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
Tales From the Darke Side
March 3, 2024, Sunday
2:00 p.m.
Darke County Extension Office
603 Wagner Ave
Greenville, OH 45331
Speaker -Bill Stevens
Tales From the Darke Side - featuring unusual, weird, and amusing occurrences in Darke County including some of the eccentric people living here.
Genealogy Fun Day
April 7, 2024, Sunday
2:00 p.m.
Darke County Extension Office
603 Wagner Ave
Greenville, OH 45331
A day of talking genealogy!
Exploring DNA and Genealogy
May 9, 2024, Thursday
7:00 p.m.
Arcanum Wayne Trail Historical Society
123 W. George St.
Arcanum, OH 45304
Speaker - Kelli Bergheimer
Kelli will be discussing using DNA in genealogy.
Genealogy Society Picnic
June 6, 2024, Thursday
5:30 p.m.
Greenville City Park
Shelter House #5
Bring a covered dish & drink. Chicken will be provided.
Speaker - Cait Clark
Topic to Be Announced
September 8, 2024, Sunday
2:00 p.m.
Darke County Extension Office
603 Wagner Ave
Greenville, OH 45331
Darke County Genealogical Workshop
PRESENTED BY- Dana Palmer
LECTURE TOPICS
Connect Your Family: Useful Research Strategies
Using Cluster Research to Prove Kinship
Finding Your Family in the U.K.
What Test Should I Take? Intro to DNA Research
October 12, 2024, Saturday
9:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Garst Museum Lowell Thomas Conference Room
205 N. Broadway
Greenville, OH 45331
Pre-registration Before September 27, 2024 - $20
Registration at the door - $25.00
Lineage Family Inductions and Holiday Party
November 3, 2024, 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
July 2024
August 2024
December 2024
January 2025
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