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How to Build Historical Context

Come join us on Tuesday, June 15 at 7:00 – 8:00pm, to listen to a professional recording of a lecture by Professor John Philip Colletta, titled How to Build Historical Context. The program will be introduced by Dennis Partridge, and this month we will be using a different technology, called Google Meet. Please use the following link to login. No pre-registration is needed.Video call link: https://meet.google.com/eea-ywfj-htnOr dial: (US) +1 413-758-2715 PIN: 804 988 470#​ Professor John Philip Colletta is one of America’s most popular genealogical lecturers. He holds an M.A. and a Ph.D. from The Catholic University of America. He is a faculty member of the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama; the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy; and Boston University’s Genealogical Research Program. Professor Colletta also has been an instructor and course coordinator for the National Institute on Genealogical Research, the Genealogical Institute of Texas, and the Genealogical Institute of Mid-America.  How to Build Historical ContextThe lives of your ancestors provide all of the elements of engaging true stories. The challenge is to narrate the facts you’ve discovered within the larger physical and temporal world in which they were once lived events. If you want to get to know your ancestors, you must see them as real people living in a particular place at a particular time. In other words, the biographical facts you gather must be situated in their proper historical context. As we build historical context in this lecture, you’ll see how all the sources we’ve […]

July 2021 Business Meeting

Online
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society board and officers meet monthly to handle the society business. AIGS membership is welcome to attend.

How to Write Biography

You’ve explored a broad array of sources for discovering the facts of your ancestors’ lives, and you’ve depicted those facts schematically on pedigree charts and family group sheets. In last month's meeting you saw how those bare-bone facts may be fleshed out into real-life events, which is what many of us are seeking in genealogy. A narrative genealogy or family history is a collection of biographies of people related by blood—in other words, an anthology of the life stories of kinfolk. In this lecture, we’ll see the process of constructing and narrating the biography of an ancestor. Come join us on Tuesday, July 20 at 7:00 – 8:00pm, to listen to a professional recording of a lecture by Professor John Philip Colletta, titled How to Write Biography.

August 2021 Business Meeting

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society board and officers meet monthly to handle the society business. AIGS membership is welcome to attend.

UNF Excavations at the Mocama (Timucua) Indian Village of Sarabay (Big Talbot Island)

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Presentation by Keith Ashley, UNF Professor of Anthropology. Located on Big Talbot Island, Sarabay was one of the local Mocama Indian communities mentioned by French and Spanish explorers during the 1560s. The University of North Florida (UNF) first investigated the site in 1998-99 and returned for more excavations in the fall 2020 and summer 2021. Artifacts recovered so far include thousands of fragments of indigenous pottery along with bone, shell, and stone tools. The recovery of a small collection of Spanish artifacts dates the site to AD 1580-1620.  This presentation discusses the findings of ongoing excavations at the site of Sarabay. Bio: Keith Ashley is an archaeologist and Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of North Florida.. His current research focuses on the indigenous peoples and histories of southeastern North America, particularly Florida. He is actively involved in archaeological excavations with UNF students throughout northeastern Florida.

August 2021 Library Committee Meeting

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
The library committee will hold it’s regular bi-monthly meeting at the Fernandina Beach Library on 30 August, 2-4pm. Anyone interested in joining this committee and/or attending this meeting should contact Marcia Pertuz at library@aigensoc.org.

September 2021 Business Meeting

Online
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society board and officers meet monthly to handle the society business. AIGS membership is welcome to attend. Join with Google Meet: meet.google.com/cwt-ekde-nihJoin by phone: (US) +1 650-667-2463 (PIN: 495225113)
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Fundamentals of Land and Probate Records for Genealogists

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Fundamentals of Land and Probate Records for Genealogists, with particular focus on Nassau County court records The purpose of this program is to provide an overview of the land and probate record keeping systems used in the United States of America. Land and probate record systems were created for economic and legal purposes, so understanding why and how those systems work aids the genealogist’s search to determine who our ancestors were, what they did, where, and when.
Free

September Education Committee Meeting

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
The AIGS Education Committee will hold it’s first meeting in anticipation of starting back our Beginning Genealogy classes in January! All current (and past) members of the committee are encouraged to attend, so that we can get ourselves off on the right course. The committee chair is Jean Mann, and please contact her from your personal members page.

September Membership Committee Meeting

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
This meeting will discuss the duties of the Membership Committee and begin work on developing a New Members Welcome Packet.

October Programs Committee Meeting

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
The programs committee will meet at the Fernandina Beach Library to discuss potential programs for 2022.

October 2021 Business Meeting

Online
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society board and officers meet monthly to handle the society business. AIGS membership is welcome to attend. This meeting is virtual: https://meet.google.com/cwt-ekde-nih or phone in at +1 650-667-2463 (PIN: 495225113) Required Agenda Items The Board must approve the slate of candidates to serve in 2022. Board will also appoint an Audit Committee for 2021.

