The Minnesota Genealogical Society seeks instructors for live, in-person, classes during 2026.

These classes will be part of MGS’s GenElements series. The target audience includes people relatively new to family history research who want to go beyond the basics. These classes are not geared toward raw beginners, but neither are they designed for advanced researchers.

MGS especially invites proposals for 90-minute to two-hour classes that prepare students to dig deeper in important record groups. The ideal class will do three things:

▪  describe records and illustrate how they are helpful,

▪  teach how to find and access the records, and

▪  show students where and how they can learn more about the records.

The goal is for students to learn enough to find and use records and to be self-learners. Instructors are encouraged to use examples from their own research to illustrate the value of the records they teach. Classes may include lectures, but instructors are encouraged to include student exercises and allow time for Q&A.

Topics. MGS seeks proposals for important record groups, including, but not limited to:

Federal and state censuses

Vital records

Land records

Pension and bounty land records

Probate records

Newspapers

City directories and other urban resources

DNA

Unique Minnesota records

Naturalization records

Using FamilySearch

Finding manuscripts and authored works

MGS is also open to how to classes on how to manage research or how to use productivity tools.

Questions: Please direct questions about the call for proposals to Education@mngs.org

The Minnesota Genealogical Society presents occasional free webinars for the benefit of its members. Non-members are welcome to attend, but advertising for webinars is focused on MGS members.

Webinars are 60-75 minutes long, including time for Q&A. They may be instructional, motivational, or entertaining.

MGS invites proposals for webinars on a wide range of topics—essentially any topic of value to beginning, experienced, or advanced genealogists. MGS prefers proposals from presenters with at least some experience in online presentations. MGS is especially interested in proposals from genealogists beyond the
Minneapolis-St. Paul area—presenters whom Minnesota researchers have less opportunity to hear.

Topics. MGS is interested in proposals for webinars on a wide range of topics, but is especially interested in the following topics:

AI for genealogical research

Evidence analysis (GPS and case studies)

Technology for managing research – including genealogy software, productivity tools for managing notes or source citations, image management, maps, etc.

Getting the most of FamilySearch, Ancestry, or other online research resources.

Dates. Ideal scheduling dates include 7 p.m. CT first Wednesdays of January, April, July, and October, but other dates are possible.

Compensation: $175.

Recording: MGS will request permission to record webinar presentations and make them available to MGS members in the members-only section of the MGS website for one year, but this permission is negotiable.

Proposals. Webinar presenters are invited to submit a one-page proposal, including:

▪  Contact information: name, postal address, email address, phone

▪  Short summary of teaching/speaking experience 

▪  Preferred month

▪  A paragraph or short outline describing proposed webinar content.

Submit proposals to: Education@mngs.org Proposals are encouraged by 20 January 2026, but they are welcome at any time.

Questions: Please direct questions about the webinars or the Request for Proposals to education@mngs.org with “Question Regarding MGS Webinar” in the subject line.