Michigan Genealogical Council

Waterford Genealogical Society Genealogy Seminar
2024-04-20 13:00 - 18:00 (America/Detroit) | Waterford Township Public Library, 5168 Civic Center Dr, Waterford, MI, 48329
WGS Genealogy Seminar (formerly known as the Lock-In). Participants will not need to be “locked in” this year because the library will be open. New time for those who did not want such late hours.
Linked below is the registration for the seminar for the event. Just print it out and follow the instructions in the Seminar registration
2024 Genealogy Seminar Registration

Genealogical Society of Monroe County 44th Annual Spring SeminarFeaturing Kris Rzepczynski & Carl Katafiasz
2024-04-20 09:00 - 15:30 | Monroe County Community College, Audrey M Warrick AdministrationN & STUDENT SERVICES BUILDING 1555 South Raisinville Road, Monroe, MI, 48161
The Genealogical Society of Monroe County is delighted to announce its 44th Annual Spring Seminar, taking place on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Monroe County Community College. This educational event promises an enriching experience for genealogy enthusiasts and history buffs, featuring renowned speakers Kris Rzepczynski and Carl Katafiasz.
Additional details and the registration form are available on the GSMC website.

MGC Virtual only Board meeting
2024-04-18 09:00 - 11:00 | Virtual – Zoom only
MGC Virtual only Board meeting – non-delegate meeting months.
This meeting was rescheduled from April 11, 2024.

Ohio Genealogical Society 2024 Conference
2024-04-10 13:00 - 2024-04-13 17:00 | Kalahari Resort, Sandusky, Ohio, 7000 Kalahari Dr, Sandusky, OH, 44870, United States
This year’s conference theme is “Rockin’ Around Your Family Tree” with keynote speaker, Sunny Jane Morton, opening the conference with her talk “Rocking the Relatively Recent Relatives”. There will be Workshops on Wednesday covering forensic genealogy, brick walls in German-American research, vintage photos, military research, and the ever-popular DNA. Sessions on Thursday through Saturday will cover topics such as colonial and revolutionary war research, researching various ethnic groups, general research tips, online resources, social media, tips to organize your research, and nearby research facilities.
Information provided by Dot Martin, OGS President

Michigan in Perspective: Local History Conference
2024-03-22 09:00 - 2024-03-23 16:30 | Oakland University, Rochester, MI
Held annually in the spring in the Metro Detroit area, this conference is open to anyone interested in state or regional history. It is HSM’s largest annual conference and includes several keynotes, content sessions, and more.

Building an Educational Plan for your Society with Cari A. Taplin, CG
2024-03-14 11:00 - 13:00 | Virtual – Zoom only
Most genealogical societies foster education in the field of genealogy. Having an education program outside the monthly meetings can build membership, develop volunteer relationships, and give greater education opportunities to members. This lecture will share ideas on developing a strong education program for societies.
Cari will be joining us virtually.

MGC Board meeting
2024-03-14 09:00 - 10:30, 2024-01-11 09:00 - 10:30 | Virtual Zoom meeting, MI

RootsTech 2024
2024-02-29 10:00 - 2024-03-02 18:00 | Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
RootsTech is the premier event to celebrate your heritage and other meaningful connections through a deeper understanding of family history and genealogy.
Come join us and discover your story at RootsTech 2024!
Attend in-person at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City or virtually!

MGC Board meeting
2024-02-08 09:00 - 11:00, 2023-12-14 09:00 - 11:00 | Virtual – Zoom only

Embracing Change: Charting a Direction for Genealogical Societies with Curt Witcher
2024-01-11 11:00 - 13:00 | Virtual – Zoom only
This presentation will provide a general overview of the changes that are affecting genealogical societies and organizations, present some of the challenges that those changes bring, and offer some strategies for charting a course for success.
Curt will be joining us virtually.

