IRGS Education

Be sure to check the Calendar page for the latest information about meetings, programs, and seminars. The May 2008 newsletter is now available on the Newsletters page. Summer break is here; no meetings or newsletters until fall. Enjoy your summer and best of luck with your research projects.

Watch for announcements for repeat sessions of the Beginning Research Class. Note that the Library offers a two session class on the 3rd and 4th Mondays of each month, even during the summer. As always, check our Calendar page for up-to-date information.

Announcing the offering of "How to Begin your Family History Research", meeting consecutive Wednesday mornings, starting January 6, 2008 from 9:30 AM to noon at the Indian River County Main Library.

Classes will include recording and organizing your records, library research, census, church, cemetery & courthouse records.

The fee for the class is $35, which includes an IRGS membership. Current members need only pay $10. Please register no later than January 5, 2008. Class size is limited to 50 people. Click here for the flyer and registration form.

NOTE: most groups are now on their summer break. Check the Calendar page for the current schedule or contact the group leader. Meanwhile, get busy on those summer research projects!

The Ontario GIG meets on the 1st Tuesday of the month from 1 to 3 PM in the Ais Room. Contact Janice Sly for information or sign-up at the library. For info, email: jsly@ellijay.com

NOTE: the Reminisce with Mary GIG is taking its summer break early, to resume in the fall. Here's Mary's note:

The Art of Recording Life stories. Come and join the “Reminisce with Mary” GIG on the 4th Thursday of the month beginning on Jan. 24th at 1PM in the Pelican Room, next to the gift shop.

Genealogy and Family stories go Hand in Hand. We invite you to join our monthly informal Gig where we will write and discuss the importance of combining your genealogy with you Family stories and Oral History. Each one of us has a story to tell and this can be your legacy to give to your family.

The group will be facilitated by Mary Mitchell, Gerontologist, who has self published several books on this subject. Bring a family picture or some memorabilia from your past. For info, email: MaryM34116@aol.com or call (772) 231-0203

If you are interested in participating in a discussion group for researching French Canadian ancestors, please contact Diane MacGowan to sign up. Email: dmacgowan@aol.com

The Polish GIG is a group of researchers digging up ancestors from Poland and all its partitions. We meet the third Thursday at three in the Library History room of the IRC Main Library. We share research methods and sources and look for ways to expand our knowledge of the country's historical evolution. We have translators (both Polish and Russian) at our disposal to help with foreign documents. Marg Zientarski Putzke is the current GIG leader and she can be reached at jmputzke@bellsouth.net or phone her at (772) 569-0132.

The Swedish GIG welcomes all those interested in learning about researching family history in Sweden. Swedish genealogy is very exciting because the records kept in Sweden for many centuries are now accessible online in our library. Our group meets once a month, on the 3rd Thursday, from 1-3 p.m. Besides learning research techniques and resources, we also learn about Sweden's history, culture, language and geography. For fun we celebrate both Midsommar and Santa Lucia Day with parties each year. Individual help is available to get started. Contact: Diane Macgowan dmacgowan@aol.com

The Irish GIG meets the 2nd Thursday in the Library History room at the IRC Main Library from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Meetings will be held in October and November but continued interest is needed in order to continue the GIG. Please join us. For more information, contact Bill Murphy by email to: blmurphy@comcast.net

The PAF5 Computer SIG will function this year on an individual basis. Contact John Getz by phone (772) 231-1767 or email at loisbruckheimer@comcast.net or John Hendricks by phone (772) 562-4362 or email at HendricksJS@comcast.net for individual appointments at the library or a house call.