Family ties is the topic of an upcoming event in Ripley.

The Jackson County Historical Society is assisting with a Genealogy Gathering. It is scheduled from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Ripley branch of the Jackson County Library, 205 N. Church Street. The event is free and open to the public.

Genealogy is the study of families, family history, and the tracing of their lineages. Genealogists use oral interviews, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kinship and pedigrees of its members.

Special guests include Betty Briggs and Danita Smith.

Briggs hosts the website WVPioneers.com. Briggs will share stories, information, and details about the various DNA sources available. Guests are invited to bring their DNA results and family tree charts. Smith hosts the website CastoConnections.com.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Historical Society maintains an informative website at JCHSWV.com. Among other features, the site includes more than 10,000 obituaries.

Current officers are President Marjie Parsons, Vice President Dallas Skeen, Secretary Nancy Burford, and Treasurer Frank Crum.