America’s Time Capsule sealed until 2276

A remarkable chapter in America250's story is nearly complete: America's Time Capsule has officially been sealed.

Created to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the capsule will be buried at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia on July 4, 2026, where it will remain until it is reopened in 2276.

Inside is a record of America at this historic moment, contributions from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and five U.S. territories, along with items from all three branches of the federal government, America250 programs, and national partners.

https://america250.org/time-capsule/contents/?utm_campaign=a250_26_email&utm_source=mailchimp&utm_medium=email&utm_content=timecapsule

CNN’s This Land

As America approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, This Land traces the dramatic story of how a fragile nation on the Atlantic coast expanded across a continent through six defining frontiers that reshaped the country forever. Blending immersive vérité storytelling with intimate access, the series journeys from the Louisiana Purchase and the rise of New York City to the Rocky Mountains, the Sierra Nevada, Alaska, and the contested borderlands of the American Southwest — revealing how ambition, conflict, resistance, and power redrew the American map. Through expert perspectives and the voices of descendants connected to these pivotal moments, including the families of William Clark, Sacagawea, James Monroe, John Brown, Crazy Horse, and Kit Carson, This Land uncovers a history that remains deeply contested and continues to shape America today.

Available to watch on CNN. The series started June 7th and continues through June 28th. Repeat episodes are shown late at night. Set to record!

https://www.cnn.com/this-land

The Documents that Forged a Nation

June 20 @ 11:00 am – July 5 @ 5:00 pm

Museum of Miami (formerly HistoryMiami) is Selected to Host National Archives’ “Freedom Plane National Tour” Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary

Miami is One of Eight Cities to Host Original Founding-Era Documents, June 20 – July 5; Launch of Countywide Student Oratorical Contest

The National Archives has selected Museum of Miami Museum in downtown Miami as one of eight museums nationwide to host the National Archives’ “Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation,” a traveling exhibition marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Announced today by the National Archives and Records Administration, the Freedom Plane National Tour will bring original Founding-era documents to communities across the country throughout 2026. Inspired by the Bicentennial Freedom Train, the exhibition expands public access to records fundamental to the nation’s founding, many of which have not traveled outside Washington, D.C. in decades.

The documents will travel together and arrive to much fanfare on June 15, 2026, via a specially designated aircraft. Museum of Miami will host the exhibition June 20 through July 5 presenting Miamians, Floridians, and visitors to the state with a rare opportunity to experience these historic documents firsthand on the very day it celebrates America’s semiquincentennial year, July 4, 2026.

Reserve Your Tickets

Exploring Hispanic, Indigenous and African Caribbean Roots

Saturday, 18 July 2026 at 2pm

Online

Exploring Hispanic, Indigenous and African Caribbean Roots

Presented by Irisneri Alicea Flores

Exploring Hispanic Genealogy & Indigenous and African Caribbean Roots is an engaging and educational presentation that introduces participants to the rich, complex history of Caribbean and Latin American ancestry. Led by genealogist Irisneri Alicea Flores, this program explores how Indigenous Taíno, African, and Spanish histories intersect and are reflected in genealogical records and family histories.

Attendees will learn how to begin tracing their roots using historical documents, oral histories, and DNA, while gaining a deeper understanding of Hispanic naming traditions, colonial record systems, and the unique challenges of uncovering Indigenous and African ancestry. The presentation also explores how cultural identity has been shaped across generations and offers practical resources and tools to genealogical research.

This program is ideal for anyone interested in family history, cultural heritage, or discovering ancestral connections within the Caribbean and broader Hispanic world.

Register Here

Pivoting from Hobbyist to Professional Genealogist

Saturday, 20 June 2026 at 2pm

Online

Pivoting from Hobbyist to Professional Genealogist

Presented by Kelli Jo Bergheimer

Have you thought about turning your genealogy hobby into a professional career? Whether you’re an aspiring professional or currently working in the field, learn from professional genealogist Kelli Jo Bergheimer about networking, continuing education, specialization, client development and more. Gain practical strategies for making the transition from passion to profit.

Register Here

Roots to Story: Creating a Narrative Using Documents

You are warmly invited to attend a special presentation on Sunday, June 14, at Temple Beth Am in Pinecrest.

Roots to Story: Creating a Narrative Using Documents

Family history is much more than names, dates, and places. Every document we discover—a census record, passenger manifest, family list, passport application, military record, newspaper article, or photograph—contains clues that help us understand the lives, challenges, and decisions of our ancestors.

During this illustrated presentation, I will demonstrate how genealogical documents can be transformed into a meaningful family narrative. Using actual records and a case study, we will explore how to move beyond collecting facts and begin telling the stories of the people behind the records.

Whether you are new to genealogy or an experienced researcher, you will learn techniques that can help bring your ancestors to life and preserve their stories for future generations.

Date: Sunday, June 14

Location: Temple Beth Am Adult Reading Room, Pinecrest

Seating is limited. Please RSVP directly to Etta Gold, Temple Beth Am Librarian, so that adequate seating can be arranged. 786.264.6543

I hope you will join us for what promises to be an engaging and inspiring discussion.

Warm regards,

Paulette Bronstein

President, Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Miami (JGSGM)

Recordings Have Been Posted

All recordings of classes have been posted. Visit the member corner to watch!

Military Records

Immigration & Naturalization

Organizing Research

Maps

https://www.gsgmfl.org/gsgm-member-corner/home

Legacy Family Tree Webinars

Save 10%

Top 10 Webinars of February 2025! We’ve crunched the data and unveiled the Top 10 most-watched webinars of February 2025! Did your go-to genealogy gurus make the cut? Ready to discover fresh insights? This list is your passport to new learning adventures! Read more >>

Upload Your DNA to MyHeritage for FREE – Enjoy Advanced Features for Life!

