Manatee Genealogical Society Meeting and Program

🧬 Unlock Family Secrets with DNA Testing! 🧬
Tuesday, June 2, 2026 
🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST 
💻 Zoom-Only Event
<hr>
🔍 Program Title:
"Finding Your Family with DNA Testing" 
Presented by Richard Hill
Learn how adoptees and others find biological parents and siblings through DNA testing. Review the case that started it all and see today’s recommended strategies. View examples of surprise discoveries and see the tools used to identify relationships.
✨ You’ll learn:
<ul>
 <li>How DNA testing launched a new era of family discovery</li>
 <li>Recommended strategies for solving family mysteries</li>
 <li>Real-life case studies and surprise discoveries</li>
 <li>The essential tools used to identify relationships</li>
</ul>
<hr>
🎤 About the Speaker:
Richard Hill was the first adoptee to identify his birth family through genetic genealogy DNA tests, sharing the story of his decades-long search in an award-winning book, “Finding Family: My Search for Roots and the Secrets in My DNA.” His Kindle Short Book, “Guide to DNA Testing,” gives readers just enough information to choose the proper DNA tests for their purposes. He has founded two websites on DNA testing, most recently DNAFavorites.com. He is a member of the Genealogical Speakers Guild and the International Society of Genetic Genealogy. 
<hr>
🤝 Stay After the Program!
Following the presentation, remain online for our “Members Helping Members” session — a valuable opportunity to ask questions, share tips, and connect with fellow researchers.
<hr>
🎟 Registration Information:
Open to the Public — Advance Registration Required 
Non-members must register at least one day in advance by emailing: 
📧 info@mgsfl.org


<hr>
📂 Handouts &amp; Recording:
If available, the presentation handout will be posted before the meeting in the Members Only section of our website: 
<a href="https://mgsfl.org/members.php" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a>A video recording may also be posted afterward for members, depending on speaker permission. Access may be time-limited.

<hr>
❓ Questions?
Contact us at: info@mgsfl.org
We hope you’ll join us for this fascinating journey into genetic genealogy!

Local Event: Richard Hill presents " Finding Your Family with DNA Testing"

Manatee County

Bradenton

Florida

Richard Hill presents " Finding Your Family...

🧬 Unlock Family Secrets with DNA Testing! 🧬
Tuesday, June 2, 2026 
🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST 
💻 Zoom-Only Event

🔍 Program...

Richard Hill presents " Finding Your Family with DNA Testing"

Uncover Your Revolutionary War Ancestor!
Tuesday, July 7, 2026 
🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST 
💻 Zoom-Only Event
<hr>
🔍 Program Title:
"Your Revolutionary War Ancestor: A Case Study" 
Presented by Craig R. Scott, MA, CG, FUGA
A Revolutionary War ancestor can be a goldmine of information if you know where to look. This lecture aims to examine types of service, compiled military service records, pension applications, settled accounts, and where other documents can be found using a step-by-step methodology in a case study.
✨ You’ll learn how to locate and use:
<ul>
 <li>Compiled military service records</li>
 <li>Pension applications</li>
 <li>Settled accounts</li>
 <li>Additional military and government documents</li>
 <li>A proven step-by-step research methodology</li>
</ul>
<hr>
🎤 About the Speaker:
Craig R. Scott, MA, CG, FUGA is President and CEO of Heritage Books, Inc. and a professional genealogical and historical researcher for over 40 years. He specializes in National Archives records, particularly military documentation. Craig has coordinated military tracks at IGHR, SLIG, and GRIP, and currently serves as Coordinator of the SLIG Consultation Track, helping researchers break through stubborn brick walls.
<hr>
🤝 Stay After the Program!
Following the presentation, remain online for our “Members Helping Members” session — a collaborative opportunity to ask questions, exchange ideas, and gain fresh research insights.
<hr>
🎟 Registration Information:
Open to the Public — Advance Registration Required 
Non-members must register at least one day in advance by emailing: 
📧 info@mgsfl.org


<hr>
📂 Handouts &amp; Recording:
If available, the presentation handout will be posted before the meeting in the Members Only section of our website: 
<a href="https://mgsfl.org/members.php" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">mgsfl.org/members.php</a> → Meeting Handouts
A video recording may also be posted afterward for members, depending on speaker permission. Access may be time-limited.
<hr>
❓ Questions?
Contact us at: info@mgsfl.org
Join us for this fascinating journey into Revolutionary War research and bring your ancestors’ stories to life!

