Register now for the Fall Family History Event

Register now for the Fall Family History Event

2019 Michigan Genealogical Council’s Fall Family History Event, in partnership with the Archives of Michigan and the Library of Michigan, will be held Saturday, November 9, 2019 from 9 am to 4 pm, at the Michigan Library and Historical Center, 702 W. Kalamazoo, Lansing, MI.

Our speaker this year is Diahan Southard who will present four session on DNA. Ms. Southard has a degree in Microbiology, and she understands all things DNA.  She worked for Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation and is the founder of “Your DNA Guide.” (https://www.yourdnaguide.com/)

You will learn a lot about DNA with Ms. Southard. Her programs are understandable, fun, and upbeat. You will leave the session feeling that you really do understand DNA.

The four sessions, which will be explored in a future blog post, are:

• Five Tips to Make Sense of Your DNA Testing
• Me and My 1,000+ 4^th Cousins
• Organizing Your DNA Results
• Connecting Your DNA Matches

Other sessions offered at the Fall Family History Event are on Beginning Genealogy, Michiganology, and Poor Houses in Michigan.

Registration options are by mail, or online. All registration information can be found on Michigan Genealogical Council’s website mimgc.org.  There are multiple options for registering.

• Early bird registration closes at 11:59 pm, October 31, 2019. The cost is $50, a savings of $10.
• Regular registration after October 31, and for walk in’s the day of, costs $60.
• A downloadable syllabus is included with all registrations and emailed to registrants prior to the event. An optional printed syllabus is available for an additional $5.
• Free admission for students up to age 23, with a valid student ID, presented at check in, is available. Students are charged the cost of lunch, if they wish to order one. Also, if they wish a printed syllabus, the cost is $5.

We hope to see you there.

What Is A Lock-In? Fall Family History Event Details

What is a Lock-In?

Frequently Asked Questions about the Archives of Michigan and Library of Michigan Lock-In

What time do I have to research?

The timing is up to you. You can stay for as long as you want during the allotted time.

What is the age range of participants?

Anyone interested in using the Archives of Michigan or Library of Michigan resources can attend. Typically, it is for teens to adults.

What does it cost?

The lock-in is free. You will need to pay for any copies you make.

Is the night structured or can I do my own research?

The time is yours. You can do your own research. No programs are scheduled during this time.

Do I have to choose where I am going to research?

You can travel freely between the Archives and the Library.

How do I sign up?

An option to register is available during the registration process.

Can I bring a guest?

Yes, but all guests must be registered. Unless it is announced ahead of time, there are no walk-ins allowed for the lock-in.

Can I bring food or drink to the lock-in?

Sorry, leave your goodies in the car. No food or drink are allowed in the Library or Archives areas. The snack bar seating area, located at the front entrance, is available from 5-6p.

What do I need to bring to the lock-in?

It is a good idea to bring a list of resources you would like to look up.  http://answercat.org  is the go-to place for inventory of the Library and the Archives.

You will need a research card for the Archives.  If you don’t already have one, you can get it the night of the lock-in. A photo ID is required. There is no cost for this card.

You don’t need anything for the library, but you are welcome to get a library card if you wish.

What if I need help?

The staff of the library and archives are available to answer your questions and help with locating materials. Remember, there are more attendees than staff so be patient.

NEW Michigan Pioneer Certificate Programs

New Pioneer Certificate Programs – Two New Programs Celebrate First Families and Family in Michigan Pre-Statehood

Michigan Genealogical Council has updated the Pioneer Certificate program. The new committee of Kim Smith, Barbara Curtindale and Chelsea Johnson believe this is the perfect opportunity to celebrate, honor and preserve the history of your Michigan ancestors.

The ultimate goal is to encourage the documentation of Michigan’s earliest residents by using the best sources available and promote our research repositories and resources: Archive of Michigan, Library of Michigan, local libraries and archives.

Two categories are offered at the nominal fee of $25.00 per certificate: Pre-Statehood (before January 26, 1837) and First Families (January 26, 1837-December 31, 1880). Each certificate is custom designed with comes with a corresponding lapel pin.

The Pioneer Certificate application and a promotional brochure is available to download on our website: https://mimgc.org/

Kim Smith, Pioneer Certificate Chair

DNA Is Focus of Fall Family History Event

DNA is a hot topic in the world of genealogy. Many people have tested and are wondering what to do with all the DNA testing results. Michigan Genealogical Council (MGC) is here to help! Well, Diahan Southard, is here to help.

The 2019 MGC Fall Family History Event will be held on Saturday, November 9, from 9 am to 4 pm at the Michigan Library and Historical Center, 702 W. Kalamazoo St., Lansing, MI. MGC in partnership with the Archives of Michigan and the Library of Michigan will feature Diahan Southard.  Ms. Southard’s DNA interest began as a high school student. This interest led to her receive a degree in Microbiology from Brigham Young University. She started her career at Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation.  Ms. Southard is the founder of “Your DNA Guide” (https://yourdnaguide.com/). Her presentations offer a personalized, interactive experience to DNA interpretation. Ms. Southard has
spoken across the United States and internationally. You are sure to learn a lot about DNA with Ms. Southard’s fun, upbeat way of presentation. Her knowledge of the subject will amaze attendees.

