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

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 Mysteries. Lisa is a frequent contributor to both Internet Genealogy and Family Chronicle magazines, and Family Tree Magazine.

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.

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!