The Florida Genealogical Society in Tampa is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year! Founded in 1958, the society is the oldest genealogical society in the State of Florida. FGS is formally celebrating its Golden Anniversary in conjunction with its annual Fall Seminar. The seminar will be held on Saturday, 13 September 2008, at Hillsborough Community College¹s Dale Mabry campus. The special guest speaker will be Paula Stuart-Warren, CGSM. Paula is an internationally recognized genealogical expert, a certified genealogical researcher, a prolific columnist, and a celebrated genealogical author. She will present an engaging program consisting of four excellent lectures. During its long history, FGS has conducted a number of important projects. In 1986, an eight-volume set of transcriptions of all of the Hillsborough County cemeteries was published. This work is currently being entered by society volunteers into the Find-a-Grave website at www.findagrave.com <http://www.findagrave.com/> . When complete, society members will re-canvass cemeteries for interments made since publication of the original books, and data will be added to Find-a-Grave, making the information available to researchers around the globe. FGS has also established a large vertical file collection at the John F. Germany Public Library in downtown Tampa and is working on electronically indexing the contents. On Friday evening, 12 September 2008, the evening before the Fall Seminar, FGS will host a Gala Anniversary Banquet at Valencia Garden Spanish Restaurant in Tampa. FGS will honor all the living past presidents who have served the society since its founding. Locating some of these people has been a genealogical research experience but all have been found and are being invited. Each past president will be treated to a lavish dinner and will receive a commemorative gift. Paula Stuart-Warren will deliver a special, entertaining dinner speech. More information about the Florida Genealogical Society, its monthly programs, and its projects can be found at its web site at fgstampa.org <http://fgstampa.org/> . CG is a Registered Service Mark of the Board for Certification of Genealogists.