Collecting family history with a Harley and a camera

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Theron Rogers, as a volunteer for Find a Grave, goes around on a Harley Davidson taking pictures of gravestones. Theron will give us a short introduction to Find a Grave, a website that allows you to see the burial sites of your family and friends. He will then tell us about his adventures on his motorcycle, the many cemeteries he visited and the fascinating graves he discovered and photographed.
Free

Migration Patterns of Germans within America

This is a virtual webinar put on by the Florida State Genealogical Society for free. Any AIGS member can attend. The GoToWebinar link to register is here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2978814905850037262 We’ll explore how historical events channeled Germans into certain areas and how chain migration drew allied families together. Many migrated from NY/MD/PA down the Shenandoah Valley into VA, NC and SC. Accessible rivers and railroads led to the establishment of the German Triangle between Cincinnati, Milwaukee and St. Louis. The National Road and German-language advertisements channeled them to Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin and points west. The 1848 Revolution led them to the Texas German Belt. Knowing where your ancestors settled in the mid-1800s can often lead you backwards by considering the migration routes of other Germans, particularly allied families. Presenter Sharon Cook MacInnes, Ph.D., CG, is a former member of the Board of Directors of the National Genealogical Society. She specializes in Pennsylvania land records, colonial research, and methodology. Her 35-year chase over Pennsylvania for elusive ancestors revealed the importance of land to our ancestors and led her to publish the series “Early Landowners of Pennsylvania: Atlas of Township Warrantee Maps of *** County.” To date, she has compiled and published 8 volumes of county atlases pinpointing the original tracts and their owners. Sharon is the CEO of Ancestor Tracks (http://ancestortracks.com) which is dedicated to publishing online free, downloadable 19th-century maps of every county of Pennsylvania to be used with census records and published county histories.

Membership Committee Meeting

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Membership committee meeting.

November 2021 Library Committee Meeting

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
The library committee will hold it’s regular bi-monthly meeting at the Fernandina Beach Library on 30 August, 2-4pm. Anyone interested in joining this committee and/or attending this meeting should contact Marcia Pertuz at library@aigensoc.org.

November 2021 Business Meeting

Online
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society board and officers meet monthly to handle the society business. AIGS membership is welcome to attend. This meeting is virtual: meet.google.com/emj-mgsq-bba or join by phone: 405-492-6125 PIN: 183 027 445# Required Agenda Items Board must adopt a budget for 2022.

Ancestors Road Show and 2021 Annual Meeting

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society will hold its annual meeting at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at the Community Room of the Fernandina Beach Public Library, 25 N 4th St. Following the election of officers and approval of the budget for the next year, there will be short introduction to the new AIGS website. After that it will be time for our popular show-and-tell, a.k.a. the “Ancestor Road Show”. Members are invited to bring heirlooms, photographs, scrapbooks or other items for general display, and give a short (3 minutes) verbal presentation on these items. If you wish to share a story with us, please let us know well in advance by writing to programs@aigensoc.org Public welcome. Annual Meeting Information: Proxy statement 2022 slate of candidates AIGS budget for 2022
Free

December 2021 Business Meeting

Online
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society board and officers meet monthly to handle the society business. AIGS membership is welcome to attend. Google Meet joining infoVideo call link: https://meet.google.com/guf-hdmj-vpmOr dial: (US) +1 747-231-0349 PIN: ?241 101 347#More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/guf-hdmj-vpm?pin=4851630674544

January 2022 Membership Committee Meeting

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Membership Committee will meet in person at the FBL to create the membership packets for the Beginner's Class.

Introduction to Family History and Census Research

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Introduction to Family History Marcia will start this session out with an introduction to the Amelia Island Genealogical Society membership benefits as well as providing a brief look at the AIGS website. Once this has been done she will introduce the class to getting started with genealogy in the right way. Building Your Family Tree Using Census Records Whether you are a seasoned genealogy researcher or a brand new researcher, understanding the basics of census research is essential to finding your ancestors. While the examples in this post are from U. S. census records, the tips and strategies apply to your census research for any country. Class Instructor: Marcia Pertuz Marcia Fleming Pertuz is a retired elementary school teacher and principal. She serves as the chair of the AIGS Library Committee, is currently the registrar for the Princess Amelia Chapter of Colonial Dames XVII Century and is an application reviewer for the Florida Pioneer program of the Florida State Genealogical Society. Marcia has been doing genealogy for over 40 years. She holds a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University and participated in the 18 month Professional Genealogy Online Study Group (ProGen). Her personal research areas of interest include Pennsylvania, Colonial New England, Columbia, Spain, France, Poland and Slovakia. Marcia is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Amelia Island Genealogical Society and is currently chairman of the Library Committee.

