MISSION

The Pinellas Genealogy Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the furtherance of genealogical research, education, and preservation of genealogical material. The Society was first established in 1972.

EDUCATE

Through classes, programs, seminars, speakers…

RESEARCH

Provide assistance to patrons seeking to research their families…

PRESERVE

Preserve Pinellas County genealogical data through transcription and publication…


WEBSITE – BLOG – FACEBOOK


The PGS has a website at https://PinellasGenealogySociety.com. The PGS Blog provides information on the Society as well as hints, tips, and websites of interest. The Blog can be accessed through the website or directly at http://flpgs.org. The society also has a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pinellasgenealogysociety .


MEETINGS

These meetings are held the third Saturday of each month at 11 AM in the Jenkins Wing of Largo Public Library. The meetings are free and open to the public. After a short business meeting, the program, usually a guest speaker, begins and runs for about an hour. Meetings can be attended live or virtually. Check the website calendar for detailed information.

  • Computer Interest Group (CIG) meets at 10:00 A.M. in the Jenkins Room just before each monthly meeting. It is an informal question-and-answer format to discuss anything related to computers in genealogy.

The seminar is an all-day event featuring from four to seven presentations by noted professional genealogists. The event is normally held the fourth Saturday of February, but confirming with the PGS Calendar of Events is always wise. It is the only event during the year that a registration is required. PGS members pay a reduced fee.

  • Family Tree Maker (FTM) enthusiasts meet on the first Saturday of each month, September through May, at 10:00 A.M. in the Local History Room.
  • Roots Magic User Group (RMUG) enthusiasts meet on the fourth Saturday of each month at 10:00 A.M. in the Local History Room.
  • DNA Discussion Group meets the fourth Tuesday of each month in the Jenkins Room at 1 P.M.

Refer to our calendar (at the “Calendar” tab at the top of this page) and class list in the Genealogy Center for even more special interest group meetings.


CLASSES


The PGS presents many classes and workshops covering a range of genealogy topics. They are free and offered to the general public. All classes are normally held live at the Largo Public Library, virtually as a webinar, or as a combination of the two (hybrid).

A list of available classes can be found on the website calendar (check out the “Calendar” tab at the top of this page), and on the Blog. Check these locations for details on how to join in.


PUBLICATIONS

The PGS News is the society’s newsletter, published from September through May. Newsletters are available at the Genealogy Center, at monthly meetings, on the Blog, and on the website (check out the “Publications” tab at the top of this page). Members and friends also receive regular weekly emails from the Education Director describing upcoming events for that week.

If you are not a member and would like to receive the weekly email, send us a note and we will include you on our mailing list.


GENEALOGY CONSULTANTS AND LIBRARY RESOURCES

The Pinellas Genealogy Society houses its collection at the Genealogy Center at the Largo Public Library. At the core of this collection is the Genealogy Desk, staffed by PGS volunteer consultants who will assist you in your research. (Although consultants are available most of the time, call the Genealogy Center at 727-586-7410 to be sure someone is there to help you.)

The following is a list of some of the Genealogy Center resources:

  • Surname and Locality Vertical files.
  • Microfilm, Microfiche, & CD-ROM files containing State Census records and many other records. The entire index for these holdings is listed on the PGS website.
  • Books covering Genealogy how to guides, family histories, immigration indexes, newspaper abstracts, state and international resources, and many more.
  • Computer Terminals with access to many online databases including Ancestry Library Edition and HeritageQuest.
  • Journals and Magazines.
  • Map Collection
  • Handouts including the Genealogy Center floor plan and a beginner’s research guide for getting started in genealogy.

PGS FOCUSED ASSISTANCE

One of the benefits of membership in the PGS is that you can receive personalized help in many different specific areas of genealogy from not only the consultants in the Genealogy Center, but also from a group of area-specific volunteers. Those areas in which help is available range from different aspects of genealogy research (Canada, Germany, translations, etc.) to using technology in your genealogical pursuits (computer programs, cameras, scanners, etc.). This group of volunteers augments the consultants who provide service in the Genealogy Center, and contact information for those volunteers is available from the consultants.


FAMILY HISTORY REPOSITORY

The society provides a repository for unpublished family history research. If researchers wish to retire their research, or if family members have inherited research material they do not wish to carry on, they can donate it to the society where it will be preserved and made available to other researchers.


VOLUNTEERISM

Would you like to “give back” to the genealogy community for the hints, tips, assistance, and kindnesses you have received in the past? Do you have a story to tell about your research exploits? Do you have some time on your hands that you would like to share in a meaningful WAY?

PGS has volunteer opportunities that can be tailor-made for your level of experience, the time you have available, and your interests. Whether it is transcription work, research assistance, teaching a class, or something else, it is worth exploring the many ways you can get involved with PGS as a volunteer.

Send us an email and we will explore the options with you.


JOIN US

The PGS can be a great benefit to you as you research your family’s history. Learn more of what we have to offer by coming to monthly meetings, attending some of our many classes, or simply dropping by the Genealogy Center and talking to volunteers. Studying our families is an unparalleled way to honor them. Start your research today! Application forms are available at the Genealogy Center, our Blog, and on our website.