WESTERN MICHIGAN GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY ONLINE!

MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

We meet at 1:30PM in the Ryerson Auditorium of the Grand Rapids Public Library on the first Saturday of the month, September through June. Should the first Saturday fall on a holiday weekend, another day will be scheduled. The June meeting is often times changed to the 2nd Saturday. Unless a special program, each meeting has a one-hour lecture on a genealogy related subject by a knowledgeable speaker. Books and charts are sold at our meetings and a "Hospitality Hour" follows. All meetings are free and open to the public. 

REMINDER: parking is free at the library on Saturdays. Just make sure you get the ticket stamped at either the Library's information desk or the genealogy desk.

MONTHLY MEETINGS

Good luck on your Summer Research! Regular Meetings resume in the fall.

September 6th

It's a wonderful time to begin your Polish research
Ceil Jensen, Certified Genealogist, will dispel myths that records were destroyed during the World Wars and that language barriers make research difficult. She will present practical examples and suggestions on how to use records, databases and archives to start or advance your Polish genealogy research.

Cecile (Ceil) Wendt Jensen is a Certified Genealogist and owner of Michigan Polonia. Author, educator, and researcher, Cecile is a native Detroiter, and a board member of Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan serving as their representative to the Federation of Genealogical Societies. Ceil is a graduate of Michigan State University in East Lansing and spent thirty years in K-12 education where she pioneered multimedia technology integration in the classroom. In 1998, Ceil began a transition from public education to genealogy and has become a featured international speaker. She has conducted research in Poland at libraries, civil archives, diocesean archives, and in local parishes. Her published articles have appeared in National Genealogical Societies Magazine, Ancestry Magazine, and online with Gen Dobry. Arcadia Publishing has released three titles by Ceil: Detroit's Polonia (2005) Detroit's Mount Elliott Cemetery (2006), and Detroit's Mount Olivet Cemetery (2006). She collaborated on the DVD Our Polish Story (2007). Visit Ceil's website Michigan Polonia at http://mipolonia.net

October 4th

To be announced.

November 1st

Don't miss this meeting! A special day-long seminar event is being planned at the Prince Center at Calvin College. Lunch and refreshments will be included for a very reasonable registration fee.

MAGNIFYING BRICK WALL CLUES will include nationally known speakers:

Lisa Alzo will present two sessions in the morning: Identifying Immigrant Cluster Communities and The Evidence! Following Online Clues to Solve Your Family History. Lisa is a frequent contributor to both Internet Genealogy and Family Chronicles magazines.

In the afternoon Michael John Neill will do two presentation: Seeing Patterns: Organizing Your Information and Brick Walls From A to Z.

More information: MAGNIFYING BRICK WALL CLUES

Register Online

December 6th

"Researching There When You Are Here"? - Karen Krugman

Most people do not have ancestors where they live. So the talk "Researching There When You Are Here" gives you viable ways to search & locate the records and information you are seeking on your ancestors who live elsewhere. With ALL of Karen’s ancestors living outside of Michigan, her research proves out the ways that she is going to share with you in this talk. Bring a notebook & pen, you’ll want to take lots of notes!

Karen Krugman has been researching since 1990, and professionally since 1998. She enjoys the challenge of Lineage Society research. Since 2002 she has been speaking to genealogy groups in the metro Detroit area as well as other areas of Michigan & Ohio. Her talks are given with a humorous spin that is unique to her. She has been president of the Ford Genealogy Club for 7 years, is research chair for the Detroit Society for Genealogical research, a member of the Oakland County Genealogy Society and a five year volunteer at the Library of Michigan. She has written five books based on her family history research and was co-author of The Ford Family Cemetery book, which includes photo's and other information on the cemetery where auto pioneer Henry Ford is buried. Currently Karen resides in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

Introduction to Genealogy

BEGINNER CLASSES!!!!!

Just beginning your family history or returning after a break from searching? We have just the classes for you!

Next schedule of classes is being prepared.

Fall 2008 Research Trip to Allen County Public Library
is being Scheduled for October 14 & 15

Sponsored by WMGS

Details and Reservation Form available here

The Dominican Center on the corner of East Fulton and Lakeside Drive is the location for 2008 WMGS Writers Group workshops. We normally meet 1:30 (new time) to 4:00 p.m. the third Tuesday of October, November, January, February, March, April and May.

Summer Meetings!

June 24th, at 2:00 p.m.

July 15th, at 1:30 p.m.

August 19th, at 1:30 p.m.

We help and support each other's desire to write about our families with a kind eye and lots of humor. Everyone is welcome

It is requested to call Sister Michael Ellen Carling at 616-643-0206 if you wish to attend. Please park in the Dominican Center parking lot which is off Lakeside Drive. Go to the main entrance under the large portico and then go up the steps. The receptionist will direct you to the room.

For more details, look here...

OTHER ACTIVITIES AT MONTHLY MEETINGS

Refreshments:   Many WMGS members are great cooks!  They share homemade cookies and other goodies with us during our social time!  Social time for gene-people is as must!  Who else wants to listen to how you found G-G-G Grandpa except another WMGS member?   If you can bring cookies, contact Sue Carpenter, our Hospitality Chairperson.

WMGS Book Sales:  WMGS stocks quite a large number of new  books and materials for your inspection.  We feel that most people want to browse through genealogy books before they purchase. Valuable genealogy materials are  difficult to find in the normal bookstores.  Got ideas?  Want to help?  Let us know!   Watch for our Christmas Special in December!

WMGS  Tape Rentals:   WMGS has been recording taping our speakers whenever possible.  We also have tapes we've purchased from state conferences.   These are available for $1 rental fee.  Why not listen and learn while you drive to work?