BGS Sponsoring “Lock-In” at BPL Southern History, Friday, June 28th

The Birmingham Genealogical Society  is sponsoring a “Lock-In” at the Birmingham Public Library Southern History Department.

Date:  Friday, June 28, 2013 from 6pm to 10pm

Location: BPL Southern History Department

Have you been wishing you had “just a little more time” at the library? Or maybe you need some help learning how to use the library’s fabulous collection and research tools and don’t know who to ask?  Please join us Friday, June 28th for some fellowship and research assistance! We will have the Research library to ourselves!!  (Library closes at 6pm on Friday’s.)

There is a limit of 50 registrations.  Food and drinks will be provided. The cost is $5 for members/$15 for non-members.  Please complete the registration form attached.  Last day for mail applications is June 21. You can also register in person at the BGS General Meeting on June 22, 2013.

BGS Lock In Registration Form

Send registration and payment (checks payable to BGS) to:
Suzanna Rawlins President, BGS
108 Willow Creek South Lane
Alabaster, AL 35007
Questions? Email: shareyourstory@earthlink.net

BGS Meeting — June 22, 2013 — Hellenic Heartbeat in the Deep South: A History of the Greek Community in Birmingham, Alabama

The Birmingham Genealogical Society meets the fourth Saturday of each month (ex. Nov. & Dec.) at the Downtown Birmingham Public Library. Guests are always welcome!

Next meeting: Saturday, June 22nd at 2 p.m.;Board Meeting at 1:00 p.m.

Meeting Room: Arrington Auditorium, 4th Floor, Linn-Henley Building

Speaker: Niki Sepsas

Program Topic: Hellenic Heartbeat in the Deep South: A History of the Greek Community in Birmingham, Alabama

Please join us as local writer, Niki Sepsas, presents a slideshow based on his book Hellenic Heartbeat in the Deep South: A History of the Greek Community in Birmingham, Alabama.  The book chronicles the founding of the Greek church in Birmingham in 1907 and its growth over the past century into Cathedral status.  The story also focuses on the Greek immigrants who arrived on these shores more than a century ago possessing little more than their dreams of a better life and left us their legacy of faith and an abiding love of their patrida, their homeland.

In addition, the book and slideshow contain numerous images and stories on the founding and growth of many of the best known restaurants in the Birmingham area today – The Bright Star, Niki’s West, Fish Market, John’s, Fife’s, Costa’s Mediterranean Restaurant, Nabeel’s, Smokehouse Restaurant, etc. – many of which are still owned and operated by the children and grandchildren of those early immigrants and family members who followed them.  The work was a particular labor of love for Niki as his grandparents were among the earliest immigrants from Greece to settle in Birmingham.

Father Paul Costopoulos, the Dean of the Birmingham cathedral, reviewed the book and wrote:   “Niki successfully captures the unique history of the Greeks in Birmingham.  It is a story that is both fresh and engaging.”

BGS Walking Tour — May 18, 2013 — Tour of the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing Archives

The Birmingham Genealogical Society usually meets the fourth Saturday of each month (excluding Nov. & Dec.) in the Arrington Auditorium at the Downtown Birmingham Public Library. Guests are encouraged to attend!

Next meeting: Saturday, May 18th @ 1pm

Location: University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing Archives

Program Topic: Walking Tour of the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing Archives

Please join us as we tour the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing Archives! The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing, chartered as the University of Alabama School of Nursing in 1950. The Alabama Legislature authorized a collegiate school of nursing at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa in 1949 and provided funds for its support. With establishment of the School of Nursing on the Tuscaloosa campus in 1950, collegiate nursing was inaugurated to include: a traditional baccalaureate, an RN to BSN for registered nurses, and a centralized program of teaching social and biological sciences for diploma student in seven hospital program. In 1967, the school moved from the Tuscaloosa campus to Birmingham and became a part of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Today, the school continues to build on the vision laid in its pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit. The school’s graduate program, began in 1955 and is now ranked in the top ten percent, twenty-sixth among nursing schools nationwide. Multiple specialty options at the master’s-level include preparation for the role of nurse practitioner, nursing administration and informatics, nurse educator and clinical nurse specialist.

