Sept 30 – Cemetery Sleuthing & Genealogy Night
September 30 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
With Ken Beecroft & Gerry Cross
September 30, 2026 · 7:00–8:30 pm · Online via Zoom
The Glencoe & District Historical Society invites you to a special online event celebrating two of our community’s most dedicated genealogy volunteers: Ken Beecroft and Gerry Cross. Between them, they have contributed thousands of hours researching local families, preserving abandoned and pioneer cemeteries, and documenting Southwest Middlesex history through Find A Grave and other archival tools.
About the Presenters
Ken has been a leading force in preserving the memory of early residents of Southwest Middlesex. A Past President of the G&DHS, he has helped document active and abandoned cemeteries, contributed hundreds of detailed memorials to Find A Grave, and ensures that people long gone are remembered with dignity and historical accuracy. His passion is connecting stories, names, and places in ways that help families understand where they come from.
Gerry is equally devoted to uncovering family histories, tracing relationships, and ensuring accurate online memorials. He spends countless hours verifying dates, locating records, and adding missing pieces to help families discover their ancestors. His careful documentation and deep local knowledge make him an invaluable resource for researchers across the region.
Together, Ken and Gerry offer a remarkable service to the public by helping preserve the stories of those who shaped our community.
Why Attend?
This Zoom session is ideal for:
- Anyone researching their family tree
- Visitors using Find A Grave who want to understand how to get the most out of it
- Community members curious about early cemeteries and pioneer history
- People who would like to contribute to online memorial projects
- Researchers wanting to learn what the G&DHS Archives can offer
Topics will include:
- How Ken and Gerry conduct their research
- Tips for effective searching on Find A Grave
- How to correct or enhance an online memorial
- The importance of documenting changes in cemetery markers over time
- How the G&DHS Archives can support your genealogy work
- When to reach out to our volunteers for help
Use the Archives as Your Research Home Base
The G&DHS Archives contain extensive family files, cemetery records, obituaries, photographs, maps, and local documents. Ken and Gerry’s work is strengthened by the archival collections—and your research can be, too.
Participants are encouraged to make use of the Archives both before and after the event for follow-up questions or deeper research.