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National Genealogical Society Announces

Grand Rapids, Michigan
as the Site for
2018 NGS Family History Conference
National Genealogical Society (NGS) President, Jordan
Jones, announced the 2018 NGS Family History Conference will be held at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2-5 May 2018.
NGS selected Grand Rapids for its significant historical
importance as a city centrally located between all the Great
Lakes. In the nineteenth century, the Great Lakes were
major, strategic waterways that helped Americans moving
West and immigrants coming from overseas through Canada to settle and develop the Midwest. Cheap land, mining,
and the timber industry made the area attractive. The combination of water power from the rivers and rapids, together
with access to grain and lumber, encouraged manufacturing
and industry, including breweries, furniture, and cereal. Entrepreneurs flourished as Michigan became the center for
the automobile industry for seventy-five years, encouraging
migration from the south and attracting an influx of new immigrants in search of jobs and the American dream.
Today, Grand Rapids is a popular vacation destination
with miles of bike and walking trails and many nearby locations for water sports or golf. Area highlights include the
Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, the Gerald
Ford Presidential Museum, Grand Rapids Public Museum,
and beautiful Lake Michigan only thirty miles away. Walk
downtown Grand Rapids and see the award winning art from
ArtPrize or visit some of the many craft breweries along the
beer trail. Bring your spouse, partner, or friends and spend

time enjoying all that beautiful western Michigan has to offer

plus take the opportunity to attend the premier family history
conference and learn more about genealogy.
Details about the NGS 2018 Family History Conference
will be available in the fall of 2017. The four-day conference
will include more than 175 lectures and workshops delivered by nationally recognized experts. Registration for the
conference will begin 1 December 2017. Whether you are
an experienced genealogist or just beginning your family
history, save the dates 2-5 May 2018 because you wont
want to miss this exciting conferencethe first national genealogical conference held in Michigan. NGS is pleased to
have the local support of the Western Michigan Genealogical Society, which was founded in 1954 and is the second
oldest genealogical society in Michigan.
Founded in 1903, the National Genealogical Society is
dedicated to genealogical education, the highest standards
of research, and the preservation of genealogical records.
The Arlington, Virginia, based nonprofit is the premier national society for everyone, from the beginner to the most
advanced family historian, seeking excellence in publications, educational offerings, and guidance in research. It
also offers many opportunities to interact with other genealogists.
For more information in the future visit the NGS website
at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/ and the Western Michigan
Genealogical Society website at www.wmg.org.

Save the Dates - May 2 - 5, 2018

Western Michigan Genealogical Society

Summer 2016 Newsletter

WMGS Membership Meeting

Saturday, 11 June 2016
Michigan Boys in Blue
All Membership Meetings are held in the Auditorium at the
Main Branch of the Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library Street, Grand Rapids, at 1:30 p.m. Presentations
are free to the public.
John Urschel is the author of the Michigan Boys in Blue Series of
ten sourcebooks, two other history books, and was the Executive Producer of Kalamazoo 1884 a documentary film. His presentation will
discuss how he researched the sourcebooks, and how he evaluated
what he found. He will also describe his research into the Michigan
graves at Andersonville National Cemetery and Gettysburg, the mistakes he found, and how those mistakes were corrected. There will be
a bit of music and lots of pictures and time for questions. He will also
bemoan the fact that with 33,000 soldiers in his database, he doesnt
have the time to dive headlong into the type of genealogical research
that you do.
John Urschel holds B.A. in History and an M.A. in Public History
from Wright State University (Fairborn, Ohio.) He has been a Security Supervisor, Small Computer Business Owner, Musician, Pinkerton
Detective, a Records Manager and Archivist for South Bend and St.
Joseph County Indiana, and the Information Manager for the City of
Kalamazoo. He describes himself as sort of retired.

John Urschel

June Two-Hour Class

Field Trip: Tour of the
LDS Grand Rapids
Family History Center
Meet at the center at: 2780 Leonard St
NE, Grand Rapids, MI

Tuesday, June 21, 2016 6:00 pm

Mini-Class
Saturday, June 11th
(12 Noon - 1:00 p.m.)

Where Theres a Will Theres a Clue

Wills may help determine immigrant origins, list occupations, identify family members and where they lived, describe assets and list
how many were owned, and tell todays researchers what objects our
ancestors considered to be valuable. Lets check this resource for
clues. Instructor: Linda Guth
Location: Grand Rapids Public Library, Adult Computer Training
Center, lower level.

