Saturday, 17 January 2026 Meeting, 10 AM CDT

Zoom meeting with Angela Snedaker presenting "Guardians of England’s Poor." Angela is a professional genealogist researching since 2014, Angela has a degree in Family History Research from BYU-Idaho, specializing in British Isles research.

"Guardians of England's Poor" will explain the difference between the Old Poor Law, administered by church parishes, and the New Poor Law, established in 1834, which took the power from the parish and gave it to the board of guardians.  Poor law unions and workhouses became the norm for those who could not afford to care for themselves or their children.  A variety of records were created – this presentation will demonstrate how to find the records that exist for these unions.  Angela will also explain how pauperism and “indoor” versus “outdoor” relief led to the decline and dismantling of the workhouse.

Our in-person meetings are at Community Church of Richmond, 5714 Broadway St, Richmond, IL typically every meeting except for January.

Register for Zoom meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/rsKDz5xfTQSTtzkDdpiV7w

Please note our new email: bigwillgenealogy@yahoo.com

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

21 March - Christine Cohen - "Immigration - Ports of Entry" via Zoom

16 May - Vicki Ruthe Hahn - "Using Photography in Genealogy"

18 July -

19 September - Debra Dudek - "Billion Graves - Beyond the Basics"

21 November - Maureen Brady - "America 250 - The Loyalists"

In person at the Richmond Community Church, 5714 Broadway, Richmond, IL 60071; and virtually via ZOOM.  The presentation will begin at 10 AM, with a short business meeting after the presentation.

We hope you will join us as a member. Membership includes six newsletters via email. Keep up with news and activities.