GSV Fall Meeting 2026
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Vermont Historical Society Museum, 109 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05609
Registration starts at 10:00 a.m. (Note, the Museum does not open until 10 a.m.)
There will be a short business meeting at 10:30 a.m., including the election of officers.
Speakers:
Tom Giffin will speak on "Vermont Old Cemetery Association: Preserving History in Stone". Tom is the President of the Vermont Old Cemetery Association. He has been a member since introduced to VOCA in 1984 and president since 2001. He holds two Master degrees in education and was a licensed Social Studies/English teacher. He has been instrumental in utilizing many community groups including middle school students, high school/college football teams, legislators, department of correction work crews, civic organizations and even a Vermont 4-wheeler club in his efforts to restore Vermont’s almost 2000 cemeteries. In addition to his passion for cemetery preservation, Tom is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, First Families of Vermont, Mayflower Association, National Society Descendants of American Farmers, and the cemetery commissioner for Rutland City. He was awarded the Historical Preservation Award from the Vermont Daughters of the American Revolution for his efforts in preserving Vermont’s colonial burial grounds.
Scott Andrew "Drew" Bartley will speak on "Using Family Search AI for Vermont Research". Drew has been a professional genealogist since 1984. He was editor of the scholarly journals The Mayflower Descendant and Vermont Genealogy, each for ten years. He has authored ten books and many pamphlets, wrote numerous book chapters, and wrote more than 60 articles. He has lectured all around the United States. He is currently the researcher for the Early Vermont Settlers to 1771 series of books. Two books have been published so far covering all of Windsor County. He wrote the preeminent The History of Fort Dummer and its Soldiers (2024). He is a Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists, an independent honorary society for the leading published scholars in the field of American genealogy.
Vermont Historical Society staff will speak about their collections, including the exhibit "50 for 250". As part of national commemorations of the 250th anniversary of the United States, VHS has selected 50 items from its collections that symbolize themes, trends, and moments from the state’s long and proud history.
GSV attendees will then have the chance to peruse the Museum's exhibits.
Registration, which includes the program, entrance into the museum, and a lunch of sandwich, beverage, and chips, is $25 for GSV members and $30 for non-members.
Please send a check by October 16, 2026 to:
Genealogical Society of Vermont, 57 East Shore North, Grand Isle, VT 05458
Please include a note with your check if you require a gluten-free option.
or use PayPal via the button below:
(note, there is a $1 charge for using PayPal) Note: if paying by PayPal, and you require a gluten-free sandwich, please email diantha.howard@uvm.edu
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Page updated 23 September 2026