January 2022 Business Meeting

Online
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society board and officers meet monthly to handle the society business. AIGS membership is welcome to attend Google Meet Joining Information Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pfk-tyhq-zveOr dial: (US) +1 346-908-0731 PIN: 722 543 807#More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/pfk-tyhq-zvepin=6838325626893

Evidence and Analysis, Timelines, Vital Records Research, and Fundamentals of Land and Probate Records for Genealogists

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Evidence and Analysis, Timelines, and Vital Records Research Jim will provide a brief overview of Evidence and Analysis of genealogical records, how to create and utilize timelines in your ancestral research, and finish off this session with a look at Vital Records research. Fundamentals of Land and Probate Records for Genealogists The purpose of this program is to provide an overview of the land and probate record keeping systems used in the United States of America. Land and probate record systems were created for economic and legal purposes, so understanding why and how those systems work aids the genealogist’s search to determine who our ancestors were, what they did, where, and when. Class Instructor: Jim Shroads James L. Shroads is a retired attorney. A graduate of the University of Florida, Jim served in the U.S. Air Force as a Missile Combat Crew Commander in the Titan II ICBM systems. After leaving the military, he enrolled in the University of Miami School of Law, and upon graduation was employed by The Deltona Corporation as corporate counsel. A few years later he joined ITT Community Development Corporation, the developers of Palm Coast. In 1983, he was transferred to ITT Rayonier in Fernandina Beach, and remained with Rayonier after it was divested by ITT and became an independent company. From 2000 until his retirement, he maintained a private law practice focused primarily upon real estate matters. Jim is currently serving as Vice President of the Amelia Island Genealogical Society.
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The Last Spanish Land Grant in Florida

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Join us at the Fernandina Beach Branch library on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 7pm to hear the fascinating story of the family of Domingo and Mary Fernandez who owned large plantations on Amelia Island, donated land for the Fernandina Lighthouse, but whose descendants retain ownership of probably the Last Spanish land grant in Florida, which constitutes one acre between St. Michael’s Church and St. Michael’s School between North 4th and 5th Streets. Descendants were plantation owners, not only in Florida, but also in Kenya; they were attorneys, scholars, ordinary people whose influence has been felt around the world.
Free

Organization, Documentation and Researching at Repositories, Citing Your Sources, and Researching at Depositories

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Document Organization The two most important tasks in genealogical research is organizing your findings and documenting the sources of your findings. Be kind to yourself and start these tasks immediately. The key for you is to find or create a system that works with your style of thinking! Marcia will review the variety of methods researchers have developed to record their family trees. We will also use this time to take a brief look at our own genealogy book collection. Citing Sources Documentation Will Make Your Research Easier and Faster Documentation Helps Prevent Duplication of Research Documentation Gives Others Confidence in Your Research Documentation Doesn’t Have to Be Hard Researching at Repositories A repository in genealogy terms is a physical location where genealogical material is held. Marcia will provide instruction on how to develop a research plan before you head off to a repository and also review the different types of genealogical evidence you can find. Genealogy Websites Comparisons Marcia will review the big 4 genealogy research sites and show how they stack up to one another.

Books, Periodical/Newspapers, and Special Collections and Immigration and Emigration Records

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Dennis will review and demonstrate how to access the various free online book repositories for your genealogical research. He will share the benefits of PERSI and periodical research, as well as Newspaper research through free and paid repositories. Finally, he'll discuss Special Collections that can be found online and offline that can assist you with your research. Dennis will review the push and pull reasons your ancestors may have had for leaving their old country and moving to the United States. He will review the variety of ports they may have arrived at, and then review searching the Ellis Island Passenger List website as well as Castle Gardens. He will finish the class with a look at naturalization records, where they can be found, and what type of evidence you can find in them.

United States Military Records from the Revolutionary War to Vietnam and Handwriting and Spelling Variations

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
United States Military Records from the Revolutionary War to Vietnam Military Records are an excellent source of genealogy records. They cover a wide range of record data, ranging from enlistment, muster, pay, pension, medical, mission, and combat. Record quality and quantity increase and improve over time, with few records being available in the pre-colonial era outside of specialized libraries and histories, to the significant volume of records available for the modern wars (Civil War, WWI, WWII through Recent Wars). Class Instructor: Gus Reinwald I was born in Lock Haven, a small, rural Pennsylvania town. I was named Royce Augustus Reinwald, after an uncle and great-grandfather. My childhood years and school days, including high school and college, were in this town, ending with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts from Lock Haven State College. My college days were interrupted by a four-year stint in the U.S. Army Security Agency, a part of the National Security Agency. This stint included one year in language school at the Presidio of Monterey, California learning Vietnamese. Then, one year in Vietnam working as a translator in support of the 3rd Marine Division in Phu Bai near the imperial city of Hue in central Vietnam. After Vietnam, I worked at the National Security Agency, located at Ft. Meade, Maryland near Washington, DC. The Army behind me, I married my childhood sweetheart, finished college and started a family. I worked 32 years in the general aviation industry for Piper Aircraft and Lycoming Engines, mostly in […]

February 2022 Business Meeting

Online
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society board and officers meet monthly to handle the society business. AIGS membership is welcome to attend. We will need to review the audit committee report. It should have been received by February 1. Google Meet Joining Information Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pfk-tyhq-zveOr dial: (US) +1 346-908-0731 PIN: 722 543 807#More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/pfk-tyhq-zvepin=6838325626893

Tying It All Together – The PROCESS method of genealogical research

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Class Description PROCESS is a method I use to conduct research on client family trees as well as my own. You will find that a lot of the PROCESS method was discussed earlier in the different classes. This class is meant to tie it all together by sharing research results I have found while researching my 2nd great-grandfather’s parents and family.
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The Genealogy of Genes

