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.
Researching Ancestral Crisis in Ireland
Saturday, April 18
A virtual presentation on Zoom
10:30 AM - Noon CST (UTC-6)
Presented by Chris Paton, BA (Hons), HND, PgDip from Scotland
Chris will discuss the many historical moments when our ancestors experienced difficultly, through actions of their own or those carried out against them, and someone stood nearby with a quill and ink to document the time. Ancestors were sent to mother and baby homes, Magdalene laundries, stood trial for crimes or fell victim to criminals. Some were adulterers or bigamists, or revolutionaries, and much more. Real hardships were endured and many overcame the difficulties. Others did not, but their stories brought us to becoming the people we are today.
Chris will outline research strategies and resources to help us understand the experiences of those times that shaped our families.
The member Discount Code will be sent to members via email and is also posted on IGSI’s member-only webpage ( link). You can reach the IGSI Education team at Education@IrishGenealogical.org
New disount 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 Social Gaggle on Zoom
Monday, March 23 – join our social gaggle on Zoom
Come one, come all – no need to be a member, or to register. Just drop in!
6:30 – 8:00 pm Central on Zoom - see our Events page for the login details
Kick-off topic: Trish Little Taylor on Find-a-Grave: Your ancestor's other neighbors!
Some of the best tips and strategies come from networking with other family historians. Join us online for one of our monthly social sessions. A quick round of introductions, then a brief demonstration. Then we’ll "open the floor” so you can share or query the group. Join our virtual coffee klatch of genealogists, both professional and aspiring. Feel free to share this event with your friends. We would love to have you suggest a topic or volunteer to kick off a future session.
Family Tapestries Video Features IGSI
Filmed and produced by sponsor Family Tapestries, this elegant short video features Irish Heritage Day.
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.
April Podcast available for viewing
n the April episode of the “This month at the IGSI” podcast (episode 10 of season 4) genealogist Dave Miller talks about all the events scheduled for the month of April with the IGSI.
Dave interviewed the editor of the IGSI newsletter Pat Sheehan. Pat discusses what you can find in the newsletter Ginealas and what you can find bi-monthly in the newsletter. Pat also mentions that you don’t have to be a professional writer or editor to volunteer with Ginealas. If you have an interesting story, Pat encourages you to submit an article on your findings or perhaps you would like to volunteer and help with the newsletter.
Irish Saturday during the month of April which will be held on April 11th. 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.
The April webinar will be with Chris Paton. His program is titled Researching Ancestral Crisis in Ireland. This program is online and is scheduled for Saturday April 18th and will run from 10:30 PM until Noon Central Daylight Time. The fee to watch this webinar is $15 for members and $20 for non-members.
Our Social gaggle for the month of April will be on April 20th. Drop in on Zoom between 6:30 – 8:00pm Central Daylight Time. It is open to all and there is no registration. The link is on the Events page on our website.
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These stories along with the entire episode and previous podcast episodes are available on the IGSI YouTube channel
Upcoming hybrid webinar in May
Want to join our live audience in Mendota Heights, MN?
IGSI will host a hybrid webinar on Saturday, May 16. Our speakers will be Mary Wickersham and Gigi Hickey, IGSI's web editor and Blog editor, presenting on Old Records, New Tools: An Introduction to AI for Genealogists. You can join us live, virtually, or later...
 Please join us for the live event in Minnesota (near the MSP airport). The broadcast will be followed by social time in the meeting room. The registration form will present the option of ordering a box lunch in advance, or you can bring your own. Brief tours of the Library and Irish collection will be offered, and you could linger to make use of the Library until it closes at 4pm. Guests who are not members of one of the affiliated Societies will be asked for a $10 day use Library fee, or you can join a society on site that day.
In any case, all registrants will receive a link to the event recording and a copy of the handout. Can't attend at the time of the broadcast? No problem! Live and virtual attendees will be able to participate during the broadcast in the Q&A and discussion following the presentation, as time allows.
Watch "this space" for full details soon. Questions? You can reach the IGSI Education team at Education@IrishGenealogical.org
Minnesota Genealogy Center
1385 Mendota Heights Rd, Suite 100
Mendota Heights, Minnesota 55120
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April 18
Researching Ancestral Crisis in Ireland
10:30 AM - Noon CST (UTC-6) Presented by Chris Paton, BA (Hons), HND, PgDip from Scotland $15 for IGSI members (with Discount Code); ...
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April 21
IGSI Social Gaggle on Zoom - open to all
For this session we encourage you to bring your research questions & challenges for discussion. After introductions (as you choose), our member volunteers will ...
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May 9
Irish Saturday
Stop by from 10 an 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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May 16
Old Records, New Tools: An Introduction to artificial intelligence (AI) for Genealogists
10:30 AM - Noon CST (UTC-6) Presented by Mary Wickersham and Gigi Hickey $15 for IGSI members (with Discount Code); $20 for non-members Click ...
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May 19
IGSI Social Gaggle on Zoom - open to all
Have a lingering question from Saturday's webinar... or story to tell? Drop in and share. Bring your research challenges, celebrations, tips, or maybe your ...
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