Florida Genealogical Society (Tampa)

Serving the Needs of the Genealogical Community for Over 50 Years

Volunteer for an FGS project!

The Florida Genealogical Society of Tampa serves its local genealogical community and the genealogical community around the world by engaging in a variety of interesting and rewarding service projects. These currently include:

Ask a Genealogist. One or more volunteers staff a table in the John F. Germany Public Library's genealogical collection room, assisting patrons with their research. The service is offered on the first Saturday of each month, from 1pm to 3pm, and different volunteers volunteer for different months. For more details, contact Shirley Besch.
Find A Grave. In the late 1980s, the Florida Genealogical Society published an 8-volume set of books listing all known burials in Hillsborough County at that time. FGS volunteers are now transcribing those printed books into the online Find A Grave cemetery database, making it possible for researchers around the world to search for their deceased relatives who may be buried in Hillsborough County. For more details, contact Noreta Wells.

P.O. Box 18624
Tampa, FL 33679-8624

Mary McLeod Bethune (1875 - 1955)

Mary Bethune fought to be educated in a time when few African American children had access to books. She became a teacher, eventually opening a school of her own in Daytona for children of the African American railroad workers. The Daytona Normal and Industrial School for Negro Girls opened in 1904 with six students. The years went by and the school grew, merging with Cookman Institute in 1928 to become Bethune-Cookman College. Mary Bethune was president of the college for 14 years, growing it to over 2000 students.