MGC Fall Family History Seminar with Michael Strauss
2023-11-04 09:00 - 16:00 | Michigan Library & Historical Center, 702 West Kalamazoo Street, Lansing, MI, 48912, United States
Each fall, the Michigan Genealogical Council, with our partners, the Archives of Michigan and the Library of Michigan, presents the Fall Family History Event. This year, you can attend onsite in Lansing or online from home.
Michael L. Strauss, AG, will be our speaker. Michael is employed as a Research Manager and Senior Genealogist for Ancestry ProGenealogists. He is a native of Pennsylvania and a veteran of the United States Coast Guard. He is a published author and national genealogical lecturer, instructor, and faculty member at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP), and the Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research (IGHR), where he coordinates the military history courses. Michael has been involved in Civil War and Mexican-American War reenacting for more than twenty-five years.
Michael Strauss’s presentations will be

Introduction to Military Genealogy Research will focus on a large number of records, strategies, and techniques to find your military ancestors from the colonial era through the Vietnam War.
A House Divided: Research in the Civil War will examine records most used by genealogists and historians, including service records, draft records, pensions, and records to trace the movement of your ancestor’s military unit for both sides.
Roosevelt’s Tree Army: Researching in the Civilian Conservation Corps will explore CCC genealogical resources between 1933-1942, including Office Personnel Files, discharge certificates, accident reports, camp and district reports, photographs, and motion pictures.
All in a Day’s Work: Occupational Genealogical Research will focus on the methodology to research your ancestor’s work history, tapping into records of employment and discussing old occupations no longer in use.

Register online today
A complete event schedule and mail-in registration form can be found here.

SIG - Special Interest Groups for Societies with Paula Williams
2023-11-03 11:00 - 13:00 | Forum at the Michigan Library & Historical Center, 702 W Kalamazoo St, Lansing, Michigan, 48915
Expand your society’s offerings by incorporating special interest and study groups for more active participation.
Paula is a professional genealogist who has been researching for more than two decades in primarily southern US states and has been using DNA to solve problems for more than a decade. She has studied at IGHR, SLIG, GRIP, and the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed). In addition, she’s a board member of the Virginia Genealogical Society and of the Genealogical Research Institute of Virginia (GRIVA) and is the facilitator for the latter’s DNA Special Interest Group. She has taught at the IGHR and GRIP institutes and has lectured for the Southern California Genealogical Society’s Genealogy Jamboree and for the National Genealogical Society conference, among others.
Please note the different day of this delegate meeting. This is to kick off the MGC Fall Family History Event.
The 2023 Lucy Mary Kellogg Award will be presented at this meeting.
A reception for Lucy Mary Kellogg Awardees 2020-2023 will be held following the delegate meeting.
Attendees have the option of attending this presentation in person in Lansing or virtually. Paula will be presenting remotely.

MGC Board meeting - November 2023
2023-11-03 09:00 - 10:30 | Comission Room, 5th Floor, Michigan Library & Historical Center, 702 West Kalamazoo Street, Lansing, Michigan, 48912
MGC Board meeting – November 3, 2023 at 9:00 am
In person at the Michigan Library and Historical Center and Virtual via Zoom

St. Clair County Genealogy & History SocietyHebner Family Memorial Genealogy Seminar
2023-10-21 09:00 - 15:30 | Donald E. Dodge Auditorium, 200 Grand River, Port Huron, MI
St. Clair County Genealogy & History Society will be holding our annual
Hebner Family Memorial Genealogy Seminar
9:00 Registration
9:30 – 10:45 Traditions: Passing Them On – Lori Fox
11:00 – 11:15 Presentation: St. Clair County Library – Michigan Room
11:15 – 12:30 Becoming American: Research with Naturalization Records – Kris Rzepczynski, Senior Archivist and Head of Reference Archives of Michigan
12:30 – 1:45 Box lunch can be ordered during morning registration
1:45 – 2:00 Presentation: Daughters of the American Revolution
2:00 – 3:30 Archiving Your Past – Nicole Aszalos, Lambton County Archivist, Ontario, Canada
Questions – Contact@sccghs.org

