StLGS Introduces New Registration Process for Meetings

We know that many of you have been thoroughly enjoying the chance to attend St. Louis Genealogical Society monthly meetings, Special Interest Group (SIG) meetings, and other events and classes online this past year via Zoom. As with many other groups learning to navigate this valuable digital platform, we started slowly and have been able to learn from the bumps in the road as we’ve gained more experience. One of the features of Zoom that we postponed trying is the ability to have participants register through the Zoom website; however, we are now able to offer that convenience to registrants for our free meetings and we think you will like the ease and simplicity it offers.

Beginning today, 25 January 2021, you can register for the 13 February 2021 StLGS monthly meeting, “Defendants and Descendants: Finding Family in Court Records,” featuring Michael Everman, by simply clicking on the big blue "Register" button on the monthly meeting page. For the rest of this year, you will be able to register for the monthly Zoom meetings by clicking that button.

The three SIG pages (German, Irish, and Jewish) will have similar registration buttons on them approximately three weeks prior to each of their quarterly meetings beginning in February 2021. SIG leaders will send emails via their mailing lists when registration begins for their upcoming meetings. You will then register yourself following the steps below via Zoom.

The Registration Form

Clicking on the "Register" button takes you to the Zoom website where there is a simple form to fill out (see image on the right) asking for your name, email address, location (city/state or country), and a few simple questions about StLGS membership. 

Below what is visible in the graphic to the right (not included here because of space) is biographical information about the speaker and, whenever possible, a photo.

Once you click the button to register, the next screen you will see is an approval, with a link to the upcoming meeting and the passcode you will need to attend. You do not need to keep this screen. Just wait a few minutes, and you will receive a confirmation email to the address you provided in the form. Once you know you have your confirmation, you can close the Zoom screen. Your registration is complete!

FAQs about Registering

Do I have to register for each meeting? 

Yes, you do. Each meeting requires a separate registration form due to unique links and passcodes.

Can anyone attend? 

Yes, you do not have to be an StLGS member to attend our monthly meetings and SIG meetings. These are free and open to everyone.

Will this be the way we register for classes and conferences? 

No, at this time, this registration process is only for meetings that are open to everyone and free. Registration for classes that require you to be a member and conferences that require payment will still be done with the old system for now.

Is there still a limit to attendance? 

Yes, we still have a limit of 100 attendees per meeting. Registration does not guarantee you a place in the meeting, however, so you may want to sign in a bit early to be sure you get a spot. Many meetings are recorded and can be accessed through our website.

What if I can’t find my confirmation email with the meeting link? 

You will receive a reminder email a week ahead, a day ahead, and an hour ahead of each meeting, so if you misplace or delete one email, you will still have others to work with.

Will you continue to record meetings and post them online? 

Yes, we will, if possible. One or two of our speakers work for organizations that won’t allow recording, but if we can record, we will. Monthly meeting recordings will stay online for three months. SIG meetings will also use that time frame unless the SIG leaders arrange for a different schedule. You will want to check out the individual SIG pages for specifics.