LAKE PRESTON The Beadle County Genealogy Group (BCGG) gathered in Lake Preston on July 2, for a day of history, learning, and community connection. Members and guests toured the Lake Preston Museum, enjoyed lunch at the Lake Preston Caf, and visited the Kingsbury County Genealogy Office.
The afternoon concluded with a featured program, Cemetery Records, presented by Kathy Micheel. Guest presenters included Deb Combs, who shared insights on private family burials, and Rod Combs, who highlighted the history of The Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial in Alexandria, Va.
My goal is simple: help families digitize, preserve, and share the stories that shape who we are, said Micheel, BCGG member and presenter. From museum collections to local cemetery records, every artifact and headstone holds a chapter of someones life.
Micheel also announced that additional genealogy workshops, retreats, and tours will be added to the 20252026 schedule, offering more opportunities for the public to engage with family history, preservation, and community storytelling.
Celebrate Local History at the 2025 South Dakota State Fair
The Beadle County Genealogy Group invites the public to continue the discovery at the 2025 South Dakota State Fair in Huron, as South Dakotans begin honoring the upcoming 250th Anniversary of the United States of America.
– School Display (All Fair Week): Visit the school-themed display in the Centre Plaza, located between Just Fabulous Boutique and Dont Spill the Beans.
– Featured Presentation Digitize. Preserve. Share. FOREVER.
-Thursday, August 28, 2025, at the South Dakota State Fair in the Horizons Hall Auditorium (formerly the Womens Building; the auditorium is located behind the cooking demonstration area)
– Learn practical steps to safeguard your familys photos, films, documents, and memorabilia for future generations.
Enter to Win a Digitization Box
Fairgoers can enter a drawing for a Small Digitization Box (value: priceless) at two locations during the Fair:
– The FOREVER booth in Horizons Hall
– The South Dakota Genealogy booth in the Education Building
About the Beadle County Genealogy Group
The Beadle County Genealogy Group connects community members with resources, education, and support to research family lines, preserve personal archives, and celebrate local history across South Dakota. Visitors are also encouraged to stop at the Huron Public Library to explore the South Dakota Resource Room, which houses a unique collection of state history materials.
Everyone is invited to tour Historic Downtown Huron; there is a South Dakota Schools display located in the Centre Plaza between Just Fabulous Boutique and Dont Spill the Beans.
Sign-up for the Beadle County Genealogy Group newsletter to join us in future workshops, retreats, and tours.
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