About Us

The Central Florida Genealogical Society, Inc. was formed in 1969 in Orlando with thirty-two Charter members. Until 1993, we were known as the Central Florida Genealogical & Historical Society. The definition of Central Florida varies; however, it includes the following counties: Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia Counties.

We are located in the Orlando Florida area to serve genealogists from, and those with ancestors in, the Central Florida area.  We hold over 80 meetings a year. Both our general and daytime meetings feature a speaker covering a topic of interest to genealogists and we have five special interest groups. CFGS holds occasional social activities which provide a special time for friendship and fellowship. Several committees, including Education, Hospitality, Membership, Publications, Special Events, Ancestry Revealed (our community outreach program), and others, provide volunteer opportunities for member involvement. We currently have over 300 members

For more information about how CFGS is organized and run, please see our CFGS Bylaws Amended March 2023.

The benefits of joining CFGS are: 

Our members-only webpages, which contains hundreds of articles of interest to genealogists, including all of our society quarterlies, going back 50 years.

Access to all the PowerPoint and other presentations of the CFGS Special Interest Groups: England, German, Irish, Italian, and Scottish, Family Tree Maker, Roots Magic software, and DNA as it relates to genealogy.

FREE Genealogy Seminar ($40 value)

FREE webinars presented by the Florida State Genealogical Society and the Federation of Genealogical Societies, including handouts.

FREE webinars are presented on occasion by other societies across the country.

Free admittance to the University Club of Winter Park Genealogy Interest Group meetings.

Recognize anyone in this “blast from the past” 2002 photo above? From left: the late Judy Weinberg (standing at podium), Pat Allen, Past President Larry Kirkwood, the late Past President Lynne Knorr, Paul Enchelmayer (a future president), Betty Jo Stockton, the late Gladys Paulin, Mary Phillips, Marie Santry, the late Rose Hogan, President Elaine Powell (also current president), and Past President Sim Seckbach.

Past Presidents of CFGS

1969–1971        Peola Tucker Stuart+

1971–1972        Alice Henkel Rupe+

1972–1973        Marion McKenna Schuneman+

1973–1974        Alice Henkel Rupe+

1974–1976        Mary Virginia White+

1976–1977        Betty Brinsfield Hughson+

1977–1978        John Bartram Brouard+

1978–1979        Russell V. Carr+

1979–1980        Mary L. Higdon Swakoff+

1980–1981        Dr. George G. Miles+

1981–1982        Julius Warren Ryals+

1982–1984        Bonnie Lee Warman Ward+

1984–1986        Betty Brinsfield Hughson+

1986–1988        Tanya Cecile Miller+

1988–1990        Ralyne E. Westenhofer

1990–1992        Charlotte E. Kelly Rand+

1992–1994        Ann Mohr Osisek

1994–1994        Marilyn Kangelos+

1995–1997        Sherry S. Mertz

1997–1999        Lynne Knorr

1999–2001        Lawrence R. Kirkwood

2001–2003        Sim Seckbach

2003–2006        Elaine Powell

2007-2008         Paul Enchelmayer

2008-2013         Gregg Gronlund

2013-2017         Sandy Caruthers Shearer

2017-Present    Elaine Powell

+  Deceased