Ms. Southard will present four DNA sessions at the event: 1) Five Tips to Make Sense of Your DNA Testing 2) Me and My 1,000+ 4th Cousins 3) Organizing Your DNA Results and 4) Connecting Your DNA Matches. In addition, two Beginning Genealogy classes will be offered. This would be a great time to invite those who want to learn more about conducting family history research. The event is rounded out by a session on Michiganology, the Archives of Michigan new online portal; and Michigan County
Poor Houses.

In addition to Diahan Southard, speakers will be Daniel Earl, Archives of Michigan’s Jill Arnold, and Library of Michigan’s Adam Oster.

Registration is available now.  Please visit the MGC website mimgc.org for session descriptions, speaker biographies, and registration options. Attendees may register online or via postal mail. Free registration is offered to students, with a valid student ID, presented at check in. Registering by October 31, 2019 at 11:59 pm will save you $10. Early bird registration is $50; regular registration is $60. An optional lunch is available for an additional cost. All registrants will receive by email a downloadable syllabus. If you prefer a paper copy, one is available for $5. All this information and more can be found on the registration forms.

If you have any questions, please email MGC President, Brenda Leyndyke, at President@mimgc.org

MGC Fall Seminar – Early Bird Registration Ends October 31st.

Early Bird Registration Ends October 31^st

Everyone likes to save money and we at MGC are no different. If you want to save $10 off your registration for the 2019 Michigan Genealogical Council’s Fall Family History Event held Saturday, November 9, 2019 from 9 am to 4 pm, at the Michigan Library and Historical Center, 702 W. Kalamazoo, Lansing, MI. then you need to get your registration in by 11:59 pm on October 31, 2019.

Complete registration information with class schedule and speaker biographies can be found at the Michigan Genealogical Council website at mimgc.org.

Students Receive Free Registration with I.D.

We invite any student who would like to join us at the 2019 Michigan Genealogical Council’s Fall Family History Event, in partnership with the Archives of Michigan and the Library of Michigan, on Saturday, November 9, 2019 from 9 am to 4 pm, at the Michigan Library and Historical Center, 702 W. Kalamazoo, Lansing, MI. to register for FREE, yes I said FREE.

Students up to the age of 23 with a valid student ID, which must be presented at check-in, may register and there will be no cost to attend the sessions.  Now if you want some grub, you will have to pay for your lunch which is $12 for a sandwich box lunch and $14 for a salad box lunch. The sandwich or salad comes with a bag of chips and a cookie. You are free to brown bag your lunch, if you prefer. Your grub choice is due by October 31 at 11:59 pm.  So, get your order in before you go trick or treating!

Your free registration entitles you to a downloadable syllabus that is emailed to you prior to the event. If you want to go old school and have a printed syllabus, it is available for $5.

Bring a friend or two and join us for an excellent experience.  Sessions will be held on DNA, Beginning Genealogy, Michiganology, and Michigan County Poor Houses(no these weren’t for people who didn’t pay their college loans.)

Complete registration information including schedule, session descriptions, and speaker bio’s is available at mimgc.org or register directly at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-fall-family-history-event-featuring-diahan-southard-tickets-71904683845

Lock-In Offered to MGC Fall Family History Event Attendees

The Archives of Michigan and the Library of Michigan, in partnership with Michigan Genealogical Council, are pleased to announce a Lock-In, a free event to be held November 8, 2019 from 6p-10p. The lock-in will be held on Friday night at the Michigan Library and Historical Center, 702 W. Kalamazoo St., Lansing, MI. Currently, individuals can register for the Lock-In after registering for the 2019 Michigan Genealogical Council Fall Family History Event, being held Saturday, November 9. The Archives of Michigan is handling the Lock-In registrations, and the instructions, including how to sign up for the lock-in, will be sent with your registration confirmation. If spots are still available, registration will be open to the general public on Monday, November 4^th.

The Archives and the Library will be open to Lock-In registrants from 6p-10p. Pizza and refreshments will be available to registrants from 5p-6p.

More information can be found at mimgc.org.

DNA Personal Sessions Offered at Fall Family History Event

Diahan Southard is MGC’s featured speaker on Saturday, November 9 at the MGC Fall Family History Event held at Michigan Library and Historical Center.  She is offering personalized DNA mentoring on Friday, November 8, from 12-5 pm, for an additional cost.  Each personal session will be 20 minutes long and will cost $25.  If you would like to sign up for this personal DNA assistance you can do so at https://www.yourdnaguide.com/mgc 

The 20-minute session can be used in any way you want it to.  Diahan provided some examples of how the time could be spent: login to your testing company, and she will point out the key features of the website and guide you toward your best matches; or answer a specific question you might have; or help you in other ways.  However you choose to use your 20-minutes, you will leave the session with a clear picture of what to do next.

When you come for your session with Diahan, please bring your DNA testing company login information and the question you would like answered.