Open discussion and planning for next year
The final Family History Interest Group meeting for 2024-25 was an open discussion with attendees about what questions or challenges they had related to family history and what topics they would like to have presented next year. The discussion included how to preserve family letters, using Advanced Archival, how to find obituaries, how to engage younger family members, using AI and other technology to scan letters, the use of Google Books,and much more. Craig and Lynn are interested in hearing from UMRA members who wish to suggestion topics for next year's presentations and those who wish to present.
Open discussion and planning for next year
Wed, May 7, 2025, 10am
UMRA’s Family History Interest Group (FHIG) will meet via Zoom from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 7, for an open discussion of ideas, insights, questions, and issues related to family history. We will also talk about topics for next year's meetings, and welcome volunteers to present.
FHIG meets via Zoom five to six times each UMRA program year (September through May) to provide opportunities to learn about the various aspects of family history research and ways of sharing that research. UMRA members have presented on the biology of DNA, numerous ways to search for information, thoughts about compiling information, and ideas on how to present and share information. Go to umra.umn.edu > Get Involved > Interest Groups > Family History for a list of resources and links to video recordings of past presentations.
Email FHIG co-chairs Lynn C. Anderson or Craig Swan to get the link to join the meeting on Wednesday, May 7. We hope you can join us.
Upcoming Events
UMRA’s Fourth Friday Book Club (aka UMRA Book Club II) will discuss the Pulitzer Prize-winning debut novel by Jhumpa Lahiri when it meets at 2 p.m. on Friday, October 23, via Zoom. The nine short stories in the collection speak to anyone who has ever felt like an outsider.
Discuss long term care options with Fred Andersen.
Chris Coleman, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity president and CEO and a two time alumnus of the University of Minnesota, will provide a deep dive for UMRA’s October 27 luncheon forum into how Habitat creates, preserves, and promotes affordable homeownership for low-income households.
Join Leader Neal Gale for the November 2 hike in the heart of Minneapolis’ Minnehaha Falls – Mississippi River area.
Bob & Jean Hall and Andy Whitman, participants.
How much do the experiences of our earliest years shape who we become — and even our physical health — decades later? For more than 50 years, University of Minnesota researchers have been exploring that question through the Minnesota Longitudinal Study of Risk and Adaptation. In this UMRA Living Well Workshop, Professor Jeffry Simpson, PhD, will draw on findings from the study to explore the connections between our earliest relationships and our health later in life.
The theme for November is "Hands"
Join us for breakfast and discussion about this year's election results.
UMRA’s Cabinets of Curiosity tour will offer an insider's look into the important work happening at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center. We will enjoy a walking tour through patient exam rooms, student learning areas, and clinical/surgery suites, highlighting how faculty experts and student veterinarians collaborate to deliver life-saving care.
Gift planning strategies and ideas for impactful tax-efficient gifts to accomplish your goals.
Professor Kathryn Pearson, a well-known and respected specialist in U.S. politics and political behavior, will help us to decipher the results of the 2026 midterm elections as the guest speaker for UMRA’s November 2026 Luncheon Forum.
Gather with UMRA members in the Campus Club West Wing to share lunch and conversation. No agenda.
The Feather Detective: Mystery, Mayhem, and the Magnificent Life of Roxie Laybourne by Chris Sweeney.
Consult with a tax professional to come up with a financial plan well before year end.
Join us as we navigate the trails at the Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge Education and Visitor Center.
The theme for December is "Pathways and roadways."
"Landscape" is the theme of the UMRA Photo Club meeting on Tuesday, January 12.