March 11, 2005

With a genealogy collection that ranks among the top 10 nationally, staff members at the Library of Michigan know all the ins and outs of mapping family histories. On Saturday, March 26, the library invites everyone with a passion for tracing their roots across generations to attend a full day immersed in the resources and expertise of the Library of Michigan - absolutely free of charge!

"The 'Learning More at the Library of Michigan' free genealogy seminar is designed to meet the needs of genealogists at all skill levels," said Randy Riley, special collections manager at the Library of Michigan. "Family history research is among the most popular and fastest-growing hobbies, and there are a lot of resources out there. Because we have such remarkable and information-rich resources right here in Lansing - free to use - we want to make sure Michigan residents not only know how to access them but also how to effectively and easily use them."

Riley said that because of the diversity of resources within the Library of Michigan's collection - including manuscripts, ships' passenger lists, county atlases and personal historical narratives - an overview session such as this provides great benefit to both beginning and more experienced researchers.

Seating is limited and registration is recommended (and can be done by e-mail at librarian@michigan.gov, by phone at 517-373-1300, or online. Attendees will be able to choose one class from each time slot:

9:30 a.m. Genealogy Potpourri (a program exploring the odds and ends of family history research and stories of success), or Michigan Genealogy Research on the Internet (covering the latest resources and research strategies for more effectively using the Internet)

10:45 a.m. Manuscript Collections (an overview of prominent manuscript collections . many of which are available at the Library of Michigan ? and research strategies for maximizing their value in genealogical research), or Genealogy Research and the Rare Book Room (a look at the 17,000+ unique atlases, regimental cavalry rosters, city directories and local history titles and more in the Library of Michigan's Rare Book Collection, all of which can be critical tools in tracking family history)

11:45 a.m. Lunch (on your own)

12:45 p.m. World War I Draft Registration Cards (a program exploring the genealogical content of these draft cards, which represented all draft-eligible men in the United States, not just those who served in the war), or Ontario Vital Records (a session examining the Library of Michigan's collection of Ontario birth, marriage and death records and indexes)

2 p.m. AncestryPlus (an overview of essential research strategies to more efficiently and effectively use AncestryPlus), or Michigan Genealogy Research (a comprehensive introduction to the process of beginning Michigan family history research utilizing the Library of Michigan's expert staff and resources).

3:15 p.m. Census Indexes and Soundexe. (an overview of U.S. Census records and online, microfilm and print indexes and soundexes, which organize names by how they sound rather than how they are actually spelled), or Border Crossing Records (a program exploring the genealogical information found in the collection of border crossing records between Canada and the United States.

All sessions are free and will be presented by Library of Michigan staff. Registered attendees will receive a schedule with room assignments when they arrive.

The Library of Michigan is part of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL). Dedicated to enriching the quality of life for Michigan residents by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity, the department also includes the Michigan Historical Center, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Michigan Film Office.