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
For centuries, genealogists have based their studies on ancient records and oral affidavits to establish line of descent. Fifty years after the discovery of DNA, the age of genealogical DNA testing was launched, providing us with scientific methods to prove relationships. But how were DNA and genes discovered? What are their lines of descent? This entertaining presentation will focus on describing the thrills, intrigue and espionage associated with the amazing race to solve the puzzle of this remarkable molecule by three competing scientific teams. The speaker will also describe the different types of DNA genetic testing, and will show how his own DNA test results encapsulate the story of human migration.
Free

March 2022 Business Meeting

Online
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society board and officers meet monthly to handle the society business. AIGS membership is welcome to attend Google Meet Joining Information Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pfk-tyhq-zveOr dial: (US) +1 346-908-0731 PIN: 722 543 807#More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/pfk-tyhq-zvepin=6838325626893
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In Their Own Words

As part of the third system of fortifications built for harbor defense, Fort Clinch was constructed from 1847 to 1867. Serving in three wars, the Civil War, Spanish-American War, and World War II, the fort never saw battle and was never fully completed. Frank Ofeldt III will share with us how life was for the soldiers that were stationed there during these periods, based on their own accounts, letters and diaries. Frank A. Ofeldt III began as a Fort Clinch volunteer in the fort’s interpretive program in the 1980s. After college, he pursued a career with the Florida Park Service, for which he has served almost 30 years. He can often be found at the Fort portraying a Sergeant of Engineers. Frank is an avid reader, researcher, and collector of American military antiques, and authored a book on Fort Clinch. He often speaks to civic organizations regarding the military history of Amelia Island.

April 2022 Business Meeting

Online
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society board and officers meet monthly to handle the society business. AIGS membership is welcome to attend Google Meet Joining Information Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pfk-tyhq-zveOr dial: (US) +1 346-908-0731 PIN: 722 543 807#More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/pfk-tyhq-zvepin=6838325626893
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Keeping it in the Family

Chip Kirkpatrick will speak about his hobby of historical metal detecting, and in particular about an amazing piece he found on the Florida/Georgia border. It is a strange antique silver Scottish medallion, heavily engraved with illustrations, phrases and mottos, with direct links to William Wallace (Braveheart), Robert the Bruce and Chip’s own family. It is believed to be brought here by one of the Highlanders under Oglethorpe when he founded the colony of Georgia, and was likely lost in combat when the militia came to Amelia Island to avenge the murder of two Scots. Chip Kirkpatrick Shortly after his retirement from BellSouth/AT&T, Chip Kirkpatrick was introduced to metal detecting. Since then, he gave up fishing and has been spending his time searching for historical relics in NE Florida and SE Georgia, which he offers to schools, museums and libraries. He has received several awards for his finds, and has been published in magazines in the US, UK and Scotland. Kirkpatrick offers a free recovery and return service for anybody who has lost an item of personal value.

May 2022 Business Meeting

Online
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society board and officers meet monthly to handle the society business. AIGS membership is welcome to attend Google Meet Joining Information Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pfk-tyhq-zveOr dial: (US) +1 346-908-0731 PIN: 722 543 807#More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/pfk-tyhq-zvepin=6838325626893
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Your Ancestor’s FAN Club

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Using Cluster Research to Get Past Brick Walls Our ancestors were each surrounded by Family, Associates, and Neighbors. By researching them, we discover additional records pointing to our own ancestors. Join us in person for a webinar on this interesting topic by Drew Smith. Drew Smith Drew Smith developed an interest in genealogy as a child, and he began to engage in serious family history research in 1992 after the death of his favorite aunt. In 2009, Genealogical Publishing Company published his first genealogy book, Social Networking for Genealogists. His second book, co-authored with George G. Morgan, is Advanced Genealogy Research Techniques, published in 2013 by McGraw-Hill. His most recent book is Organize Your Genealogy: Strategies and Solutions for Every Researcher, published in 2016 by Family Tree Books. He is currently working on a new book. Drew regularly speaks at conferences and meetings of national, state, and local genealogy societies, especially on topics linking genealogy and technology.  Together with George G. Morgan, Drew has been the co-host of The Genealogy Guys Podcast since September 2005. Beginning in 2016, he hosts the Genealogy Connections Podcast.
Free

June 2022 Business Meeting

Online
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society board and officers meet monthly to handle the society business. AIGS membership is welcome to attend Google Meet Joining Information Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pfk-tyhq-zveOr dial: (US) +1 346-908-0731 PIN: 722 543 807#More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/pfk-tyhq-zvepin=6838325626893
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Parchments to Printouts

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Join us at the Fernandina Branch Library community room on 21 June at 7pm for a webinar by Sharon Tosi Lacey, Chief Historian at the U.S. Census Bureau. The title is Parchments to Printouts: A History of the Census 1790-1950, and the presentation will cover the changes and adaptations of the decennial census from inception through 1950, with a special focus on Amelia Island and surrounding area.
Free

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Using DNA to Prove an Ancestor and a Hereditary Disorder

Join us for a presentation by Sharon Clark Driscoll about the use of DNA in genealogical research. Hear about some of most successful commercial DNA testing companies, FamilyTreeDNA, 23andMe, and AncestryDNA, and what they have to offer. Learn how to find matches and recognize possible false positives. In addition, find out about markers and how to use genetic health risk reports.

