Blog

Question: Should FGS Tampa Go to the State Fair?

For many years FGS Tampa participated in the Florida State Fair with a booth offering free genealogy and family history advice. This is part of our effort to give back to the Tampa Bay community, encourage people to explore their own family histories, and attract new members. The 2023 Florida State Fair is set for …

Read more

A Day with Aunt Honey

The fall season is the time of year when the crispness in the air, the change in the leaves and the overall shift in things tend to cause memories to swirl in my mind and move to the forefront of my thoughts. One such memory is of a special visit with my paternal grandfather’s sister, …

Read more

Biannual Bylaw Review

Every two years we required to review our society bylaws. The executive board completed this review last month and submits our recommended changes to the membership for your review and approval. Please read the attached revised Bylaws. The current Bylaws can be found here. Per our bylaws, we must allow 3 weeks for the membership …

Read more

Will Power

When I was young, writing a will felt like a very adult concept. Colombo episodes, Nancy Drew books and Scooby-Doo cartoons informed my romantic notion that only rich old men had wills to instruct the disposition of their vast lands and priceless fortunes upon death. Their controversial decisions to favor one descendent over another always …

Read more

Luck of the Irish

I always wanted to be Irish. Afterall, Lucky Charms was my favorite breakfast cereal. Unlike other kids my age I loved the corned beef and cabbage dinner Mom routinely whipped up for St. Patrick’s Day. I became a rabid Notre Dame Fighting Irish football fan as a young teen. I even picked a four-leaf clover …

Read more

2021 Florida State Fair

This year we have the wonderful opportunity to share our love of genealogy with others through our booth set up at the Florida State Fair grounds. We will have computers set up to engage in live demos with our visitors, as well as have wonderful treats for children and adults alike including a raffle prize …

Read more

“You’re NOT a Victoria. Just Vicki.”

One day, I might have been about ten, Mom was cutting carrots in the kitchen. I asked her if my full name was Victoria. I’d had a friend at school whose name was Victoria and she went by the nickname Vicki like me. Victoria sounded so elegant, like a Queen, or like that pretty Victoria …

Read more

The Chameleon

I didn’t have many pets growing up. I recall having a turtle as a youngster. A stray white poodle, who we named Tuffy, found his way into our family for a few months before we gave him to my great-grandmother. I had the requisite gerbil until, sadly, I found Chewbacca expired in his cage the …

Read more

Chloe’s “Text”

I love to travel. Many years of experience have taught me that a light load is the way to go. My souvenirs are limited to refrigerator magnets and Christmas tree ornaments. I often feel quite inadequate as a tourist when I document $5 of purchases on my customs paperwork upon my return. Likewise, my mom …

Read more

Tell Us What You Think

Please take a few short minutes to complete this survey on our most recent special interest group on DNA orchestrated by Jean Sanner.  We welcome your constructive feedback to help improve the content, delivery, and value of these presentations. Thank you in advance for your feedback.