Open forum and planning meeting
The meeting started with sharing special family pictures and related stories from about 8 FHIG members. They ranged from the very sad to the humorous. Several members talked about how they used their pictures for further discoveries of their own family history. In response to a question from one remember, we reviewed how one can use familysearch.org to try and identify non-obvious cousin relationships, often 8th to 12th cousins. There was a discussion and a caution about depositing family history information with county and/or state historical societies. There was a discussion of programming for next year and three potential sessions/presenters were identified. Possible session topics include Roots Tech, the use of Chat GPT, and identifying family history in situations where written family records do not exist.
Open forum and planning meeting
Wed, May 15, 2024, 10am
You’re invited to join the final Family History Interest Group (FHIG) meeting for 2023–24 on Wednesday, May 15, from 10 to 11 a.m. via Zoom. This will be an open forum for participants to ask questions related to family history, share insights, talk about recent projects, and suggest topics for 2024–25 FHIG meetings.
We invite all who are interested to share up to two of their favorite family history pictures. Be prepared to answer questions and explain the significance of your photo(s). To share your pictures, email them to Craig Swan at [email protected] by Monday, May 13.
If you are working on a family history project and would like to make a presentation for a meeting next year, please let us know.
—Lynn C. Anderson and Craig Swan, FHIG co-chairs
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.