Local Event: Craig R. Scott presents "Your Revolutionary War Ancestor: A Case Study"

Craig R. Scott presents "Your Revolutionary War...

Uncover Your Revolutionary War Ancestor!
Tuesday, July 7, 2026 
🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST 
💻 Zoom-Only Event

🔍 Program...

Craig R. Scott presents "Your Revolutionary War Ancestor: A Case Study"

📅 Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2026 
⏰ Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EST 
💻 Format: Zoom-only event
🎓 Program Title: 
Our Quaker Ancestors: Their History and the Records They Left
🎤 Presenter:
Annette Burke Lyttle, MA, CG®
📖 Program Overview:&nbsp;Quakers were among the earliest settlers in North America and as they moved west, they were often the earliest settlers in newly opened territory. Quakers were amazing record-keepers. Not only did they record births, marriages, and deaths, they kept extensive records on those who came into their local meetings and those who left. Transgressions by members of the community were publicly discussed and recorded, and as they came to believe that slavery was evil their records on Quakers who kept slaves became extensive. Learn about the history of these pioneering Americans and how to find the rich records they left behind.

👩‍🏫 About the Speaker: 
Annette Burke Lyttle, CG®, owns Heritage Detective, LLC, providing professional genealogical services in research, education, and writing. She speaks on a variety of genealogical topics at the international, national, state, and local levels and loves helping people uncover and share their family stories. Annette is a course coordinator for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy and the British Institute. She is a published writer whose research interests include Quaker ancestors and ancestral migrations in the US. She is past president of the Association of Professional Genealogists and editor of The Florida Genealogist.
🤝 After the Program: 
Stay online for our “Members Helping Members” session.
📝 Registration: 
Open to the public. Advance registration required. 
Non-members must register at least one day in advance by emailing info@mgsfl.org.

📂 Handouts &amp; Recording: 
If available, handouts and recordings will be posted in the Members Only
section of our website. Access may be time-limited.
❓ Questions: 
Email info@mgsfl.org

Local Event: Annette Burke Lyttle presents "Our Quaker Ancestors: Their History and the Records They Left"

Annette Burke Lyttle presents "Our Quaker...

📅 Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2026 
⏰ Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EST 
💻 Format: Zoom-only event
🎓 Program Title: 
Our Quaker...

Annette Burke Lyttle presents "Our Quaker Ancestors: Their History and the Records They Left"

🧬 Crack the Case of Same-Name Ancestors! 🧬
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 
🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST 
💻 Zoom-Only Event
<hr>
🔍 Program Title:
"Separating Multiple Generations of Men with the Same Name" 
Presented by Diana Elder
When many descendants of the original settler inherit his name, diagramming and careful analysis of land, tax, and probate records can reconstruct families.
<hr>
🎤 About the Speaker:
Diana Elder AGⓇ, AGL™ is a professional genealogist accredited in the Gulf South region and serves on the advisory board for The International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen). She is the author of Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide and co-author of Research Like a Pro with DNA.
With her daughter Nicole, Diana has built a comprehensive educational platform teaching through study groups, an interactive eCourse, and the Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast. She shares research strategies on Family Locket (familylocket.com), making professional-level techniques accessible to genealogists worldwide.
<hr>
🤝 Stay After the Program!
Following the presentation, remain online for our “Members Helping Members” session — a great opportunity to ask questions, share research challenges, and learn from fellow members.
<hr>
🎟 Registration Information:
Open to the Public — Advance Registration Required 
Non-members must register at least one day in advance by emailing: 
📧 info@mgsfl.org
<hr>


📂 Handouts &amp; Recording:
If available, the presentation handout will be posted before the meeting in the Members Only section of our website.
A video recording may also be posted afterward for members, depending on the speaker’s agreement. Access may be time-limited.
<hr>
❓ Questions?
Contact us at: info@mgsfl.org
We hope you’ll join us for this practical and problem-solving session!

