GenSocSoup Update and FAQ

GenSocSoup Update and FAQ: Below is an update to our November 12th announcement. Click HERE for a downloadable list of Frequently Asked Questions about the GenSocSoup product. Also read this announcement in email format and forward to your genealogy society leaders HERE.

GenSocSoup – a new resource for genealogy societies to improve society management, as well as engage and empower members.

GenSocSoup Subscription Channel Update: Below is an update to our November 15th announcement. Click HERE for a downloadable list of Frequently Asked Questions about the GenSocSoup product. Click HERE to go to the Signup Form.

Genealogical societies are always seeking fresh, engaging ways to serve their members. With the growing demand for flexible, on-demand learning, genealogy education has entered a new era—one that values accessibility, expertise, and action-oriented resources. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce GenSocSoup, an exclusive subscription-based educational platform launching on January 1, 2026 (with sign-ups beginning December 1, 2025. GenSocSoup will provide genealogical societies with year-round access to high-quality genealogy webinars designed to inform, inspire, and empower family historians at every level. Note: This subscription is only available to societies (with a secure members-only section on their website) – no personal subscriptions.

GenSocSoup Update and FAQ: A Turnkey Solution for Genealogy Societies

The GenSocSoup Subscription Channel offers an instant, ready-to-use educational resource for societies looking to expand programming without the stress of constant event planning. With one affordable subscription, your organization gains:

• A library of 15 on-demand genealogy webinars available at launch (January 1, 2026).
• Continuous new content, with 4 brand-new exclusive webinars added quarterly to keep learning fresh and relevant.
• Expert instruction from Thomas MacEntee, a trusted genealogy educator known for practical, hands-on learning.
• Full members-only access, via your society’s own website – allowing your members to learn anytime, anywhere.

Whether your organization serves beginners or seasoned researchers, GenSocSoup ensures consistent, professional-quality education throughout the year. It’s a turnkey, low-maintenance, high-impact solution that helps you engage members and strengthen your community value through year-round content.

GenSocSoup Update and FAQ: Expert-Led Webinars with Real Educational Value

Each of the 15 core webinars (and all future additions) is crafted and presented by Thomas MacEntee, an internationally recognized genealogy expert with decades of teaching and research experience. These are not surface-level videos, but in-depth learning sessions. Every 45–60 minute webinar includes step-by-step how-to instruction, real-world examples or case studies, and a detailed PDF handout (at least 4 pages) packed with resources and actionable guidance. Your society’s members will walk away with new skills they can immediately apply – perfect for individual learning or group education sessions.

Initial Webinar Lineup: 15 On-Demand Sessions
(Available Jan 1, 2026)

GenSocSoup’s launch comes with 15 on-demand webinar recordings ready to kick-start your society’s education channel. These initial sessions cover a broad range of high-interest topics in genealogy, from research methods to technology and preservation. Below are the 15 webinars your society will have on Day 1. NOTE: those webinars listing PENDING in place of a description are in process of development.

• 10 Must Haves for Genealogy and Family History Success
  Whether you’re just “dabbling” in genealogy and researching your roots, or you’ve become a “hard core lifer” obsessed with “the hunt,” there are basic skills that family historians of all levels have in common. We’ll review those skills that can help you find success researching online or in-person.

• AI and Genealogy: Using AI to Create Better Family Stories and Narratives
  PENDING

• Can I Use That In My Genealogy? What You Should Know About Copyright
  Are you aware that certain documents and photos that are part of your family history research may be restricted by copyright? Don’t panic – you can still use them in your genealogy! But understand how to determine if an item is copyrighted and how it can and can’t be used. Learn the basics of US copyright law and how you can still use copyrighted items such as documents, articles and photographs as part of your genealogy research.

• Don’t Chop Off That Branch! A Genealogy Arborist’s Handbook
  You’re at a crossroads when it comes to years of genealogy research: should you delete an entire branch of your family tree due to faulty research? Or is there a better way to correct family history research errors and salvage information that took years to find? Participants will learn the best ways to resolve genealogical research errors that normally would result in sawing off several branches of your family tree. Using a real example, see the different paths you could chose to correct bad research and still retain that branch of your tree!

• Citing Sources and Evaluating Evidence
  More and more genealogists are evolving from “name collectors” to “serious researchers.” Most realize the need to cite sources and evaluate evidence before data is added to a family tree. Here are ways to not only make the process easier, but to also get most out of your research data.