We will meet at 1:00 pm at the front door of the UAB School of Nursing. It is on 1701 University Blvd, across from the Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital (at 1720 University Blvd). Please look for the big sign that reads School of Nursing. You may park on the street. Hope to see you there!

BGS Meeting — April 27, 2013 — Using the Alabama State Loose Records Database/Index on the Web

The Birmingham Genealogical Society meets the fourth Saturday of each month (ex. Nov. & Dec.) at the Downtown Birmingham Public Library. Guests are always welcome!

Next meeting: Saturday, April 27th at 2 p.m.;Board Meeting at 1:00 p.m.

Meeting Room: Arrington Auditorium, 4th Floor, Linn-Henley Building

Speaker: Jim Anderson

Program Topic: Using the Alabama State Loose Records Database/Index on the Web

Please join us as Jim Anderson, current Webmaster and Treasurer, Alabama Genealogical Society(and BGS member) presents “Using the Alabama State Loose Records Database/Index on the Web.”

Jim is the database architect for the AGS Loose Records web index that gives searchable access to over fifty thousand names culled from archival records of Alabama probate courts – the subject of which is his presentation today. With a degree in Film and TV production his early career was producing programs for the military, and later, the Alabama ETV (now APTV) network.  Following work in medical television at UAB, Jim moved into sales of AV and video equipment, and computers.  After owning and managing an Apple dealership for fourteen years Jim retired to pursue his family history research while working in a theatre troupe bringing performances to seniors in retirement homes throughout Jefferson County.

Jim has previously made two extremely interesting presentations to BGS: First, the recounting of a murder in Shelby County and it’s connection with a prominent Birmingham business man, and second,  an analysis of the question of who is buried on the Birmingham Country Club golf course.

BAAGSG Class — April 14, 2013 — Analyzing Census Entries

The Birmingham African-American Genealogy Study Group (BAAGSG), a special interest group of the Birmingham Genealogical Society, meets the second Sunday of each month (ex. May and November) in the Arrington Auditorium at the Downtown Birmingham Public Library. Guests are welcome!

Next meeting:  Sunday, April 14th at 3 p.m.

Meeting Place:  Birmingham Central Library, Arrington Auditorium

Topic:  Analyzing Census Entries

Instructor:  Donald Debrow

 

Fraternal Cemetery Clean-up Day March 23, 2013

A group of concerned community members and descendants/relatives of those buried in the Fraternal Cemetery in Pratt City have planned a 2nd clean-up day at the cemetery on March 23, 2013 beginning at 9am.

If you would like more information, you can find the group on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/groups/fraternalcemetery/

BGS Meeting — March 23, 2013 — How to Research Your American Revolutionary War Ancestor

The Birmingham Genealogical Society meets the fourth Saturday of each month (ex. Nov. & Dec.) at the Downtown Birmingham Public Library. Guests are always welcome!

Next meeting: Saturday, March 23rd at 2 p.m.;Board Meeting at 1:00 p.m.

Meeting Room: Arrington Auditorium, 4th Floor, Linn-Henley Building

Speaker: William “Bill” Clement

Program Topic: How to Research You American Revolutionary War Ancestor

Please join us as Bill Clement, current President of the Birmingham Chapter, Alabama Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (and BGS member) presents “How to Research Your American Revolutionary War Ancestor.” Bill is a graduate of the Marion Military Institute, Marion, AL and received a BS in Industrial Management from Clemson University and a Masters in Business from the University of South Carolina. Finding and documenting a Revolutionary War patriot ancestor for membership eligibility in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) or the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) is not as difficult as many people believe. This program will benefit those seeking to join the DAR or SAR. Hope to see you at the meeting!