2024 Kick off meeting. Mike Christiaens will share a success he had with DNA. We will also discuss topics for future meetings and ways to get involved.
What's New and Exciting at MyHeritage (GSWC Meetings - Programs)
1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Hybrid meeting - Zoom and Trinity Health Ann Arbor
Daniel Horowitz. speaker
MyHeritage is at the forefront of innovation in genealogy and is constantly introducing new and exciting features to help users take their research to the next level. In this session, Daniel will give a detailed walkthrough of the latest and greatest from MyHeritage and show you how to make the most of these features. On the way, he’ll give you a peek behind the scenes at how they were developed.
Form and Content in German Church Records (GSWC Meetings - Classes)
3:15 pm to 4:30 pm
Hybrid meeting - Zoom and Trinity Health Ann Arbor
Roger P. Minert, instructor
This presentation includes a short history of the keeping of church records in the German-language countries in Europe, as well as in specific German provinces since 1490. Church and state regulations regarding the keeping of church records are discussed. A case study is demonstrated based on a typical parish in Württemberg with records from 1562 to 1876.
Ireland and UK SIG Meeting (Special Interest Groups)
5:30 pm
Zoom
The plan for the meeting includes
an open discussion of this month's article or web-based learning program
Murray Jones - Welsh research
creating source checklists
member questions (submit in writing)
brick wall suggestions
notable community events
Tuesday, October 1
German Special Interest Group (Special Interest Groups)
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Zoom Meeting
Agenda to include researching German Census Records.
Sunday, October 27
Michigan in 1950 - Painting the Picture of Michigan Based on 1950 Census Results (GSWC Meetings - Programs)
1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Hybrid meeting - Zoom and Trinity Health Ann Arbor
Scott Norrick, speaker
Data from the US Census can reveal a lot of interesting information about a community. In this presentation, Scott Norrick will reveal his findings and insights from reviewing and analyzing US Census data for Michigan from the 1950 Census.
Sunday, October 27
Fire, Water, and the 1890 U.S. Census: Researching Beyond the Ashes and Mold (GSWC Meetings - Classes)
3:15 pm to 4:30 pm
Hybrid meeting - Zoom and Trinity Health Ann Arbor
Elizabeth Williams Gomoll, CG, instructor
Most genealogists are aware the 1890 federal census was destroyed in a fire in 1921. Learn the story behind this historical and genealogical tragedy and how to work around the loss of that precious record.
Tuesday, November 5
German Special Interest Group Meeting (Special Interest Groups)
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Zoom Meeting
Tuesday, December 3
German SPecial Interest Group Meeting (Special Interest Groups)
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Zoom Meeting
Sunday, December 8
Finding Your Family with DNA Testing (GSWC Meetings - Programs)
1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Hybrid meeting - Zoom and Trinity Health Ann Arbor
Richard Hill, speaker
Learn how adoptees and others find biological parents and siblings through DNA testing. Review the case that started it all and see today’s recommended strategies. View examples of surprise discoveries and see the tools used to identify relationships.
Probate Records: Wills and a Whole Lot More (GSWC Meetings - Classes)
3:15 pm to 4:30 pm
Hybrid meeting - Zoom and Trinity Health Ann Arbor
Annette Burke Lyttle, instructor
Probate records can be some of the richest genealogical resources. Yes, they can contain wills, but often the best information comes from the other records in the packets—and our ancestors didn’t even have to die to make an appearance in a probate action. Learn about how to find probate records online and mine them for genealogical gems.
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
German Special Interest Group (Special Interest Groups)
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Zoom Meeting
Sunday, January 26, 2025
Marriage by Blacksmith: Gretna Green Marriages, or The Search for Missing Marriage Records (GSWC Meetings - Programs)
1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Online via Zoom
Madeline Yanov, speaker
Elope by Gan Khoon Lay from Noun Project (CC BY 3.0)
In the world of romance, few destinations hold as much allure as Gretna Green. Situated just inside the border of Scotland, this picturesque town has become synonymous with elopements and spontaneous weddings. Stories of star-crossed lovers fleeing across the Scottish border to evade disapproving families immortalized in literature and film, have captured the imaginations of generations.
But what lies behind this captivating tradition? Instead of the typical church ceremonies, Gretna Green witnessed a unique practice: marriages conducted by blacksmiths over their anvils. What historical events led to this intriguing custom, were these marriages legally binding, and where can you find the records?
