PGS 2027 Seminar Information

Discover your family history using new ways to discover with six engaging sessions! The PGS Genealogy Reimagined Seminar will bring new research strategies, overlooked records, family stories and some of the latest developments in family history together for a full day of discovery on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2027, at the Largo Public Library. The public is invited.

Presented by the Pinellas Genealogy Society (PGS), the 2027 annual educational seminar will feature Aimee Cross, a professional genealogist and popular genealogy educator known to family historians nationwide through her Ancestry Aimee YouTube channel and her appearances at RootsTech, the world’s largest family history conference. Cross is known for making genealogy approachable while teaching practical techniques researchers can put to work immediately.

Cross will present four sessions covering pre-1850 research, Ancestry.com strategies, new developments in family history, and preserving family stories and photographs.

Additional speakers Taneya Koonce will explore preserving your own story, while Karen Fortin will help researchers find alternates for marriage records.

The PGS full-day seminar will be available both in-person at the Largo Library and on-line via Zoom. Registration begins 1 Jan 2027. Mark your calendar!

Aimee Cross is a professional genealogist, author, and speaker. With more than 40 years of family history research experience, Aimee brings a lifelong passion for genealogy to helping others discover their ancestors and family stories. Her research has taken her to courthouses, libraries, archives, and genealogy conferences as she has worked to solve the many puzzles found in family history.

She especially enjoys helping others get started with their family trees, locate elusive relatives, and overcome challenging research roadblocks. Her extensive background in volunteer leadership and mentoring complements her genealogy experience, providing her with the organizational and problem-solving skills she brings to every research challenge.

During this day of discovery event, Aimee Cross, in-person at the Largo Public Library, will give four presentations that will offer something for  everyone regardless of their level of experience.

The presentations are:
1) Finding those Elusive Fathers – U S Research Before 1850
2) My Most Used Ancestry.com Tricks
3) Exciting Things Happening in Family History
4) Gathering Family Stories and Pictures

In addition to Aimee, PGS offers two well-known speakers after the lunch break. Taneya Koonce will present Don’t Be a Hidden Ancestor (Capture Your Story and Close the Gap: Become the Ancestor your Family Won’t Have to Search For). Karen Fortin will present Tying the Knot: Locating Alternate Marriage Records. All six presentations will be live, both in person and on Zoom, so if you can’t attend in person, you can attend virtually. Both audiences are eligible for door prizes and will be provided with time to chat with fellow attendees.

The live audience will also have access to genealogy book sales, snacks, box lunch, and various items for sale to make your research more productive. The library doors open at 8:00 AM (EST) for our attendees with the first presentation kicking off at 9 AM.

A conference booklet including presentation handouts will be available to all registrants.

PGS President Lori Coffey says, “We at PGS are proud of this annual, day-long event. In fact, many years ago, this was my introduction to the Society.  I immediately joined PGS as a life member and have enjoyed the company of like-minded researchers ever since.  We are excited about the selection of topics this year. There is something for everyone—novice researcher or experienced. Please join us!”

Registration opens on 1 January 2027

Starting on New Year’s Day on this site, register and pay online. The registration fee is $40 for members and for non-members $50 when ordering by February 17. PGS membership and box lunches are available for pre-purchase. Click HERE to download the PGS seminar information brochure.

Register online and pay on this website starting January 1, 2027. Mark your calendar now! Paper forms will be processed starting January 1. Register by postal mail and check using the paper registration form available at the Largo Library Genealogy Center in late December.

Seating is limited! Register early! Save by registering by February 17. Registration and payments received after Feb 17 will be $50 for members and $60 for non-members (and pre-purchase lunch may not be available).