DNA and Digitizing: Finding and Sharing of a Family Story (Educational Program)
2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Manhattan Public Library, 629 Poyntz, Manhattan, KS
Lynda Bachelor and Cheryl Bachelor Boothe, a mother and daughter team, share how DNA results opened the door to new family connections and history to explore. They'll talk about what they learned as they explored DNA matches, reached out to relatives and pieced together a clearer picture of their family history. They also explain how they documented and share their experience through digital and audio storytelling... using new tools to capture memories, organize discoveries, and preserve conversations with newly found family members. Their approach offers a unique approach for anyone interested in combining DNA research with personal storytelling.
Saturday, April 18
Branches & Bytes (External)
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Midwest Genealogy Center, Independence Missouri
Artificial intelligence is transforming family history - and you don't need a tech background to use it. Join Mark Thompson and Steve Little, co-hosts of The Family History AI Show, for a full-day seminar showing how tools like ChatGPT can help you research smarter and finally turn names and dates into meaningful stories your family will want to read.
Learn how to add historical context, improve your writing automatically, organize your research, and bring ancestors to life - even if you've never used AI before. Bring curiosity - leave ready to tell your family's store.
History on the Road to Riley, Kansas (Riley Co. Historical Society)
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Farmhouse Restaurant, 212 S. Broadway, Riley, KS
In honor of America250, the Riley County Historical Society & Museum is taking our programming on the road! The first stop on the year-long celebration will spotlight Riley, Kansas. Located about twenty miles northwest of Manhattan, Riley is a lively farm community that hosts a variety of educational agritourism events in the Flint Hills.
Following the Kansas-Nebraska Act, settlement in the area began in 1855, with official platting occurring in 1870. The town has had several names, including Union and Riley Centre (Center), before settling on Riley after the Rock Island Railroad arrived in 1887 to establish a depot. The arrival of the railroad was a much-welcome addition, as beforehand, farmers had to travel to Leonardville to sell their wares.
The Riley County Historical Society & Museum will host a program on the town’s history from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 29, at The Farmhouse restaurant located at 212 S Broadway St, Riley, KS 66531. The Farmhouse menu will be available for dinner, and attendees are welcome to purchase their own meal.
Local experts Glenna Harrison, Marilyn Johnson, and former Riley County High School history teacher and historian Kevin Larson will serve on a panel to discuss the community. Additional memories from other residents in attendance will be encouraged, and questions are welcome.
This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are not required, but space inside the restaurant is limited.
Sunday, May 3
Illuminate Our Legacy: Frontier Kansas (External)
1:00 pm
Sunset Cemetery, Manhattan, KS
Sunday, May 31
Cora Kimble's Diaries (Educational Program)
2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Manhattan Public Library, 629 Poyntz, Manhattan, KS
To be added.
Sunday, June 28
Ridin' Trails and Writin' Rhymes: Cowboy Culture of Kansas (Educational Program)
