Fáilte! (Welcome!)
IGSI is a partner of the Minnesota Genealogical Society
Library Hours
Note revised hours for 2025 for Hoffman Research Library, with a temporary change to Monday hours:
| Mondays |
10 am - 4 pm** |
| Wednesdays |
10 am - 4 pm |
| Thursdays |
10 am - 6 pm |
| Saturdays |
10 am - 4 pm |
** The Library will be open from 10 - 4 on Mondays during the month of June. In July, it will return to the regular schedule of 10 - 6 on Mondays.
The same name – everywhere in source records.
How to sift and separate family groups.
Saturday, June 28  MN Genealogy Center, 1385 Mendota Hts Rd, Mendota Heights
10:30 AM - Noon CDT (UTC-5)
Presented by Chelley Brekke McClear
$15 for IGSI members (with Discount Code); $20 for non-members
Ever found a source record that appeared to be your ancestor… only to discover four other men with the same name in the same place at the same time? Chelley will take you through a process she devised using spreadsheets to untangle a Northern Irish case using 19th century records... and how this helped to advance her 'What are the Odds?' (WATO) hypothesis.
Chelley grew up in England & lived In N. Ireland for 25 years and is a research specialist for these areas. She regularly presents at the MGS DNA Interest Group and coordinates the MGS Writing Interest Group. The North Star Award winner for 2024, Chelley can be found at FamilyTreeTrails.com
You can enjoy this presentation at the live event in Minnesota or as part of our virtual audience. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A and discussion until the scheduled broadcast end time. Those at the live event can linger for social time following the broadcast, with the option of ordering a box lunch in advance.
The live event is limited to 40 people. Tours of the Research Library and Irish Collection will be offered following the program, and the Library is open for research until 4pm. The hybrid program will allow virtual attendees to unmute their microphone and camera for questions or discussion with the speaker following their presentation.
The Discount Code will be sent to members via email and is posted on IGSI’s member-only webpage ( link). You can reach the IGSI Education team at Education@IrishGenealogical.org
Family Tapestries Video Features IGSI
Filmed and produced by sponsor Family Tapestries, this elegant short video features Irish Heritage Day.
July Podcast available for viewing
In the July episode of the “This month at the IGSI” podcast (episode 1 of season 4) genealogist Dave Miller, in the first episode of season 4, talks about the July webinar featuring Joe Hunter. His topic is called “New Tools & Tricks with Maps for Genealogy Research.” This presentation will be held on July 19th. This will be an online presentation only. The webinar will begin at 10:30 am and will last until noon Central Time.
Maps have long been used by most genealogists to assist in their research. Using different tools and approaches with these same maps can add context, substance, and an endless supply of exciting ways to enhance your family history. The saga of our access to historic maps spans “space & time” in a way that profiles the field of genealogy itself: from dusty worn treasures in repositories to now digitized versions that offer access and customization IF ONLY you know how! Joe will demonstrate several ways to incorporate these tools when using maps to detail and explain your research in a creative form.
The Minnesota Vikings will be playing the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 28th at Croke Park in Dublin. This will be the very first regular season NFL game held in Ireland. So, do you know any Gaeilge terms regarding American football? Well Dave spoke to Mollie Guidera who teaches a course in Gaeilge on her website Irishwithmollie.com. She provided some English to Gaeilge words that will help those who are planning the trip to Croke Park in September or just want to impress your friends and family if you’re watching the game on television. These include words like touchdown, field goal and what to say to the person behind the counter at halftime when you want to order your pint!
These stories along with the entire episode and previous podcast episodes are available on the IGSI YouTube channel and on our website: irishgenealogical.org.
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 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).
 New Tools & Tricks with Maps for Genealogy Research
Saturday, July 19
A virtual presentation on Zoom
10:30 AM - Noon CDT (UTC-5)
Presented by Joe Hunter
Maps have long been used by most genealogists to assist in their research. Using different tools and approaches with these same maps can add context, substance, and an endless supply of exciting ways to enhance your family history. The saga of our access to historic maps spans “space & time” in a way that profiles the field of genealogy itself: from dusty worn treasures in repositories to now digitized versions that offer access and customization IF ONLY you know how! We will demonstrate several ways to incorporate these tools when using maps to detail and explain your research in a creative form.
Joe Hunter is a New Jersey-based professional genealogist who returns following a very popular presentation for IGSI in 2023 on the use of maps in our research. What has he come up with now?? He is an IGSI member, a Past President of the APG-Philadelphia Chapter, a current Vice President of The Irish Ancestral Research Association (TIARA), and... I’m tuckered out typing just that, and I'm only half done! Join us for a great presentation! Joe's company is ResearchUnlimited.com
Audience level: all
The Discount Code will be sent to members via email and is posted on IGSI’s member-only webpage ( link). You can reach the IGSI Education team at Education@IrishGenealogical.org
Visiting the Minnesota Irish Fair?
The Minnesota Irish Fair is back August 8 - 10 at Harriet Island in St. Paul.
Coming to the Twin Cities for the Fair? Don't forget that August 9 i s our monthly Irish Saturday at the Hoffman Research Library in Mendota Heights. See our Library page for information about our collection. Stop in between 10am - 6pm to visit with our volunteers and get familiar with our large research collection!
Volunteer
Three volunteers per shift -- helpers will be needed to set up on Friday and take down on Sunday at closing.
- Visit with IGSI members and the Twin Cities Irish community
- Share information about IGSI
- Enjoy food, music and everything Irish before or after your shift
- And maybe even connect with cousins and add to your family tree!
There is a $15-25 daily entry fee to the Fair. Volunteers who register to work an open shift at the IGSI table at the Fair will be eligible for an entry pass for that day. Sign up to volunteer early!
IGSI Does Not Endorse Genealogy Researchers
It has recently come to our attention that the IGSI logo is displayed on a website offering Irish research services. Due to concerns about the site's authenticity and the unauthorized use of our logo, we are working to have it removed. We caution you to be diligent when hiring genealogy researchers. For assistance in finding and screening qualified researchers, you may want to consult the Association of Professional Genealogists ( www.apgen.org) for North American researchers. Or, for researchers in Ireland, Irish libraries or heritage centers, or the Accredited Genealogists Ireland ( https://accreditedgenealogists.ie/) website.
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
IGSI has our own Google Site Search
Our website has been indexed by Google, so you can search for terms within the website. Enter your search terms in the box below, and click Search.
Links will appear to pages on our site with the terms you search. With the recent expansion of the Learn! section of the website, Site Search may be a helpful tool to find information you are seeking.
Give it a try! Search for a topic or location.
Please note that members-only content, such as the surname interest database, The Septs, and Gineals, are not included in this search, as they are protected by login.
Site Search is in the main menu (at left).
Minnesota Genealogy Center
1385 Mendota Heights Rd, Suite 100
Mendota Heights, Minnesota 55120
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June 28
The same name – everywhere in Ireland. Sifting and separating family groups
10:30 AM - Noon CDT (UTC-5) Presented by Chelley Brekke McClear $15 for IGSI members (with Discount Code); $20 for non-members If any ...
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July 12
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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July 19
New Tools & Tricks with Maps for Genealogy Research
10:30 AM - Noon CDT (UTC-5) Presented by Joe Hunter $15 for IGSI members (with Discount Code); $20 for non-members Click here to see ...
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August 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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August 23
Researching Presbyterian Ancestors in Ireland
10:30 AM - Noon CDT (UTC-5) Presented by William Roulston $15 for IGSI members (with Discount Code); $20 for non-members Click here to see ...
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