Fáilte! (Welcome!)
IGSI is a partner of the Minnesota Genealogical Society
Library Hours
Hoffman Research Library hours:
| Mondays
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10 am - 5 pm
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| Wednesdays
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10 am - 4 pm
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| Thursdays
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10 am - 6 pm
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| Saturdays
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10 am - 4 pm
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| 2nd Sunday monthly
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noon - 4 pm
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* Note that the Library will be closed if volunteers are not available to assist researchers, and may close early if no patrons remain. Check the MN Genealogical Society's website at https://mngs.org/Welcome-to-Hoffman-Research-Library for notice of schedule changes or weather-related closures.
Sat, Sept 19 FREE webinar (TY anonymous donor!)
 Our special virtual webinar in September is free and open to all, but registration is required. Professional genealogist Jillian van Turnhout in Ireland will discuss Tracing Your Irish Roots: a Beginner’s Guide, an introduction to Irish civil registration records and parish registers, to online databases, and to land records and archives found in Ireland. She will also discuss effective strategies for overcoming common challenges like missing records, surname variations, and contradictory information.
We’re adding a twist to this Zoom program for local Irish researchers. If you are near the Twin Cities we invite you and friends to gather at the Minnesota Genealogy Center to view the presentation together on Saturday morning. The doors open at 9:30 to share coffee or tea and Irish treats before the broadcast (10:30 am to noon), chat with other local Irish family history researchers, and share tips and questions. We’ll even have a couple of door prizes for lucky attendees. Following the broadcast we'll fiinish off the treats, continue visiting, with the option to spend time in the Library until 4 pm.
Mark your calendar, register for the event FOR FREE on the IGSI website (visit register now), and pass the word along to your friends.
We look forward to seeing you! June Podcast available for viewing
In the June episode of the “This month at the IGSI” podcast (episode 12 of season 4) the final episode of season 4, genealogist Dave Miller talks about all the events scheduled for the month of June with the IGSI.
Irish Saturday during the month of June which will be held on June 13th. That will be held at the Hoffman Research library which is located at the Minnesota Genealogy Center in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. If you’re in the area and have a Genealogy question regarding your Irish research, stop by.
Dave talks about the 1926 Irish Census, how to find the Census on the National Archives website.
He also mentions the Census exhibition tour that is going on right now in both Ireland and the U.S. And Dave interviews the author of a fictional civil war series about the American Civil War and what impact the Irish immigrants had on both sides of the conflict.
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These stories along with the entire episode and previous podcast episodes are available on the IGSI YouTube channel
2026 discount on books for IGSI members!
35% Discount on Refence Books in 2026
The US distributor of books by our speakers Natalie Bodle & Chris Paton (as well as ~200 other genealogy, history, & cultural titles) will provide IGSI members 35% OFF all print book purchases this year on their website. Simply enter the member code in your shopping cart to activate this discount; the code is posted on the member-only page found at Events > Member Discounts. See their available titles of print editions at this link. Many thanks to Casemate in Pennsylvania for this generous benefit!
IGSI Does Not Endorse Genealogy Researchers
There have been instances where the IGSI logo was displayed on the website offering commercial Irish research services. We have addressed and resolved this and the logo was removed.
Please be diligent when hiring private genealogy researchers. One good way to educate yourse about this is by listening to the webinar from August of 2026 by Fiona Fitzsimons. Members are able to purchase this recording for $15 on this page of the website.
If you wish to search for a qualified professional genealogist, these are well-regarded sources of guidance and searching for the expertise you need;
- Accredited Genealogists Ireland (AGI) - accreditedgenealogists.ie, based in Dublin
An umbrella group of Ireland-based authors, publishers, lecturers, and broadcasters in the field of Irish genealogy. Membership and Fellowship are controlled by an independent Board of Assessors that serves as a regulating body.
- Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) - apgen.org, based in Washington state, USA
Online lookup for Association members, plus other resources.
- Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) - bcgcertification.org, based in Washington, DC
Awards the Certified Genealogist® (CG) credential. Online lookup for credentialed professionals, plus other resources.
- International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogist (ICAPGen) - icapgen.org based in Utah
Awards the Accredited Genealogist® (AG) & Accredited Genealogist Lecturer™ (AGL) credentials. Online lookup for credentialed professionals, plus other resources. Offers online study groups “to help you succeed with the Four Generation Project and Written Exams.”
Minnesota Genealogy Center
1385 Mendota Heights Rd, Suite 100
Mendota Heights, Minnesota 55120
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September 12
Irish Saturday
Stop by from 10 am until closure at 4 pm to receive help Irish research or visit with our volunteers. Check this link on the day you plan ...
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September 19
Tracing Your Irish Roots: A Beginner's Guide
10:30 AM - Noon CST (UTC-5) Presented by Jillian vanTurnhout, MAGI from Ireland A free webinar thanks to a generous donor! Registration is required. ...
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September 22
IGSI Social Gaggle on Zoom - open to all
Have a lingering question from Saturday's webinar... or story to share? Drop in and network. After introductions (as you choose). Following a short presentation ...
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October 10
Irish Saturday
Stop by from 10 am until closure at 4 pm to receive help Irish research or visit with our volunteers. Check this link on the day you plan ...
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October 17
Patriots, Loyalists, & Redcoats: Irish in America in the Revolutionary War era
10:30 AM - Noon CST (UTC-5) Presented by Michael Strauss from Ireland $15 for IGSI members (with Discount Code); $20 for non-members Click here ...
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