Family History Centers (FHCs) are

branches of FamilySearch.org and the
Family History Library in Salt Lake City,
Utah. They are located all over the world.
Their goal is to provide resources to assist
you in the research and study of your genealogy and family history by:
Giving personal one-on-one assistance to
patrons
Providing access to genealogical records
through the Internet or microfilm loan program

The 67th annual Upper Peninsula History Conference

June 24-26, 2016, in Munising.

The annual Upper Peninsula History Conference pays particular attention to U.P. history topics and themes. This conference moves to a different location in the Upper Peninsula each year to also explore that areas heritage. In addition,
the annual Upper Peninsula History Awards are presented at this conference. There will be three keynote speeches:
Literacy and Labor Halls - Finnish Radical Socialism; A Grand Adventure - Grand Island National Recreation Area; and
Picture Perfect - Celebrating the National Park Service and Pictured Rocks. There will also be 14 breakout sessions
that address local and statewide history.
For more information or to register, go to: https://www.hsmichigan.org/conferences/local-history-conference/
Western Michigan Genealogical Society

Summer 2016 Newsletter

Summer Classes at the

Grand Rapids Public Library

2016 Abrams Foundation

Family History Seminar

All Classes Held at the Main Library 111 Library St NE

Friday and Saturday July 8th and 9th 2016

Grace, Gert, and the Berkey & Gay Gals:

Women, War and Work in 1910s Grand Rapids
Thursday, June 2, 2016, 7:00 pm

This years two-day Abrams Foundation Family

History Seminar looks to be one of the best yet as
its featured speaker is well-known genealogist, Amy
Johnson Crow. Other presenters include: Kris Rzepczynski Jill Arnold, Daniel Earl, Jessica Harden, Gail
Hershenzon, Jim Jackson, Matthew LaFlash, Janice Selberg, Jessica Trotter, Bethany Waterbury, and
Katherine Willson. Several have presented at WMGS
membership meetings and were very well received.

Learn about women who lived 100 years ago in Grand

Rapids. GRPL local history experts Julie Tabberer, Heather Edwards, and Drew Damron will show howdoors opened
both personally and professionally for 11,000 women, and
how wartime disruptions provided work opportunities that
were previously off limits. Hear about the women who
worked at the Berkey & Gay furniture factory, an early woman cartoonist, and one of our first female elected officials.
Discover the unique archival resources used in the research
of these womenan employee-produced factory newsletter, census records, city directories, newspaper articles, and
20,000 extremely rare war registration cards surveying the
skills of area women.
Reading the Great Lakes
Thursday, June 2, 2016, 7:00 pm
Come explore the Lakes with us! Well read a range of
titles including mystery, history, fiction, and nonfiction all taking place in the Great Lakes regionfrom Chicago to Cleveland. This book club will be lead by our smart librarians and
will take place the first Thursday of every month. Additional
copies of the book are available to be checked out on Level
4 of the Main Library. For a complete list of books, visit www.
grpl.org/rtgl. Junes selection is Strike! How the furniture
workers strike of 1911 changed Grand Rapids by Jeffrey D.
Kleiman.
Frozen in Time: the Shipwreck John V. Moran
Monday, June 20, 2016, 7:00 pm
Join underwater explorer and author Valerie van Heest as
she travels back in time and deep beneath Lake Michigan to
explore the wreck of the John V. Moran, holed and sunk by
the ice in February 1899 off West Michigan. She will share
the trials of research, the frustration of the search, and the
excitement as she and fellow teammates of the Michigan
Shipwreck Research Association, discover and explore the
most intact shipwreck in Lake Michigan.
Forensics: Using Science
to Solve Mysteries with Dr. David Foran
Thursday, July 21, 2016, 7:00 pm
Michigan State Universitys Dr. David Foran, director of
the nations oldest forensic science education program, will
introduce participants to the world of forensic science. Discover the difference between the dramatized versions portrayed in the media and the highly technical testing that actual forensic scientists conduct. Dr. Foran will focus on modern
forensic casework, ranging from the tragic to the fantastic,
and highlight numerous fascinating cases from the past.
Western Michigan Genealogical Society

After kicking off with a tour of the Archives of Michigan, conference attendees will have the opportunity
to pick from a variety of speakers and family history
topics. The Seminar is sponsored by the Library of
Michigan and the Archives and hosted by the Archives
of Michigan and the Michigan Genealogical Council.
The Archives of Michigan will be open for research
from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m on Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
on Saturday. Online registration for this seminar will
be closing on Wednesday, July 6 at 11:59 PM. On-site
registration will be available both Friday, July 8 and
Saturday, July 9, but a boxed lunch is not guaranteed.
For more information, or to register go to: http://
seekingmichigan.org/events/2016-abrams-foundation-family-history-seminar

