Click 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 do not download or copy the videos as they are under copyright.]

29 Oct 2026 Class Video – CCC History and Research  They were the young men of the Civilian Conservation Corps far from home in the nation’s publicly owned forests and parks. Earning money to send back to their needy families, they contributed to the renewal and beautification of the country. First, we explain the history that led to the need for this mammoth government project and what was accomplished. And then we’ll show you the records and how you can find your own CCCer. Presented by Pinellas Genealogy Society volunteer Lori Coffey. Check out the companion podcast.

22 Oct 2026 Class Video – Historical Literature
Historical literature to explore your ancestors’ lives, both fiction and non-fiction, can help us to better understand the world in which our ancestors lived and the events that shaped their lives. This presentation looks at how to use historical literature to flesh out the stories of our ancestors and provides examples to show what can be learned. Presented by Pinellas Genealogy Society volunteer Karen Fortin.

10 Oct 2026 SIG Video – DNA Segmentology 1
Author Jim Bartlett discusses chapter one of his e-book Segmentology in the PGS DNA SIG. This is an in-depth review of the topic for experienced users of DNA in their genealogical research. Hosted by Denise Manning and Susan Luce. Download the e-book Segmentology.  Check out the companion podcast. Register in advance for the next discussion at: PGS Signup  

22 Oct 2026 Class Video – Clearwater Colored Cemeteries   For the past several years, the Clearwater Colored Cemeteries Society, also known as the 3C Society (3csocietyinc.org), have worked on this project with the support of PGS. The presentation includes a brief history of the project, progress to date, current research efforts, and next steps in documenting individuals buried in Clearwater’s historic African American cemeteries, identifying their living relatives, and explaining why the work matters. These efforts help preserve local history and honor the lives and legacies of those connected to these sacred places. Presented by Triva Mack and Emma MacBeath. Check out the companion podcast.

20 Oct 2026 Class Video – WikiTree SIG Oct   –  Join us to learn more in WikiTree. You will learn how to add data to your WikiTree site thus ensuring our families are accurately represented in this free public database.  Presented by WikiTree Special Interest Group Leader Rob Jacobson and members of the SIG. For more training, visit https://pinellasgenealogysociety.com/calendar/.
Register in advance for the next WikiTree Users Group meeting at: PGS Signup 

17 Oct 2026 Program Video – Running a Profitable Business  Do you feel called to help people find their roots or connect through stories? There is high demand for professional genealogy and writing services, but how do you make the leap from hobbyist to professional? In this session, you will be empowered to build a portfolio of work, set a price for your first client projects, and establish guardrails for profitability. Discover why undercharging is a threat and how to confidently bill the going rate. We’ll cover current professional rates, too. You will learn some straightforward marketing strategies that work whether you are just starting or already have an established business. Finally, you will come away with professional mindsets and renewed confidence to vanquish imposter syndrome. Presented by Rhonda Lauritzen.  

12 Oct 2025 Class Video – How to Create the Perfect Family History Book  After creating a dozen different family history books, I have learned what to do and what NOT to do! If you are investing your time and money to create a lasting legacy, why not do it right? Family tree reports, plus images, narrative, and local history all go into the PERFECT family history book that people will want to read. Presented by Pinellas Genealogy Society Volunteer Lori Coffey. 

6 Oct 2026 Class Video – The Witches of 1692  The women of the new colonies didn’t just have to survive the normal hardships of every pioneer, they had to face being accused of witchcraft. Often their accusers were young girls and sometimes family members, but they were always judged by male religious leaders. In this eye-opening presentation, we not only understand the Salem Witch trails, but the history of how these persecutions evolved and are still happening today.  Presented by Pinellas Genealogy Society Volunteer Lori Coffey. Check out the companion podcast.

29 Sep 2026 Class Video – Using US Land Records in Genealogy  Historical Land records are an important part of your genealogical toolkit. This presentation will provide an overview of common terms and concepts, explore how land records can help your research, and assist you in locating these valuable resources. The presentations will also share examples showing how to go from finding a deed to finding the land described in it on the modern landscape. Presented by PGS volunteer Karen Fortin.

24 Sep 2026 Class Video – Meet the Pilgrims You know them as monuments and myths, but now you can get to know the Pilgrims as people!  Understand their family ties, their jobs, their hopes, and even their failures.  Follow our Pilgrim ancestors from England to Holland and finally to the New World where only half survive that first winter to help found a new nation! Presented by PGS volunteer Lori Coffey. Check out the companion podcast.

23 Sep 2026 Class Video – Getting Started in FamilySearch NEW! Ready to discover your roots? This beginner-friendly session unlocks the completely free power of FamilySearch.org. You will easily set up your account, master shared-tree navigation, and learn three foolproof strategies to find ancestral records. Plus, we will dive into advanced shortcuts like the global FamilySearch Wiki and cutting-edge AI tools. Start climbing your family tree today and find the proof of your unique history! This video will be available below indefinitely. Presented by PGS volunteer Lori Coffey. Register in advance for the next FamilySearch User Group meeting at: PGS Signup  

19 Sep 2026 Program Video – Mapping Ireland’s Records  Join us for a deep dive into Irish genealogy and history! We’ll explore how locations of Irish surnames can unlock new clues for your family research. Using free online records, we’ll share vivid examples of how localized some family names are and how others are scattered across the country. Presented by Irish Genealogist John Grenham. This video will be available for approximately one month in this area. It will appear on the Members pages of the website for 90 days along with the handout.

15 Sep 2026 Class Video – WikiTree SIG Sept  Join us to learn more in WikiTree. You will learn how to add data to your WikiTree site thus ensuring our families are accurately represented in this free public database.  Presented by WikiTree Special Interest Group Leader Rob Jacobson and members of the SIG. For more training, visit https://pinellasgenealogysociety.com/calendar/.
Register in advance for the next WikiTree Users Group meeting at: PGS Signup  

NEW!

PGS Podcasts

VIDEOS FOR NEW GENEALOGISTS

18 Jul 2026: 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 or download here: Handout, Finding Franklin Documents.   PGS Welcomes You to Genealogy booklet will help you get started, too!

23 Sep 2026  – Getting Started in FamilySearch NEW! This beginner-friendly session unlocks the completely free power of FamilySearch.org. You will easily set up your account, master shared-tree navigation, and learn three foolproof strategies to find ancestral records. Plus, we will dive into advanced shortcuts like the global FamilySearch Wiki and cutting-edge AI tools. Start climbing your family tree today and find the proof of your unique history! Register in advance for the next FamilySearch User Group meeting at: PGS Signup  

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 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.

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