August 2022 Business Meeting

Online
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society board and officers meet monthly to handle the society business. AIGS membership is welcome to attend. A list of all positions to be filled must be forwarded to the Nominating Committee by 1 September. Positions which must be filled with new people are: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and all officers. Google Meet Joining Information Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pfk-tyhq-zveOr dial: (US) +1 346-908-0731 PIN: 722 543 807#More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/pfk-tyhq-zvepin=6838325626893
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Stop Battling with Military Records 

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Come join us at 7pm, Tuesday, 16 August 2022, at the Fernandina Branch Library for a free presentation by John Strasburg concerning military records and their usage in your genealogical research. Military records can be a rich source of genealogical information, but many researchers steer clear because they don’t feel confident working with them. Become more comfortable around military records by joining guest presenter John Strasburg as he describes the various records available and how to obtain them. Whether experienced with military records or just getting started, everybody will come away from this program with something new. John Strasburg is a genealogist who specializes in military records research and enjoys helping others discover their ancestral past. A retired U.S. Coast Guard commissioned officer, John holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from SUNY Stony Brook, a master’s degree in library & information science from the University of South Florida, and a certificate in genealogical research from Boston University’s Metropolitan School, Center for Professional Education.
Free

September 2022 Business Meeting

Online
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society board and officers meet monthly to handle the society business. AIGS membership is welcome to attend. Candidates from the Nominating committee for the 2023 Board should be received by the 2022 Board on September 1. Google Meet Joining Information Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pfk-tyhq-zveOr dial: (US) +1 346-908-0731 PIN: 722 543 807#More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/pfk-tyhq-zvepin=6838325626893

Family History – Fun and Foibles

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Come join us on 20 September 2022 at 7pm in the Community room at the Fernandina Beach Branch Library where Joel Warner will present his discussion topic of "Family History - Fun and Foibles." This presentation tackles some research problems from four different families. Warner's goal in this presentation is to use real cases he has worked on to demonstrate how perseverance and luck will often help research solve problems.  Some may take patience as more and more records become available.  But there is great satisfaction with connecting yourself to the real lives of the real family members who contributed to what and who you are.

October 2022 Business Meeting

Online
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society board and officers meet monthly to handle the society business. AIGS membership is welcome to attend. Google Meet Joining Information Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pfk-tyhq-zveOr dial: (US) +1 346-908-0731 PIN: 722 543 807#More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/pfk-tyhq-zvepin=6838325626893

Finding Women in County, State, and Federal Records: What You Really Need to Know

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Join us on 18 October 2022 at 7pm at the Fernandina Beach Library where professional genealogist Margo Fariss Brewer will present "Finding Women in County, State, and Federal Records: What You Really Need to Know." How can you find your female ancestors in most of the records they may have been reported in? We will discuss which local, county, state, and federal records are most likely to include female ancestors, what information they may contain, ways to get better results, and how to obtain a copy of your female ancestor’s records.
Free

November 2022 Business Meeting

Online
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society board and officers meet monthly to handle the society business. AIGS membership is welcome to attend. Establish a 3 person audit committee to review 2022 financial records in January 2023. Google Meet Joining Information Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pfk-tyhq-zveOr dial: (US) +1 346-908-0731 PIN: 722 543 807#More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/pfk-tyhq-zvepin=6838325626893
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Ancestors Road Show and 2022 Annual Meeting

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society will hold its annual meeting at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 15, 2021 at the Community Room of the Fernandina Beach Public Library, 25 N 4th St. Following the election of officers and approval of the budget for the next year there will be time for our popular show-and-tell, a.k.a. the “Ancestor Road Show”. Members are invited to bring heirlooms, photographs, scrapbooks or other items for general display, and give a short (3 minutes) verbal presentation on these items.
Free

December 2022 Business Meeting

Online
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society board and officers meet monthly to handle the society business. AIGS membership is welcome to attend. Google Meet Joining Information Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pfk-tyhq-zveOr dial: (US) +1 346-908-0731 PIN: 722 543 807#More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/pfk-tyhq-zvepin=6838325626893

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2023 Beginners Classes

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Amelia Island Genealogical Society (AIGS) will conduct its annual Beginner Genealogical Course on six consecutive Saturdays, beginning 7 January 2023. All classes are held at 9:30am until noon in the Community Room at the Fernandina Beach Branch Library. The cost of $50 for 1 person or $85 per couple which includes a one-year Annual membership to the society and a manual. The cost to existing members is $25. Class size is limited, so please register early. To register, contact Patti Millage at 503-819-4561 or treasurer@aigensoc.org.
$50 – $85

January 2023 Business Meeting

The Amelia Island Genealogical Society board and officers meet monthly to handle the society business. AIGS membership is welcome to attend. Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pfk-tyhq-zveOr dial: (US) +1 346-908-0731 PIN: 722 543 807#More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/pfk-tyhq-zvepin=6838325626893

What’s new in Family Tree Maker?

