The Jewish Genealogical Society of Tampa Bay will meet on Sunday, September 12, 2010. The program topic will be “American Passage: The History Of Ellis Island.” A social with refreshments begins at 1:30 PM, and the program starts at 2:00 PM.
This program features a “virtual presentation” using a recent video of Professor Cannato’s well-attended lecture at the 2010 IAJGS Conference in Los Angeles on July 12, 2010. He discusses his new book: “American Passage: The History of Ellis Island,” the first full history of America’s landmark port of entry, from immigration port to deportation center to mythical icon.
In his book and in this lecture, Professor Cannato masterfully illuminates the story of Ellis Island from the days when it hosted pirate hangings witnessed by thousands of New Yorkers in the 19th century, to the turn of the 20th century when massive migrations sparked fierce debate, and hopeful new immigrants often encountered corruption, harsh conditions, and political scheming. American Passage captures a time and place unparalleled in American immigration and history, and articulates the dramatic and bittersweet accounts of the immigrants, officials, interpreters, and social reformers who all play an important role in Ellis Island’s chronicle.
Vincent J. Cannato is associate professor of history at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. He received his BA with honors in Political Science from Williams College and his PhD in History from Columbia University. At UMASS-Boston, Prof. Cannato teaches courses on New York City history, Boston history, immigration history, and 20th century American history.
Saturday, September 18 [FGS Tampa Monthly Meetings]
FGS Fall Seminar
9:00 am - 4:00 pm Marshall Student Center, Room 2708, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
Presented by Curt B. Witcher
Curt B. Witcher, the Senior Manager for Special Collections and the Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is an internationally recognized genealogy expert, speaker, author, and researcher. He will present four lectures:
Using Military Records for Genealogical Research
Using Church Records in Your Genealogical Research
Doing Effective Genealogical Research in Libraries
Mining the Mother Lode: Using Periodical Literature for Genealogical Research
Tuesday, September 21 [Meetings of Nearby Societies]
South Bay Genealogical Society
12:00 pm Southshore Regional Library, Sun Cuty Center, Florida
Liz Courson will present "The Complete Biography Workbook" about how to write, organize, and publish your autobiography.
Sunday, October 10 [Meetings of Nearby Societies]
Jewish Genealogical Society of Tampa Bay - Research Meeting
2:00 pm John F. Germany Public Library, 900 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa, Florida
The Jewish Genealogical Society of Tampa Bay will meet at 2:00 PM on Sunday, October 10th at the John F. Germany Library, 900 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa, Florida for a hands-on workshop for individual research. This library has one of the best and most complete sets of genealogical holdings of any library in the Tampa Bay region. The library will have an expert in genealogy and the library’s resources to give an overview of the resources, give us a private tour, and to help us with research. Several experienced JGS mentors will also be available to provide guided assistance at this working session.
The workshop will begin by acquainting you with the extensive genealogical resources - in print, on microfilm, and online - most of which are only available at Tampa's main downtown library. This overview will be followed by actual use of these resources for your own individual research under the guiding hands of our experienced mentors. The John F. Germany library has a large microfilm collection of immigration records as well as computer access to Ancestry Plus, Heritage Quest and other databases among its considerable genealogical resources. A listing of the library's premium databases can be seen online at http://www.hcplc.org/hcplc/dw/genealogy.html. Note: The resource links at this website can be accessed from home or anywhere only if your library card is registered with the Hillsborough County Public Library system, or if you are at the library.
Attendees should bring their own materials and information to do their research at the library.
Parking spaces are available on the street near the library at no charge on Sunday. If you park in the Poe Parking Garage that is attached to the library, the charges can be paid for with a credit card, debit card, or cash at $1.20 per hour.
The overview session of the library's holdings will begin at 2:00 PM, and that will be followed by individual research using the library's microfilm readers and computer facilities with guided assistance if needed until the library closes at 5 PM. Anyone interested in learning how to do Jewish genealogy research is invited to participate. Beginners as well as experienced researchers are welcome. There is no charge for the meeting.
For information on the organization or directions to the meeting call Sally Israel at 727-343-1652.
Friday, November 12 through Saturday, November 13 [Meetings of Nearby Societies]
The Florida State Genealogical Society will hold its 34th annual conference at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota.
Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective, will be the Keynote Speaker and will be giving 4 lectures over the 2 days of the conference. Her newest book, "The Last Muster," will be published in September after 10 years in the making. There will be copies available for sale and autographing.
Additional speakers will be announced.
P.O. Box 18624 Tampa, FL 33679-8624
Ruby Diamond (1886 - 1982)
Born in Florida, Ruby lived in Tallahassee her entire life. She was one of only thirteen members in the 1905 graduating class of Florida State College. Ruby inherited an immense fortune from her family and donated millions to charitable causes throughout her lifetime. Miss Ruby, as she was known to friends, never married. Her life was her community. She was one of the wealthiest and most influencial people in Tallahassee. Ruby Diamond Auditorium at Florida State University is named in her honor.
