Cemetery Mysteries: Mistakes,
Misinformation & Misidentification
Presented by Carol Cooke Darrow, Professional Genealogist
December 10, 2025, 1:00 PM
Learn how to find the correct messages written on tombstones and set the record straight. Cemeteries in America reflect passing eras in history. These include social and religious history and beliefs as well as landscape design and architectural styles. Mysteries including mistakes, misinformation and misidentification of graves are often found. It’s a challenging task to set the record straight. Deciphering the symbolism and messages written in stone can enrich your understanding of your ancestor.
A past president of the Colorado Genealogical Society, Carol is a member of the Assn. of Professional Genealogists, and is the First Families Certificate Program Chair for the Colorado Council of Genealogical Societies. She also teaches classes on genealogy and writing family history at the Denver Public Library and volunteers at the National Archives in Broomfield, CO. She has written and published family stories and histories.
Guests are always welcome at FhGS activities. To receive the ZOOM link, register at https://foothillsgenealogy.org where individual and family memberships are available and donations are welcome.
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January General Meeting
January 14, 2026
AI for Genealogists Presentation
By Russ Hamilton
Zoom Session Only
AI is transforming genealogical research. As a genealogist delving into the world of AI, Russ will introduce the basic concept of AI and explain how it can transform your research process. AI can be used to analyze historical records, decipher handwritten documents, transcribe audio files, and provide context to your findings. This presentation will show you practical applications to enhance your research and perhaps uncover new family history insights.
The goal of the presentation is to provide a clearer understanding of AI, how it is being applied in our everyday lives, and what a genealogist should understand about its use. Whether you are just starting out or have years of experience, this session will offer insights into utilizing AI with your genealogy.
Bio:
Russ Hamilton is a member of Foothills Genealogy Society and is the Newsletter Editor and Webmaster. Russ’s fascination with genealogy began in 2006 when he discovered an online family cemetery. The names of the people there sparked his curiosity and started his journey into family history research.