Local Event: "Separating Multiple Generations of Men with the Same Name" by Diana Elder

"Separating Multiple Generations of Men with...

🧬 Crack the Case of Same-Name Ancestors! 🧬
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 
🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST 
💻 Zoom-Only Event

🔍 Program...

"Separating Multiple Generations of Men with the Same Name" by Diana Elder

📜 Decode Early Census Records &amp; Break Through Brick Walls! 📜
Tuesday, October 6, 2026 
🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST 
💻 Zoom-Only Event
<hr>
🔍 Program Title:
"Strategies for Using Pre-1850 Census Schedules" 
Presented by Angela Packer McGhie
Confused by the tick marks on the 1790 to 1840 U.S. census population schedules? These records are valuable for genealogists but require a different approach than other census records. Learn strategies for using the pre-1850 census records to locate and learn more about your ancestors.
<hr>
🎤 About the Speaker:
Angela Packer McGhie, CG, FUGA, is the president of the Board for Certification of Genealogists. She is passionate about genealogy education and enjoys developing and coordinating courses at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy and the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research. Angela is a popular speaker at various genealogy conferences and institutes.
Previously, Angela held roles including Education Director of the National Genealogical Society and curriculum designer and administrator of the ProGen Study Program. Angela is a former chapter president of the Association of Professional Genealogists. Her articles have appeared in UGA’s Crossroads
magazine, the APG Quarterly, and the NGS Magazine.
<hr>
🤝 Stay After the Program!
Following the presentation, stay online for our “Members Helping Members” session — a valuable time to ask questions, collaborate, and share research strategies.
<hr>
🎟 Registration Information:
Open to the Public — Advance Registration Required 
Non-members must register at least one day in advance by emailing: 
📧 info@mgsfl.org
<hr>


📂 Handouts &amp; Recording:
If available, the presentation handout will be posted before the meeting in the Members Only section of our website. A video recording may also be posted afterward for our members, depending on the speaker’s agreement. Access may be time limited.
<hr>
❓ Questions?
Contact us at: info@mgsfl.org
We hope you’ll join us for this practical and enlightening session!

Local Event: "Strategies for Using Pre-1850 Census Schedules" by Angela Packer McGhie

"Strategies for Using Pre-1850 Census...

📜 Decode Early Census Records & Break Through Brick Walls! 📜
Tuesday, October 6, 2026 
🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST 
💻 Zoom-Only...

"Strategies for Using Pre-1850 Census Schedules" by Angela Packer McGhie

Join us for our upcoming Monthly Membership Program featuring renowned genealogist Peggy Jude. While the topic will be announced soon, members can look forward to another relevant, informative presentation in the tradition of her past highly regarded programs. Mark your calendar—this is sure to be a session you won’t want to miss.
Peggy Jude is a nationally known speaker, educator, and researcher for over 40 years, teaching in 5 areas: DNA, Genealogical Technology, Preserving Family History and Heirlooms, Methods and Records, and Swedish Genealogy. She is a co-course coordinator for Foundations in DNA course at the Institute for Genealogical and Historical Research (IGHR), a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, the Genealogical Speakers Guild, a graduate of ProGen, and multiple advanced genealogical institutes.

Local Event: Topic to be determined

Topic to be determined

Join us for our upcoming Monthly Membership Program featuring renowned genealogist Peggy Jude. While the topic will be...