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Please join us on 17 January 2023 at 7pm in the Community room at the Fernandina Beach Branch Library, when we kick off the new year with a virtual presentation by Marl Olsen. Mark will introduce the latest update of the Family Tree Maker software, explaining how to get the update, what to do prior to running it, and highlighting its main features. This presentation will not only be useful to those who are already using the FTM software, but also to those who are considering acquiring it. A door prize will be presented to one person at the meeting. Mark Olsen is the Family Tree Maker Ambassador to historical and genealogical societies around the world working to support their members as they use Family Tree Maker. Mark is a graduate of Brigham Young University and holds a bachelor’s degree in Family History with a Spanish records emphasis. He has been working in the genealogy industry since 2007 and has been the Family Tree Maker Ambassador since 2016. 
Free

February 2023 Business Meeting

The Amelia Island Genealogical Society board and officers meet monthly to handle the society business. AIGS membership is welcome to attend. Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pfk-tyhq-zveOr dial: (US) +1 346-908-0731 PIN: 722 543 807#More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/pfk-tyhq-zvepin=6838325626893
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Use of Death and Funeral Home Records for Genealogical Research

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Come join us on 21 Feb 2023 at 7:00pm in the Fernandina Branch Library community room. Where Kyle Adkins, a licensed director of funeral homes in Florida will present an in-person presentation on the use of death and funeral home records for genealogical research.
Free

Library Committee Meeting

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Bi-monthly meeting of the library committee which has responsibility over the genealogy collection at the Fernandina Beach Branch library.

Membership Committee Meeting Mar 2023

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
At the Board meeting last week, the distribution of the quarterlies was discussed a bit – how to best handle getting the publication to those folks who really want to receive it without printing a bunch of copies that will never be picked up.  There were some suggestions, starting with sending an email to those current members with 3-4 copies sitting in their folders.  The more I thought about it, I decided it would be a good opportunity to ask a few other questions around membership benefits, meeting schedule, program topics, etc. (in addition to the quarterly question).  I’m thinking we should develop a short survey covering these items – the agenda for our next Membership Committee Meeting!

March 2023 Business Meeting

The Amelia Island Genealogical Society board and officers meet monthly to handle the society business. AIGS membership is welcome to attend. Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pfk-tyhq-zveOr dial: (US) +1 346-908-0731 PIN: 722 543 807#More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/pfk-tyhq-zvepin=6838325626893

Genealogy or History? Collaborative Research in Action

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Come join us on 21 March 2023 at 7:00pm in the Fernandina Branch Library community room. Carol Clay, Past-President of the Southern Genealogist Exchange, Inc. will present "Genealogy or History? Collaborative Research in Action" where she will discuss two Jacksonville families research while extolling the benefits of the collection at the Southern Genealogist Exchange office on Sauterne Drive in Jacksonville.

April 2023 Business Meeting

The Amelia Island Genealogical Society board and officers meet monthly to handle the society business. AIGS membership is welcome to attend. Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pfk-tyhq-zveOr dial: (US) +1 346-908-0731 PIN: 722 543 807#More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/pfk-tyhq-zvepin=6838325626893

How to Convert Old Photographs, Slides, & Videos into Digital Formats

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Cherished memories deserve special care, and preserving them for future generations is essential. We invite you to join us on April 18th, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the Fernandina Branch Library's community room for an informative session on converting photographs, slides, and videos into digital formats that can be treasured for a lifetime.

Library Committee Meeting May 2023

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Bi-monthly meeting of the library committee which has responsibility over the genealogy collection at the Fernandina Beach Branch library.

May 2023 Business Meeting

The Amelia Island Genealogical Society board and officers meet monthly to handle the society business. AIGS membership is welcome to attend. Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pfk-tyhq-zveOr dial: (US) +1 346-908-0731 PIN: 722 543 807#More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/pfk-tyhq-zvepin=6838325626893

The Catholic Church Going West

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Join us on 16 May at 7pm at the Fernandina Branch Library Community Room to listen to Bob Frey, who will tell us how he traced his ancestry back to the Catholics who established colonial Maryland, then later migrated to Kentucky and beyond. His ancestors settled the historic, western Kentucky Catholic settlement of Fancy Farm and helped build the St Jerome Church. Frey will discuss his ancestors’ arrival in Maryland from England in the 17th century and subsequent migration to Kentucky in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

June 2023 Business Meeting

The Amelia Island Genealogical Society board and officers meet monthly to handle the society business. AIGS membership is welcome to attend. Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pfk-tyhq-zveOr dial: (US) +1 346-908-0731 PIN: 722 543 807#More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/pfk-tyhq-zvepin=6838325626893
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Researching Your Family Tree? The Library Can Help!

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
This month’s program, facilitated by the AIGS Library Committee, will showcase the Genealogy Room of the Fernandina Beach Branch of the Nassau County Public Library, which has an extensive collection of books of interest to family history researchers. The AIGS library contains over one thousand volumes, including genealogy magazines. The main focus is on local history, colonial history and ‘how-to’ books about genealogy, but it also has a large collection of military books, as well as books covering research in many states and countries. Join us and learn about the actual collection and how to locate materials in it. Please note the different day of the week and starting time!

