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Minnesota Genealogical Society

1385 Mendota Heights Road, Suite 100
Mendota Heights, MN  55120-1367
(651) 330-9312 • info@mngs.org

Events sponsored by the Minnesota Genealogical Society

Upcoming events

    • 25 Apr 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:30 PM
    • Zoom

    Writing with a Purpose: Jay Fonkert, CG

    The great Jay Fonkert will be facilitating a discussion around Purpose and Audience on Saturday April 25th at 10am

    There are many different ways to approach writing and presentation of research.  In this session, Jay Fonkert will remind us of the process and practice of writing, setting ourselves up for success in achieving our writing goals.  We will consider purpose and audience, manageability, and motivation. Seat time, portability, and public (or private) access will be topics already familiar to most of us; let's take a closer look!

    J. H. (“Jay”) Fonkert served for 15 years as co-managing editor of Generations, formerly known as Minnesota Genealogist. He published 100 articles and reviews, including five research articles in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly. A board-certified genealogist, he is a two-time past president of MGS and a wonderful supporter of the writing group!

    Find the zoom link in the members area on the website.

    I hope to see you on Saturday!


    • 25 Apr 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    Monthly Board Meeting

    • 26 Apr 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • MGC

    Are you refreshed and ready to start discovering your family's history? MGS Library Manager Jeanne Bielke-Rodenbiker will provide you with tips and tools to make 2026 the year you find out. A useful handout and library tour are included. And it is free!

    No registration is needed - come and join us.

    • 9 May 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
    • Minnesota Genealogy Center, Mississippi Room
    • 34
    Register

      Instructor: Jessica Fontana

    About the class:

    This class will use case studies to focus on organizing your research, and combining analysis of data gathered to move the research forward and avoid the pitfalls of same-named people or people that disappear in the city. It will include use FAN club to follow the family group using different record types, including maps.

    About the Instructor:

    Jessica Fontana is a genealogist with over 15 years of experience. She specializes in U.S. research with expertise in Southern, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Great Lakes states. She also specializes in African American Family research.

    Jessica has a Master of Science degree in Extension Education from The Ohio State University, with specialized study in Adult Education Methods. She presented at the Minnesota Genealogical Society (MNGS) 2025 North Star Conference and the Upper Midwest Genealogical Institute hosted by MNGS, as well as the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center and the Arkansas Genealogical Society. She is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), the APG Forensic Genealogists Special Interest Group, the National Genealogical Society, and the Minnesota Genealogical Society. She is also a member of the Minnesota based Early Midwest Black Heritage Group; this collective is researching the state and region’s early Black pioneers (1840s-1900s).

    Sponsored by: Minnesota Genealogical Society

    Experience level:  All

    Cost:
    $40 for non-Members, $30 for MGS Members, limit to 35 registrants.

    • 9 May 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • MGC

    Are you refreshed and ready to start discovering your family's history? MGS Library Manager Jeanne Bielke-Rodenbiker will provide you with tips and tools to make 2026 the year you find out. A useful handout and library tour are included. And it is free!

    No registration is needed - come and join us.

    • 23 May 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:30 PM
    • Zoom

    tbd


    • 23 May 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    Monthly Board Meeting

    • 23 May 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
    • Hybrid on Zoom, with a live audience at the Minnesota Genealogy Center

    Marie Mattson, CG®, 

    Description:

    This program will show how common errors in our research can prevent us from breaking down our brick walls. A research tool called “cluster research” will be explained. 

    Speaker:

    Marie Mattson, CG®, lives in Northern Wisconsin, but has early Minnesota and New England roots. She has published articles include NYG&B Record, Western Pennsylvania Quarterly, Minnesota Genealogist/Generations, and Past Tracks (Arizona). In 2025 she presented two sessions for the New York Family History Conference, and webinars for the Seattle Genealogical Society and the Finnish Genealogy Group of Minnesota.

    Location:
    In person at the MGS Mississippi Room and via Zoom on your own device.

    Cost:
    The event is free and oipen to all MGS members

    More information will be available later in May

    • 31 May 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • MGC

    Are you refreshed and ready to start discovering your family's history? MGS Library Manager Jeanne Bielke-Rodenbiker will provide you with tips and tools to make 2026 the year you find out. A useful handout and library tour are included. And it is free!

    No registration is needed - come and join us.

    • 13 Jun 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • MGC

    Are you refreshed and ready to start discovering your family's history? MGS Library Manager Jeanne Bielke-Rodenbiker will provide you with tips and tools to make 2026 the year you find out. A useful handout and library tour are included. And it is free!

    No registration is needed - come and join us.

    • 27 Jun 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:30 PM
    • Zoom

    Check in on Goals
    • 27 Jun 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    Monthly Board Meeting

    • 28 Jun 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • MGC

    Are you refreshed and ready to start discovering your family's history? MGS Library Manager Jeanne Bielke-Rodenbiker will provide you with tips and tools to make 2026 the year you find out. A useful handout and library tour are included. And it is free!

