Villages Genealogical Society

Special Interest Groups

Note: Space is limited and you must be a Villages resident and a member of the Villages Genealogical Society to attend any of these meetings.
Group	About the Group
French Canadian Genealogy	The French Canadian Special Interest Group, coordinated by Geri Schembari, meets every first Wednesday of the month from October to March from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the Julio Inglasis room at the La Hacienda Center. During the year they also take field trips to libraries, seminars and other genealogical events. The currently have 22 active members. The group discusses points of interest to all involved such as hereditary disorders in the French Canadian population, migratory routes to the United States, New England and the mid west. The group discusses where to research to find your answers; since most of us have the same ancestors we share our knowledge to each other through reports. We have been encouraging everyone to write their story or stories for future generations. Everyone has a chance to speak about their own research and what has been helpful to them in their research. We focus on whatever someone has a question on, something found out, etc. We also try to teach the use of computers (lap tops, programs), how to research effectively, etc. Members are asked to bring a family group record of all their french-canadian ancestors, any writings they have accomplished in the month that they wish to share and anything that may be of interest to the group. Often, two hours is not enough time for the meeting. During the month a news memo is sent out to the group or individually from one to the other with an item or items of research that may be of interest to one or all of us. This keeps everyone involved and in the loop.
Irish Genealogy	The Irish Genealogy Special Interest Group, coordinated by Tom Voyles, meets the second Wednesday of each month from 10 AM to noon in the Jose Iturbo Room of the Hacienda Recreation Center. Meetings are free-flowing question and answer sessions and discussions. At some meetings Tom presents information on a particular topic having to do with Irish genealogy. At other sessions he may bring in Irish soda bread, or show a video having to do with Ireland or Irish genealogy. Tom has written a research guide which I pass out to members which outlines the records that are available, what information is contained in them, and how and where to access them.
New England Genealogy	The New England Special Interest Group, coordinated by Bev Chartier, meets the third Wednesday of the month from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in the Jose Iturbo Room of the Hacienda Recreation Center. We presently have 22 members and the group is going well and a lot of information is being shared. Group members should bring ancestors names and anything they know about them to the meeting. Many members have found their ancestors but many are still researching or have met the brick wall. Members should expect to share and bring in any information they have found that may help others in the group with their research.
Brick Walls	The Brick Wall Special Interest Group, coordinated by Bev Schonewolf, meets the fourth Wednesday of each month from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM in the Jose Iturbo Room of the Hacienda Recreation Center. We discuss each member's brick wall, suggest research methods for a solution. Each member is encouraged to complete the attached worksheet so we can take the problem home to approach it from different perspectives. We also discuss research techniques and standards of proof. Everyone has a turn to discuss their brick wall. We have had many successes, but there are always those walls that just will not collapse; often because we are misdirected to look in the wrong place. Here is a list of some websites to help in your research. There is always room for new attendees as it is a roll-over group. Some come routinely to help others, some come for help and/or a solution and then do not return.
German Genealogy	The German Genealogy Special Interest Group, coordinated by Ken Geiger , meets every second Wednesday of the month at El Santiago Recreation Center at 9:00 AM. It is an informal group with no specific presentations or agenda as we let each attendee contribute what they might have found out in the way of web sites or other sources during the previous month. In addition, attendees are also encouraged to ask for help with a specific problem or general help with an area of the country, be it research, a specific family name or even persons helping from prior experience in a given location. There are several members in the group who are very well versed in most areas of the country and have been a big help to newcomers in researching German genealogical problems.
For more information contact the info desk.