And A Lock-In at the

Archives of Michigan!
The Archives of Michigan is pleased to announce
an Archives Lock-In, a free event to be held July 8,
2016 from 6p-10p. Currently, individuals can register
for the Lock-In when registering for the 2016 Abrams
Foundation Family History Seminar, on Friday, July 8
Saturday, July 9. If spots are still available, registration
will be open to the general public on Monday, June 1st.
The Archives will be open to Lock-In registrants
from 6p-10p. Pizza and refreshments will be available
to registrants from 5p-6p.
This event will highlight the Archives genealogy
collections, including the Abrams Foundation Historical Collection and original Michigan source documents. Staff will be available to assist in the use of the
collections and to offer guidance as needed.
The Archives computers will be available for free
access to the subscription databases Ancestry and
Fold3, as well as free sites like Seeking Michigan and
FamilySearch. Laptops are permitted and access to
the Archives wireless network will be available as well.

Dont Forget to Register!

Summer 2016 Newsletter

2016 WMGS Members

Sheryl Ackerman, Grand Rapids, MI
Judy Adams, Galesburg, MI
Susan Addleman, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Sharon & Scott Adrian, Fremont, MI
Penny Afton-Sage, Grand Rapids, MI
Kathy Agard, Muskegon, MI
Sally Hutcheson Akehi, Grand Rapids, MI
Evelyn Allerding, Freeport, MI
Janet Alpert, Holland, MI
Mary A Alt, Marne, MI
Meredyth Althaus, Wyoming, MI
Jeffrey Amundsen, Hamilton, MI
Barbara Anderson, Sacramento, CA
Dustin Austin, Bellevue, OH
Charlyn Bailey, Ravenna, MI
Cynthia Bailey, Grand Rapids, MI
Jana Baker, Grandville, MI
Donald & Jane Barsema, Grand Rapids, MI
Vicki Bartlett, Mesa, AZ
Raymond D Bates, Ludington, MI
Lynnette Bean, Shelbyville, MI
Hattie Beenen, Grand Rapids, MI
Suzanne Bell, Kihei, HI
Sue Bench, Holland, MI
Eleanor Benz, Kalispell, MT
Shirley A Bergman, West Palm Beach, FL
Mary Bernthal, Grand Rapids, MI
Barbara Bettes, Sparta, MI
Jim Biener, Grand Rapids, MI
Phyllis Bieri, Lowell, MI
Cheryl Bignall, Grand Rapids, MI
Melissa Bird, Peoria, AZ
Patricia Blood, Ionia, MI
Sue Bogard, Grand Rapids, MI
Tammy Bond, Rockford, MI
Fred Boogaard, Grandville, MI
Donald Bos, Austin, TX
Gerald L Bowersox, Hudsonville, MI
Marta Brechting, Comstock Park, MI
Carol Bredeweg, Hudsonville, Mi
Pat Brewer, Dorr, MI
Willa Brown, Grand Rapids, MI
Mary Bruining, Jenison, MI
Donald and Mindy Bryant, Grand Rapids, MI
Skip Bryant, Kewadin, MI
Kenneth Buehler, Rio Rancho, NM
Irene Bultman, Grand Haven, MI
Richard L Burke, Comstock Park, MI
Garry Bush, Gaithersburg, MD
Robert A Bush, Grand Rapids, MI
Bruce B and Marcia Butgereit, Kentwood, MI
Rebecca Cajka, Kentwood, MI
Keith G Calkins, Berrien Springs, MI
Carol Caraccia, Ypsilanti, MI
Sister Michael Ellen Carling, Grand Rapids, MI
Esther & Elden Carlson, Grand Rapids, MI
Sherry Carney, Grandville, MI
JoAnn Carpenter, Grand Rapids, MI

