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The Western Michigan* Genealogical Society (www.wmgs.org) was founded in 1954 with the purpose of preserving and making available for genealogical research the records of our ancestors; encouraging and assisting members in genealogical research; promoting the exchange of knowledge and encouraging the deposit of genealogical records in established libraries and archives.

*Includes Kent County and the counties immediately surrounding; namely Ottawa, Muskegon, Newaygo, Montcalm, Ionia, Barry and Allegan Counties. There is some extension beyond these counties into other areas of the Western Lower Peninsula.

Walk Away from Computer and Look at Those Microfilms and Books

February 11, 2018 No comments

I spent Saturday at the Grand Rapids Public Library’s main branch. A group of wonderful volunteers and staff have created a fantastic series of workshops and talks designed to help a group of eager, new researchers learn more about their African American ancestry. Saturday’s focus was learning how to find information in three databases: Heritage Quest, Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.

Polk City Directories

All of the new researchers were able to come up with a name, residence and birth year for at least one ancestor who was alive in 1940. That’s usually enough information to leap right into the 1940 or 1930 census. From there the volunteers started explaining what information could be found in the census, point out new information and start looking for new records. It’s simple, quick, effective and keeps our new researchers’ enthusiasm high because now they can learn about the research process while they are looking at records about their family. However, in some cases that method ends in failure. That’s when it’s time to return to the basics. Not only do you need to start with what you know, but you may have to close the gap between 1940 and 2018 AND you may have to walk away from the computer.

We had two researchers facing this problem. One researcher hit a brick wall before she found any records. The other hit a brick wall after we quickly found full birth and death dates for his grandmother and great-grandmother. Both of our new researchers had something in common—they knew their ancestor died in Grand Rapids. continue reading…

General Genealogy, Grand Rapids Public Library, Libraries , ,

Getting Around: THE RAPID – Silver Line

February 10, 2018 1 comment

What a fun day on the Silver Line in Winter!
My day was warm (overcast and higher than freezing). I was ready for an adventure. This is new for me and I needed to know.

The RAPID - Silver Line station. Photo credit - Sue Irvine

The RAPID – Silver Line station. Photo by Sue Irvine

I drove to 60th Street and Division Avenue, an easy exit at 68th Street then north Division a mile to 60th Street. A large sign on the NE corner said “the Rapid Parking”. Parking is Free. A bus was just leaving. I took pictures, but no sun today. Walked to the “big city looking” platform bus stop and read the signs. “Bus every 20 minutes or less; 5 a.m. until midnight; adult $1.75 or $0.85 for seniors” (65+). Prepay with cash or card. I opted for the $3.25 day pass. For the conference I’d a pick the week pass. I inserted my card and I was done. Just like at McDonald’s. Current price list will be found here: ridetherapid.org/tickets-fares

The Rapid. Across from Devos Place Convention Center, Monroe Ave. Photo by Sue Irvine

Then I waited; and soon came the next bus. Which door?
People entered both doors and sat down. As the bus started to move, an attendant walked thru the bus checking entry passes. He smiled and said thank-you. Whow! I was impressed. At each stop (54th Street, 44th Street, 36th Street, etc.) people got on or left. He’d check the new-bees and say thank-you. I liked this! From Wealthy Street we were in the free zone. He just stood and smiled. Now I really like this. The Silver Line makes a loop through downtown past the hospitals, Grand Rapids Main Library, Community College and on to DeVos Place where the NGS Family History conference will be held. continue reading…

General Genealogy, Grand Rapids Public Library, Meetings, NGS Family History Conference , , , , ,

In Case You Missed It: Speaker Change for WMGS

February 1, 2018 No comments
Photo of Tony Burroughs, FUGA

Presenter: Tony Burroughs, FUGA

This Saturday, February 3, the Black Family History Series at the Grand Rapids Public Library kicks off at the WMGS monthly meeting at 1:30 p.m. in the Ryerson Auditorium. We announced a speaker change last Friday. This is a reminder… You’ll not want to miss Tony Burroughs.  As our featured speaker at the GotAncestors Annual Seminar in 2011, Tony received outstanding reviews from attendees.

