Meetings 2025-2026

General Meeting & Luncheon – third Tuesdays as shown below September through May.

Our New meeting location is:

 South Hillsborough Elks Lodge 2672, 1630 S U.S. Hwy 41, Ruskin, Florida   Map & Location

10:30 am – Optional Regional Round Table  Discussion before the luncheon. Bring your questions and maybe the group can help you find the answers.

12:00 pm – Lunch              1:00 pm – Guest Speaker

 COST: $18.00 includes program & pre-planned lunch. Make check payable to South Bay Genealogical Society. Reservations must be received in our P.O. Box at least nine  (9) days prior to the luncheon meeting.  Send a check for $18.00 each, including names of attendees and food choice to SBGS, PO Box 5202, Sun City Center, FL 33571 

January 20 – Peggy Jude –   Figuring Out a Mystery Match – How Am I Related to This Person?

Do you have a DNA match that you don’t know how they are related to you? Using an actual case study we present the four steps to figuring out who the match is and how you might be related.

February 17- Lori Coffey – Three Fer! 

Lori will present three 20 minute programs:  Ancestry Fixes; Revolution in the South; Tech Tips for Genealogy 

March 17 –  April Min

The Hunt for Heirs and Unknowns: Inside Forensic Genealogy

Genealogist and attorney April Min will explores the inner workings of forensic genealogy, a unique and fascinating subfield of genealogical practice. Using real cases for illustration, she will survey the various techniques used to navigate the search for heirs and beneficiaries – from traditional genealogy to the forward-facing investigative techniques needed for forensic inquiries. The discussion will also touch briefly on genetic genealogy, its use in different forensic circumstances, and the current state of affairs of the use of genealogical resources by law enforcement.

April 21 – Karen Fortin

Bringing Your Ancestors to Life: Going Beyond the Facts  

 Karen uses traditional records, such as vital records, newspaper articles, and land records, for one of my ancestors to build a more in-depth profile of her, including her personality. 

May 19 – Debbie Smyth – Probate Records: Looking Beyond the Will

A Last Will and Testament offers a rich resource of information for genealogical purposes. But the will is only the beginning of the records that may be available and of value to the genealogist. Even if the decedent left no will, there may be other estate records to assist in your research. This presentation provides an overview of the probate process and the records that may be created after a person’s death.