Minnesota Genealogical Society upcoming events

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

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.

NotebookLM for the Genealogist (1 Jul 2026)

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

NotebookLM for Genealogists
With Robert Cameron Weir

Description:

Dive into the world of NotebookLM, Google’s “personal AI-based research assistant,” and discover how it can supercharge your genealogical research. Imagine having an assistant that not only organizes your notes, books, journal articles, and original records but also helps you make connections and draw insights from them. In this session, we’ll explore how to maximize the productivity boost from NotebookLM, turning complex data into clear stories and actionable discoveries. Whether you’re managing stacks of family records or sifting through historical documents, NotebookLM could be the tool that transforms your research journey.

Audience level: All

Biography

Robert Cameron Weir is a genealogical researcher, educator, and author who lives in Dover, New Hampshire. He specializes in hard problems related to New England genealogy, from 1620 to the present. He is a member of the Association for Professional Genealogists and is Vice President and Publications Director for the New Hampshire Society of Genealogists.

Registrations Link

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.

Generations Journal Office Hours (Webinar) - New Date (10 Sep 2026)

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Generations Journal Office Hours (Webinar)

Journal Editors Office Hours offers prospective and current genealogy authors a unique opportunity to receive individualized, live feedback on their article submissions directly from experienced journal editors. Participants will submit their draft articles at least seven days prior to the event, allowing editors time for a thoughtful review.

During the event, each author will be scheduled for a private 15–20 minute one-on-one session with one of the two editors. These feedback sessions will take place in Zoom breakout rooms to ensure confidentiality and focused discussion. Editors will walk authors through suggested revisions, discuss strengths and areas for improvement, and answer questions about preparing an article for publication in a genealogical journal.

This event is ideal for writers seeking to strengthen their work, better understand editorial expectations, and gain confidence in the submission process.

Articles should be submitted by Thursday, September 3 rd to journal@mngs.org. We can accept a total of 10 articles for feedback. Upon receipt of your article, you will be sent a meeting link.

The 6-8 pm session will include 30 minutes of general Q&A and then 15 minute breakout sessions with each author.

Submission Link

Research Plans: A “Hands-On” Workshop (12 Sep 2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Research Plans: A “Hands-On” Workshop

Instructor: Paula Stuart Warren, Certified Genealogist®, FMGS, FUGA

About the class:

It’s not as simple as opening the refrigerator and seeing that the milk jug is almost empty. You simply add it to the shopping list. Planning our shopping list for genealogical research is more involved but not beyond reach. In our research, success improves with planning, discussion, and techniques that develop step-by-step research plans. We need to add the who, what, and where. Analyzing information, recognizing detail gaps, and creating research goals are key. No need to stare at a census, story, obituary, will, deed, or other item and stress about what’s next in the search. Learn steps to create a solid step-by-step research plan, including some audience participation. Tips and examples for creating such plan will be included in the presentation and handout. During this session we will work on some specific documents together and compile step-by-step research plans. These group exercises may show that you know more than you think!

About the Instructor:

Paula Stuart Warren is an educator, researcher, and consultant on manuscripts, methodology, analysis, Native Americans, WPA, and Railroads. Coordinator for GRIP and taught for Ancestry Academy, SLIG, and TIGR. Former Board member of MGS, FGS, former officer of APG and is a board-Certified Genealogist. http://genealogybypaula.com

Experience level: All

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

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 (30 Oct 2026)

Fri, 30 Oct 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Timelines for Organizing, Analyzing, and Breaking Down Brick Walls (4 Nov 2026)

Thu, 05 Nov 2026 01:00:00 GMT

MGS November Webinar:
Timelines for Organizing, Analyzing, and Breaking Down Brick Walls
Instructor: Karen Fortin

Timelines can be a valuable tool in genealogical research. This presentation will explore ways to create timelines and use them to organize an ancestor’s information, analyze this information for gaps or conflicts, help break through genealogical brick walls, and more.

About the Instructor:

Karen has given hundreds of genealogical presentations since 2016, both in-person and online for societies such as Southern California, Massachusetts, Western New York, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin. She presented webinars for Minnesota Genealogical Society in 2020, 2022, and 2024, and recently was chosen for one of the on-demand video presentations for the 2025 New York State Family History Conference, a live video presentation for the Utah Genealogical Society’s 2025 Virtual Conference, and as an in-person speaker at the 2025 New England Regional Genealogical Conference.

Sponsored by: Minnesota Genealogical Society

Experience level: All

Cost: Free

Registration Required (limited to 100). Click here to register

Urban Research: Using Correlation of Data to Solve Family Mysteries (14 Nov 2026)

Sat, 14 Nov 2026 16:00:00 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) (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.

Using Church Records in Minnesota and the Midwest (2 Dec 2026)

Thu, 03 Dec 2026 01:00:00 GMT

MGS December Webinar:Using Church Records in Minnesota and the Midwest
Instructor: Sunny Morton

Learn to use religious records to find genealogical clues and stories about your relatives in Minnesota and the Midwest, whether they were Lutheran, Catholic, Methodist, or another of the many possible denominations. Get tips for identifying a family’s congregation; clues about ethnicity and affiliation; what kinds of migration clues may be found in church records and histories; and how to locate extant records. From the co-author of the award-winning book, How to Find Your Family History in U.S. Church Records and the author of the new volume, Searching for Sisters: Researching Catholic Nuns in the United States.

About the Instructor:

Sunny is an experienced instructor, in-person and online. She has taught at GRIP Genealogy Institute; SLIG; NGS; the Library of Congress; RootsTech and RootsTech London; and other events throughout the United States and beyond. She is an experienced online instructor with Family Tree University, Your DNA Guide—the Academy, and Legacy Family Tree Webinars and has given hundreds of webinars to societies and libraries.

Sponsored by: Minnesota Genealogical Society

Experience level: All

Cost: Free

Registration Required (limited to 100). Click here to register

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 (27 Jun 2026)

Writing Interest Group - Meetings (27 Jun 2026)

Beginning Genealogy (Class) (28 Jun 2026)

NotebookLM for the Genealogist (1 Jul 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)

Generations Journal Office Hours (Webinar) - New Date (10 Sep 2026)

Research Plans: A “Hands-On” Workshop (12 Sep 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 (30 Oct 2026)

Timelines for Organizing, Analyzing, and Breaking Down Brick Walls (4 Nov 2026)

MGS November Webinar:Timelines for Organizing, Analyzing, and Breaking Down Brick Walls Instructor: Karen Fortin

Urban Research: Using Correlation of Data to Solve Family Mysteries (14 Nov 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)

Using Church Records in Minnesota and the Midwest (2 Dec 2026)

MGS December Webinar:Using Church Records in Minnesota and the Midwest Instructor: Sunny Morton

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

MGS November Webinar:
Timelines for Organizing, Analyzing, and Breaking Down Brick Walls
Instructor: Karen Fortin

MGS December Webinar:Using Church Records in Minnesota and the Midwest
Instructor: Sunny Morton