Suzanne R Carpenter, Comstock Park, MI

Sarabeth Carr, Grand Rapids, MI
Patricia Cederholm, Conklin, MI
Maurice R Chase Jr., Palo Alto, CA
Fran Christensen, Grand Rapids, MI
Roger Moffat & Lisa Christensen, Caledonia, MI
Carol Church, Ravenna, MI
Kathleen E Coffee, Grand Rapids, MI
Phil & Cindy Cole, Comstock Park, MI
Nancy Collins, Grand Haven, MI
Shirley Compton, Cedar Springs, MI
Kathy Cook, Grand Rapids, MI
John Cosgrove, Ada, MI
David R Cosper, Downers Grove, IL
Roger Cotner, Grand Haven, MI
Allan Couch, Grand Rapids, MI
Steven Crum, Grand Rapids, MI
Joan M Cunningham, Grand Rapids, MI
John Dale, Fenton, MI
Linda Damstra, Grand Rapids, MI
Joyce Daniels, Grand Rapids, MI
Lorrae Danzig, Jenison, MI
Dale & Claudette Darling, Comstock Park, MI
Sharynanne Davey, Rockford, MI
Dona David, Muskegon, MI
Darlene Dawood, Sand Lake, MI
Sabrina Dawson, Santa Rosa, CA
Claudia S Day, Grand Rapids, MI
Shirley DeBoer, CG, Grand Rapids, MI
Marvel M DeBois, Grand Rapids, MI
Leona R DeBruyne, Grand Rapids, MI
Robert DeFer, Chesterfield, MO
Jason Deible, Middleville, MI
Linda Kae DeJongh, Clarksville, MI
Tina Demling, Grand Rapids, MI
Lori Demmink, Marne, MI
Tom Dickenson, Ada, MI
Beverly Dillon, Grand Rapids, MI
Frederick Dolehanty, Rochester Hills, MI
Sue Dombrowski, Rockford, MI
Judith L Dood, Byron Center, MI
Bonnie Drabik, Dorr, MI
Micky Drollinger, Alto, MI
Zo Eckert, Rockford, MI
Ann Ed, Grand Rapids, MI
Andrea K Edwards, Walker, MI
David J Eisen, Mishawaka, IN
Vicki Elzinga, Belmont, MI
Laurel A Emerson, Richmond, MI
Gayla J Endahl, Marne, MI
Lee Engstrom, Grand Rapids, MI
Christine Evans, Carlsbad, CA
Margaret M Evans, Lansing, IL
Marlene Fabbro, Wyoming, MI
Patti Faist, Caledonia, MI
Constance Fales, Muskegon, MI
Joanne Fast, Comstock Park, MI
Denise Fedko, Rockford, MI

Western Michigan Genealogical Society

Darlene Fegel, Lowell, MI

Kaye L Fish, Grand Rapids, MI
Denton W Fitzgerald, Royal Oak, MI
Shantell Ford, Lowell, MI
Wenda - Rae Fore, Jenison, MI
Lori L Fox, Portland, MI
Karen Frazier, Fruitport, MI
Dana Freas, Wyoming, MI
Pam Freas, Wyoming, MI
Elaine Frost, Byron Center, MI
Kenneth R Gackler, Caledonia, MI
Judith Gager, Greenville, MI
Charles E Gasper, Grand Rapids, MI
Patricia Gemmen, Allendale, MI
Christine Genther, Wyoming, MI
Roxanne Gildner, Belmont, MI
Noralyn Gillette, Grand Rapids, MI
J William Gorski, Macomb, MI
Karen Grant, Grand Rapids, MI
Barbara Greene, Caledonia, MI
Lora Greenland, Rockford, MI
Shirley Nason Greenwood, Santa Cruz, CA
Jan Griffiths, Muskegon, MI
Bill Grinstead, Grand Rapids, MI
JoAnne K Gulliver, Sugar Land, TX
Sylvia Gurk, Pierson, MI
Linda Guth, Jenison, MI
Nancy Guzzo, Grand Rapids, MI
Sue Haadsma-Svensson, Indianapolis, IN
Joan E Hansen, Grand Rapids, MI
Marion Harris, Lake Odessa, MI
Patricia Gruse Harris, Michigan City, IN
Carolyn Hart, Jenison, MI
Roger Haskins, Fairfax, VA
Becky Haywood, Grand Rapids, MI
Marcia Hegstad, South Lyon, MI
Cheryl Henges, Cape Coral, FL
Jane Hesselschwerdt, Grand Rapids, MI
Megan and Jim Heyl, Holland, MI
Sue Hill, Hastings, MI
Mary Hodges, Richland, MI
Ann Hole, Comstock Park, MI
Ruth Holkeboer, Grand Rapids, MI
Graham Hollis, Kalamazoo, MI
Tarianne D Holtslander, Kentwood , MI
Mrs Noel C Horn, Grand Rapids, MI
Patricia Hornbeck, Jenison, MI
Bobbe and Roger Horton, Grand Rapids, MI
Gretchen Houtman, Greenville, MI
Linda Huffaker, Rockford, MI
Janice K Hulbert, Sand Lake, MI
David C Husted, Jenison, MI
Connie Ingham, Grand Rapids, MI
Shirley Ingraham, Grand Rapids, MI
Laurel Ingram, Grand Rapids, MI
Sue Irvine, Grand Rapids, MI
Darrell Jackson, Grand Rapids, MI
Kathryn Jackson, Hot Springs Village, AR

