P.O. Box 144, Falmouth, MA 02541-0144 - Barnstable County
Copyright Falmouth Genealogical Society, Inc. 2026. All rights reserved.
NEXT meeting:
Connecting People with their Family and History!
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Saturday, April 4th, 2026 - 10:00AM EDT - Hybrid Meeting with Live Presenter
- Robbin M. Kelley, Cemetery Administrator, Town of Harwich
- Title : "How to Get Your Town Engaged in Cemetery Care"
- PLEASE NOTE this meeting will be held on the first Saturday in April.
Robbin Kelley will highlight the importance of cemetery care and local engagement in the preservation of historic cemeteries. Historic cemeteries serve as important cultural landscapes that preserve local history, honor veterans and community members, and provide peaceful public spaces for reflection. Proper care and preservation help ensure that these sites remain protected for future generations. During the presentation, attendees will learn about:
- Why cemetery care matters for preserving local heritage
- Massachusetts laws related to cemetery maintenance and protection
- Opportunities for towns to support cemetery care through Community Preservation funds
Cemetery preservation plays a vital role in maintaining community identity. Historic gravestones and burial grounds document the lives of early residents, veterans, and families who helped shape the region. “Cemeteries are outdoor history books,” according to Kelley. “By maintaining them properly, communities protect their shared heritage while honoring the individuals who came before us,” she adds.
The program will also address some of the challenges historic cemeteries face today, including aging monuments, storm damage, limited funding, and the growing need for volunteer support. Community members interested in local history, genealogy, preservation, or civic engagement are encouraged to attend and learn how they can help support cemetery care efforts in their town.
Robbin M. Kelley is a Certified Professional Genealogist who completed the Genealogical Research Program at Boston University. She has been working as a genealogist for over thirty years and is the owner of Cape Genealogy, a business she has been operating for the past twenty-one years. Her work specializes in proof of lineal descent as well as missing and unknown lineage research.
Robbin originally attended Northeastern University for computer engineering and worked in the computer field for ten years as the Network Administrator for Cape Cod Computers. Her passion for genealogy eventually led her to leave the computer field and pursue genealogy as a full-time career. Since 2004, Robbin has served as the Cemetery Administrator for the Town of Harwich, overseeing the care and management of sixteen cemeteries and 100 acres. She is a member of the Cape Cod Genealogical Society (CCGS), the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS), and the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG). She also serves as a Board Member of the Massachusetts Cemetery Association and is a Past President and Board Member of the New England Cemetery Association. In addition, she is a member of the Garden Club of Harwich.
Past Presidents from left: Mary Barry, Ralph Wadleigh, Judy Fenner, Donna Walcovy, Joyce Pendery, Marge Riley, Eleanor Baldic, & John Caspole. Most recent presidents: Thomas Greve then Gerard Luby then currently Tim Martin missing from picture.
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FGS Monthly meetings
The Society is a nonprofit organization of beginner, amateur, and professional family historians and genealogists dedicated to studying, preserving and sharing family histories. Established in 1985, FGS promotes genealogical research among members; the Barnstable County, MA community; and anyone interested in family history.
The Society generally meets
on a selected Saturday of each month.
Since April 2022 we have resumed live monthly meetings at the Hermann Foundation Room of the Falmouth (Massachusetts) Public Library
- Check the calendar for more information!