest and have a family history-filled holiday season.

Combs-Bennett is a Qualified Genealogist (QG) through the Register of Qualified Genealogists, United Kingdom. Based in northern Virginia, she is an award-winning author who lectures in the United States and internationally on various genealogical subjects, from genetic genealogy to genealogical methodology.

Her book Genealogy Basics in 30 Minutes won the Benjamin Franklin Silver Award in 2017 from the Independent Book Publishers Association. Combs-Bennett earned her BS in Biology with an emphasis in genetics from Indiana University, and her MS in Genealogical, Heraldic, and Paleographic Studies from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. Currently she is a PhD Candidate in History and Genealogical Studies at the University of Strathclyde. She was recently elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.

The Genealogy Club will continue to meet via Zoom until further notice. Programs are co-sponsored by C.H. Booth Library. Guests are welcome, and encouraged to become members and hear excellent speakers on all aspects of genealogy.

Those who wish to attend this month’s Zoom meeting must obtain a link to the meeting by sending an email request that includes name, address, phone number and email address by November 11 to genclubnewtownct.secretary@gmail.com. A program link will be sent November 12 or 13.

Those planning to attend are asked to join the meeting at 6:45 so that everyone can be admitted before the program begins at 7 pm.

The Genealogy Club meets on the second Wednesday of the month, September through June. Dues are $25 for an Individual or $35 for a Family Membership. Send a note to the email address above for additional information.