• Futureproofing Your Genealogy – Staying Up-To-Date on Technology
  PENDING

• Genealogy Tech Troubleshooting – What Would You Do?
  Let’s face it. Dealing with technologies used for genealogy research is often a hassle, especially if you’re not a “digital native.” Learn the basics of tech troubleshooting, how to contact a tech vendor and get results, the best ways of finding tech help online, and how to create a “tech troubleshooting protocol” for future problems. We will also cover some of the most frequent tech problems and solve them collaboratively as a group.

• Getting the Most Out of a Census Record
  Census records are one of the most important types of genealogical records, containing a wealth of information you may not find in vital records and allowing you to track your ancestors’ progress over time. We’ll do a deep dive into census records and learn some tips and tricks for extracting as much information as possible from each record.

• Getting the Genealogy Records You Need – Privacy Laws and FOIA
  PENDING

• Google Tools for Genealogy
  Most genealogists are only using 10% or less of the resources behind Google when it comes to research. Learn about the other 90% and how these Google components can be leveraged for better search results. Google is more than just a search engine – it is a wealth of information much of which goes unnoticed by the average genealogist. Besides search, Google allows you to access maps, books, journals, abstracts, patents and much more. These components may be what is needed to make advances in your genealogy research.

• Navigating the Seven C’s of Genealogy
  Do genealogy “resolutions” really work? How about setting genealogy “goals” or “themes” instead? Here is a developed a list of seven “themes” to guide you this year and hopefully you can institute these as general “rules to do genealogy by” over the next few years. The themes cover most areas of concern for every family historian, whether you’ve been at this for some time or you are just getting started. Participants will learn how to focus on seven key areas in genealogy research: Clean, Collect, Curate, Create, Connect, Conserve and Continue.

• Self-Publishing for Genealogists
  Summary: Advances in recent technology have made it possible to no longer be tied to a publishing house or printer for your next genealogy book. Self-publishing puts control over the entire process in the hands of the genealogist to reach a wider audience. There are many benefits to self-publishing but you should know the difference between digital and print and what your audience wants. Learn the ins and outs of the self-publishing world including vendors and providers, the self-publishing process and even how to format your printed work for e-book selling. Genealogists can benefit greatly from the “print on demand” methodology which is revolutionizing the publishing world.

• The Other Census – US State and Territorial Censuses
  Summary: Frequently genealogists will focus strictly on the US Census records and forget that many of the US states and territories conducted their own census at some point. Learn which states and territories have these amazing records, how to access them, and how to incorporate them into your genealogy research. Participants will learn how to determine if a specific state or territory conducted their own census and when. In addition, we’ll cover how to access these records both online and in-person at various repositories. Finally, we’ll review how to take state and territorial census data and incorporate it into your current genealogy research.

• What’s Been Done: Using Someone Else’s Genealogy Research
  Many of us as genealogists have inherited research from a relative and we are not always sure whether the content is reliable? What’s the best way to incorporate the research of others into your own research without leading to dead ends, roadblocks and unnecessary detours? Here’s a road map on the best way to handle “outside research” and benefit from it as you combine the content with your own research.

• US and Canada Newspaper Resources and Strategies
  While online newspaper resources are plentiful for United States and Canada research, finding the best websites and tools to collect data can be a treasure hunt. Learn how to find the best historic newspaper sites (free and paid) and how to properly capture images and text to improve your genealogical research.

As you can see, the lineup spans foundational research practices, technology tools, organization strategies, and more. These topics have broad appeal and proven value – many are flagged as “POPULAR” in Thomas MacEntee’s webinar catalog or frequently requested by societies. By offering this variety, GenSocSoup empowers your members with both classic genealogy skills and cutting-edge techniques.

GenSocSoup Update and FAQ: Fresh Content Added Quarterly

Your subscription isn’t static – it grows with you. Subscriber societies will receive four new webinars every year, with new content released quarterly to keep your education program up-to-date. Each quarter’s addition will align with current trends, tools, and technologies in genealogy. For example, upcoming topics may include the following:

• AI and Genealogy: Crafting Better AI Prompts
• AI and Genealogy: Using AI to Create Images
• From Slow to Swift: The Ultimate Home Computer Upgrade Checklist
• Insider’s Ancestry.com Guide: Tips and Tricks for Deep-Dive Genealogy Research
• School Days, Family Ways: Find Your Ancestors Using Historical U.S. School Records
• Tips and Tricks for Military Records and Genealogy
• Unlock Family Stories: Your Essential Cheat Sheet for Successful Interviews
• Your Ancestors Await: Easy Internet Archive Hacks for Family Historians

And of course, we’re open to suggestions from subscribers – our goal is to meet the evolving needs of your members. By subscribing, your society will stay at the forefront of modern genealogy education, always offering something new and relevant to your community.