Summer 2016 Newsletter

Nahum Jaramillo, Grand Rapids, MI

Thomas E Jarvis III, West Olive, MI
Merridy Jeffery, Dorr, MI
Janet Jensen, Rockford, MI
Johnie B Johnson, Lansing, MI
Dixie L Johnston, Hastings, MI
Terry Jolink, Grandville, MI
Philip Jones, Annapolis, MD
Henrietta Jordan, Columbus, WI
Theresa Kalinski, Los Angeles, CA
Dorothy Kane, Grandville, MI
Dawn Westcomb Kelley, Muskegon, MI
Kay Kiel, Wyoming, MI
Beth Kleersnyder, Grand Rapids, MI
Doris Knight, Grand Rapids, MI
Jerry Kolodizieizyck, Lake Odessa, MI
Roger Konyndyk, Grand Rapids, MI
Mindy Koole, Greenville, MI
Tom Koselka, Westland, MI
Gail Kukawski, Grand Rapids, MI
Alan & Jeri Landheer, Jenison, MI
Mary M Lane, Dearborn, MI
Rick & Kim Lanting, Byron Center, MI
Kathie LaRoy, Baldwin, MI
Louann Larsen, Grand Rapids, MI
Margaret Laskowski, Comstock Park, MI
John Laubach, Frankfort, MI
Marlene Leistico, Comstock Park, MI
Frederick W Leonard, Alto, MI
Brenda Leyndyke, Battle Creek, MI
Martha Marti Lind, Clarksville, MI
Amy Linde, Rockford, MI
Julia Liu, Danville, CA
Barbara Lubbers, Kentwood, MI
Patsy Lucas, Byron Center, MI
Sally Luidens, Rockford, MI
John Kevin MacAulay, Grand Rapids, MI
Eric Piehl and Martha MacCleery, Ada, MI
Margaret K Maksymowski, Grand Rapids, MI
Kathy Malkewitz, Grand Rapids, MI
Laurel Manning, Portland, MI
Jerilyn Marshall, Cedar Falls, IA
Tim Marvin, Grand Rapids, MI
Philip Mathison, Sun Prairie, WI
Olga Matteson, St Johns, MI
Irvine McCann, Virginia Beach, VA
Harriet McCarthy, Lansing, MI
Janet McFarland-Idema, Jenison, MI
Lynne McHoskey, Holland, MI
Deborah McNabb, Grand Rapids, MI
Kristi McPherson-Burns, Portage, MI
Zane Mead, Nashville, MI
Elaine P Medich, Flushing, MI
Kathy Mellema, Rockford, MI
Susan Merizon, Walker, MI
Rod Merrill, Scottville, MI
Don Meyer, Covington, KY
Linda Meyer, Grand Rapids, MI
Pat Minnema, Grand Rapids, MI
Mary Julia Mitchell, Lansing, MI
Shirley Mitchell-Jones, Three Rivers, MI
Rita M Modderman, Grand Rapids, MI
Betty Lee Mollo, Holland, MI