We have great news of a limited-time opportunity from MyHeritage: from March 2nd through March 9th at 11:59 P.M., you can upload your DNA data to MyHeritage and enjoy advanced DNA features for free, forever!

Upload Now

Putting your DNA on MyHeritage can open a whole new world of discoveries. For each NEW* DNA file that you upload this week, you’ll receive free access to MyHeritage’s full suite of advanced DNA features, saving you the usual $29 unlock fee per file.

RootsTech FREE!! March 6-8 2025

Join the world’s largest family discovery event • 6–8 March 2025 • Plus an on-demand learning library available anytime • Brought to you by FamilySearch.

• 200+ new online sessions in over 26 languages

• Join keynote sessions live from the comfort of your own home

• Chat online with other attendees worldwide

Register Today! https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/registration

Get Tips for Researching Female Ancestors on the NGS UpFront Blog

The NGS blog, UpFront, features an excellent post that will help you research records to learn more about the women in your family history so their legacies can be preserved and shared.

RECEPTION + TOUR The Golden Age of the Jews of Al-Andalus

FREE

An exhibition that invites visitors to explore the daily life of Jews in the 11th-century Iberian Peninsula through detailed facsimiles, virtual reproductions, images, and re-creations

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2025

Reception 4:30 p.m.
Program 5 p.m.


Kislak Center at the University of Miami
Otto G. Richter Library
1300 Memorial Drive
Coral Gables, Florida 33146
 

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-golden-age-of-the-jews-of-al-andalus-tickets-1219545446259?aff=oddtdtcreator

Travel Your Tree: Walking in Your Ancestor’s Footsteps

The recording of this presentation will only be online until March 4th. Please visit the member corner to watch. https://www.gsgmfl.org/gsgm-member-corner/home

Volunteers Needed

GSGM will be participating in the Scottish Festival again this year!

Saturday, March 1, 2025
9am - 7pm
Heritage Park, Plantation, FL

We need volunteers to help with a variety of tasks, including:

• Table Sitting: Assist with managing our table and promoting GSGM during the event. No need to stay all day. Come and table sit for an hour or two.

• Assist with materials PRIOR to event: Make copies of flyers, contribute information to share with visitors, etc.

Click Here to Sign Up to Volunteer

Join RootsTech Online for FREE! Online Worldwide – March 6–8, 2025

It’s never been easier to learn from global genealogy experts!

Join us online to experience:

• 200+ new online sessions in over 26 languages

• Join keynote sessions live from the comfort of your own home

• Chat online with other attendees worldwide

• Get digital syllabi and class handouts

Register Now for FREE

Genealogy Meets AI: Panel Discussion

Dive into the intersection of cutting-edge AI technology and traditional genealogy methods. Our panel of experts will discuss practical applications, ethical challenges, and the future of AI in family history research, empowering you to harness its potential responsibly. Panelists include

• Andrew Redfern

• Blaine Bettinger, Ph.D., J.D.

• Diana Elder, AG, AGL

• Mark Thompson

• Steve Little

• Thomas MacEntee.

Wed, Jan 8, 2025: 8:00 pm EST

Link to register

Dual Citizenship: Ireland and Italy

January 7, 2025, 7:00–8:00 p.m. ET | Online via Zoom

Join us for an online webinar led by genealogical educator Melissa Johnson to learn more about Irish and Italian dual citizenship, including its benefits, the laws governing citizenship, records needed to apply, and other information necessary for compiling a successful dual citizenship application.

This is a free webinar, but registration is required. 

The MDPLS Community Memory Project: Understanding and Utilizing Community Archives

https://www.mdpls.org/dc-blog-twentyfour-sep

Resources for National Hispanic Heritage Month

Join the National Genealogical Society (NGS) in the celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month (15 September–15 October) honoring the "histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America."

Below are resources that may be helpful to anyone researching Hispanic/Latino family histories.

• Hispanic Family History Resources page on the FamilySearch Wiki

• Documentary Relations of the Southwest from the University of Arizona Institutional Repository

• Early California Population Project by the Huntington Library

• Research Resources from the New Mexico Genealogical Society

• Mission 2000: Spanish Mission Records by the National Park Service

• Texas Colonial Period Subject Guide by the Briscoe Center for American History

• Diccionario geográfico-estadístico-histórico de España y sus posesiones de Ultramar by Pascual Madoz

• Guia de los Archivos de la Iglesia de España by the Diocesan Archive of Barcelona for the Association of Church Archivists in Spain with the collaboration of the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports

• Portal de Archivos Españoles (PARES) / Spanish Archives Portal

• Diccionario geográfico, histórico y biográfico de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos by Antonio García Cubas

• Guadalajara Dispensas includes names from the archives of the Catholic Diocese of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

• Valladolid Dispensas with indexes to the FamilySearch microfilms related to the "Antiguo Obispado Catolico de Michoacan"

• Mexican Genealogy Resources by Moises Garza

• Resources and Links from the Cuban Genealogy Club of Miami, Fl., Inc.

• Great New Mexico Pedigree Database from the Hispanic Genealogical Research Center of New Mexico

Early Migrations Into and Out of New England

New England has long been a common stop and destination along popular migration routes throughout history. As a result, many of us with early roots in the United States have New England ancestors! In this online lecture, Chief Genealogist David Allen Lambert will discuss common 17th, 18th, and 19th-century migration patterns into and out of the region, key record sets for tracing these migrations, and more.

Learn More and Register