PGS Members and FriendsClick below to access the recordings and handouts from our recent online meetings. The most recent video is at the top of the list. Presentation videos are also on the Members Only pages indefinitely. Handouts for repeating classes are also available in the Members Only pages of this website. [Please be respectful of the copyrighted materials and do not download or copy the videos.]
5 Aug 2026 Class Video – Categories and More in WikiTree 3
Join us to learn Categories and more in WikiTree – Part 3. Learn how to ensure our families are accurately represented in this free public database. You will see how to best navigate the website; how to join a project; how to collaborate with other genealogists to help break down those brick walls. Presented by WikiTree Project Leader and Consultant, Denise Jarrett. This video will be available for approximately one month in this area. It will also appear on the Members pages of the website indefinitely.
21 July 2026 Class Video – Revolutionary Ancestors
If your ancestors were here in the 1700s, it’s likely they were documented in the Revolution. Whether they were patriot or loyalist, records may be available. We will discuss a brief history of the Revolution and the key players, what and where records may be found, plus which lineage societies you might be eligible for. Presented by Pinellas Genealogy Society Volunteer Lori Coffey. This video will be available for approximately one month in this area. It will also appear on the Members pages of the website indefinitely.
13 July 2026 Class Video – The Pilgrims They Left Behind The 102 who got on the Mayflower are famous. But what about those who didn’t make it on to the ship for that fateful voyage? This is the little-known backstory of the heroes who allowed the Pilgrims the freedom to travel. Those who were imprisoned, leaders who were needed by the flock who couldn’t go and even those who were afraid of taking the trip. These unsung heroes allowed the famous pilgrims to have their spotlight in history. Now we turn the spotlight on them. Presented by Pinellas Genealogy Society volunteer Lori Coffey. This video will be available for approximately one month in this area. It will also appear on the Members pages of the website indefinitely.
7 July 2026 Class Video – First Germans in America In the 1600s, a ship full of families escaping religious persecution headed to the shores of the New World which began a great migration. If you think these are the Pilgrims, think again! These were Germans who fled to Pennsylvania on the Concord. We learn about the history of European churches, political unrest, and religious persecution which drove these cousins of William Penn to help found his new colony. And watch as they grow their German town to be a beacon of light for the 7 million Germans who follow. Presented by Pinellas Genealogy Society volunteer Lori Coffey. This video will be available for approximately one month in this area. It will also appear on the Members pages of the website indefinitely.
1 July 2026 Class Video – Getting Started with WikiTree 2 Join us to get started using WikiTree – Part 2. On the first Wednesday of the month, learn how to ensure our families are accurately represented in this free public database. You will see how to best navigate the website; how to join a project; how to collaborate with other genealogists to help break down those brick walls. Presented by WikiTree Project Leader and Consultant, Denise Jarrett. For more training, visit https://pinellasgenealogysociety.com/calendar/.Register in advance for the next WikiTree Users Group meeting at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ThOqq2UaQRKekCJPtSUG8g This video will be available for approximately one month in this area. It will also appear on the Members pages of the website indefinitely.
29 June 2026 Class Video – Library of Congress Digital Collections The Library of Congress website includes more than 500 digitized collections of manuscripts, maps, prints, audio recordings, and much more. This presentation will introduce you to the wide range of resources available in these collections and show you how they can help you in your own family history research. Presented by Pinellas Genealogy Society Volunteer Karen Fortin. This video will be available for approximately one month in this area. It will also appear on the Members pages of the website indefinitely.
25 June 2026 Class Video – Organizing Your Family Reunion Once you know you want a family or other type reunion, start planning it soon and correctly. In this session, we walk you through the right time for the many details to consider. We cover specific tips and case studies from successful events like using social media and options for budgeting. After following the right steps, you can be confident your reunion will be the best ever! Handout includes a complete planning checklist. Presented by Pinellas Genealogy Society Volunteer Lori Coffey. This video will be available for approximately one month in this area. It will also appear on the Members pages of the website indefinitely.
16 June 2026 Class Video – Library Catalog Searching for Genealogists Libraries are a great place for finding genealogy resources. This class will show you how to find libraries and archives that can help you in your search, how to get the most from catalog searches, and discover other helpful resources available through online catalogs. Presented by Pinellas Genealogy Society Volunteer Karen Fortin. This video will be available for approximately one month in this area. It will also appear on the Members pages of the website indefinitely.
10 June 2026 Class Video – Royal Blood You don’t have to be an aristocrat to have royal ancestry. Learning that you descend from royalty can be an exciting find in your genealogy journey. If you are, it may not be too difficult to make the connection. Abundant source material is available on royal families and the records are often meticulously maintained. This class will explore some of the techniques and research avenues that may lead you to discover the kings and queens in your family tree. Presented by Pinellas Genealogy Society Volunteer Jean Roberson. This video will be available for approximately one month in this area. It will also appear on the Members pages of the website indefinitely.