Deb Moore, Grand Rapids, MI

Shari Morehouse, Grand Rapids, MI
Helen C Morey, Belmont, MI
James R Moses, Lansing, MI
Michael L Muilenberg, Amherst, MA
Kelly Nash, Byron Center, MI
Paula Naujalis, Grand Rapids, MI
Phyllis A Neitzel, Wyoming, MI
Maureen Nelson, Cedar Springs, MI
Linda Nielsen-Wieck, Rockford, MI
Patrick Nugent, Ada, MI
Judy Nyman, Grand Rapids, MI
Laura OBrock, Grand Rapids, MI
Kathleen Ogden, Alexandria, VA
Mary Ohm, Grandville, MI
Pam Olsen, Ada, MI
Paul Osborn, Niantic, CT
Sue Osgood, Grand Rapids, MI
Eleanor J Palmer, Rockford, MI
Barbara Parker, Greenville, MI
Vickey Parker, Coopersville, MI
Sherrie & John Parr, Colon, MI
Mary Ann Patrick, Grand Rapids, MI
Kayleen Pawloski, Topinabee, MI
Mary Pawloski, Grand Rapids, MI
Jonmarie Pearson, Dumfries, VA
Jean Pendell, Trenton, MI
Loraine Peterson, Grand Rapids, MI
Carol Phelps, Grand Rapids, MI
Dianne Phelps, Reed City, MI
Linda Phillips, Grand Rapids, MI
Mary Jane Phillips, Wyoming, MI
Sandra Phillips, Battle Creek, MI
Dorotha Simmons Piechocki, Wyoming, MI
John W Pierce, Ionia, MI
Kathryn J Post, Grand Rapids, MI
Carl and Lucinda Puite, Cedar Springs, MI
Mary Quarandillo, Grand Rapids, MI
Susan J Rabick, Sparta, MI
Jim Rademaker, Grand Rapids, MI
Patrick Rademaker, West Olive, MI
Shelley S Ramirez, Greenville, MI
Betsy Randall, Reed City, MI
Jeny Ransom, Cedar Springs, MI
Allan Rau, Rockford, MI
Julie Raupp, Canadian Lakes, MI
Lucille A Read, Grand Rapids, MI
Therese Rich, Hudsonville, MI
Joyce Richards, Montague, MI
Diane M Rider, Grand Rapids, MI
Jessica Riley, Grand Rapids, MI
Francina Roberts, Grand Rapids, MI
Mary Jo Robertson, Thousand Oaks, CA
Bruce Robey, Wyoming, MI
Donna J Rogers, Rockford, MI
Helen Schaeffer, Lake Orion, MI
Nan Schichtel, Grand Rapids, MI
Bobbi Schirado, Sparta, MI
Judith Schmansky, Interlochen, MI
David Schmidt, Irmo, SC
Cathy Schmitt, Comstock Park, MI
Eileen & David Schmuker, Belmont, MI
Wanda Schottler, Grand Rapids, MI

Western Michigan Genealogical Society

Marcia L Schulz, Cedar Springs, MI

Suzan Schumacher, Wyoming, MI
Donna Schwarzwaelder, Grand Rapids, MI
Jenny Shangraw, Rockford, MI
Caroline J Shearer, Ada, MI
Marcia L Shears, Grand Rapids, MI
Brian Shumway, Hastings, MI
Caroline Sias, Grand Rapids, MI
Dawn Sikkema, Chevy Chase, MD
Rick Simkins, Lowell, MI
William J Simmons, Grand Rapids, MI
Phyllis Slater, Whitehall, MI
David Lee and Liz Smith, Grandville, MI
Janet S Smith, Allegan, MI
Rebecca Smith, Howard City, MI
Betty VanEyck Snow, Hudsonville, MI
Gail M Snow, Ada, MI
Darlene J Snyder, Comstock Park, MI
Arthur G Souter, Cooks, MI
Virginia L Staal, Grandville, MI
Terrence M Start, Grandville, MI
Julie A Steere, Jenison, MI
Eleanor Stegehuis, Grand Rapids, MI
Patricia Steinport, Grand Rapids, MI
Randall Stenholm, West Olive, MI
Lois M Stephens, Grand Rapids, MI
Betsy Stevens, Greenville, MI
Linda Stewart, Grand Rapids, MI
Meredith Stoehr, Centerville, OH
Linda Stoepker, Dorr, MI
Ronald B Strauss, Wyoming, MI
John G Strickland, Springfield, MI
Linda S Struman, Cedar Springs, MI
Susan E Studabaker, Three Rivers, MI
Jeanette Studley, Washington, DC
Sue and Jim Swanlund, Grand Rapids, MI
Pamela K Swiler, Lake Odessa, MI
Cindy Swix, Portland, MI
Cindy Taylor, Byron Center, MI
Barbara Termeer, Grand Rapids, MI
Coral E Thomas, Clarksville, TN
Dian Thomas, Ada, MI
Richard Thomas, Kentwood, MI
Russell D & Laurie A Tilden, Norton Shores, MI
Mark & Michelle Timmer, Zeeland, MI
Sheryl Tisdel, Greenville, MI
Carol Tonkin, Portland, MI
Denise J Toogood, Coopersville, MI
Jessica Trotter, Lansing, MI
Dorann Truax, Lowell, MI
Theresa Tuttle, Grand Rapids, MI
Daniel Van Meurs, Grand Rapids, MI
June Van Wingen, Grand Rapids, MI
Ann VanDenMeerendonk, Wyoming, MI
Marion VanderVeen, Grand Rapids, MI
Trenna VanderWoude, Lowell, MI
Kristin Ann VanDeVusse, Grand Rapids, MI
Ann VanDusen, Rockford, MI
Janet C VanWyck, Alto, MI
Kathryn Verploegh, Rockford, MI
Sara Vruggink, Walker, MI
Phylinda Walker, Grand Rapids, MI
Robert B Walsh, Bothell, WA

