Serbian Genealogical Society

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The Serbian Genealogical Society (SGS) (Serbian: Српско Родословно Друштво) is a non-profit society that is engaged in genealogical research in Serbia and the Balkan peninsula.

1 History, Purpose, and Activities
2 Serbian Heraldic Society: White Eagle
3 Branches
4 Archives
5 External links
6 Sources

[edit] History, Purpose, and Activities

The SGS started in 2000 as the legal successor of the Serbian Genealogical Foundation, an organization devoted to establishing genealogical infrastructure in Serbia. Members of the foundation, together with other researchers in the region, created the SGS for the promotion of genealogy in its broadest sense. The SGS strives for objective research and is not engaged in political activities, which it is prohibited from doing under its statutes .

The SGS is not a learned society although many of its members are. SGS members include historians, sociologists, ethnologists, genealogists, and researchers, as well as amateur genealogists. The SGS shares a collective membership with the Serbian Heraldic Society, known as the “White Eagle”. The SGS also has close ties with different archives in Serbia and abroad and other similar organizations. These include:

National Archives of Serbia & Montenegro
International Academy for the Promotion of Historical Studies
Macedonian Heraldic Society
Slovenian Genealogical Society
Slovakian Genealogical & Heraldic Society
Croatian Heritage Museum (USA)

A primary goal of the SGS is to provide genealogical tools for those want to know more about their family heritage. The SGS runs an online presentation through its official website, which also provides forums, research tools, and allows people to post their family tree online for free through a system called “Moj Rodoslov”. This is done in accordance with the privacy laws in Serbia. The SGS is also responsible for a validation and accreditation programme to ensure proper quality of research inside Serbia and Montenegro.

[edit] Serbian Heraldic Society: White Eagle

The Serbian Society for Heraldry, Genealogy, Vexillology and Phaleristics, also known as the Serbian Heraldry Society "White Eagle", was founded in 1991. The society is the only professional organisation of that kind in Serbia. It is involved in research and work in the fields of heraldry, genealogy, flags, medals and honours, and the more specialized fields of insigniology, archontology and nobilistics.

The White Eagle is responsible for Serbia and Montenegro's heraldic arms registry, including responsibility for the design and drawing of the Coats of Arms for most of the states and cities of Serbia.

[edit] Branches

The SGS has different branches in Belgrade, Krusevac, Bosnia, Vojvodina, The Netherlands, and the United States. All branches have their own commissions.

[edit] Archives

The SGS provides information about the available archival resources and assists people in accessing the archival resources. Serbia, unlike neighbouring countries like Croatia, has no microfilmed archives. This makes archival work more difficult. The SGS works with archives in Serbia to make them more accessible while ensuring that archival documents are properly preserved. .