The next meeting of the North Central Iowa Genealogical Society will be at 1:30 p.m. July 9 in the lower level of the Clear Lake Public Library, at 200 N. Fourth St. in Clear Lake. The featured speaker of the afternoon will be Carol Tinkey of Mason City, who will present a powerpoint presentation on “The Ethnic Heritage of Iowa – From Native Indians to the Euro-American Settlers.”

Throughout the years, Iowa has become home to many ethnic groups from all over the world. Each bringing a part of their country’s culture and heritage with them to Iowa, thereby enriching the lives of all. According to a press release, this presentation will tell about the Native Indians and the Euro-Americans that settled in Iowa up until the 1870’s.

Tinkey will be telling when the various groups immigrated to Iowa, where they came from, why they came and where they settled. She will also tell of some of the customs and traditions they brought with them and the foods they still cherish.

Tinkey recently won third place in the Founder’s Award competition for her research paper on this topic at the International Quester Convention in Des Moines. She is currently serving a two year term as president of the Iowa Questers, an organization that is involved in the restoration and preservation of artifacts and historic landmarks and the study and collecting of antiques.