The Villages Genealogical Society
Welcome to The Villages
Genealogical Society
Promoting and stimulating knowledge and interest
in the study of genealogy
"It's Another Beautiful Day in The Villages"
 
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Upcoming Special Events

Our 18th Annual All-Day Seminar
February 28, 2018
Registration is now open to VGS members.
Complete Details HERE...
If you have a question, contact the Seminar Registrar HERE...
Family History Expo
March 28, 2018
More Info HERE...
A Very Special Event
January 2019
Announcement soon...


August Monthly Meeting Update (Webinar)

Meeting attendees
August 23, 2017 General Meeting
At our August 23rd meeting 115 members at the Savannah Center and another 77 at remote locations were able to watch our first live webinar presented by Mary Kircher Roddy. Her presentation was entitled “Family Browse. How to Find Unindexed Records in FamilySearch” We were a little nervous on how it would turn out but by all accounts it received very favorable comments.

Here is one comment: Webinar was fantastic!  Got lots of information on how to search that I was not aware of. We need to do more of these webinars.  Thanks.

Here is another...  WONDERFUL!  I've really never done a "live" webinar before. Today went so smoothly, and was SO informative, I must try these more often.  I had no communication, nor volume problems, no break-ups in transmission!
It was wonderful to be here in Cohoes, NY (near the Capital, Albany!) and feel like I was sitting there in the Savannah Center.  (Though missing those happy faces!!!)
Thank you so much for all you do for the VGS, and for this most enlightening seminar!!!!  Thank you to Mary!

A copy of the handout and the link to view the entire webinar from "the cloud" has been sent to all members via email.


July Monthly Meeting Update

Animated pictures of the meeting
July 26, 2017 General Meeting
We had another great turnout for our July summer meeting with about 115 members present. Welcome to two new members.   This month we had two speakers. First was Dusty Matthews from the Leesburg Library. She spoke about the FamilySearch microfilms that they have at the library. She spoke about retention and ordering films before ordering is discontinued at the end of August.  Next we had our very own Vice-President Annette Burke Lyttle and she presented "Chasing Uncle William through the Wilds of Cyberspace." It was a very informative and at times humorous account on her research on her Uncle William Crout. Handouts for both speakers are available in "Members Only> Secure Download's> Meeting Handouts"


Expo is HUGE Success!

We had a fantastic turnout for our Family History Expo on September 28th. Well over 1000 residents attended!  My Heritage and Family Tree Maker Software participated and both were busy the entire day.
Our next Bigger & Better Expo  will be March 28, 2018


VGS Receives the NGS Gold Star Award

Read the Letter from C. Ann Staley, Conference Chair, to President Lannin:
Comments from our members attending the Conference can be read HERE


“Admission to meetings of The Villages Genealogy Society is limited to
VGS members and paid guests.”


COMING EVENTS
Monday, Sep. 25th
10:00 am
Technology SIG Meeting & Workshop
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Wednesday, Sep. 27th
8:30 am
Brick Wall Solutions SIG Meeting
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Wednesday, Sep. 27th
10:00 am
VGS General Monthly Meeting
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Monday, Oct. 2nd
10:00 am
Jewish Genealogy SIG Meeting
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Wednesday, Oct. 4th
9:00 am
French Canadian Genealogy SIG Meeting
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Facts
Use a good genealogical software package to maintain your records and your digital files.
[Organization]
Use holidays and family gatherings to relate stories to the next generations. Christmas and Thanksgiving are great holidays for this to happen.
[Interviews]
Prepare a census timeline before you begin. Review what you will find in the census you are searching. Work backwards from the most recent census. Expect spelling and age variations.
[Census]
Evidence: Direct Information in this source seems to address the research question all by itself.evidence speaks to the point in question.
[Sources & Evidence]
USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) was formerly known as INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service). Searching for Immigration and naturalization records is essential in genealogy research. The website which allows patrons to order index searches or record copies is at: CISHistory.Library@dhs.gov. Payment is required for searching the indexes, and then payment again to obtain copies of records located. 20th century records include: Certificate Files (C-Files); Registry Files; Visa Files; Alien Registration and A-Files.
[Federal Records]
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