Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International

Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International (CGSI) is a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to promoting genealogical research and interest in heritage among descendants of ethnic groups of former Czechoslovakia (Bohemians, Moravians, Silesians, Czech-Germans, Slovaks, Slovak Hungarians, Carpatho-Ruthenians, and Czech and Slovak Jews).[1] Established in 1988 and based in St. Paul, Minnesota, CGSI is the oldest and largest society of its kind[2] with more than 2,000 members from across the United States, Canada, and the Czech and Slovak Republics.[3] Until its incorporation in 1991, it was known as Czechoslovak Genealogical Society and was a part of the Minnesota Genealogical Society.[3]

The CGSI collection in Mendota Heights, Minnesota contains resources for genealogical research, and CGSI publishes the quarterly newsletter Naše rodina (from Czech: Naše rodina, i.e. "Our family"). CGSI also organizes seminars and workshops and a biennial genealogical conference attended by several hundreds of people.[2] The conference is usually held in the United States, but in 2005 it took place in Bratislava and Prague under the title "Back to the Homeland".[4]

In April 1999, CGSI President Dave Pavelka accepted a Silver Presidential Commemorative Medal from Václav Havel, then president of the Czech Republic, for the society’s work in preserving Czech culture.[3] In August 2019, CGSI received the Prize of Milan Hodža for the society's work in preserving Slovak culture.[5]

Other Czech-American genealogical societies are the Czech and Slovak American Genealogy Society of Illinois (CSAGSI), the Czech and Slovak Genealogical Society of Arizona (CSGSA), and the Texas Czech Genealogical Society.[2]