10 Ways AI Can Help You Find Your Elusive Ancestors (GSWC Meetings - Classes)
3:15 pm to 4:30 pm
Online via Zoom
Lisa Alzo, instructor
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already helping to shape the future of genealogy. Learn how current and developing technology can help you find your elusive ancestors and share their stories.
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
German Special Interest Group (Special Interest Groups)
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Zoom Meeting
Sunday, February 23, 2025
Homespun and Calico: Researching the Lives of Our Foremothers (GSWC Meetings - Programs)
1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Online via Zoom
Peggy Lauritzen, speaker
One of the most challenging aspects of genealogical research is finding the records of our female ancestors. This presentation will include some of the records that are among the most valuable, and also some of the most under utilized.
Sunday, February 23, 2025
Hunting for Henry: A Case Study Using Collaterals (GSWC Meetings - Classes)
3:15 pm to 4:30 pm
Online via Zoom
Teresa Steinkamp McMillin, instructor
Henry Steren was a German immigrant who lived in Quincy, Illinois. The United States records that were created about him indicate only that he was from the Province of Hanover in Germany. This lecture will detail how his town of origin and parents were identified, in spite of the lack of records naming him. Carefully researching each of his associates and correlating all available evidence reveals the origins of Henry. Use of the Genealogical Proof Standard is demonstrated. Complicating factors in this case are:
Very few records available for the person in question
Multiple people with the same given and last names
Steren is often confused with the common surname Stern
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
German Special Interest Group (Special Interest Groups)
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Zoom Meeting
Sunday, March 23, 2025
Female Ancestors: Finding Women in Family and Local History (GSWC Meetings - Programs)
1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Online via Zoom
Melinda Babarskis, speaker
Finding women in historical records can be difficult because throughout much of our past, women have held a secondary status. Discover strategies for uncovering the elusive women within local history and our family trees.
Sunday, March 23, 2025
Marsden: A Case Study in Oral History (GSWC Meetings - Classes)
3:15 pm to 4:30 pm
Online via Zoom
Jerome Drummond, instructor
Marsden’s story takes us down an unusual research road in this oral history case study.
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
German Special Interest Group (Special Interest Groups)
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Zoom Meeting
Agenda to include a presentation by member Daniel Marquardt
Sunday, April 27, 2025
History of Scio Village (GSWC Meetings - Programs)
1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Hybrid meeting - Zoom and Trinity Health Ann Arbor
Nicholas A. Marsh, Michigan Historian/Author/Retired Educational Administrator, speaker
Scio Village (1827-1917) was a small riverside village in Washtenaw County, Michigan. Its short life was connected to the California Gold Rush, Civil War, Lincoln's Assassination, Inventions, National Politics, Presidential Visits, National & International Business, Breweries, and the Underground Railroad.
Sunday, April 27, 2025
Mini Case Studies Demonstrate Finding a Town of Origin (GSWC Meetings - Classes)
3:15 pm to 4:30 pm
Hybrid meeting - Zoom and Trinity Health Ann Arbor
Teresa Steinkamp McMillin, instructor
Finding your immigrant ancestor’s town of origin is an essential piece of information. With it, the family line can be extended across the ocean. Trips to visit the homeland may be planned. Have you spent years searching for this elusive piece of information? This lecture uses mini case studies to demonstrate strategies for finding a village of origin.
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
German SPecial Interest Group (Special Interest Groups)
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Zoom Meeting
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Hopping Down the Paper Trail (GSWC Meetings - Programs)
1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Hybrid meeting - Zoom and Trinity Health Ann Arbor
Sara Cochran, speaker
The records our ancestors left behind often lead us to other records, and sometimes take us down a rabbit hole. Learn how to scour those records for the next clue, and how to prioritize those clues so that you stay on track.
Sunday, May 18, 2025
There Are No Dumb Questions in Genealogy (GSWC Meetings - Programs)
3:15 pm to 4:30 pm
Hybrid meeting - Zoom and Trinity Health Ann Arbor
GSWC panel of instructors will field questions from the audience and questions submitted in advance by email. Members of the audience are welcome to add to the answers.
Genealogical Society of Washtenaw County, Michigan, Inc. P.O. Box 7155 Ann Arbor, MI 48107-7155
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