Summer 2016 Newsletter

2016 Members, Continued

Diane Ward, Grand Rapids, MI
Danny Watts, Grand Rapids, MI
Ruth Waybrant, Grand Rapids, MI
Gretchen Weaver, Grand Rapids, MI
Maryrita Weiss, Grand Rapids, MI
Barbara Wenger, Belding, MI
Patricia Wenzel, Champaign, IL
Dawn Westfall, Great Valley, NY
Sandra Westgate, Newaygo, MI
Dorris White, Coral, MI
Joan wieck, Grand Rapids, MI
Judith A Wiers, Hudsonville, MI
Jan Williams, Fountain, MI
Judith Wilson, Walker, MI
Loyd Winer, Grand Rapids, MI
JoAnn Wisner, Jenison, MI
Vivian Wittkowski, Wyoming, MI
Jean Woltjer, Holland, MI
Sue & Ron Wortley, Wyoming, MI
Kathleen Wortman, Jenison, MI
Pat Wright, Spring Lake, MI
Debra Yonker-Hecht, Grand Haven, MI
Marilyn Young, Yuma, AZ
Bernard Zahm, Rockford, MI
Dana Zamiara, Raleigh, NC
Julie Ann Zenk, Fremont, MI
Mary Zimmer, Wayland, MI
Charlene Zoet, Spring Lake, MI
Mitch Zoet, South Lyon, MI
Margie Zylstra, Hudsonville, MI

2016 Michigana
Writing Contest
Winners
First place:
Jessica Riley,

Canadian Captive

Next Grand Rapids Public

Library Genealogy (GRPL) Lock-In
July 29th from 6-10 PM
The Lock-In is a free event hosted by the Grand Rapids Public Library and
sponsored by the Western Michigan Genealogical Society for both new and more
experienced family historians. The LockIin is held on the fourth floor Local and
Family History Department. It provides an opportunity to use the extensive resources available in the stacks, share knowledge with other genealogists and
learn about new techniques and resources. Learn how to use the microfilm reader/scanner/printer, save images, and take advantage of free copying and printing
during the event. Use the time to search databaseswe will have plenty of computers available or bring your own laptop and use the librarys WiFi network. Bring
your genealogy questions or Ancestry and Heritage Quest problemsvolunteers
will be on hand to assist. Network with other genealogistsyou never know what
you might find!
Registration is required: www.grpl.org/register or call 988-5400.

Lock-In Guidelines
Registration: You may ONLY register for yourself and one other person. There
is a maximum of fifty people due to space limitations. If all spaces are filled there
will be a waiting list. If you are registered and find you will be unable to attend,
please notify the library as soon as possible so another genealogist can take your
place.
Food: The Library and WMGS will provide snacks for hungry researchers.
You may not bring food to share with others. ALL edibles MUST be eaten in the
VanderVeen Room. No food or liquids are allowed in the stacks or by computers.
Copying: Please copy no more than TEN pages at one time. This will reduce the time each person has to wait for their copies to be available. To avoid
confusion, it is helpful if you collect your copies as soon as they have been printed.

Gert, Grace and the Berkey & Gay Girls:

Women, War & Work in 1910s Grand Rapids
The Berkey & Gay Red Cross Girls, April 1917
Co-sponsored by the Greater Grand Rapids
Womens History Council
and The Grand Rapids Public Library

Second place:
Marlene Fabbro,
Albert Grimm, Nazism,
and the Cold War Touch
Grand Rapids
Third place tie:
Jessica Trotter,
TB in the Family Tree
Paula Naujalis,
Swarm of Locusts
Honorable Mention
Laura OBrock,
A Mistake That Saved
Millions

June 2, 2016, 7:00 pm, GRPL, 3rd Floor

(the event is free and open to all)

Celebrate the working women of Grand Rapids a hundred years ago.

Using unique archival resources, GRPL local history experts will highlight
some of the citys women employed outside their homes. The last decade
of the heady Progressive Era opened personal and professional doors for
these 11,000 women; the disruptions of wartime provided opportunities in a
working world previously off limits.

