Welcome to the May newsletter for the Family History Interest Group (FHIG) at Bernards Township Library. In it you'll find information about upcoming and past FHIG meetings, news and notes about related topics, and ideas and encouragement for your own genealogy searches.
Do hope you plan to be with us at a meeting soon. Some very special meetings coming up!
Ruth L
Next FHIG Meeting - Tuesday, May 27
"Beyond X & Y: The Promise and Pitfalls of Autosomal DNA Testing"
Judy Russell, The Legal Genealogist will give us a primer on Autosomal DNA testing, the new kid on the DNA testing block. We'll all learn more about this exciting addition to the toolkit of 21st century genealogists. She'll explain what's in it for you, and how can you make the most of this test?
Judy is a genealogist with a law degree, and a passion for helping folks understand the often arcane and even impenetrable legal concepts and terminology that are so very important to understanding family history. Without the context in which events took place and records were created, we miss so much of both the significance and the flavor of what happened. Recently she's developed special expertise in Genetic Genealogy, the study of DNA testing as it applies to family history.
Please join us for this very special program!
Group and Meeting Specifics
The Family History Interest Group (FHIG) meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month except December from 7:00 to 8:30 pm in the Program Room on the lower level at Bernards Township Library.
Coffee (and cookies or snacks if participants bring them!) is served at 6:30 pm and participants are invited to socialize. Our coffee and tea arrangements are $ elf $ upporting -- If you enjoy a cup please consider dropping a quarter or two in the basket provided.
FHIG meetings are FREE and all are welcome, whether they have been previously involved in family history research or not. No prior experience in tracing genealogical roots is necessary. The Group provides opportunities for those interested in family history and genealogy to share information and experiences and be more successful in their search.
For more information please call the Library at 908.204.3031, ext.4 or email RLufkin@Bernards.org
Special Appreciation to Those . . .
. . . who bring along cookies or other goodies to share and those who assist in setting up and clearing away at our meetings. Even when I don't say Thank You in person or in public, your contribution IS noticed. We relax and enjoy learning with new and old friends with something to nibble on and our coffee or tea.
From the April Meeting and more
Anthony Festa shared a wealth of links to sites that may be helpful as you explore your Italian Genealogy (and many of them have information for other countries of origin too!).
Did you see the recent Dear Heloise column that dealt with genealogy? Click here to see a copy. Perfect instructions for someone just getting started.
Upcoming FHIG Meetings
June 24 - "Finding Your Townland of Origin: Genealogical Research in the U.S. and Ireland" with Joseph Buggy, author of Finding Your Irish Ancestors in New York City (Special joint meeting of FHIG and MAGS members and interested visitors).
Descendants of the Irish exodus to New York will discover that this new book is a publication worthy of their proud heritage. It presents a comprehensive overview for anyone wishing to trace their Irish ancestors within New York City. Read more about it at Joe's Townland of Origin website.
Additional FHIG meetings will be on August 26; September 23; October 28; and November 25.