HomeMembership Benefits

Membership Benefits

Over 30 AAHGS Chapters are located in cities across the continental Unites States.

They have associations with multiple state, county and local departments as well as genealogical and historical societies, and family associations.

Many enjoy these benefits:

Membership Benefits Include:

Access to a knowledgeable network of researchers
Access to the AAHGS members-only area on the national website
Digital subscription to the award-winning AAHGS Journal, a scholarly bi-annual publication
Digital subscription to the informative AAHGS News, published 4-times per year
Access to current and past issues of AAHGS News & AAHGS Journal
Annual conference discounted registration
Invitations to special events and programs (Virtual and In-person)
10% discount to Boston University Genealogy Studies Program
Voting privileges for national leadership positions
Improvement of genealogical research skills
Opportunities for national and chapter leadership, community action, and service
Recognize members and volunteers by nominating them for AAHGS National Awards
Submit articles and announcements for inclusion in AAHGS News and AAHGS Journal
Ability to network within the framework of a national organization
Gaining national exposure by speaking or making presentations at AAHGS sponsored events
Having advocates on the boards of other national organizations and libraries
Assisting researchers from other areas with your local knowledge
Being part of the largest African American genealogy society in the United States

Additional Benefits to Individual, Student, and Chapter Members:

The ability to network within the framework of a national organization;
Being a part of the largest African American genealogy society in the country;
Gaining national exposure by speaking or making presentations at AAHGS sponsored events and conferences;
Having advocates on the boards of other national organizations and libraries;
Assisting researchers from other areas with your local knowledge;
Post queries in other chapter newsletters and blogs;
Improvement of genealogical research skills and influencing state and national proposed statures that limit access to public records

AAHGS Affiliate Subscribers Organizations include libraries, archives, and educational institution. They enjoy these among other benefits:

Print subscriptions to AAHGS News and AAHGS Journal
Access to the archive of issues of AAHGS News and AAHGS Journal
Access to the AAHGS Members-Only Area

Membership Application and Dues:

There are several ways to join.

Prospective members may complete an online application.
Download application and mail with payment information to: AAHGS Membership, P.O. Box 73067, Washington, DC 20056-3067
Attend a local chapter meeting and join through a chapter.

To obtain national and chapter dues information, perspective members can phone AAHGS at 202 234-5350.

Membership Levels:

Membership in the national society and local chapters are separate – you will need to join both (unless there is no local chapter for your area). Your membership begins the day you join and expires on December 31 of that year. Dues are non-refundable. AAHGS does not automatically renew a membership upon expiration. Members are notified before their expiration date and given the opportunity to renew.

We offer several levels of membership: Individual ($35), Organization ($60), and student ($20). Organization memberships apply only to the individual who is the representative of the organization. We also encourage lifetime memberships ($1,000) and bequests to our endowment fund.