Schedule of Meetings

Topics & Events for year 2011-2012

If you live in the Bradenton area, or are planning to visit the area, you are invited to attend the Manatee Genealogical Society's general meetings, genealogy classes, and workshops. The meetings start at 9:30am.  The location of our meetings is the Manatee County Library in downtown Bradenton. Click here for location information.

 PRINCIPAL MEETING TOPIC: We schedule a principal speaker for each of our meetings during the year.  The presentation topics are varied and intended to be both educational and of general interest, and of special interest to those pursuing family history and genealogical research.

 MEETING TOPICS FOR 2011/2012 Meeting Year

Tue - Oct. 4, 2011:  9:30am - 12 noon

      "Don't Forget to Use the Library", We will discuss using library electronic resources, and other sources like PERSI, Filby's Passenger and Immigration Indexes, etc., and the organization of the genealogical material in the library, followed by a tour of the Library. The Computer SIG is part of this topic.

Tue - Nov. 1, 2011:  9:30am - 12 noon

     "Publishing Your Book", by Karen Dwyer. Karen is an MGS Member and her families are from Germany, Ireland and England.

      Computer Special Interest Group (starting about 11:15am)

Tue -  Dec. 6, 2011:  9:30 - 12 noon

      "What's In Your Attic?", A show and tell about your family treasurers. MGS Members will make a short presentation about their "Treasure". Call Jean Morris at 722-5156, if you have a "Treasure" you would like to talk about.

       Computer Special Interest Group

      "Bytes of Cookies", social affair; bring a small plate of cookies to the meeting to share.

Tue - Jan.  3,  2012:  9:30am - 12 noon

    "Jumping The Pond: Finding the Origins of Your Immigrant Ancestor", by Donna Moughty. Donna is a Professional Genealogist and national speaker who specializes in Ireland research.

      Computer Special Interest Group (starting about 11:15am)

Tue -  Feb. 7,  2012:  9:30am - 12 noon

   "In The Law Library: Legal Research for Genealogists", by Sharon Tate Moody, C.G.; she lives in Sun City Center, FL. and writes a weekly column in the St. Petersburg Times. She is a National speaker and specializes in subjects concerning the Law and our ancestors.

      Computer Special Interest Group (starting about 11:15am)

Tue -  Mar. 6,  2012:  9:30am - 12 noon

     "The Genealogist as a CSI (Crime Scene Investigator)", by  George Morgan, C.G. and USF Staff Member.

      Computer Special Interest Group (starting about 11:15am).

Tue - Apr 3,  2012:  9:30am - 12 noon

     "Using Maps and Gazetteers for Genealogical Research", by Bryan Mulcahy,  Reference Librarian, Fort Myers-Lee County Library in Fort Myers FL . 

      Computer Special Interest Group (starting about 11:15am)

Tue - May 1,  2012:  9:30am - 12 noon

    "Ask the Experts", this popular topic will be presented again. A panel of experienced researchers will address your questions and other topics of special interest. You can submit your questions prior to the meeting, or ask them at the meerting.

    Computer Special Interest Group (starting about 11:15am)

 COMPUTER SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP (CSIG):  

WHAT IS IT?       A meeting of genealogists interested in using their personal computers to enhance their research.

WHEN?                  Monthly -- On the first Tuesday of the month (October through May) following main topic speaker.

TIME:                     About 11:15 AM to 12:15 PM, following the meeting break period after the main MGS speaker.

PLACE:                  The Central Library Auditorium, Bradenton, FL (same location as our MGS monthly meeting)

WHO:                     Open to all those interested in using their personal computers to enhance their genealogical research.

PROGRAM:         Each month we will discuss and view what's new in genealogy on the Internet.  We'll have demonstrations of software and hardware that will facilitate our research.  Tips and techniques will be shared by and among those attending each meeting.  Genealogically related computer, Internet, digital photography and research questions will be fielded during the sessions.  We'll look at the newest technology but will keep the discussions as low tech as possible.

ROOTSMAGIC SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP (RMSIG):  

The MGS RootsMagic SIG meets the second Monday of the month at 2 PM at the Westminster Courtyard (222 Old Main Street, Bradenton) main meeting room . This SIG deals with the use of the RootsMagic genealogical software.  Phyllis Doucette and Anne Young lead this group. More specific details can be obtained at our general MGS monthly Meeting, or directly from Phyllis or Anne.

The next Class will be begin Monday February 6th 2012 -- The classes will begin at 2 PM and run about one hour. The classes will be held in the Westminster Courtyard main meeting room at 222 Old Main St. Free parking is available at the library, 2 hour street parking is available on 3rd Ave., or on Old Main St., and metered parking in the city lot across the street. Laptop computers are welcome. Phyllis Doucette is the instructor; the course is free. Anyone planning to attend should be at the Courtyard gate by 5 minutes before 2:00pm on Feb. 6 and she will have someone stationed out there to let you in.

CLASS SCHEDULE

Session #1 Monday Feb 6th - at 2:00pm - Where and how to start; forms; sources

Session #2 Monday Feb 20th - at 2:00pm - Computer programs; what’s important and how to use

Session #3 Monday Feb 27th - at 2:00pm - Documentation – why, important, & how-to; library use; online sources

Session #4 Monday Mar 5th - at 2:00pm - Local resources; preparation for a genealogy trip; wrap-up