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.orgPlease put in your email Subject line: Request Technology SIG Link.
Wednesday, June 14
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.
Tuesday, June 20
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 21
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.
Wednesday, July 5
POLISH SIG - Virtual (SIGs)
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
VIRTUAL MEETING (Meeting Time is EST)
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. Meetings are usually held the 1st 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 POLISH SIG Link.
Monday, July 10
TECHNOLOGY SIG - Virtual (SIGs)
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
VIRTUAL MEETING (Meeting Time is EST)
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.orgPlease put in your email Subject line: Request Technology SIG Link.
Tuesday, July 11
"Tumbleweeds in the Window: Three Women Homesteaders" (Monthly Meetings)
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
VIRTUAL MEETING (Meeting Time is EST)
Our speaker, Gail Shaffer Blankenau, will speak on “Tumbleweeds in the Window: Three Women Homesteaders”. The 1862 Homestead Act provided women heads of household – whether single, widowed, and even abandoned- with a unique opportunity to own land in their own right. We can use these records to establish family relationships and add to our genealogy. Even more, the information gives us a fascinating window into their lifestyles and the neighborhoods to which they belonged. We will look at a variety of women’s homestead files and explore how to use them as a springboard to flesh out your genealogy.
Gail Shaffer Blankenau is a professional historian, genealogist, speaker, and author. She first became interested in family history by looking for treasures in the attic when she was growing up. As a teenager, she started labeling old family photographs and things progressed from there. In addition to performing private client research, Gail enjoys speaking and writing about history and genealogy, her articles having appeared in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, The Genealogist, The National Genealogical Society Magazine, Family Chronicle, Internet Genealogy, The Ohio Genealogical Society Quarterly and Nebraska Ancestree.
Members of the public are welcome to attend and must register at least one day in advance by emailing: info@mgsfl.org. The Zoom meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. 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.
Tuesday, July 18
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, July 19
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, August 1
"What to Do With Your Stuff - Planning for the Future of Your Genealogy and Artifacts" (Monthly Meetings)
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
VIRTUAL MEETING (Meeting Time is EST)
Our speaker, Peggy Jude, will speak on “What to Do With Your Stuff – Planning for the Future of Your Genealogy and Artifacts”. Every year genealogical research, records and heirlooms end up in the trash. Don’t let this happen to you! Follow a plan to “Futurize” your genealogy. This lecture will provide Ideas and Strategies to ensure your research and treasures are preserved and passed on.
Peggy Jude has been conducting genealogical research for her family and clients for over 40 years and specializes and teaches in five areas of genealogical interest: DNA, Preserving Family History and Heirlooms, Genealogical Methods and Records, Genealogical Technology and Swedish Genealogy.
Members of the public are welcome to attend and must register at least one day in advance by emailing: info@mgsfl.org. The Zoom meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. EST.
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. Meetings are usually held the 1st 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 POLISH SIG Link.
Wednesday, August 9
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, August 14
TECHNOLOGY SIG - Virtual (SIGs)
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
VIRTUAL MEETING (Meeting Time is EST)
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.orgPlease put in your email Subject line: Request Technology SIG Link.
Tuesday, August 15
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, August 16
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, September 12
"It's Not All Online: Researching in Archives" (Monthly Meetings)
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
VIRTUAL MEETING (Meeting Time is EST)
Our speaker, Melissa Barker, will speak via Zoom on “It’s Not All Online: Researching in Archives”. “Statistics say that less than 10% of all the world’s genealogical records are online”. The percentage is probably more like 3%-5%. As genealogists, we are living in a time when there are huge amounts of genealogy records being put online daily. Most genealogy records are sitting in repositories waiting to be discovered by the genealogist. This presentation will show why you need to contact or visit an archive and seek out those records that are not online.
Melissa Barker is a Certified Archives Manager and Public Historian, affectionally known as The Archive Lady. She lectures, teaches, and writes about the genealogy research process, researching in archives and records preservation across the United States and other countries. She writes a popular blog entitled A Genealogist in the Archives, been a Professional Genealogist for 19 years with expertise in Tennessee records, and has been researching her own family history for the past 33 years.
Members of the public are welcome to attend and must register at least one day in advance by emailing: info@mgsfl.org. The Zoom meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. EST.
Annual Seminar - "Finding Your Elusive Ancestors" (Workshops/Seminars)
Virtual Seminar
2024 Annual Seminar - Save The Date!
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Goods News!
The Manatee Genealogical Society will be hosting a Virtual Seminar on Saturday, January 27, 2024. The theme of the seminar is “Finding Your Elusive Ancestors” and as in the past, with nationally known speakers.
More specific information will be posted as it becomes available. We look forward to seeing you at this event.
