The Minnesota Genealogical Society’s Mid-Month Education News for January 2024 nicely laid out the special days at the Hoffman Library for researchers seeking extra assistance in using the library, in some of the associated groups that also have materials at the library, and beyond. The library is open four days each week and on Thursday evenings until 8:00 p.m. CT. It’s a volunteer-run library and has been since October 1985. The library covers much more than Minnesota, but the Minnesota collection is huge. The library is currently located in Mendota Heights, a suburb of Saint Paul at 1385 Mendota Heights Road, Suite 100, Mendota Heights, MN  55120-1367. (651) 330-9312.

Here’s the text from the newsletter that explains this and more.

Most family researchers are relatively comfortable looking at resources in their own language and current homeland. But brick walls may start to form when they cross borders, oceans, continents, and languages in their search for relatives.

Don’t you wish you had a live guide through the many country-focused resources available at the Hoffman Research Library? If you can make it to the Minnesota Genealogy Center in Mendota Heights, you CAN get one-on-one help with your genealogy problems. The groups, affiliates, and partners listed below dedicate their time each month to meeting with users in person. They can answer questions, explain specific print resources, and even demonstrate the databases available at the MGC.

Wait – there’s more!  If you are outside the area, they may also be able to help you from afar. Some of the groups have research committees who are willing to take inquiries and do look-ups for you. Click on the relevant links at the bottom of every issue of this newsletter to check out their specific websites for details. There is a lot of good stuff to be found there.

Canadian – third Saturday of the month, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

German – third Saturday of the month from 1:00 to 4:00 pm after the German Document Translation Group meeting  NEW

Irish – second Saturday of the month, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Polish – first Saturday of the month from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and each Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 pm

Pommern – first Saturday in February, May, August, and November, from 10:00  am to 1:00 pm prior to quarterly meetings

Swedish – third Thursday of the month from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

The Hoffman Research Library is scheduled to be open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays 10 am – 4 pm and Thursdays 10 am – 8 pm –  when there are enough volunteers to staff it. It may also close due to adverse weather conditions. Please check our website for closures as you plan your visit.

© 2024, Paula Stuart-Warren. All rights reserved.