Minnesota Genealogical Society

09/14/2026

Your ancestors did not simply move from one point on a map to another. Their journeys were shaped by transportation, communication, economics, opportunity, and world events.
At North Star 2026, Katherine R. Willson will explore:

• Newspapers, the Pony Express, the telegraph, and the railroad
• Historical and genealogical repositories
• U.S. passenger arrival lists beyond Ellis Island

Discover how historical context can transform a list of names and dates into a richer family story.

Register today:
https://mngs.org/north-star-2026

Which ancestral journey would you most like to understand?

&Frights

09/13/2026

Family traditions can hold unexpected genealogical clues. At the 2026 North Star Genealogy Conference, Vicki Young Albu will explore how superstitions, folk remedies, and inherited beliefs can reveal more about our ancestors’ cultural lives.

Take our poll, then tell us in the comments: What family belief or tradition has been passed down in your family?

https://mngs.org/northstar-registration

09/12/2026

Tracing ancestors from Romania or Eastern Europe? Connect with fellow researchers during the next Romanian Interest Group Meeting on Saturday, September 19, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Zoom!

Navigating international record repositories, understanding regional border changes, and translating ancestral documents can present unique research challenges. Our Special Interest Groups (SIGs) provide a collaborative environment where you can share strategies, ask questions, and learn alongside others researching similar heritage paths. Registration is required to access the meeting link.

Head to our website calendar to register today! https://mngs.org/Upcoming-Events

Have you located your ancestors' village of origin yet? Share your progress in the comments!

09/11/2026

Meet another of our 2026 North Star Genealogy Conference speakers: Gary Ball-Kilbourne, PhD, CG, CGL!

Gary is a researcher, author, and educator who serves as a trustee and secretary of the Board for Certification of Genealogists and as editor of OnBoard. He also teaches in Boston University’s online genealogical programs and has taught at SLIG and GRIP.

At North Star, Gary will present “Who Knows What Evil Lurks? Fakes, Frauds, and Fabrications.” Genealogists depend on accurate information—but history includes researchers who fabricated pedigrees, misled clients, or embellished their own family histories. Gary will introduce some of these genealogical rogues and, more importantly, share guidance for recognizing questionable claims and fabricated evidence.

Join us October 30–31, 2026, at the Eagan Community Center for the North Star Genealogy Conference. Registration is open now.

Register here: https://mngs.org/northstar-registration

What’s the most surprising questionable claim you’ve encountered in your family history research?

09/11/2026

Searching Minnesota vital records? Always cross-reference county birth & death indexes with local church registers! The Hoffman Research Library holds extensive Midwest church microfilms to fill missing gaps. What record brick wall are you tackling this month?

09/11/2026

Last week at the Minnesota State Fair, one of our volunteers was asked what they could do about the changes that are coming for the National Archives. The volunteer advised contacting their representatives. Here's details on how to do that as shared by The Formidable Genealogist:

Just released! Citizens from WI, MN, IN, IL, OH and MI, we need you! Call your Congressional reps and ask them to sign this letter before 9/16.

https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-closure-of-the-national-archives-at-chicago/u/35273789

09/10/2026

Changes are coming to the Minnesota Genealogical Society website!

Over the coming weeks, MGS will be working with Recur, our new membership management provider, to build a refreshed website and a new Member Portal for active MGS members. The goal is to make it easier to manage membership information, find events, and access member resources in one place.

This project is being led by MGS Webmaster and Technology Committee Chair Markus Hoesli, with support from a dedicated team of members and volunteers. We’re grateful for the time and care they are putting into creating a website that will better serve our genealogy community.

We’ll continue sharing updates as the project moves forward, so keep an eye out for more information.

What would you most like to see or find more easily on the new MGS website?

09/10/2026

North Star 2026 includes sessions designed to help you manage digital archives, select genealogy software, use artificial intelligence with family documents, and develop better strategies for recurring research problems.

Old stories deserve thoughtful tools and lasting preservation.

Meet the speakers and register:
https://mngs.org/north-star-2026

What part of your research most needs organizing right now?

&Frights

09/10/2026

Thousands of resources. One place. Your next breakthrough might be on one of these shelves. Visit the Hoffman Research Library at the MGS and see what's waiting. When was your last visit to see us?

09/09/2026

Are Danish roots part of your family story?

The National Danish-American Genealogical Society invites you to two free virtual events this fall:

📅 September 28 at 6:30 p.m. Central
Sharing Together
Share discoveries, brick walls, research tips, family traditions, recipes, travel memories, or simply listen and learn from others interested in Danish heritage.

📅 October 26 at 6:30 p.m. Central
Danish Gazetteers and Maps
Discover how historical maps and gazetteers can help you locate the towns and parishes your Danish ancestors once called home.

No registration is required. Visit the NDAGS website for event details and meeting access.