WELCOME TO OUR WEBSITE

                                                     
The Manatee Genealogical Society of Manatee County, Florida, founded in 1974, is proud to offer this website as a gateway to our services, resources, programs, and information on our society. Our society is currently conducting in person and virtual hybrid meetings from November through May and virtural meetings from June through October. Guests may attend with an advance request sent via e-mai to: info@mgsfl.org
 
Check the Calendar of Events for additional information, and be sure to visit our Facebook Page for tips and tools and what's new in genealogical research. 
 


 
   Announcing our 2025 Annual Seminar!
Saturday, January 25, 2025
"Finding Your Elusive Ancestors"
10:00am to 4:15 pm EST - VIRTUAL SEMINAR
 
 
The Manatee Genealogical Society is hosting a Virtual Seminar on Saturday, January 25, 2025, 10:00 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. EST. Four nationally known speakers will address the theme of the seminar: “Finding Your Elusive Ancestors,” and the seminar will serve as a fund-raiser for the project to digitize the Veteran Bounty Land Records, being coordinated by the National Genealogical Society (NGS) and the National Archives Records Administration (NARA). 
 
Our speakers will be: Tom W. Jones, Judy G. Russell, Richard G. Sayre and Lisa Louise CookeAll presentations will be geared towards intermediate and advanced genealogists. You will be able to submit your questions to the speakers for expert guidance, and you will also have the chance to win prizes from major genealogical companies. Registered attendees will have access to recordings of the speakers for 30 days. 
 
Seminar lecture topics, and speaker bios can be viewed and/or downloaded (PDF) at this link: SEMINAR DETAILS. And You can Register by following this link:  REGISTRATION
 
Registrations received by December 31, 2024 will be entered in an Early Bird drawing.
 

 

Celebrating 50 Years!
 
Celebrating 50 years of a genealogical society is a remarkable milestone that honors the dedication of countless individuals who have tirelessly worked to connect families and preserve history. This golden anniversary is not just a celebration of the past; it’s an opportunity to reflect on the rich tapestry of stories woven through generations, showcasing the society's commitment to uncovering and sharing ancestral roots.
 
Members gather to commemorate their collective achievements, share discoveries, and foster new connections, while engaging in workshops and presentations that inspire future research. With heartfelt tributes and a renewed sense of purpose, the society looks forward to another 50 years of enriching lives through the pursuit of genealogy, ensuring that the legacies of those who came before us continue to thrive.
 


December 4
POLISH SIG - Virtual
Researching in a foreign country can be a little intimidating, especially if you are researching alone.  If your ancestors are from Poland or Eastern Europe, this group may be for ...

December 9
TECHNOLOGY SIG - Virtual
The TECHNOLOGY SIG helps users of all abilities to effectively use technology in support of Family History research. We will also have breakout groups for the users of Family History software.  Meetings ...

December 10
IRISH SIG - Virtual
It’s estimated that about 10% of the US Population has Irish ancestry…that’s about 31 million people!  Ireland is not the easiest place to research due to political strife as well ...

December 11
GERMAN SIG - Virtual
Do you have German ancestors or you are interested in this part of Europe, or were your ancestors located in some of the popular German settlements in the USA? Maybe ...

December 17
DNA SIG - Virtual
Join us for a dialogue on the use of DNA in your genealogical research.  News, sharing and help!  The DNA SIG is led by Peggy Jude. Peggy is a member of ...