Welcome
Genealogy connects us to our past and inspires future generations. Manatee Genealogical Society (MGS) was founded to promote and disseminate knowledge for the study and research of family histories through our meetings, seminars and online presence.
By becoming a member of our genealogical organization, we hope you will connect with like-minded individuals who can help propel your research forward.
MGS conducts monthly meetings from November through May in-person with virtual hybrid, and virtual meetings from June through October.
A virtual Annual Seminar is held on the last Saturday of January.
Guests may attend meetings with an advance request send via e-mail to: info@mgsfl.org. Many of our events are open to the public
For listings of our Monthly Meetings, Special Presentations, and SIG calendar, see our Event page (or see below)
For Manatee County information, History, and additional research Resources, see our Resources page.
Be sure to visit our Facebook Page for tips and tools and what’s new in genealogical research.
Monthly Membership Meetings and Programs:
1st Tuesday of every month at 10:00 am EST
Virtual: June-October
Hybrid: November - May
Our General Meetings are generally held the 1st Tuesday of the month via Zoom, of which some meetings are also in-person at the Manatee Central Public Library Auditorium, 1301 Barcarrota Blvd West, Bradenton, Florida 34205. Follow this link for a map to our Meeting Location.
Non-members can request attendance via Zoom information by emailing us at info@mgsfl.org. Please put in your email Subject line: Request Monthly Membership Link. Non-members can also attend in-person at the Manatee Central Public Library Auditorium.
Special Interest Groups:(SIGs)
3rd Tuesday of the month at 5:30 pm EST - virtual
DNA SIG
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 the board of the Manatee Genealogical Society and is a professional genealogist with a specialty in genetic genealogy.
Details for joining the Virtual Meeting will be provided prior to the meeting to MGS members via email.
Non-members can request attendance information by emailing us at info@mgsfl.org. Please put in your email Subject line: Request DNA SIG Link.
2nd Wednesday of the month at 10:00 am EST - virtual
German SIG
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 you should join our German Special Interest Group (SIG) and converse with other researchers with the same interests. The meeting format is very flexible, and the discussions go where the group takes it.
Details for joining the Virtual Meeting will be provided prior to the meeting to MGS members via email.
Non-members can request attendance information by emailing us at info@mgsfl.org. Please put in your email Subject line: Request German SIG Link.
2nd Tuesday of the month - virtual
2:00pm / 7:00pm EST alternate months
Irish SIG
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 as the destruction of the Public Records Office in 1922. However, research is possible if you know the place where your ancestors lived and the timeframe of their emigration. In the Irish SIG we'll answer basic questions about how to do Irish research and what records are available to search both online and off. Join us for the monthly Irish SIG meeting led by Donna Moughty. Donna has worked as a professional genealogist and has been conducting Irish research for over 30 years.
Details for joining the Virtual Meeting will be provided prior to the meeting to MGS members via email as the SIG meeting rotates monthly between an afternoon meeting and an evening meeting.
Non-members can request attendance information by emailing us at info@mgsfl.org. Please put in your email Subject line: Request Irish SIG Link.
3rd Wednesday of every month at 10:00 am EST - virtual
Mid-Atlantic Pre-Civil War
The Mid-Atlantic Pre-Civil War SIG is led by Nancy Ryburn. The focus will be on those who arrived in the US before the Civil War and back to Colonial times. Migration routes, record sources, and more will be discussed.
Details for joining the Virtual Meeting will be provided prior to the meeting to MGS members via email.
Non-members can request attendance information by emailing us at info@mgsfl.org. Please put in your email Subject line: Request Mid-Atlantic SIG Link.
1st Wednesday of every month at 10:00 am EST - virtual
Polish SIG
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 you. Join us for a monthly discussion and research session designed to encourage and inspire everyone. The meeting format is very flexible, and the discussions go where the group takes it.
Details for joining the Virtual Meeting will be provided to MGS members prior to the meeting via email.
Non-members can request attendance information by emailing us at info@mgsfl.org. Please put in your email Subject line: Request POLISH SIG Link.
2nd Monday of the month at 2:00 pm EST - virtual
Technology for Genealogy SIG
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 are held on the 2nd Monday of the month at 2:00 pm.
Details for joining the Virtual Meeting will be provided prior to the meeting to MGS members via email.
Non-members can request attendance information by emailing us at info@mgsfl.org. Please put in your email Subject line: Request Tech SIG Link.
