Society Meetings
Our meeting programs feature guest lecturers, workshops, seminars, roundtable discussions and the opportunity to network with others sharing the same interests. Visitors with an interest in Jewish genealogy are always welcome. Meetings are held from September to June, normally on the second Sunday of each month, beginning at 1:30 PM. Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held at the offices of Gulf Coast Family and Community Services in Clearwater.
Next Meeting: 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11
What Genealogists Need to Know about Ancestral Names
The Jewish Genealogical Society of Tampa Bay will meet at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11, when our own Drew Smith will speak about genealogists' struggles to pin down our ancestors' first names, middle names, and surnames.
Giving a name to each of our ancestors is one of the first steps in doing genealogical research. But we may struggle with pinning them down with first, middle and last names. In this session, learn about the origins and inheritance of names, how names relate to ethnicity and religion, why historically there is no such thing as a “correct” name, when our ancestors used nicknames and initials, and when our ancestors actually changed their names (and why).
Drew is an associate librarian emeritus at the USF Libraries in Tampa, specializing in genealogical research. He is also co-host of The Genealogy Guys Podcast, host of the Genealogy Connection podcast. He is also a founder and administrator of The Genealogy Squad Facebook Group, with over 72,000 members. He writes a regular productivity column for the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly and has authored or co-authored three genealogy-related books.
• Date: Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026
• Time: Social with refreshments & library access begins at 1:30 p.m.;
program begins at 2 p.m
• Place: Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services, 14041 Icot Blvd.,
Clearwater, FL 33760.
• Program: What Genealogists Need to Know about Ancestral Names
• Speaker: JGSTB member Drew Smith
Dues through 2027 are $25 for single members and $35 for couples/families and can be paid through our Dues Payment Page. Membership application can be found at https://www.jgstb.org/membership-application. For specific questions please contact Bruce Hadburg at 727-796-7981, or email him at 6bhadburg@tampabay.rr.com. For more information about the Jewish Genealogical Society of Tampa Bay, go to https://www.jgstb.org/.
For specific questions please contact Bruce Hadburg at 727-796-7981, or email him at bhadburg@tampabay.rr.com. For more information about the Jewish Genealogical Society of Tampa Bay, go to https://www.jgstb.org/.
Many families that Gulf Coast JFCS serve struggle to provide food for themselves and their children. The Gulf Coast JFCS William and Sally Israel Food Pantry supports families and individuals in need including through our Family Reunification Services program. Your support ensures program counselors and coordinators can access healthy food items for families experiencing food insecurity. Removing worry about food shortages allows families to focus on other vital building blocks for healthy families. Please consider supporting those in need by donating debit cards or cash to Gulf Coast JFCS in person or through their website or through its// Amazon store.
October - What Genealogists Need to Know about Ancestral Names
November - Ask an Expert/break down brick walls
December - Holiday party, members' success stories