09 August 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. There are still seats available for the Gala Banquet!

News from Other Societies - JGSTB

The Jewish Genealogical Society of Tampa Bay will meet at 2:00 PM on Sunday, September 14th, at Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services, 14041 Icot Blvd., Clearwater, Fla. for a presentation by Bill Israel on "Historic Synagogues of Budapest and Bucharest." Bill, and his wife, Sally, traveled in Hungary, Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania in April of this year, where they made it a point to seek out and visit historical synagogues. Bill will present his photo and video travel journal of the synagogues they visited including an in-depth tour of The Great Synagogue of Budapest, also known as the Dohany Street Synagogue, and its museum. This synagogue is the largest in Europe, and either the largest or second largest in the world. Its square footage is less than that of Temple Emmanuel in New York, but the Great Synagogue of Budapest seats 3,000, whereas Temple Emmanuel seats only 2,500. The Great Synagogue dates from the 1850's, and today is one of the most beautiful buildings and sought after tourist attractions of Budapest, as well as the main synagogue of the local Jewish community. A photo record of other historical synagogues of Budapest and Bucharest – most dating from the mid-1800s will also be shown. Several of these synagogues are now museums or are used to house businesses, but they retain their beauty. Bill's photos and videos of them will let you visit them too.

Anyone interested in learning how to do Jewish genealogical research is invited to attend. 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.

07 August 2008

News from Other Societies - Lee County Genealogical Society

The Lee County Genealogical Society is one of the most active in Florida and is well known for its excellent programs. The following is a listing of their programs for the rest of 2008.
  • Thursday, August 21: Program: Alice Paul - Suffrage presented by Laurie Nienhaus, author, public speaker, and founder of The Ladies' Tea Guild.
  • Saturday, September 13: Program: Preserving Family Archives
  • Thursday, September 18: Ancestors in the News: Using Newspapers to Document the Lives of Real People presented by Carolyn Ford, Adult Education Chair, Lee County Genealogical Society.
  • Thursday, October 16: Program: Is There a Witch in Your Family? presented by Carol Rooksby Weidlich, President, Lee County Genealogical Society.
  • Saturday, November 8: Program: Our Ancestors' Photographs presented by Brenda Skupny.
  • Thursday, November 20: Program: Honoring Veterans Day presented by Tom Wilcox, WWII veteran and author of "One Man's Destiny".
  • Thursday, December 18: Program: The Year in Review and Christmas Buffet - Installation of Officers for 2009.
Saturday meetings are from 10 – 12 at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 4141 DeLeon Street, Fort Myers.

Thursday meetings are from 1-3 Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 4141 DeLeon Street, Fort Myers.

For questions about the programs, please contact Shirley O’Donnell, Program Chair at sodonnell602@comcast.net or (239) 945-4201.