Piecing Together Our Past:
2008 Abrams Genealogy Seminar
Friday, July 25-Saturday, July 26
Library of Michigan

Featuring Dr. George K. Schweitzer
Keynote speaker co-sponsored by Ingham County Genealogical Society.

• For both beginning and experienced researchers.
• Mix and match programs from two seminar tracks:
• Resources available in the Abrams Foundation Historical Collection at the Library of Michigan.
• Genealogical and historical collections at selected libraries and archives from across the state.
• All sessions at the Library of Michigan in downtown Lansing.
• Please print and mail the registration form.

Friday, July 25

12:30 - 1 p.m.

A. Archives of Michigan Tour

1 - 1:30 p.m.

B. Library of Michigan Tour

1:30 - 2 p.m.

C. Library of Michigan Tour

2:15 - 3:15 p.m.

D. Finding Revolutionary War Ancestors at the Library of Michigan

Edwina Morgan, Library of Michigan

From Maine to Georgia and all the way to Illinois, the Library of Michigan has materials to help you research your Revolutionary ancestors.

E. Genealogical Research at the Library of Michigan

Randy Riley, Library of Michigan

The Library of Michigan houses one of the country's largest genealogical collections. Learn about the Library's geographic areas of emphasis, key and unique resources, and how to maximize your research time here.

3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

F. Coloring Your Ancestors Alive!

Karen Krugman, Professional Researcher

Bring your ancestors to life with color: Add more than just names and dates to your genealogy files.

G. Researching in Michigan Townships

John Castle, Ingham County Genealogical Society

Examine several dozen types of township records. What is in these old records that might provide details of the lives of our ancestors, and where do we find them? Original grassroots records have been stored in township halls for the past 170-plus years, just waiting to be discovered. A genealogical gold mine!

H. Treasures of the Archives of Michigan

Robert Garrett, Archives of Michigan

Treasures can sometimes be hidden in plain sight. Learn about the genealogical resources available at the Archives of Michigan—including Michigan naturalization records, property records, military records, photographs and more—and how to access them online and in the Archives' reading room.

Saturday, July 26

9:30 - 10:45 a.m.

I. Welcome and Presentation of Library of Michigan Genealogy Appreciation Award

Keynote address: "Tracing Ancestors Back Across the Atlantic;" co-sponsored by the Ingham County Genealogical Society

Speaker: Dr. George K. Schweitzer

11 a.m. - noon

J. Seeking Michigan Death Records? A New Digitization Project

Kris Rzepczynski, Library of Michigan

The Library of Michigan is digitizing its collection of Michigan death records from 1897 to 1920. Totaling nearly 1 million records, these images will be free and fully searchable on the in-the-works Seeking Michigan Web site. See what content will be available and catch a glimpse of what the site will become as additional genealogical resources are added.

K. Genealogical Gems of the Public Libraries of Saginaw

John Sheridan, Public Libraries of Saginaw

The Local History and Genealogical Collection of the Public Libraries of Saginaw has become one of the premier local history collections in the Midwest, serving students and specialists equally well in the fields of genealogy and Saginaw history with more than 18,000 books, microforms, archive collections and periodicals.

Noon - 1 p.m.

Lunch

1 - 2 p.m.

L. Civil War Genealogy

Dr. George K. Schweitzer

2:15 - 3:15 p.m.

M. Newspapers: Three Generations "In the News"

Ceil Wendt Jensen, Certified Genealogist

Newspapers are a great resource for information on the life and times of your ancestors. Follow a family for three generations in community and regional newspapers. Ideas are included on how to use current global newspapers to obtain information.

N. Your Best Find: Share Your Success Stories

Gloriane Peck, Library of Michigan

Celebrate your greatest research success by sharing your story with fellow genealogists. Let this discussion inspire you to revisit brickwalls as you hear how others uncovered the paths of their own elusive ancestors.

O. Local History as Context: Resources for Genealogists

Mark Bowden, Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library

How does one go beyond compiling names and dates on a pedigree? Discover the many resources available for placing your ancestors' lives in historical context.

3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

P. City Directories as Research Tools

Charles Hagler, Library of Michigan

Explore the type of information found in city directories that can assist you in your genealogical and historical research, as well as how they can provide a snapshot of your family's place in their local community.

Q. Researching at the Loutit District Library in Grand Haven

Jeanette Weiden, Loutit District Library

Learn what makes the Loutit District Library's Local History and Genealogy Department unique, such as the digitization of the photograph collection and oral histories. Also learn about the library's ongoing volunteer projects of indexing birth, marriage and obituary information from the Grand Haven Tribune.

Registration

• Registration is $40. This includes attendance for the seminar and keynote address, a boxed lunch on Saturday and a seminar syllabus. Registration opens one hour before each day's event.
• Ingham County Genealogical Society members are eligible for a discounted registration rate of $25. Additional information about ICGS can be found at www.ingcogenesoc.org/.
• Please print and mail the registration form.

The Sheraton Lansing Hotel (925 S. Creyts Road, Lansing) is offering a special discounted rate of $89 for participants. Call (517) 323-7100 for reservations, and mention the Abrams Genealogy Seminar to receive the discount.

What to Expect

• 60-minute sessions on specific areas of interest.
• Seminar syllabus highlighting print and online resources in each subject area.
• Seminar track featuring notable state library collections and genealogy resources.
• Question-and-answer period at the end of each session.
• Discussion of the Library of Michigan's approach to providing genealogy services.
• Tours of the Library of Michigan and Archives of Michigan.

For more information, contact Randy Riley or Kris Rzepczynski at (517) 373-1300, or call (517) 373-1592 (TDD for use by deaf or hard of hearing only) or the Michigan Relay Center, (800) 649-3777.

Updated 04/29/2008