Western Michigan Genealogical SocietyGot Ancestors?! 2023 with Katherine R. Willson
2023-10-21 09:00 - 15:00 | Park Congregational Church, 10 E Park Pl NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Katherine R. Willson (Dexter, Michigan) is an engaging & dynamic genealogy lecturer at local, regional, and national events; a full-time researcher for private clients; and a genealogy educator for 20+ years. She is the founder and Past President of the Virtual Genealogical Association, past President of the Michigan Genealogical Council, past board member for the Association of Professional Genealogists, and a course coordinator and instructor at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. Katherine authored The Genealogist’s Guide to Grand Rapids, Michigan, as well as the Genealogy on Facebook list, a catalog of 17,000+ genealogy/history links on Facebook, found at SocialMediaGenealogy.com.
The sessions to be presented throughout the day are:

Our European Ancestors’ Voyage to America
Resources for Genealogical Research in Foreign Countries
40+ Sources for Finding Maiden Names
Adding a Genealogical Codicil to Your Will

For additional information or to register, please visit the society website.

Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan 45th Annual Genealogy Seminar - Day 2
2023-10-21 08:30 - 16:00 | American Polish Cultural Center, 2975 E. Maple Rd, Troy, MI, 48083, United States
Day 2 is Webinar or In-person at the American Polish Cultural Center, 2975 E. Maple Road, Troy, MI.
In-person registration includes a continental breakfast and lunch with Polish food. In-person seating is limited.
Includes live presentations with Q&A, a syllabus, and door prizes. Attend either day or both days — Open to the public.
Inaccuracies, Errors, and Conflicts of Information in Polish Vital Records and How to Resolve These Problems by Daniel Bućko
The Genealogical Value of Royal and Government Estate Inventories by Daniel Bućko
The Chene Street History Project by Dr. Karen Majewska
Hamtramck’s Polonia by Dr. Karen Majewska
For an informational flyer and online registration, visit the society website.
Registrations paid by check must be postmarked by October 5.
Online registration closes on October 10.

Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan 45th Annual Genealogy Seminar - Day 1
2023-10-14 11:00 - 15:00 | Zoom webinar, MI
Includes live presentations with Q&A, a syllabus, and door prizes. Attend either day or both days — Open to the public.
Day 1 is Webinar Only.
Polish DNA: Stories It Reveals and the Ways to Use It for Genealogical Purposes by Eryk Jan Grzeszkowiak
Changing Places, Changing Borders: Overcoming Geographic Challenges by David Obee
For an informational flyer and online registration, visit the society website.
Registrations paid by check must be postmarked by October 5.
Online registration closes on October 10.

MGC Board meeting - October 2023
2023-10-12 09:00 - 11:00 | Virtual – Zoom only
MGC Board meeting – October 12, 2023 at 9:00 am
Virtual via Zoom

Resources and Services of the Library of Michigan with Adam Oster
2023-09-14 11:00 - 13:00 | Forum, Michigan Library & Historical Center, 702 West Kalamazoo Street, Lansing, Michigan, 48912
Come discover the resources and services of the Library of Michigan. Learn about both the physical and digital collections of your state library as well as the variety of services available for libraries, historical organizations, and family history researchers throughout our great state.
Register for the delegate meeting.

MGC Board Meeting
2023-09-14 09:00 - 10:30 | Comission Room, 5th Floor, Michigan Library & Historical Center, 702 West Kalamazoo Street, Lansing, Michigan, 48912

KVGS Research Trip to DC
2023-09-10 00:00 - 2023-09-16 23:59 | UT
Several Kalamazoo Valley Genealogical Society members are desperate to get to DC for some research. The society has designed an independent trip for any genealogists who would like to go along.

This is an INDEPENDENT research trip: make your own travel arrangements (drive, fly, train). Get our group discount at the Arlington Court Suites Hotel (Group GENEALOGY 2023). The discounted rate ends on August 13. Metro or Uber with other researchers to the research facility of your choice – DAR Library, NARA (National Archives in both Washington, DC and College Park, MD), Library of Congress – or other research facilities – your choice.

