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southside genealogical society

Founded in 2018, the Southside Genealogical Society offers a welcoming space for anyone interested in exploring their family history. Through hands-on sessions, participants can learn research techniques, discover new resources, and share ideas with others who share their passion for genealogy. Led by GSHS archivist Evans Millican, along with genealogists Susan Sloan and Nathan Matthews, the society provides a valuable service to the local community, helping connect past generations to the present.

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Who Can Join


The group is open to anyone with an interest in genealogical research, from beginners to seasoned researchers.

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Membership & Registration
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  • Annual registration fee: $35

  • Includes participation in hands-on research sessions and access to shared resources.
     

Learn More


Visit the Southside Genealogical Society Facebook Page for updates, events, and more:
Southside Genealogical Society on Facebook

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Helpful Genealogy Resources
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Our Next Meeting

Meets the 1st Saturday of each month from 10am - 12pm at the Bailey-Tebault House.  

Some of our Guest Speakers

Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

Each month we host notable professional genealogists to speak with our group on a variety of topics ranging from DNA research techniques to how best to use probate, census, and cemetery records.   In addition, we host road trips to local genealogical libraries and events including to the Washington Memorial Library in Macon and the "Archives and Genealogy Day" at the Georgia Archives.   Call or email us at the number/email below if you would like to join us!

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Professional Genealogist, Guest Lecturer

Susan Sloan

Susan Sloan is a professional genealogist whose areas of concentration are teaching family history classes, conducting private lineage research, and preparing lineage applications.   She has authored articles in several genealogical publications in Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina.  She holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees from Georgia State University. Susan is a member of seven lineage societies including the James Waldrop Chapter DAR James Edward Oglethorpe Chapter Daughters of the American Colonists. She is a member of Georgia Professional Genealogists, and is a past President of Georgia Genealogical Society and the Georgia Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists. 

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Professional Genealogist

Nathan Mathews

Specializing in lineage society papers for over 26 years, Nathan, with his wife Kaydee, has successfully completed in excess of 535 lineage society applications for clients. He has published 4 genealogy related books: The Mathews Family History, The Spivey Family History, John McDonald (ca 1836-1803) and His Descendants, and Abstracts of Georgia Land Plat Books A&B. Nathan and Kaydee have researched in the southeastern US, England, Ireland, and extensively at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Washington Memorial Library, Macon, Georgia.

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Professional Genealogical Librarian

Laura Carter -MEd, MLIS, SLIS 

Laura spent forty years working in libraries helping people get information. In 1997, she became the Heritage Room Librarian at the Athens-Clarke County Library and began attending IGHR (Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research) annually as the best way of helping her library’s genealogy patrons. Carter was elected a Fellow of the Society of Georgia Archivists in 2012 due to her advocacy for genealogical and historical collections and her efforts teaching other professionals how to work with genealogists and family historians. Laura still loves learning and teaching others.

She is a member of multiple genealogical and historical societies.

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DNA Genealogy Research Expert

Ken Thomas, Jr.

Ken has been the genealogy columnist for the Sunday Atlanta Journal-Constitution
for over forty years since May 1977, making his column the longest-running
genealogy column in the nation. He is a 9th generation Georgian who is a
frequent lecturer on genealogy and historical topics, most recently on DNA. A
native of Columbus, Georgia, he is an Emory University graduate and a U S Air
Force veteran. He worked 33 years with the Georgia Department of Natural
Resources in the Historic Preservation Division, working with research on
historical properties and with the National Register of Historic Places, retiring in
2006.

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Professional Genealogist

Larry Thomas

Larry began Genealogy Research almost 30 years ago beginning with his own Thomas Family from the 1750's, then branching out to the rest of his and his late wife’s families.  He then began professional genealogy research for clients in 2008. He recently became semi-retired to pursue
genealogy teaching and to continue client research operating www.AtlantaGenealogy.com. He is currently working on several projects including researching and writing on Cobb County’s own Akers Mill as the brothers who ran the mill share a common ancestor with Larry’s Mother.
A graduate of ProGen 38 Larry has assisted the TV Show Finding Your Roots. He is a member of
numerous Genealogical and Historical Societies, Serves on the Board of the Georgia Genealogical
Society, is the current president of the Genealogical Speakers Guild, and is past president of the Cobb County Genealogy Society.

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Professional Genealogist

Jennifer Petrino

Jennifer Petrino is a professional genealogist who specializes in researching families of Italian or Sicilian origin. Over the last 20+ years, she has helped countless clients learn more about their family history, solve interesting family mysteries, find living relatives before life-changing trips to Italy and Sicily, discover unknown relatives through DNA research and she has also helped many clients achieve Dual Citizenship status (simultaneous Italian and US citizenship). She has worked and volunteered at Family History Centers in Pensacola, Florida and in Newnan, where she now lives, for over 20 years. She enjoys presenting at the Southside Genealogical Society meetings and looks forward to doing more in the future! 

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Griffin Spalding Historical Society

P.O. Box 196 ∙ 633 Meriwether Street, Griffin, Georgia 30224

770-229-2432 ∙ info@griffinhistory.com

Located  in The Bailey-Tebault House.

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