GenSocSoup Update and FAQ: Seamless Integration for Your Members

Worried about the technical side? GenSocSoup is designed for easy integration. All webinar videos are hosted on a secure, private Vimeo platform to ensure smooth streaming and reliable access. Each subscribing organization will receive custom HTML embed codes so you can embed the videos directly on your society’s members-only webpage. This means your members can watch the webinars by logging into your website – preserving your branding and control over access. You decide how to share it with your members (e.g. behind a login or password they already use).

This flexible delivery method allows societies to:

• Control access using their own membership systems.
• Brand the experience for their community (the content feels like a service of your society).
• Offer convenient, self-paced learning – members can watch at any time, from any location.

Plus, we provide full technical support during a dedicated setup period
(December 15–31, 2025) to help you get everything up and running smoothly. You’ll be ready to launch on January 1, 2026 without headaches.

GenSocSoup Update and FAQ: Affordable, All-Inclusive Pricing (No Surprises)

We understand budget constraints, so we’ve priced GenSocSoup to be an incredible value for societies. The annual subscription is $299 USD per society, covering access from January 1 through December 31, 2026. There are no hidden fees and no auto-renew gotchas – you will simply have the option to renew each year if you choose, rather than being charged automatically. This $299 fee includes 12 months of unlimited access to all content, all quarterly new webinars, and full technical support for integration and maintenance.

For societies that join after the initial launch, we offer pro-rated pricing so you only pay for the portion of the year remaining. In other words, it’s fair no matter when you subscribe. This subscription delivers a full year of expert-level genealogy education at a fraction of the cost of building your own genealogy education channel. It’s an investment that pays off in member satisfaction and retention.

Why Your Society Needs GenSocSoup Now

Today’s genealogists expect more than the occasional lecture – they want a consistent learning experience supported by modern technology and expert guidance. At the same time, many genealogical societies are grappling with challenges like limited volunteer capacity, tight budgets, and the need to offer digital resources for remote or busy members. GenSocSoup directly addresses these pain points:

• Save Volunteer Time: No need to have volunteers, even those with technical experience, set up and maintain an education channel. We’ve done the work for you.
• Overcome Scheduling Conflicts: Members can watch on-demand, so no one misses out due to a scheduling issue.
• Attract and Retain Members: Offering an on-demand webinar library adds tangible member value, helping with recruitment and retention, especially for those who prefer online learning.
• Stay Current: With new content each quarter, your society’s education program will always reflect the latest genealogy trends and tools.

In short, GenSocSoup is a simple, strategic investment in your organization’s educational mission – delivering measurable value from day one. It empowers your society to provide a robust educational benefit that today’s genealogists are looking for, without overburdening your volunteers or budget.

Easy Sign-Up and Setup

Ready to elevate your society’s offerings? Sign-ups for GenSocSoup open December 1, 2025. On that date, we will share the registration details and step-by-step instructions to all interested societies. The signup process is straightforward, and once registered, your society will receive detailed setup guidance along with full tech support 15-31 December to ensure you’re ready for launch day. We’ll work closely with each subscribing organization during December 15–31, 2025 to get your members-only site integrated with the webinar platform.

Important: Make sure you’re subscribed to our mailing list to receive the sign-up announcement on December 1st. (If you received our November 12 email, you’re already on the list – if not, you can join via our website.) Join the GenSocSoup mailing list at https://genealogybargains.com/gss-mailinglist

Feel free to share our mailing list signup with other society leaders so they can learn about this opportunity as well. Spaces may be limited during the initial launch period to ensure we can provide personalized support to each society, so you won’t want to miss the window to enroll!

Mark Your Calendar: Launching January 2026

Here’s a quick timeline of what to expect:

• December 1, 2025: Sign-ups begin. Secure your society’s subscription and start the setup process.
• December 15-31, 2025: Setup and Integration. Work with us (with full support) to embed the webinar channel into your members-only webpage so it’s ready to go.
• January 1, 2026: Launch Day! Your members gain immediate access to the entire suite of 15 on-demand webinars, and your year of unlimited genealogy learning kicks off. (Quarterly new content will follow throughout 2026.)

Empower your members. Engage your members. Elevate your programming. The future of genealogy education begins with GenSocSoup. Don’t miss your chance to be among the first societies to offer this innovative resource to your community.

Join our mailing list today at https://genealogybargains.com/gss-mailinglist and get ready to launch GenSocSoup in your society – an investment that will benefit your leadership, your members, and the preservation of family history knowledge for years to come!