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.]
14 Aug 2026 Program Video – Let’s Try AI
Learn how to use Artificial Intelligence step-by-step. We cover how to work with AI, plain and simple starting with which version of the tool is best to start with. We will see how AI can help you in your genealogy and how NOT to use it. You will learn the secret to writing the best prompt to get what you want including for long documents and photo restoration. Presented by Pinellas Genealogy Society President 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. Let’s Try AI Notebook10 Aug 2026 Class Video – AI in Genealogy
Peek into the world of Artificial Intelligence for genealogy to see how to supplement your family research. This new world of AI will transform your productivity as computers can now perform challenging tasks for you! Learn why AI, which has been around for 50 years, has developed dramatically in the last decade and how you can benefit from it. 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.
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. Register in advance for the next WikiTree Users Group meeting 18 Aug 7PM ET at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ThOqq2UaQRKekCJPtSUG8g
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/.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
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 downoad here: Handout, Finding Franklin Documents. 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