    No registration is needed - come and join us.

    • 11 Jul 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • MGC

    Are you refreshed and ready to start discovering your family's history? MGS Library Manager Jeanne Bielke-Rodenbiker will provide you with tips and tools to make 2026 the year you find out. A useful handout and library tour are included. And it is free!

    No registration is needed - come and join us.

    • 25 Jul 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:30 PM
    • Zoom

    tbd


    • 25 Jul 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    Monthly Board Meeting

    • 26 Jul 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • MGC

    Are you refreshed and ready to start discovering your family's history? MGS Library Manager Jeanne Bielke-Rodenbiker will provide you with tips and tools to make 2026 the year you find out. A useful handout and library tour are included. And it is free!

    No registration is needed - come and join us.

    • 7 Aug 2026
    • 9:30 AM
    • 8 Aug 2026
    • 4:00 PM
    • Minnesota Genealogy Center
    • 28
    Register

    Upper Midwest Genealogy Institute
    7-8 August 2026


    Your registration fee includes all instruction and course syllabus material.

    Box lunches can be purchased for $15 for each day of the institute.  Lunches include a sandwich, can of pop, and three other sides.  Attendees who purchase lunches will receive an email in July to select sandwich choices.  We'll also provide a gluten-free and vegetarian option each day.

    Institute Tuition

    MGS members:           $210

    Non-members:            $225

    Box Lunch:                    $15 per lunch (soft drink included)

    • 8 Aug 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • MGC

    Are you refreshed and ready to start discovering your family's history? MGS Library Manager Jeanne Bielke-Rodenbiker will provide you with tips and tools to make 2026 the year you find out. A useful handout and library tour are included. And it is free!

    No registration is needed - come and join us.

    • 30 Aug 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • MGC

    Are you refreshed and ready to start discovering your family's history? MGS Library Manager Jeanne Bielke-Rodenbiker will provide you with tips and tools to make 2026 the year you find out. A useful handout and library tour are included. And it is free!

    No registration is needed - come and join us.

    • 12 Sep 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • MGC

    Are you refreshed and ready to start discovering your family's history? MGS Library Manager Jeanne Bielke-Rodenbiker will provide you with tips and tools to make 2026 the year you find out. A useful handout and library tour are included. And it is free!

    No registration is needed - come and join us.

    • 26 Sep 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    Monthly Board Meeting

    • 26 Sep 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:30 PM
    • Zoom
    Using a DNA connection - joint meeting with the DNA interest group
    • 27 Sep 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • MGC

    Are you refreshed and ready to start discovering your family's history? MGS Library Manager Jeanne Bielke-Rodenbiker will provide you with tips and tools to make 2026 the year you find out. A useful handout and library tour are included. And it is free!

    No registration is needed - come and join us.

    • 10 Oct 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • MGC

    Are you refreshed and ready to start discovering your family's history? MGS Library Manager Jeanne Bielke-Rodenbiker will provide you with tips and tools to make 2026 the year you find out. A useful handout and library tour are included. And it is free!

    No registration is needed - come and join us.

    • 17 Oct 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:30 PM
    • Zoom
    Possibly: Appropriation, authenticity, and boundaries - guest speaker? - writing about difficult topics
    • 24 Oct 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    Monthly Board Meeting

    • 25 Oct 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • MGC

    Are you refreshed and ready to start discovering your family's history? MGS Library Manager Jeanne Bielke-Rodenbiker will provide you with tips and tools to make 2026 the year you find out. A useful handout and library tour are included. And it is free!

    No registration is needed - come and join us.

    • 31 Oct 2026
    • Eagan Community Center


    • 14 Nov 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • MGC

    Are you refreshed and ready to start discovering your family's history? MGS Library Manager Jeanne Bielke-Rodenbiker will provide you with tips and tools to make 2026 the year you find out. A useful handout and library tour are included. And it is free!

    No registration is needed - come and join us.

    • 21 Nov 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:30 PM
    • Zoom
    Check in on goals and Setting Goals for 2027
    • 28 Nov 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    Monthly Board Meeting

    • 29 Nov 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • MGC

    Are you refreshed and ready to start discovering your family's history? MGS Library Manager Jeanne Bielke-Rodenbiker will provide you with tips and tools to make 2026 the year you find out. A useful handout and library tour are included. And it is free!

    No registration is needed - come and join us.

    • 5 Dec 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    Annual Meeting

    • 12 Dec 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • MGC

    Are you refreshed and ready to start discovering your family's history? MGS Library Manager Jeanne Bielke-Rodenbiker will provide you with tips and tools to make 2026 the year you find out. A useful handout and library tour are included. And it is free!

    No registration is needed - come and join us.

    • 27 Dec 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • MGC

    Are you refreshed and ready to start discovering your family's history? MGS Library Manager Jeanne Bielke-Rodenbiker will provide you with tips and tools to make 2026 the year you find out. A useful handout and library tour are included. And it is free!

    No registration is needed - come and join us.

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Minnesota Genealogical Society

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