9 June 2026 Class Video – PowerPoint for Genealogy If you have used PowerPoint for presentations, you know how easy it is to use! But did you know it’s also a valuable companion for genealogists? You will want to keep it open all the time after we show you the three biggest genealogy uses for this powerful app: clipping and storing research, manipulating photos, and turning family tree reports into beautiful books or videos! We’ll give you tips to take your PowerPoint skills to the next level whether you’re using your own computer or the library’s. Presented by Pinellas Genealogy Society volunteer and computer trainer Lori Coffey. This video will be available for approximately one month in this area. It will also appear on the Members pages of the website indefinitely.
4 June 2026 Class Video – The Basics of WikiTree 1 Join us for the initial meeting of the PGS WikiTree Users Group where we will explain how WikiTree will meet its mission of growing a single family tree that connects us all and is freely accessible to us all, forever. On the first Wednesday of the month, learn how to ensure our families are accurately represented in this free public database. You will see how to best navigate the website; how to join a project; how to collaborate with other genealogists to help break down those brick walls. Presented by WikiTree Project Leader and Consultant, Denise Jarrett. Register in advance for the next WikiTree Users Group meeting HERE. This video will be available for approximately one month in this area. It will also appear on the Members pages of the website indefinitely.
VIDEOS FOR NEW GENEALOGISTS
16 Jul 2023: Getting Started on Your Family Tree. This video leads you through a hands-on tutorial on getting started on your family tree. When you follow the link to the video, you will be offered additional links to handouts which you can download for a more beneficial experience. PGS Welcomes You to Genealogy booklet will help you get started, too!
VIDEOS FOR NEW GENEALOGISTS. The following videos are listed in order of complexity. As you become familiar with various genealogy research skills, choose from the listed topics to tailor your skills development.
A consolidated handout is available by clicking here: CONSOLIDATED HANDOUT.
The following three presentations are from the “Essentials Collection”. They cover topics aimed at researchers new to the study of their family’s genealogy and history:
Video 1: Getting Started in Genealogy
Video 2: Key Records in Genealogy
Video 3: Internet Genealogy
The following four presentations are from the “Skill Builder Collection.” They delve more deeply into some of the research topics introduced in the Essentials Track:
Video 1: Newspapers in Genealogy Research
Video 2: Military Records in Genealogy
Video 3: Evaluating Genealogical Evidence
Video 4: Documenting Your Sources
The following two presentations are from the “DNA in Genealogy Research Collection”:
Video 1: FUNdamentals of DNA
Video 2: The Whys of Y-DNA
5 Mar 2026 DNA Basics: The following videos are aimed at introducing the essential concepts of DNA in genealogy research. There is a consolidated handout for the videos in the member pages of the website.
VIDEO: DNA Basic Series Overview
VIDEO: DNA Basics I – Types of Tests and Ethnicity
VIDEO: DNA Basics II – Centimorgans and Shared Matches
VIDEO: DNA Basics III – Ancestry DNA
VIDEO: DNA Basics IV – X, Y, MtDNA
21 Sep 2024 Monthly Program: Unique Challenges of African American Genealogy. Genealogy is the same the world around, yet there are some unique challenges when researching African American family history. For example, specific strategies are required to identify and work with records before 1860 and locating identifiable names among government records can raise the difficulty level. Even though it can be challenging, it can also be rewarding. Especially if you plan to volunteer for community projects like our Clearwater Colored Cemeteries program. We’ll provide research strategies to take you around the obstacles to help you find the records you seek. Presented by Taneya Y. Koonce. There is no handout for this presentation.
PGS HISTORY VIDEOS:
Five program meetings during 2022 were dedicated to celebrating the 50th anniversary of PGS. The videos collected here are recordings of each of those five meetings They will be available on the public as well as member pages of our website for the foreseeable future. Use these videos to gain an appreciation of the breadth and depth of the Society’s activities over the past fifty years. (You can purchase a 50th Year Commemoration book by clicking on the “Publications Tab” at the top of the website homepage.)
There are no handouts associated with these videos.
15 January 2022 – VIDEO – FIRST DECADE: Debbie Schuler, PGS President shares the history of the start of the Pinellas Genealogy Society for our 50th Anniversary First Decade Event. This is also the first PGS hybrid meeting held both in-person in the Largo Library and online via Zoom.
19 March 2022 – VIDEO – SECOND DECADE: Maridell Hahn, PGS Seminar Director shares the history of the second decade of the Pinellas Genealogy Society for our 50th Anniversary Second Decade Event. This is also the first PGS hybrid meeting with both in-person and virtual speakers.
18 Jun 2022 – VIDEO – THIRD DECADE: Damon Hostetler, PGS Anniversary Committee member shares the history of the third decade of the Pinellas Genealogy Society for our 50th Anniversary Third Decade Event.
2 Dec 2022 – VIDEO – FOURTH DECADE: Damon Hostetler, PGS Anniversary Committee member shares the history of the fourth decade of the Pinellas Genealogy Society for our 50th Anniversary Fourth Decade Event.
17 Dec 2022 – VIDEO – FIFTH DECADE: Karen Fortin, PGS Anniversary Committee member shares the history of the fifth decade of the Pinellas Genealogy Society for our 50th Anniversary Fifth Decade Event.
Follow this link to join the Society: JOIN HERE
