WESTERN MICHIGAN GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY ONLINE!

MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

We meet at 1:30 p.m. 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 validate your parking exit ticket in the machine at the Library's information desk in the first floor lobby.

MONTHLY MEETINGS

February 4th - 1:30 p.m.

Utilizing Fold3 at the Library and from Home - Kris Rzepczynski

Previously known as Footnote, Fold3 is an interactive repository of millions of images of original documents, many from the National Archives, including naturalization records, city directories, and Civil War service records. Named after a traditional flag-folding ceremony in which the third fold is made in honor and remembrance of veterans, the database now emphasizes its outstanding collection of military records and indexes.

Currently the Michigan/Genealogy Coordinator at the Library of Michigan, Kris has worked at the Library for more than 11 years. He holds a MLIS from Wayne State University, a MA in History from Western Michigan University, and a BA in History from the University of Michigan. Kris has presented at national, state, and local conferences, including the upcoming 2012 National Genealogical Society Annual Conference, 2011 Federation of Genealogical Societies Annual Conference, and several Ohio Genealogical Society annual conferences. In addition, he is a member of the Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan, Historical Society of Michigan, Michigan Library Association, and is a Past President of the Mid-Michigan Genealogical Society.

Mini Class: Going to Salt Lake? What to Expect.

The Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah has the largest genealogical collection in the world. Five floors containing over 2.4 million rolls of microfilmed genealogical records; 727,000 microfiche; 356,000 books, serials, and other formats; over 4,500 periodicals and 3,725 electronic resources can be a little overwhelming. Karen McCombs will help you plan ahead to get the most out of your trip. This class will be held 12:15 - 1:15 p.m. in the Adult Computer Center, and is open to the general public.

March 3rd - 1:30 p.m.

In Their Words – the Story of Annie Etheridge, Civil War nurse

Once of newspaper renown, few today know the story of this remarkable woman, who, at age twenty-one, volunteered to serve her country from 1861-1865 as a nurse. While other famous women of the Civil War, such as Louisa May Alcott, Cornelia Hancock, and Sarah Emma Edmonds published their memoirs, Annie’s story was left to be told by newspapers, her contemporaries and those who knew her best – the soldiers in the Army of the Potomac.

After extensive research, Bruce B. Butgereit brings to life the amazing story of Annie and shares the difficulty in putting together the pieces of one’s life when incorrect information is repeated time after time.

Bruce B. Butgereit has taken his interest in the Civil War to heights he never imagined when he first learned of the war at the age of nine when his grandfather took him to the Battlefield of Antietam, in 1968. His grandfather took pictures, told stories of the battle and stressed the importance of learning more about the Civil War; but not the reasons why.

In 1975, Bruce gave his first “presentation” on the Civil War to his East Kentwood High School history class. It wasn’t until 1998, when Bruce discovered one of the reasons for his grandfather’s insistence on the importance of the Civil War. That discovery gave the Civil War a more personal significance when Bruce learned of at least two ancestors who fought in that war. For over a decade, Bruce, as a member of the Gen. John A. Logan Camp No. 1, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) and Commander of the Michigan Commandery, Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS) has coordinated restoration efforts for many Civil War memorials and conducted countless ceremonies to dedicate and/or rededicate headstones for Civil War soldiers. Bruce is a professional historical researcher, preservation consultant, genealogist, public speaker and historian. He has received numerous awards for his historical work.

Today, he serves as the Executive Director for the non-profit organization called History Remembered, Inc., which provides educational programs on history and helps communities preserve many treasures of their past. Bruce is a strong advocate of remembering those who have gone before, leaving behind a rich legacy of history. Because history is about people, History Remembered adheres to the guiding motto which states: “…we are the voices of those no longer with us…”

Mini Class: WMGS Surname Database – Introduction

WMGS board member, Judy Wilson will explain the Surname database and how you can connect with other researchers by sharing your family names. This class will be held Saturday, March 3 from 12:15 – 1:15 p.m. in the Adult Computer Center and is open to the general public.

April 7th - 1:30 p.m.

Annual Volunteer Appreciation Day

FishBowl Interactive Panel - Tax Records for Genealogists

 

RESEARCH TRIPS

Allen County Public Library

Western Michigan Genealogical Society’s
Bus Trip to Fort Wayne’s
Allen County Public Library
Click here for information on the Spring 2012 trip

FAMILY HISTORY WRITERS WORKSHOPS

The Dominican Center on the corner of East Fulton and Lakeside Drive is the location for WMGS Writers Group workshops. We normally meet 1:30 to 4:45 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month.

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 616-643-0208 if you wish to attend. Please park in the Dominican Center parking lot which is off Lakeside Drive. Use the lower entrance on the east side of the large portico and go down the steps or the cement ramp to enter the building. The receptionist will direct you to the room.

Everyone is welcome to bring their latest writing project rather than the suggested topic for the meeting. Having a topic helps some of us jog our memories and prods us into making sure we actually write between meetings.

The group provides constructive feedback and everyone benefits.

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!