EGS offers a variety of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) where members and guests can learn, share, and connect with others who have similar genealogical interests. Activities vary by group and may include discussions, presentations, research support, and social interaction. All EGS SIGs are open to everyone.
Explore each Special Interest Group below to learn more.
- In-person groups
- Virtual groups
Visit our Calendar page for more information.
Lunch Bunch
Bring your lunch and join us in person on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. PT. We discuss what we are doing in genealogy and also have a very short program on a topic such as a new feature in a genealogy program or a recent article or video of interest. The group meets at the LDS church at 10675 NE 20th Street, Bellevue. Additionally, attendees can walk over to the FamilySearch Center to do some research or try out what they learned. For more information, email membership@eastsidegenealogicalsociety.org.
Artificial Intelligence
The AI SIG meets on the third Tuesday of most months at 2:00 p.m. PT. The purpose is to learn together about using AI to help with our genealogy, encourage each other, and share information, tips, and resources. Please email AIsig@eastsidegenealogicalsociety.org to be added to the mailing list and get the virtual meeting link.
Family Tree Maker
The Family Tree Maker SIG is designed for genealogists who are using, or considering using, Family Tree Maker software to house their genealogical information. It meets on the 3rd Friday of most months from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PT. Attendees are encouraged to bring challenges or questions to obtain assistance from others. If you would like to attend and are not on the email distribution list, please email ftmsig@eastsidegenealogicalsociety.org to obtain the virtual meeting link.
Genealogy Book SIG
If you like to read, the EGS Genealogy Book SIG might be for you. This group meets on the 2nd Friday of each month at 10:00 a.m. PT to discuss a chosen fiction or non-fiction book related to genealogy. To get information on the next great read and the virtual meeting link, email vicepresident@eastsidegenealogicalsociety.org.
| Meeting Date | Book | Author |
|---|---|---|
| May 8, 2026 | Paper Love | Sarah Wildman |
| June 12, 2026 | Hey America, Your Roots Are Showing | Megan Smolenyak |
| No Meeting in July or August | ||
| September 11, 2026 | Piece by Piece AND The Leading Ladies: An Ella Graepenteck Genealogy Mystery | Irene Lewis Ward AND Erika Maren Steiger |
| October 9, 2026 | Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love | Dani Shapiro |
| November 13, 2026 | The Death Certificate | Stephen Molyneux |
| No Meeting in December | ||
| January 8, 2027 | The Foundling: The True Story of a Kidnapping, a Family Secret, and My Search for the Real Me | Paul Joseph Fronczak |
| February 12, 2027 | Hiding The Past | Nathan Dylan Goodwin |
| March 12, 2027 | The Record Keeper: The Unfolding of a Family Secret in the Age of Genetic Genealogy | Allison Barnhart |
| April 9, 2027 | Your Roots Cast A Shadow: One Family’s Search Across History for Belonging | Caroline Topperman |
| May 14, 2027 | The Sawtooth Slayer | Nathan Dylan Goodwin |
German Interest Group
The German Interest Group meets on the 1st Friday of each month, except July and August, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. PT, or 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PT if the speaker lives outside the U.S.
Currently, we are meeting virtually, and REGISTRATION is REQUIRED to attend our meetings. Visitors are always welcome. For more information about our meetings, please visit our website at: https://gig.eastsidegenealogicalsociety.org
If you would like to support EGS with a donation designated for the German Interest Group, your donation will be used to fund special programs and speakers of interest to those researching German ancestry. Give any amount of $5.00 or more. Our parent organization, Eastside Genealogical Society, is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization (Tax ID: 91-1205979) which means contributions to any of its Interest Groups are tax deductible. Thank you very much for your support!
Or print a donation form to donate by check and use the U.S. mail. Please write “GIG donation” in the memo field.
Italian Interest Group
The Italian Interest Group meets virtually 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. PT on the 3rd Saturday of the month, September through June, excluding December. For more information or to request a virtual meeting link, please visit our website at: https://egs-iig.com/.
If you would like to support EGS with a donation designated for the Italian Interest Group, your donation will be used to fund special programs and speakers of interest to those researching Italian ancestry. Give any amount of $5.00 or more. Our parent organization, Eastside Genealogical Society, is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization (Tax ID: 91-1205979) which means contributions to any of its Interest Groups are tax deductible. Thank you very much for your support!
Or print a donation form to donate by check and use the U.S. mail. Please write “IIG donation” in the memo field.