Welcome!Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries was founded in 1997 by nine “library junkies” with a passion to preserve and develop the Genealogy Section of the W.O. Haggard Library in Plano, Texas. Genealogy Friends are guided by a philosophy of openness, inclusiveness, integrity, fairness, and a spirit of cooperation. Our focus is helping you discover your roots through education and help with your research.
We hope you will join us at an event either in person at W.O. Haggard Library, 2501 Coit Rd, Plano, TX or via Zoom. We hold monthly free seminars and roundtable discussions. MembershipJoin Gen Friends to continue your genealogy education and connect with fellow family history enthusiasts.
Membership runs from October 1st to September 30th. Your support helps cover the costs of our monthly Saturday Seminars and donations to the Genealogy Section at W.O. Haggard Library. Members have access to the following:
Pay for membership via PayPal or with a credit card. Info on our Membership page. |
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If membership isn't for you but you enjoy our webinars, please consider donating to Genealogy Friends.
Upcoming Saturday Seminars - Hybrid
October 17, 2026 - AI in Genealogical Research: A Practical Approach by Diana Elder - See how AI works in real genealogy research through hands-on examples. We'll learn how AI can assist with common research tasks, such as creating timelines and source citations, logging research, and preparing records. You'll see examples of AI tools in action and learn what they excel at (and where they fall short). Leave with practical tips and specific examples you can use in your own family history research.
Speaker: Diana Elder, AG, AGL is a professional genealogist, author, and speaker. She is accredited in the Gulf South region of the United States through the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen). Diana graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Elementary Education and has turned her passion for teaching to educating teens and adults in proven genealogy techniques. Diana is the author of Research Like a Pro: A Genealogists Guide and creator of the "Research Like a Pro" study group. She writes regular articles for FamilyLocket.com, the genealogy website created by her daughter, Nicole Dyer. She presents regularly at genealogy conferences, sharing the methods she uses every day to solve challenging genealogical problems.
Speaker: Diana Elder, AG, AGL is a professional genealogist, author, and speaker. She is accredited in the Gulf South region of the United States through the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen). Diana graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Elementary Education and has turned her passion for teaching to educating teens and adults in proven genealogy techniques. Diana is the author of Research Like a Pro: A Genealogists Guide and creator of the "Research Like a Pro" study group. She writes regular articles for FamilyLocket.com, the genealogy website created by her daughter, Nicole Dyer. She presents regularly at genealogy conferences, sharing the methods she uses every day to solve challenging genealogical problems.
GenFriends Blog
Keep up to date on the latest news in Genealogy. Here is a link https://genfriends.blogspot.com/
An email will be sent out each month once the articles are posted.
Click the Follow button on the main page of the blog to see updates in your reading list.
The schedule of events (GenFriends and other groups) is on the Events page.
The newsletter archive will still be available for past newsletters.
An email will be sent out each month once the articles are posted.
Click the Follow button on the main page of the blog to see updates in your reading list.
The schedule of events (GenFriends and other groups) is on the Events page.
The newsletter archive will still be available for past newsletters.
Genealogy Round Table - Zoom - October 8, 2026
Do you have a genealogy related question or a Brick Wall problem? The group is here to help.
We'll also discuss the changes to the Bureau of Land Management General Land Office website.
Email [email protected] to join the email distribution list.
We'll also discuss the changes to the Bureau of Land Management General Land Office website.
Email [email protected] to join the email distribution list.
Research At The Library - October 10, 2026
Join Genealogy Friends experienced genealogists at W.O. Haggard Library from 10:15 to 1 pm on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
Program at 10:30 - AI and Genealogy: Using AI to Create Better Family Stories and Narratives
Discover how artificial intelligence can help you transform dry genealogical facts into rich, engaging family stories. As new AI tools become increasingly accessible, family historians have powerful opportunities to enhance their writing, deepen their research, and share their heritage in meaningful new ways.
Learn how to use AI ethically and responsibly to overcome writer’s block, improve narrative flow, clarify complex historical contexts, and bring ancestors to life on the page. Whether you're writing a family history book, preparing blog posts, crafting ancestor biographies, or simply seeking to make your research more meaningful, this session will give you the tools and confidence to use AI in a way that enhances—not replaces—your skills as a storyteller.
Program at 10:30 - AI and Genealogy: Using AI to Create Better Family Stories and Narratives
Discover how artificial intelligence can help you transform dry genealogical facts into rich, engaging family stories. As new AI tools become increasingly accessible, family historians have powerful opportunities to enhance their writing, deepen their research, and share their heritage in meaningful new ways.
Learn how to use AI ethically and responsibly to overcome writer’s block, improve narrative flow, clarify complex historical contexts, and bring ancestors to life on the page. Whether you're writing a family history book, preparing blog posts, crafting ancestor biographies, or simply seeking to make your research more meaningful, this session will give you the tools and confidence to use AI in a way that enhances—not replaces—your skills as a storyteller.
- Experienced genealogists will be available to help from 11:30 to 1:00 pm:
- You get started researching your family tree
- Answer questions about a research problem
- Access records on FamilySearch that require access from an Affiliate Library.
- Use equipment to scan books, including large format and convert film to digital.
- Bring your favorite project and work on it in the company of other researchers.
Check out the links on the DNA Special Interest Group page from prior discussions.
Plano Senior Center - October 28, 2026
Join us from 4:30-6:30 at Sam Johnson Recreation Center, 401 W 16th Street, Plano, TX 75075.
Individual help with your research.
Individual help with your research.
Plano Old City Cemetery Association
The Plano Old City Cemetery Association (POCCA) is a non-profit, non-perpetual care association founded by descendants of those buried within its boundaries and other interested parties. Its mission is to preserve, restore and protect the property, gravesites, monuments and other appurtenances within the Plano Old City Cemetery located at 12th and H Streets in Plano, Texas. Any person who supports the mission of the Association is eligible for membership. Membership is by application & payment of dues, download the membership form here.
Member of Texas State Genealogical Society
