NEW DATE!!!
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April 19, 2025 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library 4100 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23452 This event is always free and open to all. Can't attend in person? Watch the speaker sessions on Zoom! No need to sign up, the link will be here and on the home page the day of the event. |
The primary goal of Genealogy Day at the Beach is to promote awareness and ignite a passion for genealogy and its related subjects, including lineage associations, regional history, and the various archives that preserve our shared past. We have designed this event to cater to both beginners and experienced genealogists, ensuring there is something for everyone. |
Check back for the latest updates as Genealogy Day comes together!
If you would like to participate as a speaker or exhibitor, you can now submit an application online.
Six presentations will be given in the auditorium beginning at 10 a.m. and again each hour.
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Visit with representatives from VBGS, lineage societies, places of interest, and more.
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Enter the drawing for three door prizes at the information table outside the auditorium.
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Tours of the genealogy and local history section of the library (see below).
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Donations accepted for previously loved resources.
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Take advantage of special event deals!
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Participate in the Genealogy Day!
If you would like to participate as a speaker or exhibitor,
you can now submit an application online.
you can now submit an application online.
Event details will be updated as plans are made.
Speaker Sessions (on Zoom too!)The speaker sessions will be streamed on Zoom and recorded for future viewing by VBGS members. A link will be posted on the day of the event for anyone to use.
10 am Virginia Beach Central Library
11 am David Leatherwood
To America and Back Again, examining the life of loyalist Thomas MacKnight Thomas MacKnight started and ended life in Scotland. His middle years, however, were spent as one of the wealthiest men in northeast North Carolina. As a merchant dependent on transatlantic trade, he argued against boycotting British goods in the years leading up to the Revolutionary War. He was consequently publicly declared “inimical to the Cause of American Liberty,” prompting him to flee the country. His full-circle story is one of fortunes won and lost in a time of upheaval. This presentation will provide an in-depth look at MacKnight before, during, and after the American Revolution. It will include discussion of pre-war Scottish merchant networks, the failed efforts of some North Carolinians to avert the coming war, and displaced loyalists’ postwar lobbying for British government support. 12 pm M. K. Miles
Learn how to access and use MilesFiles MilesFiles is an online database that contains hundreds of Eastern Shore families from Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware, and traces living persons to European royalty, Gateway Ancestors, First Families of Virginia, Eastern Shore Progenitors, and Daughters of the American Revolution Patriots. Attendees will learn how to access and navigate the database. 1 pm Tyrone Goodwyn
Persons Enslaved by the Custises -- from the Eastern Shore to Williamsburg, Mt Vernon and Arlington House I (and many free communities of color) descend from Gabriel Jacobs and his wife Barbary. That was the first family enslaved by immigrant John Custis II. Although Gabriel's son became free (hence, my family), his daughter did not. I am working to tie the enslaved families together thru the Custis lines. I work with Colonial Wiliamsburg's Custis excavation and have founded the Gabriel Jacobs EPOCH Initiative in ODU's History Dept, where I manage two interns. I'm a member of The League of the Descendants of the Enslaved at Mt Vernon. 2 pm Jan Cannon
The Amazing Story of Stephen Hopkins, Adventurer While investigating my Crossman line from Massachusetts, I kept finding references to the Mayflower. Since I had never heard anyone in my family refer to lineage from those passengers, I was curious to see where it led, and then gobsmacked to find that not only was there a link to the Mayflower, but also to Jamestowne! I'm happy to share this tale of the less-known, but crucial, Mayflower passenger." 3 pm Missy Sutton
Descending from Free People of Color: Unlocking the Mystery Using Research and DNA Family lore said we were from NC, we descended from Native Americans, grew tobacco, and provided salt to Civil War soldiers. Was there any truth to these statements? Perhaps. My 2x great grandfather, a white man who lived in Fauquier County, VA after the Civil War, didn't seem to exist before 1870. Using DNA and census and other records, I found him in the 1850 census in Gates County, NC with his siblings and their mother. But the last name was different, and so, too, was their race. My research led me to discover my free people of color (and likely Native American) ancestors, where the family name we use today came from, and allowed me to connect with distant relatives both black and white. This FPOC family has ties to present-day Cuffeetown in Chesapeake, VA. Library TourSee what the genealogy and local history area of the Virginia Beach Central Library has to offer in this 15-20 minute tour. NOTE: Staff at the library has changed since the 2024 event. Check back for tour status. |
Special offersThe following deals will offered:
Door PrizesRegister at the information table,
located in the hallway by the auditorium.
VBGS Book SaleDon't miss the table of books and other resources in the exhibitor room. They have been generously given by VBGS members to help raise funds for the society and available for purchase by donation. If you have items to donate, message [email protected]. |
Exhibitors
Daughters of the American Revolution Princess Anne County Chapter |
Princess Anne Local History Group - books - |
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Virginia Beach Genealogical Society |
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Sons of the American Revolution Norfolk Chapter |
National Society United States Daughters of 1812 Fort Norfolk Chapter |
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Edna Hendrix Local Black History |
Genealogy Help Desk by VBGS ask fellow genealogists about your research challenges |
Volunteer opportunities
VBGS members, your help is needed to make this event happen and be the best one yet!
If you can help out - for an hour, two hours, or all day - write [email protected] and let us know.
If you can help out - for an hour, two hours, or all day - write [email protected] and let us know.
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Greeter/Information table
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Auditorium
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