11 May 2008

The 2008 FGS Fall Seminar with Paula Stuart-Warren

The Florida Genealogical Society is very pleased to announce its annual Fall Seminar, which will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2008, at the Dale Mabry campus of Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, FL, from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Our very special speaker is Paula Stuart-Warren, CGSM, an internationally recognized genealogical expert, author, lecturer, and professional researcher who works full-time in the field of genealogy.

Paula is a graduate of the National Institute of Genealogical Research held at the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). She is certified by the Board for Certification of Genealogists and is a firm believer in continuing education in genealogy. She is comfortable with her audiences and enjoys discussing genealogy with participants. Her seminar presentations have taken her to most states in the U.S. and to Canada. Since 1997 she has been a Course Coordinator for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy's American Genealogy Records and Resources intermediate course.

She is a columnist for Ancestry Weekly Journal and has written articles for many genealogical publications including NewEnglandAncestors.org, FGS Forum, the NGS NewsMagazine, and Ancestry Magazine. She co-authored the book, Your Guide to the Family History Library. Paula has been a national officer of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), a board member of the Minnesota Genealogical Society, and an active volunteer for the Federation of Genealogical Societies.

Her ancestors represent eight different countries. These ancestors, descendants, and the cousins resided in many Midwestern and Western states and in several Canadian provinces. She has researched her children’s paternal southern ancestors. Her other specialties include the U.S. National Archives, major repositories, American Indians, railroads, and the WPA.

Paula will present four lecture topics at this year's conference:
  • 20th and 21st Century Research
  • Railroad Records and Railroad History: Methods for Tracking
  • Organizing Your Genealogical Materials: Methods to Keep it Current
  • Untrod Ground: Sources You May Not Have Encountered
In conjunction with this year's Fall Seminar, FGS is celebrating its Gala 50th Anniversary. Our society is the oldest genealogical society in the State of Florida! To commemorate this occasion, FGS will host a gala banquet on Friday evening, September 12th, 2008, at the historic Valencia Garden Restaurant in Tampa. Paula will deliver what is guaranteed to be a warm, funny, and engaging banquet talk.

We are exceedingly pleased to have Paula Stuart-Warren with us to celebrate our golden anniversary and to present at our annual all-day seminar. You will not be disappointed!

A registration form for the seminar and a banquet reservation form are available on our FGS web site. Maps to the seminar site and to the Valencia Garden Restaurant will be added to the web site soon. Check back for more details!

10 May 2008

News from Other Societies - BAGHS

The Brandon Area Historical and Genealogical Society (BAHGS) will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 13th,at 6:30 PM at the Bloomington Public Library. Speaker and genealogy expert Sally Miller will present a program titled. "Tombstone Inscriptions," in a fascinating and informative slide show. Refreshments will be served.

08 May 2008

News from Other Societies - JGSTB

The Jewish Genealogical Society of Tampa Bay will meet on Sunday May 18, 2008 at 2:00 P.M. at Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services, 14041 Icot Blvd., Clearwater, Florida. “The Anatomy of a Family Reunion” will be presented by Bill Israel, a founding member and the immediate past president of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Tampa Bay. Bill had a key role in the planning and organizing of all fifteen of his Israel Family Reunions held over the past 28 years. He served as general chairman of two reunions and was program chairman and consultant for most of the others. He co-chaired and assisted his wife in establishing family reunions for her family as well. All totaled, Bill has participated in a total of 20 family reunions. He has documented his experiences with family reunions into a planning guide for use by his family in planning future reunions, which are held every two years with a rotation of chairmen and locations. These reunions typically average more than 100 in attendance and are weekend affairs with a program of planned activities running from Friday through Sunday designed to reconnect family members, tell the family story, and show everyone a good time.

Are you stuck, or are you having trouble getting started in researching your family's history? Help is on the way! The Jewish Genealogical Society of Tampa Bay will meet at 2:00 PM on Sunday, June 8th at Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services, 14041 Icot Blvd., Clearwater, Fla. for a hands-on workshop for individual research using both Internet and our own extensive library resources. Several experienced JGS mentors will be available to provide guided assistance at this working session.

The workshop will begin with an overview of genealogical resources available in print and online. This will be followed by the actual use of these resources for your own individual research under the guiding hands of our experienced mentors. Several computers with Internet connection will be available. The JGSTB library holdings are listed at <http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~fljgstb/library.htm>. Attendees should bring with them all prior research about the families they are researching. This workshop is intended to help you to build upon what you know.

Anyone interested in learning how to do Jewish genealogical research is invited to attend either of these upcoming meetings. Beginners as well as experienced researchers are welcome. For further information on the Jewish Genealogical Society of Tampa Bay or directions to the meeting call Sally Israel at 727-343-1652.

01 May 2008

News from Other Societies - Pinellas Genealogy Society

The Pinellas Genealogy Society will present an interesting program on 17 May by Lette Pascoe, the park naturalist for Boca Ciega Millennium Park, entitled "Who or What was Here Before the McMullen's and the Booths." The program is open to the public and will be held at 11:00 AM in the Jenkins Auditorium of the Largo Public Library, 120 Central Park Drive, Largo, FL.

FGS Program for 17 May 2008

The Florida Genealogical Society will hold its monthly meeting on Saturday, May 17, 2008, at 10:30 AM in the Auditorium of the John F. Germany Library at 900 North Ashley Drive in Downtown Tampa.

We are pleased to present well-known genealogist and author Drew Smith in a program titled, “The Family History in Your Genes: Using DNA for Genealogical Research.” This presentation will provide an easy-to-understand overview of how DNA relates to genealogy, what kind of DNA tests are available, and how researchers can easily share test results with each other.