Fáilte! (Welcome!)
IGSI is a partner of the Minnesota Genealogical Society
October podcast available for viewing
In the October edition (Episode 4 of Season 3) of our podcast, “This month at the IGSI,” genealogist Dave Miller introduces the next hybrid webinar, scheduled for October 19th, featuring genealogist Jay Fonkert’s presentation, Genealogy Detective Skills: Following Clues from the Census. Jay will help you understand the value of census records in your research and will also help you make sense of pre-1850 census records. The event will be held at the Minnesota Genealogy Society at 1385 Mendota Heights Road, Suite 100, in Mendota Heights. Tours of the Research Library and Irish Collection will be offered during the lunch and social time following the program. Registration for the live event is limited to 40 people; there is no limit to the number of virtual attendees.
While we talk about Irish festivals that occur here in North America, we seldom talk about festivals that occur in Ireland. In this podcast, Dave highlights several interesting and fun Irish Halloween festivals that occur near the end of October. He talks with an expert on Irish culture who says Irish folklore suggests Halloween can be traced to the ancient Celtic tradition of Samhain. Learn how you can enjoy these festivals if you plan to visit Ireland this fall.
You won’t want to miss this! The podcast will also include the latest Irish History Minute. In this month’s segment, Janelle Asselin discusses Irish women whose lives were changed due to criminal transportation.
 You can visit IGSI's YouTube channel at any time by clicking the YouTube link above right or at the lower right side of our main page (below the upcoming activities).
Saturday, October 12 is “Irish Saturday" in the Library
Whenever you are near the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis-St Paul, consider visiting the Hoffman Research Library at the Minnesota Genealogy Center. This convenient facility is in Mendota Heights, just minutes from the MSP airport, with free parking. It is normally open weekly on Mon, Wed, Thurs, and Sat for in-person research. It houses the extensive (3,000+ title) IGSI research collection.
What is special about Irish Saturdays? IGSI volunteers are on hand to help you start your research, talk through that problem ancestor, or dig deep into our archives for hard-to-find resources. The library is open 10 AM – 4 PM on Saturdays, and has evening hours on Thursdays. Check our website www.irishgenealogical.org for details, directions, and to spot any changes in the regular schedule due to poor weather or other surprises.
Books & Maps for sale
We sell Discovery Maps of Ireland for the Republic on Irish Saturdays for $5 and have a selection of books that are duplicates or retired from the Irish collection. We don’t have the ability to process credit card payments so please bring cash (exact change is appreciated) or a checkbook. These are lovely maps that may not be the latest edition, but provide great detail for any area of interest for your ancestral research.
Irish Ancestors and other online resources in the library
Three patron workstations in the Hoffman Research Library are configured with John Grenham’s most valuable Irish Ancestors website for ancestral research. This subscription will allow patrons and volunteers to search the paid site at no cost.
You can also access Findmypast, Ancestry.com, Fold 3, NewsPaperArchive.com and Newspapers.com in the library for free thanks to our institutional subscriptions.
Admission fees
Admission to the MGS library is FREE to members of IGSI and any other MGS partner society. Non-members can join a society during their visit or pay a $10 Library daily use fee.
IGSI blog is recognized
Have you checked out IGSI's blog?
IGSI's blog was recently recognized on a list of the " 20 Best Irish Genealogy/Blogs and Websites in 2024." The list includes other terrific Irish blogs. Gigi Hickey (a.k.a. IGSI Blogger) has posted for IGSI for almost 12 years; IGSI's blog currently has over 2000 searchable articles. See our blog to view the full list for best blogs.
Congratulations, Gigi, and thank you for all that you do!
IGSI is on Instagram!
I GSI now has an Instagram account for anyone who wants a new way to stay up to date on the latest happenings with our organization. In addition to regular posts with IGSI news and information, posts will also include tidbits about Irish places, news, and history and happenings in the genealogical community. If you're on Instagram, you can follow us at @IrishGenSI
Upcoming Hybrid Webinars
Want to join our live audience in Mendota Heights, MN?
IGSI hosts hybrid webinars in May, June, September, and October. You can join us live, virtually, or later...
 Please consider participating in these webinars at the live event in Minnesota (near the MSP airport). In any case, all registrants will receive a link to the event recording and a copy of the handout. Can't attend at the time of the broadcast? No problem! Live and virtual attendees will be able to participate during the broadcast in the Q&A and discussion following the presentation, as time allows.
For those who join our live audience, the broadcast will be followed by social time in the meeting room. The registration form presents the option of ordering a box lunch in advance, or you can bring your own. Brief tours of the Library and Irish collection will be offered, and you could linger to make use of the Library until it closes at 4pm. Guests who are not members of one of the affiliated Societies will be asked for a $10 day use Library fee, or you can join a society on site that day.
Registration for the live event is limited to 40 people, and we ask that you arrive at the facility by 10am on the day of the event, as the broadcast begins promptly at 10:30 am Central. See the Activities tab, or the right column on this page for details and the registration link.
Visit the Library in MN: the IGSI Irish collection
The 3000+ titles of the IGSI research collection are housed in the Hoffman Research Library (along with the collections of the Minn. Genealogical Society and affiliates) in Mendota Heights, MN near the MSP International Airport. Member or not, you can visit our library where you will find one of the finest collections of Irish genealogy and history books in North America. Everyone is welcome, but a $10 daily use fee is charged if you are not a member of IGSI, MGS or one of its affiliated societies.)
The Hoffman Research Library is normally open on the schedule below. Check the Minnesota Genealogical Society website before any visit in case of unscheduled closures: www.mngs.org
Library Hours
Mon 10am - 4pm
Wed 10am – 4pm
Thurs 10am – 8pm
Sat 10am – 4pm
Are you due for a visit to the library for some hands-on research?
The second Saturday each month is Irish Saturday with IGSI volunteers present to help you with your research and offer map/book sales to visitors.
Minnesota Genealogy Center
1385 Mendota Heights Rd, Suite 100
Mendota Heights, Minnesota 55120
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October 19
Genealogy Detective Skills: Following Clues from the Census
10:30 AM - Noon CDT (GMT-5) Presented by J. H. (“Jay”) Fonkert, CG $15 for IGSI members (with Discount Code); $20 for non-members ...
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November 9
Irish Saturday
Stop by the library for Irish research help. Check www.mngs.org on the day you plan to visit, to make sure the library is open. ...
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November 14
IGSI Social Gaggle on Zoom
Join a group of IGSI leaders to share ideas and challenges with family history research relating to Irish ancestors. Please share your questions, celebrations, favorite ...
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November 16
The Connemara of County Galway: Despair in the American Heartland
10:30 AM - Noon CDT (GMT-5) Presented by Jane Kennedy, MA $15 for IGSI members (with Discount Code); $20 for non-members When Irish ...
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December 14
Irish Saturday
Stop by the library for Irish research help. Check www.mngs.org on the day you plan to visit, to make sure the library is open. ...
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