Uncovering Your African American Genealogist Treasure Trove Hiding in the Attic

 

African Americans often think they don’t have any genealogical or family history information to begin their research. This lecture is designed to dispel that myth by presenting an array of strategies, methods and techniques to research forward. At the completion of this lecture the participant will have developed an appreciation of his/her historical past and the vast array of ancestral, artifacts, heirlooms, family memorabilia and other treasures.

   Tony Burroughs is founder and CEO of the Center for Black Genealogy. He is an internationally known genealogist who taught genealogy at Chicago State University for fifteen years. Burroughs researched Olympic Gold Medal sprint champion Michael Johnson’s family history and consulted on the Smokey Robinson genealogy, the Oprah Winfrey genealogy, Reverend Al Sharpton-Strom Thurmond genealogy, African American Lives2, Who Do You Think You Are, The Real Family of Jesus and consulted with Chicago Public Schools, New York Public Schools, Chicago City Colleges and Ancestry.com.

More on the library’s series during February can be found at:
http://www.grpl.org/event/black-family-history-series/all/

Or : http://wmgs.org/meetings_events.htm

Family Lore, General Genealogy, Grand Rapids Public Library, Meetings, News , ,

The North End Gets a Name

January 12, 2018 No comments

Journal page

Through day-to-day accounts in Loren M. Page’s journal, kept from 1847 to 1852, get a peek at life at the “north-end” of early Grand Rapids, now the Creston neighborhood. Accounts in the diary provide a detailed and personal look at upper and lower class life in the young city, and will be supplemented by photographs and maps. Recently donated to the library archives, the journal recounts Page’s travels from Grand Rapids to Ontario and Sacramento, as well as the long-time investment of the Page family in the Creston neighborhood for the last 70 years.

Presenter: Michael Page
Sponsor: Grand Rapids Public Library

Saturday, January 20, 2018

9:30 am – 4:00 pm | Main Library | 111 Library St NE

A day-long event made up of six programs exploring various aspects of Grand Rapids history. Presented by area historians and members of historical and cultural organizations, topics are varied and reflect the unique heritage of West Michigan. http://www.grpl.org/historydetectives/

Family Lore, Grand Rapids Public Library, Libraries, Local History, Meetings, Photographs , , ,

Dress Discoveries: Fashion and the Voigt Family

January 10, 2018 No comments

Collections of the Voigt family

Peer into the incredible closet of a prominent Grand Rapids entrepreneurial family, the Voigts. The collection of over 600 items of personal dress dates from the 1890s through the 1970s and includes pieces rarely appearing in museum collections, particularly the active wear and clothing worn privately in the home. The garments will be used to explore the fashion, culture and society of Grand Rapids from the Victorian Era to the middle of the twentieth century and help weave together the personal stories of the Voigt family, Carl and Elizabeth, their six children, and extended family.

Presenter: Andrea Melvin
Sponsor: Grand Rapids Public Museum

Saturday, January 20, 2018

9:30 am – 4:00 pm | Main Library | 111 Library St NE

A day-long event made up of six programs exploring various aspects of Grand Rapids history. Presented by area historians and members of historical and cultural organizations, topics are varied and reflect the unique heritage of West Michigan. http://www.grpl.org/historydetectives/

Grand Rapids Public Library, Libraries, Local History, Meetings , , , , , , ,

African Americans in Early Grand Rapids

January 8, 2018 No comments

African Americans in Early Grand Rapids

From 1850 to 1920 African Americans in Grand Rapids were a steady one percent of the city’s rapidly growing population. Ruth Van Stee will present on the vibrant community’s broader population before providing snapshots of business, cultural, and political leaders. She will also discuss how she explored some of her examples: a wealthy business man; a women’s club leader active in the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union movement; and a citizen serving with the YMCA overseas during WWI, and others.

