Discover the USF Library's Special Collections (Tampa)

Did you know ...?

The University of South Florida Library has many important materials of genealogical and historical value in its Special Collections Department. Among them are:

• Hillsborough County Marriage Records (1846-1988). These include marriage licenses, record books, and indices on deposit from the Clerk of the Hillsborough County Circuit Court.
• Funeral Home Records: F.T. Blount Funeral Home Records: March 1924 - October 1991; A.P. Boza Funeral Home Records: January 1929 - October 1991; Lord & Fernandez Funeral Home Records (May 1947 - May 1951 and January 1959 - March 1976); and Garden of Memories Records: February 1984 - January 1989.
• Photographic Records: Aerial Photographs; Burgert Brothers (compliments the huge collection at the John F. Germany library in downtown Tampa); and Robertson and Fresh Photographs.
• Ybor City and West Tampa Collections
• Many family papers collections
• Numerous ethnic social and mutual aid societies' collections
• The Spanish Civil War Oral History Project
• Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla Records

These are just a few of the wonderful materials held by the USF Library's Special Collections Department. Check the webpage for the Special Collections Department, and then plan a visit to this wonderful collection!

News from Other Societies

The Manasota Genealogical Society will meet at 9:30 AM on Tuesday, March 3, 2009, at the Manatee Central Library, 1301 Barcarrota Boulevard, in Bradonton. The speaker is Tom Kemp, and he will present a program titled "Core Online Resources: The Ones You Actully Rely On." More information is available at http://www.rootsweb.com/~flmgs.

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The Pasco County Genealogical Society has announced their programs for March and April 2009.

• March 14 - Debra Sandstrom Fleming will present a program about the pre-1850 U.S. federal censuses and how to effectively use these early records.
• April 11 - David Boyette of the Brandon Area Genealogical and Historical Society will be conducting a program entitled "Genetic Genealogy: Understanding Your DNA."

Meetings are held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 9016 Fort King Road (State Road 41) in Dade City. For more information, visit their website for at
http://www.rootsweb.com/~FLPCGS/.

Florida Conversations Lecture Series‏

The first of the Spring Series of the Florida Conversations Lecture Series‏ will be held on Sunday, February 15th at the Tampa Bay History Center, 3:00-4:30 p.m. Susan M. Taylor of the University of Tampa will present "The Survival of Tampa's Sicilian Dialect."

Other lectures are on March 15th, April 19th, May 17th, and June 21st.

For additional information on the lectures visit www.lib.usf.edu/index.cfm?pm=upcoming events1.

Future Meetings at FGS (Tampa)

We have another wonderful schedule of presentations shaping up for 2009! Some of the upcoming presentations include:

• March 21st - Dr. Vernard Adams, the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner, will present a program about "Unclaimed Persons" and how next of kin have been located.
  
• April 18th - Author David Dellinger will share information about his book, The Peasant Kings, and the genealogical research involved in developing the story.
  
• Ann Mohr Osisek, whose program in January had to be canceled due family circumstances, is being rescheduled.
  

In addition, the Board is in negotiations with a truly top-notch speaker for this year's Fall Seminar, to be held on Saturday, 26 September 2009. Look for more information here at at the monthly meetings, in your membership email, and in the press. You definitely want to mark your calendar NOW for this year's exciting event!

FGS Tampa Meeting & Program - February 21, 2009

The Florida Genealogical Society will hold its monthly meeting at 10:30 AM on Saturday, February 21, 2009, in the auditorium of the John F. Germany Library. This month's program is "Italian Genealogy," and will be presented by Vince J. Pardo, Vienna LoCicero Santisteban, and Kenneth Ferlita. This exciting program was presented last September to the Italian Club of Tampa to rave reviews, and was sponsored by the Ybor City Museum Society, in partnership with the L'Unione Italiana. The speakers will share programs and resources used to document, store, and display genealogical information.

You don't have to be of Italian descent to enjoy and learn techniques for overseas research. Join us for this great program!

The John F. Germany Library is located at 900 N. Ashley Drive in downtown Tampa. Following the meeting, make sure to visit the History and Genealogy Department on 2-West. Make sure you sign the guest book there, and then enjoy researching in one of the very finest genealogy collections in the Southeast.

News from Other Societies

We love to share announcements from other genealogical societies, and that is because we know that they, too, present great programs from which our members can benefit. Here are several additional programs in which you may be interested.

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The Jewish Genealogical Society of Tampa Bay will hold its monthly meeting on Sunday, 8 February 2009, at the Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services, 14041 Icot Blvd., Clearwater, Florida. Bill Israel will present a program, "Finding Your Jewish Roots; Bringing Your Past Alive." A social with refreshments and library access begins at 1:30 PM, and the featured program starts at 2:00 PM.

Anyone interested in learning how to do Jewish genealogical research is invited to attend. Beginners as well as experienced researchers are welcome. For information on the organization or directions to the meeting call Sally Israel at 727-343-1652 or Rita Shapiro at (727) 446-9311.

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The Charlotte County Genealogical Society will present a special program on Saturday, 14 February 2009, with speaker Stephen P. Morse, creator of the One-Step Website for which he received a Lifetime Achievement Award and the Outstanding Contribution Award from IAJGS. The conference will be held at the Lutheran Church of the Cross at 2300 Luther Road in Port Charlotte, FL, from 9:00AM to 4:00PM. Doors open at 8:30 AM. Morse has developed streamlined search facilities to search all of the New York immigration lists, and he is an expert instructor for how to get the most from your immigrant research. This is a must-attend presentation in Florida!

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The Pinellas Genealogy Society presents its annual signature genealogical presentation on Saturday, 14 February 2009, with nationally recognized genealogical expert Hank Jones. Jones is an expert research and author about Palatine ancestry, and is the author of books concerning genealogical serendipity. He is an informative and entertaining speaker. A registration form is available at www.rootsweb.com/~flpgs.

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The Englewood Genealogical Society presents a program on Wednesday, 25 February 2009, with nationally-recognized genealogical expert and speaker Donna M. Moughty. Donna will present a program titled "Jumping the Pond." The program will be held at the Englewood Sports Complex at 1300 Englewood Road, Englewood, FL. Registration begins at 12:30 PM and the program begins at 1:00 PM. Registration is a modest $5.00 per person. For information, details, and directions, please contact Sally Thomas at s252thomas@comcast.net.