✍️ Bring Your Ancestors’ Stories to Life! ✍️
Tuesday, December 1, 2026 
🕙 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM EST 
🏛 Hybrid Event — Zoom and In-Person 
Manatee Central Public Library Auditorium 
1301 Barcarrota Blvd West, Bradenton, Florida
<hr>
🔍 Program Title:
"Sharing Ancestor Stories: Writing Brief Biographical Sketches" 
Presented by Karen A. Fortin
We all have interesting relatives and ancestors whose lives tell the stories of our family’s past. This presentation takes a step-by-step approach to guide you through the process of planning and writing these stories in brief, informal biographical sketches that you can share with family and friends.
<hr>
🎤 About the Speaker:
Karen A. Fortin has degrees in History and Library and Information Science and a passion for research. She worked in a public library in Florida for 30 years before switching to genealogical lecturing in 2016. She is a member of various genealogical societies and loves to help people explore their family history so that they can better understand their ancestors and the world in which they lived.
<hr>
🤝 Stay After the Program!
Following the presentation, stay online for our “Members Helping Members” session — a valuable time to ask questions, collaborate, and share research strategies.
<hr>
🎟 Registration Information:
Open to the Public — Advance Registration Required 
Non-members must register at least one day in advance by emailing: 
📧 info@mgsfl.org
<hr>


📂 Handouts &amp; Recording:
If available, the presentation handout will be posted before the meeting in the Members Only section of our website. 
<a href="https://mgsfl.org/members.php" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a>A video recording may also be posted after the event for our members, depending on the speaker’s agreement. Access may be time-limited.

<hr>
❓ Questions?
Contact us at: info@mgsfl.org
We hope you’ll join us for this inspiring and creative session!

Local Event: "Sharing Ancestor Stories: Writing Brief Biographical Sketches" by Karen A. Fortin

"Sharing Ancestor Stories: Writing Brief...

✍️ Bring Your Ancestors’ Stories to Life! ✍️
Tuesday, December 1, 2026 
🕙 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM EST 
🏛 Hybrid Event — Zoom and...

"Sharing Ancestor Stories: Writing Brief Biographical Sketches" by Karen A. Fortin

Joe Publicity

Tiffany Razzano

Tampa Bay Area

Sarasota County

Sarasota

Pinellas County

Gulfport

St. Pete

Hillsborough County

Bloomingdale-Riverview

Tampa

Pinellas Beaches

Largo

Brandon

Clearwater

Seminole Heights

DISCOVER the charm of The Ridge at Crossing Creek, a delightful GATED, BOUTIQUE community featuring only 138 quality pre-COVID-built Key West-style homes by Neal Communities. From the moment you approach the entrance to the community and through the gates, you'll be captivated by the mature native Florida landscaping, lush tree canopy, and resort-style pool overlooking a serene 22-acre pond surrounded by beautifully maintained grounds.
This stunning 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom home offers an unparalleled lifestyle with 52 feet of pristine pond frontage. Enjoy breathtaking SUNRISE AND SUNSET pond views from nearly every major room. This home is located in a section of the community where there are no neighbors to the front and no neighbors to the rear of the property, making it the perfect - private oasis for enjoying the lake life. You will love the oversized bedrooms and the spectacular view from the front door all the way through to the back of the home.

Local Event: Open House - The Ridge at Crossing Creek

Open House - The Ridge at Crossing Creek

DISCOVER the charm of The Ridge at Crossing Creek, a delightful GATED, BOUTIQUE community featuring only 138 quality...

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Posting Activity

Richard Hill presents " Finding Your Family with DNA Testing"

JUN

2

10:00 AM

Bradenton, FL

Craig R. Scott presents "Your Revolutionary War Ancestor: A Case Study"

JUL

7

10:00 AM

Bradenton, FL

Annette Burke Lyttle presents "Our Quaker Ancestors: Their History and the Records They Left"

AUG

4

10:00 AM

Bradenton, FL

"Separating Multiple Generations of Men with the Same Name" by Diana Elder

SEP

1

10:00 AM

Bradenton, FL

"Strategies for Using Pre-1850 Census Schedules" by Angela Packer McGhie

OCT

6

10:00 AM

Bradenton, FL

Topic to be determined

NOV

3

10:00 AM

Bradenton, FL

"Sharing Ancestor Stories: Writing Brief Biographical Sketches" by Karen A. Fortin

DEC

1

11:00 AM

Bradenton, FL

Open House - The Ridge at Crossing Creek