SINCE 1981
Darke County Genealogical Society
The first official meeting of the Darke County Genealogical Society was held on March 15, 1981. The late Toni Seiler, who was at that time curator of Garst Museum, was instrumental in organizing a group of people who were interested in genealogy and the Society was created. Toni became the first president. Since it’s organization the Society has published multiple books including marriage records, funeral records, family histories and reprints of local history. Members have helped grow and maintain the Research Center at Garst, as well as libraries and historical groups around the county through the donation of books, microfilm, and other material. The family files started by Toni Seiler and located in the Garst Research Library, has expanded to include multiple file cabinets containing over 5000 Darke County family names thanks to the Society’s members. The Society publishes a quarterly newsletter, “The Kindling”, and provides access to the public to such internet sites as Ancestry, Fold3 and Newspapers.com. It supports continuing education of genealogists, both the beginner and advanced, through workshops with nationally known speakers and monthly meetings featuring genealogy and historical subject speakers. We are a chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society.
Frequently Asked Questions
Meetings & Events
All meetings and events are open to the public
Febuary 8, 2026, Sunday
2:00 P.M.
Darke County Extension Office
603 Wagner Ave
Greenville OH 45331
Topic: Planning meeting
March 15, 2026, Sunday
2:00 p.m.
Darke County Extension Office
603 Wagner Ave
Greenville, OH 45331
Topic: To Be Announced
April 12, 2026, Sunday
2:00 p.m.
Darke County Extension Office
603 Wagner Ave
Greenville, OH 45331
Topic: To Be Announced
May 17, 2026, Sunday
2:00 p.m.
Darke County Extension Officde
603 Wagner Avenue
Greenville, OH 45331
Speaker - To Be Announced
June 4, 2026, Thursday
5:30 p.m.
Greenville City Park
Shelter House #5
Bring a covered dish & drink. Chicken will be provided.
September 13, 2026, Sunday
2:00 p.m.
Darke County Extension Office
603 Wagner Ave
Greenville, OH 45331
We will be also be discussing plans for the upcoming workshop.
Plans for our 2026 Workshop are in the process. Please check back for updated information
PRESENTED BY: Debbie Large
The workshop this year will be a half-day workshop.
LECTURE TOPICS:
No Leprechaun Needed to Navigate Irish Websites (Covers the island as a whole
Got a Pilgrim in Your Pedigree?
Using AmericanAncestors and other Websites for New England Research.....
More then just pilgrim research focusing on researching New England. Many of our ancestors came from the east. Many came through Connecticut,or Massachusetts before Main, New York or Vermont to Ohio, etc.
10:00 to 1:00
Doors Open at 9:30 a.m.
Garst Museum Lowell Thomas Conference Room
205 N. Broadway
Greenville, OH 45331
Pre-registration Before September 20, 2025 - $15.00
Registration at the door - $20.00
November 8, 2026, Sunday
2:00 p.m.
Darke County Extension Office
603 Wagner Ave
Greenville, OH 45331
Induction of new lineage families will take place.
We will celebrate the holidays with our annual party.
Please bring finger food snacks to share.
No meetings in the following months:
July 2026
August 2026
December 2026
January 2026
Darke County Genealogical Society Membership
Benefits
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We offer assistance with your genealogy research. The Garst Museum Research Center is staffed by members of the Society.
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Speakers and workshops on relevant genealogy subjects
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Newsletter – “The Kindling” (4 times a year)
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Darke County Lineage Membership Eligibility
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Pioneer Families – direct descendent of an individual who settled in the area defined as Darke County by 31 December 1830
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First Families – direct descendent of an individual who settled in the area defined as Darke County by 31 December 1850
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Civil War Ancestor – direct descendent of an individual who served from Darke County in the Civil War (1861 – 1865)
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Century Ancestor – direct descendent of an individual who was in Darke County from 1851 to present date minus 100 years
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Books compiled and published by The Darke County Genealogical Society
Research Resources
Garst Museum Research Center
Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Admission fee required
$12.00 - Adults
$11.00 - Seniors (60+)
$9.00 - Youth (6 – 17)
$9.00 - Genealogy Society Members
*Darke County Historical Society members enter FREE
Greenville Public Library
Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Ohio Genealogical Society
*Online Resource
Government Center
Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: CLOSED
Government Center
Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Closed on all legal holidays
Darke County Genealogical Society Officers
President – Linda Riley
Vice President – Karen Besecker
Secretary – Diane Brittenham
Treasurer – Caroline Petitjean
Publicity – Diane Brittenham
Newsletter Editor – Linda Riley
Assistant Editors – Phyllis Crick & Karen Besecker
Trustees
Phyllis Crick
Regina Schieltz
Shirley Hughes