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 Living Well Workshop on May 12 will feature Megan Walsh from the University of Minnesota Law School for a presentation on efforts to prevent gun violence through lawsuits designed to address unlawful practices in selling, manufacturing, or advertising firearms.
Craig Moody’s Swedish ancestors were among the 60,000 Swedes who chose to emigrate to the U.S. between 1868 and 1871, because of the poor economic conditions in their homeland. He has spent the last nine years investigating their history.
Back problems as we age and how we can treat them will be the discussion topic for the UMRA Breakfast meeting on Thursday, May 14. Paul Schanfield, MD, will be our expert resource person. He is a retired neurologist, a member of UMRA, and has personal experience with back surgery.
UMRA’s Book Club I will discuss The Alchemy of Us: How Humans and Matter Transformed One Another by Ainissa Ramirez when it meets via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 15.
Peter Moe, retired University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Director and UMRA member, will lead this hike.
Executive Vice President and Provost Gretchen Ritter will discuss her role and offer reflections on her first year at the University of Minnesota as the featured speaker for the UMRA Luncheon Forum on May 19 at Midland Hills Country Club in Roseville. The forum will be preceded by UMRA’s 2026 Annual Meeting.
"Third Wednesdays in the West Wing" is a pilot program for spring 2026.
A 1987 classic, cited as the gold standard of modern legal thrillers.
Bev leads at Hyland Lake Park Reserve.
Connect, explore new ideas for what it means to live and age well, and celebrate a community of continuous learning at the fifth annual Age-Friendly University Day to be held on the U of M Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis on Monday, June 8.
Abandoned and discarded is the theme for the UMRA Photo Club meeting in June. Newcomers are welcome.
Michael leads this hike at Afton State Park.
We will gather in the Waterfall Room for an in-person, summer social and luncheon for UMRA members and guests on June 24th. Our event will include social time; a plated, seated lunch; and the always popular Summer Social Trivia Game with quizmasters Dave Dorman and Mark Jenson.
Kayaking at Lake Bde Maka Ska.
Bev leads the Nokomis walk to Minnehaha Falls.