Irish Genealogical Society International Logo
Irish Genealogical Society International
Norman Castle - WR
Fáilte!  (Welcome!) 
 IGSI is a partner of the Minnesota Genealogical Society

 


Your Opportunity to Celebrate Irish Heritage and Culture
Collage showing IGSI members attending classes and engaged in other activities. Title:  Donate Today: donations support key IGSI initiatives related to Irish culture, heritage, history & genealogy.
As we head into the end of 2024, the Irish Genealogical Society International (IGSI) needs your assistance to continue our important mission by reaching our fundraising goal of $10,000. Every donation, regardless of size, helps us reach our goals and enhance what IGSI can offer.
Your support will go towards exciting new and ongoing initiatives in the following areas:
  • Educational webinars, classes, and hybrid events featuring renowned Irish genealogy, history, and culture experts
  • Upgraded website with a responsive, mobile-friendly design
  • Publications such as our award-winning research journal The Septs and eNewsletter Ginealas
  • Maintaining and growing our library research collection at the Minnesota Genealogy Center’s Hoffman Research Library, which is already one of the largest Irish genealogical collections in the United States
  • Expanded access for members to research materials both in person and online
  • Connecting the Irish diaspora with their culture and heritage through social and cultural events like the Minnesota Irish Fair
  • Growing IGSI membership and volunteers to increase bandwidth for additional programs and initiatives, through outreach on social media, advertising, our blog, and our YouTube channel.
Members know that we offer a range of services tied to Irish genealogy, culture, history, and heritage. But did you know that we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so when you donate to support these services, that donation is tax deductible?
 
To donate now or at any time please visit the Donate page on our website. You can donate via credit card, debit card, PayPal, or if you would prefer to send a check for your contribution, please send it to:
IGSI
1385 Mendota Heights Rd., Ste 100
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
 
For those of you eligible to make Qualified Charitable Distributions ("QCD"), we hope you consider making a gift to IGSI via that option.  
 
Thank you for supporting the Irish Genealogical Society International.  If you have already made a generous donation to IGSI or supported us in other ways this past year we are so very grateful.

 

A free IGSI webinar for the holidays!

A "free & open to all" sign
IGSI's annual holiday gift is a December webinar that is free for all to see. This year we have a very special offering!
 
Dr Thomas Finan is a professor of medieval history and archaeology at Saint Louis University, and the director of the Lough Key archaeological project in Ireland for over 20 years. This "dig" in County Roscommon on Castle Island examines the site of a medieval castle (of the MacDermot lords of Moylurg), unearthing mysteries of 13th century rural Ireland.
 
image of a ruined castle in Ireland that is being explored by archaeologists
So, brew your cup of tea, warm up a scone from the local bakery, and check out this free webinar. While this event is free and open to all, you must register for the event to receive the Zoom login details.
 
 
 
 

October podcast available for viewing

Cover image for "This month at the IGSI" - our monthy podcast
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.
 
 
YouTube logoYou 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).


IGSI blog is recognized

Words "IGSI's Blog"
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!

IGSI 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 


Minnesota Genealogy Center
1385 Mendota Heights Rd, Suite 100
Mendota Heights, Minnesota 55120
 
Questions?  Contact us at questions@irishgenealogical.org

December 7
The Medieval Origins of Irish Genealogy - an Archaeologist's perspective
10:30 AM - Noon CST (GMT-5) Presented by Professor Thomas Finan, Saint Louis University Free and open to the public, but registration is required ...
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.  ...
January 4
Using Artificial Intelligence to Research Documents & Letters
10:30 AM - Noon CST (GMT-5) Presented by Mark D Thompson $15 for IGSI members (with Discount Code); $20 for non-members   Do you ...
January 23
IGSI Social Gaggle on Zoom
6:30 - 8:00 PM CST   Join a group of IGSI leaders to share ideas and challenges with family history research relating to Irish ancestors. ...