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
You are invited to a discussion of the Minnesota midterm elections. We have set the date after the primary, which is on August 11 so we can discuss the candidates who will be in the election.
Nanette leads a trail of two cities hike.
10:30 a.m. check in; 10:45 boarding; cruise from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Join UMRA friends and colleagues for a summer cruise and lunch aboard the Paradise Destiny II on beautiful Lake Minnetonka. Paul Maravelas, sailor, historian, and author of The History of Big Island, Lake Minnetonka will join us to share stories from 200+ years of lake-dwellers. Come early or stay after the cruise to explore Excelsior, a charming small town on the big lake.
Ticket price includes lunch: chef's sandwich, garden salad, fruit, chips, and cookies. Coffee, iced tea, and lemonade are complimentary and there will be a cash bar for other beverages. A vegetarian sandwich can be selected during registration.
UMRA’s Book Club I will discuss the debut novel Buckeye by Patrick Ryan when it meets via Zoom at 2 pm. on Friday, August 21.
You are invited to join the discussion of The Cause: The American Revolution and Its Discontents 1773-1783 by Joseph J. Ellis.
The theme for September is "Monuments."
Bev leads a Lake of the Isles hike with Bun Coffee afterwards.
Critical issues facing detained immigrants and their families will be discussed.
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A 1978 short story collection by American author John Cheever.
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The architecture in Iceland is as spare as the culture -- honest and simple.
Michelle Trudeau-Spanjers leads the hike at William O'Brien State Park.
Topics include longevity, distributions, long term care, Social Security, and comprehensive planning.
The theme for October is "Hands."
UMF CEO John Morris
Jon C leads the hike at Nerstrand Big Woods with lunch afterwards.
Discuss long term care options with Fred Andersen.