Manatee Genealogical Society Celebrates its 50 Anniversary
“MGS was formed to promote individual and community awareness in genealogy, family history and allied fields of study, conduct genealogical meetings, workshops and seminars, and sponsor projects to promote and preserve genealogical knowledge. “
At the December 3, 2024, meeting, Manatee Genealogical Society (MGS) celebrated its 50th Anniversary. MGS started in January of 1974 with a small group of 11 people interested in knowing more about their ancestors, and it has continued to stay together successfully for 50 years. By the end of January 1974, the group had goals for workshops for different geographical areas; creation of an obituary file of death notices; periodic meetings with speakers; and donation of books to the library. For nearly 30 years, a newsletter called “Cracker Crumbs” provided information and resource tips to members.
Initially called Manasota Society for Genealogical Research, it became Manasota Genealogical Society in 1978, and then in 1979, divided into a group for each county and incorporated as Manatee Genealogical Society. The Central Library opened that year, and that became the primary meeting place for the Society.
Even though members were mostly retired and were from different parts of the country, working with a group of like-minded folks and using existing forms, books, and learning how to ‘do research’, brought people together. Members were asked to fill out a 5-page generation page for a collective book for the library. Meetings were short, speakers fewer than we have currently—and most people adjourned to the local restaurant to chat for an hour or two before returning to the library for the afternoon of research, putting into practice what had been learned that morning. MGS members were a bit noisy, remembers Phyllis Doucette, as they helped each other at the library.
Phyllis Doucette, our long-time member (nearly 40 of the 50 years!), asked us whether we remember looking for ancestral records and researching all by hand---with pencils, paper charts, typewriter, and letters written to other organizations. Perhaps you would have been lucky to have a family Bible to start with, or maybe a family member had recorded some of your family’s past. Otherwise, you started from scratch.
MGS continued to grow, as members were asked to bring a friend, and to share their success stories in later meetings. For many, this new group gave them a new hobby called genealogy.
Phyllis became ‘hooked’ into her new ‘hobby’ through MGS, and still teaches and participates in so many wonderful ways with our group. She likes the current board’s efforts to grow not only in membership, but also in utilizing new technology advances, and looks forward to MGS having many more rewarding years to come.
On the 12th day of November 2024, the Manatee County, Florida Board of County Commissioners issued a Proclamation that day recognizing the Manatee Genealogical Society 50th Anniversary.
