Meetings and Classes

The Society meets virtually but hopes to return to meeting at the new Bloomingdale Regional Public Library, located at 1906 Bloomingdale Avenue adjacent to Bloomingdale Senior High School, the second Tuesday of every month at 1:00 p.m.

To see a list of other Florida genealogical events, visit the Florida State Genealogical Society's website.

Schedule of Upcoming BAGHS Meetings
2021	2021 Schedule in progress
January 12, 2021 1:00 PM Virtual meeting	Elizabeth Wales - 16 Generations: One Family's Journey from England to America. Discussion on her research, writing, and how she published her book on her Paternal Ancestors.
February 9, 2021 1:00 PM Virtual meeting	TBD
2020	2020
January 14, 2020 6:30 PM	Gigi Best-Richardson - 1619 to 1645: African & European Indentureships and Escheatment of Land - My Ancestors in Colonial Virginia Discussing the living conditions of her colonial family. How her African and European ancestors were treated both similarly and differently. Learn about their lives and others by using court documents and colonial records. Refreshments by Georgene Bender
February 11, 2020 6:30 PM	Scott Niblick Getting the Most out of FamilySearch.org
March - July, 2020	Cancelled Our meetings are suspended while the library is closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.
August 11, 2020 1 - 3 PM - Online virtual meeting	Donna Moughty Immigration: Which Port? When?Why? From Where? Donna Moughty is a professional genealogist. A member of APG and GSG and a researcher, lecturer and blogger for 25 years. Topics include Methodology, Internet, Irish research. She is the author of the Quick Reference Guide for Irish Research and conducts Irish research trips each year to Ireland. Her website is www.irishfamilyroots.com Register in advance for this meeting. Register here.
September 8, 2020 1pm	Virtual meeting Using Google For Family Research Register in advance for this meeting. Register here.
October 13, 2020 1pm	Virtual meeting Dead Men Do Tell Tales: Recreating Life in a Community Using Death Certificates - Karen Fortin Register in advance for this meeting. Register here.
November 10, 2020 1pm	Virtual meeting US Census - Facilitator, Georgene Bender Genealogy TV program, Member Share Your Tips, BAGHS Meeting We will present the 2021 Officer slate and Vote. Register in advance for this meeting. Register here.
December, 2020 1pm	Virtual meeting Valrico History by Charles Nelson, local Historian Register in advance for this meeting. Register here.
2019	2019
January 8, 2019 6:30 PM	Ray Reed - Potters Field Cemetery Discussing his research into this cemetery and county records. He is bringing some artifacts found from the site. Refreshments by Gordon Johnston and Scott Peeler
February 12, 2019 6:30 PM	George Plautz - Eastern European Research George discusses his family and the various records used in researching this area of Europe. Refreshments by Georgene Bender
March 12, 2019 6:30 PM	Janet Bergeron - Land Records Discussion on how land records can aid in your family research. Residences and places of business are an important part of family history. Discover how library documents like city directories, Sanborn maps and photos can assist you in tracking land records, and how to find those records once you get to the county courthouse. Refreshments by Scott Niblick
April 9, 2019 6:30 PM	John Cinchett - History of Tampa Churches Slides and photos and an interesting history of our oldest churches. His book on the Churches of Tampa will be available for purchase at the meeting. A documentary was made about this research. Refreshments by Annette Lee and Sandra Troublefield
May 14, 2019 6:30 PM	Bill Harris - Online Genealogy at HCPLC Online Genealogy at HCPLC A discussion about the online databases available through the library. Refreshments by Virginia Burks and Jim Koenig
June 11, 2019 6:30 PM	Panel Discussion A panel discussion on adoption. Refreshments by Helena Kocevar
July 9, 2019 6:30 PM	4th of July picnic (July 9th) - covered dish dinner.
August 13, 2019 6:30 PM	Rue Lynn Galbraith - Documentation of Research How to document your family research. Refreshments by Sharon Orend and Liz Meadows
September 10, 2019 6:30 PM	Val Perry - Life Stories Writing The facilitator of this award-winning workshop class will lead our discussion on writing your life story. Refreshments by Terry Valente and Susan Paycer
October 8, 2019 6:30 PM	Scott Niblick - Working with your Ancestry DNA Matches A discussion on methods and various tools to assist in organizing and identifying DNA matches at Ancestry.com. Click here to download the handout Refreshments by Candy Cothron and Joan Glass
November 12, 2019 6:30 PM	Michael Wigh - History of Brandon Will discuss his book on the History of Brandon Refreshments by The Johnsons and Georgene Bender
