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 first 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 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 IRISH SIG Link.
Wednesday, June 10
GERMAN SIG - Virtual (SIGs)
10:00 am to 11:30 am
VIRTUAL MEETING (Meeting Time is EST)
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. Meetings are held the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 10:00 AM via ZOOM. Details for joining the Virtual Meeting will be provided prior to the 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.
Monday, June 15
TECHNOLOGY SIG - Virtual (SIGs)
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
VIRTUAL MEETING (Meeting Time is EST)
SPECIAL Date for June!Our topic for June is "Full Text Search". The TECHNOLOGY SIG helps users of all abilities to effectively usetechnology 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.orgPlease put in your email Subject line: Request Technology SIG Link.
Tuesday, June 16
DNA SIG - Virtual (SIGs)
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
VIRTUAL MEETING (Meeting Time is EST)
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 . Put in the Subject line: Request DNA SIG Link.
Wednesday, June 17
Mid-Atlantic Pre-Civil War (SIGs)
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
VIRTUAL MEETING (Meeting Time is EST)
Do you have ancestors who arrived in the US before the Civil War? Did they begin their US experience in the Mid-Atlantic states and then move westward? Then this SIG is for you! Sometimes the key to finding your ancestor’s home across the ocean is researching the places they lived before they migrated west. This was often in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, or the surrounding states. This SIG is designed to help people with just that experience.
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.
All sessions will begin at 10:00 a.m. EST on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. Nancy Ryburn will lead the discussion with members sharing research suggestions and support.
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.
Tuesday, July 7
"Your Revolutionary War Ancestor: A Case Study" (Monthly Meetings)
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Virtual Seminar
A Revolutionary War ancestor can be a goldmine of information if you know where to look. This lecture aims to examine types of service, compiled military service records, pension applications, settled accounts, and where other documents can be found using a step-by-step methodology in a case study.
Craig Roberts Scott, MA, CG, FUGA is the President and CEO of Heritage Books, Inc. A professional genealogical and historical researcher for more than forty years, he specializes in records of the National Archives, especially those that relate to the military. He has coordinated the Military tracks at IGHR, SLIG, and GRIP in years past. He is currently the Coordinator of the SLIG Consultation Track, helping students solve their brick wall problems.
Following the presentation, stay online for our “Members Helping Members” session.
Open to the Public – Advance Registration Required
To attend, non-members must register at least one day in advance by emailing: info@mgsfl.org
The Zoom meeting will begin promptly at 10:00 AM EST.
Handouts and Recordings:
If available, the presentation handout will be posted before the meeting on the Members Only section of our website: https://mgsfl.org/members.php → Meeting Handouts
A video recording may also be posted after the event for members, depending on the speaker’s agreement. Access may be time-limited (e.g., 2 weeks or 30 days).
"Our Quaker Ancestors: Their History and the Records They Left" (Monthly Meetings)
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Zoom Only
Quakers were among the earliest settlers in North America and as they moved west, they were often the earliest settlers in newly opened territory. Quakers were amazing record-keepers. Not only did they record births, marriages, and deaths, they kept extensive records on those who came into their local meetings and those who left. Transgressions by members of the community were publicly discussed and recorded, and as they came to believe that slavery was evil their records on Quakers who kept slaves became extensive. Learn about the history of these pioneering Americans and how to find the rich records they left behind.
👩🏫 About the Speaker:
Annette Burke Lyttle, CG®, owns Heritage Detective, LLC, providing professional genealogical services in research, education, and writing. She speaks on a variety of genealogical topics at the international, national, state, and local levels and loves helping people uncover and share their family stories. Annette is a course coordinator for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy and the British Institute. She is a published writer whose research interests include Quaker ancestors and ancestral migrations in the US. She is past president of the Association of Professional Genealogists and editor of The Florida Genealogist.
🤝 After the Program:
Stay online for our “Members Helping Members” session.
📝 Registration:
Open to the public. Advance registration required.
Non-members must register at least one day in advance by emailing info@mgsfl.org.
Tuesday, September 1
"Separating Multiple Generations of Men with the Same Name" (Monthly Meetings)
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Virtual Seminar - Zoom Only
When many descendants of the original settler inherit his name, diagramming and careful analysis of land, tax, and probate records can reconstruct families.
🎤 About the Speaker:
Diana Elder AGⓇ, AGL™ is a professional genealogist accredited in the Gulf South region and serves on the advisory board for The International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen). She is the author of Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide and co-author of Research Like a Pro with DNA.
With her daughter Nicole, Diana has built a comprehensive educational platform teaching through study groups, an interactive eCourse, and the Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast. She shares research strategies on Family Locket (familylocket.com), making professional-level techniques accessible to genealogists worldwide.
