P. G. S. News

Volume 7, Issue 10

November 2002

Previous Issue

Meetings
Everyone loves an adventure and at the last October meeting members shared successes from some of their more interesting genealogy travels. Pat Strait described her trip to her family’s home town of Hume (Bates County, Missouri), a place filled with southern hospitality. She found her grandparent’s marriage site and her great-grandparent’s burial site and met lots of interesting people. Al Hamilton recounted his tale about leaving Florida to search for the Malones and ending up back home in Dunedin. Charlie Grandmaison reminded us of the importance of using historical societies in our genealogy research. History and genealogy are always intertwined and these local societies often hold treasures in their collections. It was suggested that at each meeting in the future there be given a period of time for the sharing of more such vignettes. So start thinking of a story you would like to share.
THE 2002 CALENDAR All meetings begin at 11:00 a.m. in the Jenkins auditorium in the Largo Public Library. Guests are warmly welcomed and encouraged to attend.

Classes
See the October classes on the 2002 Calendar. We are changing the format of our classes this summer in hopes of getting more interaction from the participants. Rather than the standard instructor led presentation, our new classes will be more study and discussion groups. The beginner study group is designed to be a friendly introduction for people new to genealogy as well as a place for the more experienced genealogist to share tips or find out about new sources. The moderator’s task will be to get the discussion going and keep the group focused. If you have a special interest that you think we could build a group around please share it with Bette Raup bettelr@gte.net or Mercedes Bleatttler mbleattl@largo.com.


Computers In Genealogy
The Computer Interest Group is a forum for genealogists to discuss computer programs, Internet discoveries and solutions to problems. This lively group meets at 9:45 am, before the regular PGS meeting, in the Jenkins Room. Guests are welcomed—hurry in – seats fill up fast!! For more information, or to join the email discussion list, email Bob Bryan.

PGS Quarterly needs you!
If you have queries, please turn them in to William Wallace or to the Volunteer Desk for inclusion in the next issue of The Pinellas Genealogist. Remember, this issue will be mailed out all over the country! Local members will now be receiving their quarterly at the PGS Saturday meeting. The Editor would also appreciate stories of your research trips and reviews of printed or computerized genealogy materials. Naturally, Pinellas County material is always needed. PGS Members: Up to two queries are free!! Thank you for your continued support of our quarterly!

News from Special Collections
• When calling the Largo Library with questions relating to genealogy, please use the number for the Genealogy Help Desk: 586-7410. • Please do not re-shelve books or return other materials. Our volunteers count each item returned as a statistic. These counts help us to determine our peak times for service and areas of high demand. Thank you! • Please continue to bring in flyers or brochures about libraries you visit this year. Thanks! • When using the microfilm, please rewind the film before returning it to its box. Please do not remove the take-up reel; this will only leave the film in an upside-down and backwards state!

LOOK!
Census Indexes
Often when a beginning genealogist comes to the Largo library to do research, the Federal Censuses are some of the first sources we suggest. If your ancestor is from a larger city, it will be necessary to use an index of some sort, which we have at the library in the following formats: Books: Over 80 print indexes covering various years and states, including the complete 1800 index. CD ROMS: Over 133 CD ROMS for various states and years, including the FamilySearch 1880 complete census and index. OnLine Databases: Two subscriptions databases: Heritage Quest and AncestryPlus.com. Currently, Heritage Quest has an index to the following years: 1790, 1800, 1810, and 1870. AncestryPlus.com has an index to 1790, 1800, 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1920 and a partial index to 1930 (which is growing as we read this) These two databases are only accessible from the library computers. If your state and/or year are not covered in these sources we can order the appropriate Soundex roll for you at the Reference Desk for a small fee.
IGI UPDATE
A new version of the International Genealogical Index is available now from the FamilySearch. There are NO plans to release this update in a CD ROM format. In order to get the most recent version you must go online at www.familysearch.org. The library computers have this site bookmarked for your convenience.

2 NEW ITEMS FOR SALE
BUSSEY FUNERAL HOME RECORDS, St. Petersburg, Fl, 2002. 92 pgs, 557 entries, photocopies of the Register of Funerals. $10.00+tax+S/H GREENWOOD CEMETERY, St. Petersburg, 2002. 263 pgs., 1329 entries, history, photos, obits, maps and more. $31.00+tax+S/H. Shipping and handling for all books is 1-2 books, $5.00; 3-4 books, $8.00.
(Check out our other books for sale.)

BEFORE YOU GO ON VACATION…
Check out the Vertical File! It is located between the microfiche cabinet and the military books. Inside you will find file folders with materials from libraries around the country. Check out the Road Maps! They are now in the first drawer of the Manuscript File cabinets next to the volunteer desk. Remind yourself to collect and bring back to share newsletters and handouts from the libraries you visit. Share your experiences at genealogy libraries your visited with the society by writing a small article for the newsletter.

Check out the new materials in Special Collections

SUGGESTION BOX
In the genealogy area of Special Collections, on a cabinet next to the Federal census film cabinets, is a Suggestion Box. Please take the time to drop us a note and let us know how we are doing. Any new ideas for new classes or programs? Any requests for books or films to order? We appreciate your advice.

Upcoming Seminars
• Florida State Genealogical Society’s 26^th Annual Conference at the St. Petersburg Hilton on November 15^th and 16^th , 2002. There is still time to register as the deadline cutoff has been lifted. Call 727-894-5000 for details. This is a great opportunity to learn more about such topics as:
	Land Records	Census Records	Tax Lists	Immigration
	Internet	Church Records	Slave Research	Jewish Research
	Society Management	Florida Research	National Archives East Point, Georgia
• Pinellas Genealogy Society’s annual seminar at the Largo Family History Center on January 25^th, 2003. • Florida Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society will meet at the Largo Cultural Center on February 14^th, 2003.