Minnesota Genealogical Society upcoming events

MGS Board of Directors Meeting (25 Apr 2026)

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Monthly Board Meeting

Writing Interest Group - Writing with a Purpose: Jay Fonkert, CG (25 Apr 2026)

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 15:00:00 GMT

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!

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (26 Apr 2026)

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 18:00:00 GMT

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.

Urban Research: Using Correlation of Data to Solve Family Mysteries (9 May 2026)

Sat, 09 May 2026 15:00:00 GMT

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.

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (9 May 2026)

Sat, 09 May 2026 18:00:00 GMT

No registration is needed - come and join us.

MGS Board of Directors Meeting (23 May 2026)

Sat, 23 May 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Monthly Board Meeting

Writing Interest Group - Meetings (23 May 2026)

Sat, 23 May 2026 15:00:00 GMT

tbd

Five Common Errors That Derail Research (23 May 2026)

Sat, 23 May 2026 18:00:00 GMT

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

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (31 May 2026)

Sun, 31 May 2026 18:00:00 GMT

No registration is needed - come and join us.

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (13 Jun 2026)

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 18:00:00 GMT

No registration is needed - come and join us.

MGS Board of Directors Meeting (27 Jun 2026)

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Monthly Board Meeting

Writing Interest Group - Meetings (27 Jun 2026)

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Check in on Goals

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (28 Jun 2026)

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 18:00:00 GMT

No registration is needed - come and join us.

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (11 Jul 2026)

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 18:00:00 GMT

No registration is needed - come and join us.

MGS Board of Directors Meeting (25 Jul 2026)

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Monthly Board Meeting

Writing Interest Group - Meetings (25 Jul 2026)

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 15:00:00 GMT

tbd

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (26 Jul 2026)

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 18:00:00 GMT

No registration is needed - come and join us.

Upper Midwest Genealogy Institute 2026 (7 Aug 2026)

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 14:30:00 GMT

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)

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (8 Aug 2026)

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 18:00:00 GMT

No registration is needed - come and join us.

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (30 Aug 2026)

Sun, 30 Aug 2026 18:00:00 GMT

No registration is needed - come and join us.

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (12 Sep 2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 18:00:00 GMT

No registration is needed - come and join us.

MGS Board of Directors Meeting (26 Sep 2026)

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Monthly Board Meeting

Writing Interest Group - Meetings (26 Sep 2026)

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Using a DNA connection - joint meeting with the DNA interest group

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (27 Sep 2026)

Sun, 27 Sep 2026 18:00:00 GMT

No registration is needed - come and join us.

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (10 Oct 2026)

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 18:00:00 GMT

No registration is needed - come and join us.

Writing Interest Group - Meetings (17 Oct 2026)

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Possibly: Appropriation, authenticity, and boundaries - guest speaker? - writing about difficult topics

MGS Board of Directors Meeting (24 Oct 2026)

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Monthly Board Meeting

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (25 Oct 2026)

Sun, 25 Oct 2026 18:00:00 GMT

No registration is needed - come and join us.

North Star 2026 - Conference (31 Oct 2026)

Sat, 31 Oct 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (14 Nov 2026)

Sat, 14 Nov 2026 19:00:00 GMT

No registration is needed - come and join us.

Writing Interest Group - Meetings (21 Nov 2026)

Sat, 21 Nov 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Check in on goals and Setting Goals for 2027

MGS Board of Directors Meeting (28 Nov 2026)

Sat, 28 Nov 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Monthly Board Meeting

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (29 Nov 2026)

Sun, 29 Nov 2026 19:00:00 GMT

No registration is needed - come and join us.

MGS Annual Meeting (5 Dec 2026)

Sat, 05 Dec 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Annual Meeting

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (12 Dec 2026)

Sat, 12 Dec 2026 19:00:00 GMT

No registration is needed - come and join us.

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (27 Dec 2026)

Sun, 27 Dec 2026 19:00:00 GMT

No registration is needed - come and join us.

Minnesota Genealogical Society upcoming events

MGS Board of Directors Meeting (25 Apr 2026)

Writing Interest Group - Writing with a Purpose: Jay Fonkert, CG (25 Apr 2026)

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (26 Apr 2026)

Urban Research: Using Correlation of Data to Solve Family Mysteries (9 May 2026)

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (9 May 2026)

MGS Board of Directors Meeting (23 May 2026)

Writing Interest Group - Meetings (23 May 2026)

Five Common Errors That Derail Research (23 May 2026)

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (31 May 2026)

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (13 Jun 2026)

MGS Board of Directors Meeting (27 Jun 2026)

Writing Interest Group - Meetings (27 Jun 2026)

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (28 Jun 2026)

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (11 Jul 2026)

MGS Board of Directors Meeting (25 Jul 2026)

Writing Interest Group - Meetings (25 Jul 2026)

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (26 Jul 2026)

Upper Midwest Genealogy Institute 2026 (7 Aug 2026)

Upper Midwest Genealogy Institute 7-8 August 2026

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (8 Aug 2026)

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (30 Aug 2026)

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (12 Sep 2026)

MGS Board of Directors Meeting (26 Sep 2026)

Writing Interest Group - Meetings (26 Sep 2026)

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (27 Sep 2026)

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (10 Oct 2026)

Writing Interest Group - Meetings (17 Oct 2026)

MGS Board of Directors Meeting (24 Oct 2026)

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (25 Oct 2026)

North Star 2026 - Conference (31 Oct 2026)

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (14 Nov 2026)

Writing Interest Group - Meetings (21 Nov 2026)

MGS Board of Directors Meeting (28 Nov 2026)

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (29 Nov 2026)

MGS Annual Meeting (5 Dec 2026)

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (12 Dec 2026)

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (27 Dec 2026)

Upper Midwest Genealogy Institute
7-8 August 2026