We’ll get together for meals, discuss what we are researching, answer questions, and share transportation.

More information is available here:

The flier is on the KVGS website (www.mikvgs.org) and has details and links to help you register for the trip, at the hotel, and for research days at the National Archives. Be sure to read it.

Our website (www.mikvgs.org), under the Research tab on the left side, includes details and brief videos to orient you to the three research sites.

July 5 Zoom meeting for questions (registration link is HERE).

Arlington Court Suites Hotel (https://www.arlingtoncourthotel.com/) The phone number is on the flyer. Works best if you telephone the hotel so you can give the GENEALOGY 2023 group info.

Direct flights to DC (attached to this email).

NARA information: Schedule your visit soon – only 45 researchers each day. A link is on the flyer.

Plan Your Visit to the National Archives: https://www.archives.gov/research/start/plan-your-visit.

Email info@mikvgs.org if you still have unanswered questions. Please put WASHINGTON, DC, in the subject line.

MGC Board Meeting
2023-07-13 09:00 - 11:00 | UT
Virtual – Zoom only

2023 Barbara J. Brown Family History Seminar
2023-06-23 13:00 - 2023-06-24 16:00 | Michigan Library and History Center, 702 W. Kalamazoo St., Lansing, Michigan, 48912
Each summer, the Archives of Michigan and the Michigan Genealogical Council host a seminar to promote family history awareness and teach genealogy research skills. The Abrams Foundation generously supports the event in loving memory of Barbara J. Brown.

For this year’s event, we are pleased to offer this flagship annual gathering as a hybrid event. Participants can attend sessions either online or onsite. We are delighted to host Drew Smith, who will join us on-site here in Lansing and through Zoom to our virtual attendees.

For the complete schedule of events and speaker bios.

On Saturday, onsite attendees can preorder a lunch option from Grand Traverse Pie for an additional $13.

MGC Delegate Meeting
2023-06-23 10:00 - 11:45 | Forum at the Michigan Library & Historical Center, 702 W Kalamazoo St, Lansing, Michigan, 48915
Our July delegate meeting has been rescheduled to kick off the 2023 Barbara J Brown Family History Seminar featuring Drew Smith. Please note the different day and start time. Drew will be onsite in Lansing.

Using Trello for Project Management

Drew currently uses Trello to manage a volunteer project to research individuals buried in a forgotten cemetery. See how Trello may be a solution for your society’s project management needs.

This meeting will be held onsite in Lansing and virtually via Zoom.

MGC Board meeting
2023-06-08 09:00 - 11:00 | Virtual – Zoom only

Managing Society Digital Projects
2023-05-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom meeting – registration required
An MGC Continuing Education Program.

Zoom meeting – registration requiredManaging Society Digital Projects with Kris Rzepczynski of the Archives of Michigan and Shelby Nelson of the Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society.Sharing about the process of large and small digital scanning processes, equipment needed, process management, and volunteer use.We estimate it to be about 1 hour, with a Q&A discussion. We welcome ANY interested society members to attend!

MGC Delegate Meeting
2023-05-11 11:00 - 13:00 | Michigan Library & Historical Center, 702 West Kalamazoo Street, Lansing, MI, 48912, United States
Hiring a Genealogy Speaker with Judy Nimer Muhn

How to find a good speaker, make arrangements for their speaking engagement, contracting, and handouts.

This will be a hybrid meeting, societies and delegates may participate onsite in Lansing or from a distance using Zoom. Please encourage your Program Team to attend.

This session will be onsite in the Forum at the Michigan Library and Historical Center and virtually on Zoom.

MGC Board Meeting
2023-05-11 09:00 - 10:30 | Comission Room, 5th Floor, Michigan Library & Historical Center, 702 West Kalamazoo Street, Lansing, Michigan, 48912
This will be an onsite meeting in the Commission Room, also available on Zoom for distance board members.
