The final issue of the MCGS newsletter was sent to members on December 31, 2025 via email or US mail. The last 42 newsletters can be viewed by clicking the Newsletter Archive link to the right. You will find project information, photos of members, and genealogy tips for Madison County and beyond.
MCGS will continue to highlight their activities through this webpage and on Facebook at: Madison County IA Family History
In November The Winterset Madisonian newspaper asked MCGS to provide an article on their work with veteran gravestones to in Madison County’s 53 counties. Read the submitted article here. Please note that caption for the photo of the Marquardt’s should read, “Ryan Marquardt and son Zane place a gravestone for Archibald Parker, War of 1812 veteran, in Viney Cemetery,” Pictured below is MCGS member Donna Wenzl, with her daughter Abbey, after placing a marker at the gravesite of Donna’s maternal great-grandfather, Solomon DeLong, a veteran of the War of 1812.
Madison County Genealogical Society Meeting
Tuesday, October 7 in Winterset Library meeting room
NEW EARLIER TIME at 6:00 pm
Our program, starting at 6:00 pm, will look at two online databases to discover what land your ancestors owned in Madison County. Often, in a search for family history, exactly where your ancestors lived, whether on a farm or in town, adds much to their story. Linda Smith will show how to navigate initial land patents from the government, as well as, subsequent local land sales. The program will be recorded to be posted soon after and include a handout.
The program is open to all; membership not required. A business meeting will follow for those who choose to stay.
Madison County Genealogical Society Meeting
Tuesday, September 2 in Winterset Library meeting room
NEW EARLIER TIME at 6:00 pm
Our program, starting at 6:00 pm, is a look into the history of Barney from one who knows, MCGS member Sandi (Davis) Harper. She will share her research and photos of the Barney community, both when it was thriving and when it was not. The description above is from the 1915 History of Madison County and Its People book, Volume 1.
The program is open to all; membership not required. A business meeting will follow for those who choose to stay.
At the July Madison County Genealogical Society Meeting, Linda Griffith Smith gave a PowerPoint presentation on portions of the IAGenWeb Madison County website that are extremely useful, but may be overlooked – Composite Census, the yellow search box, and more.
Many thanks to the Madison County Historical Society for allowing us to store this and future videos at their YouTube channel. Here is the link to view this video, plus others created by the Historical Society. Enjoy them all! https://www.youtube.com/@MadisonCountyHistoricalSociety
Madison County Genealogical Society Meeting
Tuesday, August 5 in Winterset Library meeting room
NEW EARLIER TIME at 6:00 pm
Our program, starting at 6:00 pm, is a look into the Armstrong and Morgan families that settled in St. Charles. Their story starts with their ancestors fighting together in the Revolutionary War, then fighting on opposite sides in the Civil War, but ends with living together as friends in Madison County. Colleen Peterson has researched this connection for several years and will provide an overview of the turmoil and triumphs of this relationship.
The program is open to all; membership not required. A business meeting will follow for those who choose to stay.
Madison County Genealogical Society Meeting
Tuesday, July 1 at 6:30 pm in Winterset Library meeting room
Our program, starting at 6:30 pm, is a look at a few of the most informative portions of the IaGenWeb.org/madison website, given by County Coordinator, Linda Griffith Smith. The whole website contains golden nuggets of family history, but she will concentrate on a few special places such as the Composite Census, all-site search, and the Madison County Family tree with over 100,000 individuals grouped in families.
The program is open to all; membership not required. A business meeting will follow for those who choose to stay.
Madison County Genealogical Society Meeting
Tuesday, May 6 at 6:30 pm in Winterset Library meeting room
Our program, starting at 6:30 pm, is The Final Salute, given by Dennis Allen. Dennis and Cris Nagla are long-time genealogists who partnered with Hamilton’s Funeral home to respectfully inter cremains that need assistance with that final step. Open to all; membership not required.
A business meeting will follow for those who choose to stay.
Madison County Genealogical Society 