For More Information or to Download the Flier, Go To:

Western Michigan Genealogical Society

http://www.ggrwhc.org/

Summer 2016 Newsletter

WMGS WRITERS
GROUP

PLANNING ON ATTENDING?
Those coming to the WMGS Writers Group are encouraged to
bring several copies of a Work-In-Progress (WIP), but its certainly
not a requirement and everyone is invited to participate in the discussion. Members include those who are just starting to write and
others who have been working on their genealogy for some time.
Everyone is welcome - newbies with fresh ideas, and seasoned
vets whose pens have been in the trenches for some time.

Meets the THIRD TUESDAY every month

from 1:30 to about 3:45 p.m.
at the Dominican Center
The Writers Group holds supportive meetings for everyone who wants to learn more
about organizing and writing family history.
We take time to informally discuss questions
relevant to each persons work, provide
helpful, non-judgmental feedback on current
or on-going writing projects, discover new
research techniques, and have fun making
new friends.

If you plan to attend, please let Sister Michael Ellen Carling know
you will be there. Call her at 616-514-3231 (home), 616-514-3340
(office), or contact her by email at [email protected].
This gives her an estimate of the number of chairs to set up. Shes
also the person to call if you have any questions or need more
specific directions.

Some genealogists dont know how to begin, while others just need a deadline to kick
start their creative juices. The Writers Group
can fulfill both of these needs.

WMGS DNA Interest Group (DIG)

STORY A MONTH
You are encouraged to bring your current
Work In Progress (WIP). Some of us are
working on telling one family story or a personal memory at each meeting. Others are
writing longer articles or books. Everyone is
welcome. Feedback is given with a kind eye
and a willingness to be helpful. After all, writers need to stick together.

DIG will continue to meet at 7:00 PM on the 3rd Thursday of every month during the summer at the Grand Rapids Public Library.
Check at the desk on the Fourth Floor for directions to the meeting
room. The group discusses the use of Y-DNA (male) and mtDNA
(mitochondrial - female), and autosomal DNA (atDNA) tests and
their relationship to family history research. If you have questions or
want more information, please contact:
Roger Moffat - [email protected]

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

NEW_________ RENEWAL___________
$20 in the US

$25 Outside the USA

Membership begins January 1st and ends December 31st.

DATE: ________________ PHONE: _______________________ EMAIL:______________________________
NAME: __________________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS: _______________________________________________________________________________
CITY: ________________________________________ STATE: _______ ZIP+4: _______________________
What is your level of genealogy experience? (circle one): Beginner

Intermediate

Would you like someone to contact you about volunteer opportunities with WMGS?
Would you like to donate to WMGS?

Yes

No

Advanced
Yes

No

If yes, Amount __________________________________

Make checks payable to WMGS. Send checks and completed form to:
WMGS Membership, Western Michigan Genealogical Society
c/o Grand Rapids Public Library
111 Library St NE,
Grand Rapids MI 49503-3268
Western Michigan Genealogical Society
ter

Summer 2016 Newslet-

NON-PROFIT
US POSTAGE
PAID
GRAND RAPIDS, MI
PERMIT No. 209

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

WMGS
c/o Grand Rapids Public Library
111 Library St NE
Grand Rapids MI 49503-3268

About WMGS

The Western Michigan Genealogical Society is dedicated to gaining knowledge,

preserving records and teaching others about genealogy and family history.
Membership: An annual membership to WMGS is $20 and begins on January 1st of each year. Membership benefits include: 10% discount on all items at the Sales Table, four issues of Michigana per year, free queries in Michigana, free online
brick wall help and leadership opportunities. Your membership in the Western Michigan Genealogical Society will also include use of the private files of the Society and publication of your genealogy online at trees.wmgs.org.
Change of Address: (Temporary or Permanent) If you will be permanently moving to a new address or going on an extended
vacation, please notify WMGS before your address change occurs. Be sure to include the date your address will change or
the dates when you will leave and plan to return. Email your address change information to the Society at membership@
wmgs.org or write to: WMGS Membership. c/o GRPL, Western Michigan Genealogical Society,111 Library St NE, Grand
Rapids MI 49503-3268.

2015-2016 WMGS Officers

President - Mindy Koole
[email protected]
Phone: (616) 691-7986
Vice President - Marcia Shears
[email protected]
Secretary - Eileen Schmuker
[email protected]
Treasurer - Mark Timmer
[email protected]
Immediate Past President - Don Bryant
[email protected]

Contact Information
Publicity Chairman - George Bayard
[email protected]
Michigana Editor - Ruth Waybrant
[email protected]
Newsletter Editor - Bobbi Schirado
[email protected]
Social Networking - Denise Fedko
[email protected]