Library Committee Meeting Jul 2023

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Bi-monthly meeting of the library committee which has responsibility over the genealogy collection at the Fernandina Beach Branch library.

July 2023 Business Meeting

The Amelia Island Genealogical Society board and officers meet monthly to handle the society business. AIGS membership is welcome to attend. Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pfk-tyhq-zveOr dial: (US) +1 346-908-0731 PIN: 722 543 807#More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/pfk-tyhq-zvepin=6838325626893

Looking for Your Ancestors? Try the Free Ancestry Library Edition

This month’s program will be a unique opportunity to learn about the use of the online subscription to the Ancestry Library Edition (ALE). Participants will be given the opportunity to use this free resource during an online workshop in the Library’s Computer Lab. If you bring your own device, you may use the library’s free Wi-Fi to access ALE. ALE contains resources like censuses, vital records, family histories, military records, court and legal documents, immigration records, directories, photos, maps and more. This is the second program in a series to showcase the resources of the AIGS and the Nassau County Public Library System.  The AIGS provides partial funding for the subscription to ALE. Attendance is free and open to the public.

August 2023 Business Meeting

The Amelia Island Genealogical Society board and officers meet monthly to handle the society business. AIGS membership is welcome to attend. Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pfk-tyhq-zveOr dial: (US) +1 346-908-0731 PIN: 722 543 807#More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/pfk-tyhq-zvepin=6838325626893

The “Rosin” Fall of Turpentine in Nassau County

Turpentine was a ubiquitous ingredient in American household products including paints, medicines, soaps, lamp oil, ink, lubricants, hair spray, and cosmetics, just to name a few. Pine trees would be tapped for sap and resin which was used in the production of making turpentine. Join us to listen to John Hendricks, Director of the West Nassau Historical Society, who will explore the economic and social impact the turpentine industry had on the development of Nassau County. He will take you on a remarkable hundred-year-long journey from the first turpentine still founded in the late 1850s through its heyday at the turn of the 19th century to its waning years in the 1940s and 1950s.

Library Committee Meeting – Sep 2023

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Bi-monthly meeting of the library committee which has responsibility over the genealogy collection at the Fernandina Beach Branch library.

September 2023 Business Meeting

The Amelia Island Genealogical Society board and officers meet monthly to handle the society business. AIGS membership is welcome to attend. Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pfk-tyhq-zveOr dial: (US) +1 346-908-0731 PIN: 722 543 807#More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/pfk-tyhq-zvepin=6838325626893
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Florida Pioneers, Settlers and Builders

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Join us on 19 September at 7pm in the Community Room at the downtown Fernandina Beach branch library when speaker Judy Frey will be discussing the different types of certificates available through this program and will provide instructions to guide descendants through the steps to prepare their application and the related documents. She will also highlight the various resources of records available on Florida counties.

October 2023 Business Meeting

The Amelia Island Genealogical Society board and officers meet monthly to handle the society business. AIGS membership is welcome to attend. Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pfk-tyhq-zveOr dial: (US) +1 346-908-0731 PIN: 722 543 807#More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/pfk-tyhq-zvepin=6838325626893
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Graveyard Chronicles: Stories of Life, Love, and Legacy

Bosque Bello Cemetery 1321 N. 14th St., Fernandina Beach, Florida, United States
The guided tour at Bosque Bello Cemetery, presented by the Amelia Island Genealogical Society and the Amelia Island Museum of History, offers a unique chance to learn about the lives and stories of notable past residents of Fernandina. You will be escorted to 8 different gravesites where Costumed Interpreters will share the tales of these individuals (including one or two who are actual relatives). Reserve your spot today!
$25
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Deeds: An Insider’s View

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Join us on October 17 at 7pm in the Community Room at the downtown Fernandina Beach branch library for a virtual presentation by Susan Well from the Genealogical Society of Sarasota. She will reveal what information to expect from a deed, how to extract the relevant facts from the mostly unfamiliar wording and how to interpret the land description. Susan Well has twenty-five years’ experience in real estate sales and appraisal and will share how you can use the nature of the land records’ office to your advantage when approaching the personnel who work there, either in-person or online.
Free

Library Committee Meeting – Nov 2023

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Bi-monthly meeting of the library committee which has responsibility over the genealogy collection at the Fernandina Beach Branch library.

November 2023 Business Meeting

The Amelia Island Genealogical Society board and officers meet monthly to handle the society business. AIGS membership is welcome to attend. Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pfk-tyhq-zveOr dial: (US) +1 346-908-0731 PIN: 722 543 807#More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/pfk-tyhq-zvepin=6838325626893
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Ancestors Road Show and 2023 Annual Meeting

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society will hold its annual meeting at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at the Community Room of the Fernandina Beach Public Library, 25 N 4th St. Following the election of officers and approval of the budget for the next year there will be time for our popular show-and-tell, a.k.a. the “Ancestor Road Show”. Members are invited to bring heirlooms, photographs, scrapbooks or other items for general display, and give a short (3 minutes) verbal presentation on these items. If you wish to share a story with us, though, please let us know well in advance by writing to programs@aigensoc.org Public welcome. Annual Meeting Information:
Free