🤝 Stay After the Program!
Following the presentation, remain online for our “Members Helping Members” session — a great opportunity to ask questions, share research challenges, and learn from fellow members.
🎟 Registration Information:
Open to the Public — Advance Registration Required
Non-members must register at least one day in advance by emailing:
📧 info@mgsfl.org
📂 Handouts & Recording:
If available, the presentation handout will be posted before the meeting in the Members Only section of our website.
A video recording may also be posted afterward for members, depending on the speaker’s agreement. Access may be time-limited.
❓ Questions?
Contact us at: info@mgsfl.org
We hope you’ll join us for this practical and problem-solving session!
"Strategies for Using Pre-1850 Census Schedules" (Monthly Meetings)
10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Zoom Only
Confused by the tick marks on the 1790 to 1840 U.S. census population schedules? These records are valuable for genealogists but require a different approach than other census records. Learn strategies for using the pre-1850 census records to locate and learn more about your ancestors.
🎤 About the Speaker:
Angela Packer McGhie, CG, FUGA, is the president of the Board for Certification of Genealogists. She is passionate about genealogy education and enjoys developing and coordinating courses at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy and the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research. Angela is a popular speaker at various genealogy conferences and institutes.
Previously, Angela held roles including Education Director of the National Genealogical Society and curriculum designer and administrator of the ProGen Study Program. Angela is a former chapter president of the Association of Professional Genealogists. Her articles have appeared in UGA’s Crossroads magazine, the APG Quarterly, and the NGS Magazine.
🤝 Stay After the Program!
Following the presentation, stay online for our “Members Helping Members” session — a valuable time to ask questions, collaborate, and share research strategies.
🎟 Registration Information:
Open to the Public — Advance Registration Required
Non-members must register at least one day in advance by emailing:
📧 info@mgsfl.org
📂 Handouts & Recording:
If available, the presentation handout will be posted before the meeting in the Members Only section of our website. A video recording may also be posted afterward for our members, depending on the speaker’s agreement. Access may be time limited.
❓ Questions?
Contact us at: info@mgsfl.org
We hope you’ll join us for this practical and enlightening session!
Exciting topic to be determined! (Monthly Meetings)
10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Hybrid Meeting (Virtual and in-person at Manatee Central Library)
Due to Election Day, this membership meeting is being held one week later than normal
Join us for our upcoming Monthly Membership Program featuring renowned genealogist Peggy Jude. While the topic will be announced soon, members can look forward to another relevant, informative presentation in the tradition of her past highly regarded programs. Mark your calendar—this is sure to be a session you won’t want to miss.
Peggy Jude is a nationally-known speaker, educator, and researcher for over 40 years, teaching in 5 areas: DNA, Genealogical Technology, Preserving Family History and Heirlooms, Methods and Records, and Swedish Genealogy. She is a co-course coordinator for Foundations in DNA course at the Institute for Genealogical and Historical Research (IGHR), a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, the Genealogical Speakers Guild, a graduate of ProGen, and multiple advanced genealogical institutes.
Hybrid Meeting (Virtual and in-person at Manatee Central Library)
✍️ Bring Your Ancestors’ Stories to Life! ✍️
Tuesday, December 1, 2026
🕙 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM EST
🏛 Hybrid Event — Zoom and In-Person
Manatee Central Public Library Auditorium
1301 Barcarrota Blvd West, Bradenton, Florida
🔍 Program Title:
"Sharing Ancestor Stories: Writing Brief Biographical Sketches" Presented by Karen A. Fortin
We all have interesting relatives and ancestors whose lives tell the stories of our family’s past. This presentation takes a step-by-step approach to guide you through the process of planning and writing these stories in brief, informal biographical sketches that you can share with family and friends.
🎤 About the Speaker:
Karen A. Fortin has degrees in History and Library and Information Science and a passion for research. She worked in a public library in Florida for 30 years before switching to genealogical lecturing in 2016. She is a member of various genealogical societies and loves to help people explore their family history so that they can better understand their ancestors and the world in which they lived.
🤝 Stay After the Program!
Following the presentation, stay online for our “Members Helping Members” session — a valuable time to ask questions, collaborate, and share research strategies.
🎟 Registration Information:
Open to the Public — Advance Registration Required
Non-members must register at least one day in advance by emailing:
📧 info@mgsfl.org
📂 Handouts & Recording:
If available, the presentation handout will be posted before the meeting in the Members Only section of our website. A video recording may also be posted after the event for our members, depending on the speaker’s agreement. Access may be time-limited.
❓ Questions?
Contact us at: info@mgsfl.org
We hope you’ll join us for this inspiring and creative session!
.jpg)