Presenter: Ruth Van Stee
Sponsor: Grand Rapids Historical Society & Kutsche Office of Local History at Grand Valley State University

Saturday, January 20, 2018

9:30 am – 4:00 pm | Main Library | 111 Library St NE

A day-long event made up of six programs exploring various aspects of Grand Rapids history. Presented by area historians and members of historical and cultural organizations, topics are varied and reflect the unique heritage of West Michigan. http://www.grpl.org/historydetectives/

Grand Rapids Public Library, Libraries, Local History, Meetings , ,

Making History: State Historical Markers in Grand Rapids

January 6, 2018 No comments

Historical Marker – Arthur H. Vandenberg

Located around Michigan are over 1,700 historical markers that tell the story of the state and its people. Each and every one of them provides a wonderful reminder of our history and offers insights about where we are headed. Fifty of the historical site markers are located in Kent County, both in and around Grand Rapids. We will take a virtual tour within the city limits of Grand Rapids to seek out and highlight these hidden gems that represent a great deal of our local area’s history.

Presenter: Jeff Neumann
Sponsors: Grand Rapids Historical Commission

Saturday, January 20, 2018

9:30 am – 4:00 pm | Main Library | 111 Library St NE

A day-long event made up of six programs exploring various aspects of Grand Rapids history. Presented by area historians and members of historical and cultural organizations, topics are varied and reflect the unique heritage of West Michigan. http://www.grpl.org/historydetectives/

Grand Rapids Public Library, Libraries, Local History, Meetings , , , ,

Elective Detectives & Crowdsourcing Grand Rapids Women’s History

January 4, 2018 No comments

Her Hat was in the Ring!

The historical charting of Grand Rapids women’s runs for public office beginning in 1887 is upending conventional wisdom and offering surprises about dates, the number of races, and the identities of losers. This unique historical accounting hopes to inspire cities across the nation to create their own comprehensive elective histories. Julia Bouwkamp and Jo Ellyn Clarey will report that Her Hat Was in the Ring, a national crowdsourcing project, now has invited local researchers to share their data with the world, to help others complete and complicate American women’s history by seeking out every woman who ran before 1920.

Presenters: Julia Bouwkamp & Jo Ellyn Clarey
Sponsors: Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council & Grand Rapids City Archives

Saturday, January 20, 2018

9:30 am – 4:00 pm | Main Library | 111 Library St NE

A day-long event made up of six programs exploring various aspects of Grand Rapids history. Presented by area historians and members of historical and cultural organizations, topics are varied and reflect the unique heritage of West Michigan.  http://www.grpl.org/historydetectives/

Grand Rapids Public Library, Libraries, Local History, Meetings , , , ,

Welcome to the Madison Square

January 3, 2018 No comments

The Madison Square business district ca. 1950

While researching his church’s first hundred years for This Far by Faith: The Unfinished Story of Madison Square Church (2017), Don Bryant discovered surprising connections among people, organizations, and events that characterized the Grand Rapids neighborhood in which the church was planted in 1914. As the first business district outside downtown, the Square’s long history provides fodder for compelling looks at the area’s past. Bryant illustrates why knowing local history can impact the present and how it can connect to one’s family background in personal, exciting, and rewarding ways.

Presenter: Don Bryant
Sponsor: Western Michigan Genealogical Society

Saturday, January 20, 2018

9:30 am – 4:00 pm | Main Library | 111 Library St NE

A day-long event made up of six programs exploring various aspects of Grand Rapids history. Presented by area historians and members of historical and cultural organizations, topics are varied and reflect the unique heritage of West Michigan. http://www.grpl.org/historydetectives/

Grand Rapids Public Library, Local History , , , ,

2017 NGS: Reflections of Raleigh (& what it’ll be like in Grand Rapids)

December 23, 2017 No comments

Looking ahead to NGS 2018 Conference May 2-5 Grand Rapids, Michigan! Here is a glimpse of Sue Irvine’s time at Raleigh in May 2017 and what we can look forward to in GR!

Vendor area open and free to the public.

The American Ancestors booth was huge.  You’ll love looking at all the books they publish.  A chance to check them out before you buy!!!  I bought a whole set and they shipped them right to my home!   Whow! continue reading…

General Genealogy, NGS Family History Conference , , , , , , ,
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