December 2023 Business Meeting

The Amelia Island Genealogical Society board and officers meet monthly to handle the society business. AIGS membership is welcome to attend. Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pfk-tyhq-zveOr dial: (US) +1 346-908-0731 PIN: 722 543 807#More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/pfk-tyhq-zvepin=6838325626893

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2024 Beginning Genealogy Classes

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Amelia Island Genealogical Society (AIGS) will conduct its annual Beginning Genealogy Course on six consecutive Saturdays, beginning 6 January 2024. All classes are held at 9:30am and end before 12:30pm in the Community Room at the Fernandina Beach Branch Library. The cost of $50 for 1 person or $85 per couple which includes a one-year Annual membership to the society and a manual. The cost to existing members is $25. Class size is limited, so please register early. To register, contact Patti Millage at 503-819-4561 or membership@aigensoc.org.
$50 – $85
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History of Agriculture in Nassau County

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
Join us for a fascinating presentation on how the region’s agricultural sector persisted, despite serious challenges, and continued to contribute significantly to the county’s economy by the late 20th century. Commercial agriculture in Nassau County dates back to the 18th century when a highway was constructed from the northern colonies to St. Augustine, leading to the establishment of plantation systems. After the Revolutionary War, Nassau County was transferred back to the Spanish, who re-established plantations, initiating the first land boom. In the 19th century, the area saw battles between Americans and Seminoles, leading to the relocation of the Town Seat of Government from Fernandina to Sand Hill. The 20th century witnessed the boom of the timber and Long Leaf Pine industry, with significant developments in agriculture, marked by the introduction of County Agricultural Agents in 1915 and the growth of the truck farming industry in South Florida in the 1920s. The Great Depression and subsequent decades brought challenges, but the region’s agriculture persisted, contributing significantly to the county’s economy by the late 20th century. David Hebert Speaker David Hebert is an Extension Agent I in Nassau County, FL. This presentation is based on his research of a collection of historical documents.
Free

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Culloden to the Carolinas: Scottish Immigration

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7pm on the 3rd Tuesday, 20 February 2024, in the community room at the Fernandina Branch Library. The public is invited to join us as we listen to a presentation by Terry Talbert on Scottish immigration, Culloden to the Carolinas.
Free

FamilyTreeMaker – Special Interest Group

We will hold the first meeting of the FamilyTreeMaker special interest group on Saturday, February 24, 2024. This meeting is a virtual meeting, and the information to log in can be found in the post. All AIGS members are welcome to attend!
Free

Writing Your Ancestors Life Story – Special Interest Group

We will hold the first meeting of the Writing Your Ancestors Life Story special interest group on Sunday, February 25, 2024 from 7pm-9pm. This meeting is a virtual meeting, and the information to log in can be found in the post.
Free

FamilyTreeMaker – Special Interest Group

We will hold the next meeting of the FamilyTreeMaker special interest group on Saturday, March 16, 2024. This meeting is a virtual meeting, and the information to log in can be found in the post. All AIGS members are welcome to attend!
Free
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Jacksonville Public Library’s Memory Lab

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7pm on the 3rd Tuesday, 19 March 2024, in the community room at the Fernandina Branch Library. Our speaker will be Kristi Dorney, Customer Experience Librarian Special Collections & Genealogy at the Jacksonville Public Library. She will speak about the Jacksonville Public Library's Memory Lab. We will also try to organize a future tour of the Lab for folks interested in driving to Jacksonville.
Free

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Quilting in America – Family Tree Style

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7pm on the 3rd Tuesday, 16 April 2024, in the community room at the Fernandina Branch Library. Speaker details to follow.
Free

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Tips and Tricks for Solving Your Brick Walls

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7pm on the 3rd Tuesday, 21 May 2024, in the community room at the Fernandina Branch Library. Speaker details to follow.
Free

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Gus Gerbing and Gerbing Gardens

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7pm on the 3rd Tuesday, 18 June 2024, in the community room at the Fernandina Branch Library. Jane Collins, President of Colonial Dames, will speak on Gus Gerbing, who was a well-known local entrepreneur and gardener. She will also speak about her father's efforts to stop the paper companies from polluting the river.
Free
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Brushes with History

Peck Center 516 South 10th Street, Fernandina Beach, Florida, United States
This event has been cancelled. We will let everyone know if it gets rescheduled for a later date.
Free

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July General Meeting

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7pm on the 3rd Tuesday, 16 July 2024, in the community room at the Fernandina Branch Library. Speaker details to follow.
Free

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Greek Genealogy and Fernandina Settlers

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7pm on the 3rd Tuesday, 20 August 2024, in the community room at the Fernandina Branch Library. Speaker details to follow.
Free

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The Hendricks/Demonbreun Family Tree

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7pm on the 3rd Tuesday, 17 September 2024, in the community room at the Fernandina Branch Library. Speaker for the evening will be John H. Hendricks of Callahan, Nassau, Florida.
Free

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LABINS Resource for Maps

Fernandina Beach Library 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7pm on the 3rd Tuesday, 15 October 2024, in the community room at the Fernandina Branch Library. Jim Shroads will be the guest speaker. Details to follow.
Free
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