December 10, 2019 6:30 PM	Holiday covered dish dinner.
2018	2018
2017	2017
January 10, 2017 6:30 PM	No presenter This month we will be offering a help session where you can bring your questions and genealogical problems. Often, our members are able to help with suggestions and other advise. So often we have people researching the same names or the same areas of the country and are willing to share with others the process they have been through to accomplish their research. Bring any documents or other materials that you want to share or have someone look at to give advice. Refreshments by Virginia Burke
February 14, 2017 6:30 PM	Roberta Jordan - "What's A?" This program will discuss terminology one may find while doing genealogy. Roberta presented two programs last year, one on Anabaptists in Pennsylvania and a follow up session on additional non-traditional religions from the past. Both were well received and very informative. Refreshments by Anna Jean Springer and Stan Heigert
March 14, 2017 6:30 PM	Bill Harris - Library Resources for Genealogy Bill Harris, head of the Genealogical and Historical Department of the John F. Germany Library in downtown Tampa will be our guest speaker. His program will cover the many different resources the library can provide for genealogical research, some of which can be accessed from home using your library card number. This will be a very informative presentation which will be a great help to you in your research. Refreshments by Pat Liebfried and Helena Kocevar
April 11, 2017 6:30 PM	Richard 'Rick' Lippert - E-Z Photo Scan A program on scanning photos and will have someone with him who will scan photos or documents at no charge for our attendees during his presentation. Refreshments by Houston Tucker and Scott Niblick
May 9, 2017 6:30 PM	Stan Heigert - Naming Patterns Refreshments by Annette Lee and Sandra Troublefield
June 13, 2017 6:30 PM	Rebecca Sullivan - Cemetery Transcription and Headstone Cleaning Rebecca Sullivan is the Public Archaeology Coordinator, FPAN West Central Cemeteries are important links to the past that can teach us about our unique, local history, but what can we do to make sure they are preserved for future generations? Learn best practices for recording and cleaning historic grave markers in this introduction to cemetery preservation and maintenance. Florida Public Archaeology Network Refreshments by Pat Leibfried and Jim & Ruth Stuart
July 11, 2017 6:30 PM	4th of July picnic (July 12th) - covered dish dinner.
August 8, 2017 6:30 PM	Rue Lynn Galbraith - We will remember them: Keys to find your ancestor in US Military Records Speaker's Bio: Rue Lynn was raised in Blanding, a small rural town in Southeastern Utah, where it seems that everyone was related to each other in some way or the other. His interested in genealogy began as a child, while sitting on his mother’s lap looking over a large volume of family records. In his youth he began to copy pedigree charts and family group records into his own Family History book and began monthly trips to the old LDS Genealogy Library in Salt lake City, Utah, to do research. At the age of fifteen, his was asked to be the Area Genealogy Youth Leader for his church. Conducting lessons and speaking at genealogicalmeetings. His passion for genealogy and family history as continued to the present day. Rue Lynn is a graduate of the College of the Royal Academy of Dance, London, England; his sub specialty was in Ballet History. Rue Lynn currently is the President of the ancestral family organization for Joel Hills Johnson, is on the genealogy committee for the Ezekiel and Julia Hills Johnson Family Organization, and is the Secretary of the Florida Genealogical Society. Refreshments by Susan Paycer and Stan Heigert
September 12, 2017 6:30 PM	Meeting Cancelled due to Hurricane Irma Refreshments by Candy Cothron and Joan Glass
October 10, 2017 6:30 PM	Jesse Marshall - Key West Avengers The "Key West Avengers" who were the Bahamian born Confederates who served at Tampa Bay early in the war, and late with the 7th Florida Regiment in Tennessee and Georgia. These "Conchs" have a long lineage in the new world, commencing on the island of Eleuthera in the 1640s. Most moved to Key West in the 1830s-40s after the emancipation of the British slaves in the Bahamas. Many of these families relocated to Tampa Bay area just prior to the War between the states. Refreshments by Nedra Rich
November 14, 2017 6:30 PM	Stan Heigert will discuss a recent research trip Refreshments by ...
December 12, 2017 6:30 PM	Annual Christmas dinner (covered dish dinner).

Click here to see the subjects of past meetings.

Click here to see photos from past meetings.

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Meetings and Classes

Schedule of Upcoming BAGHS Meetings