Sept. 21, 2006

In celebration of Family History Month, the Library of Michigan and the Archives of Michigan will offer free genealogy workshops throughout October at the Michigan Library and Historical Center. A different half-day workshop will be offered twice each week, and participants may attend either morning or afternoon sessions.

"Family History Month is a great time for those interested in genealogy to start discovering their roots," said Randy Riley, special collections manager at the Library of Michigan. "The workshops we're offering serve as both an introduction to the Library of Michigan and our wide range of resources, and as an opportunity for more seasoned researchers to pursue a topic in greater detail."

While at the Library of Michigan, patrons are urged to explore the latest acquisition for family history researchers: the Michigan Death Records, 1897-1920, which have just been made available on microfilm by the State of Michigan. A donation from the Michigan Genealogical Council funded this item.

"This records set supplements the library's existing vital records collection, which also includes Michigan death records from 1867 to 1897, and fills a gap in Michigan genealogical research," Riley said. "These records were not previously available outside of the Michigan Department of Community Health, so this is a real boost for genealogists here, and for those who travel from other states to use our library."

October's genealogy workshops will provide tips and tools to help family history researchers trace their heritage using printed primary sources as well as key Web sites and databases. Classes will cover the following topics:

    Beginning Genealogy
    9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Oct. 3, or 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4

    • Beginning Your Family History Research
    • Family History Resources at the Library of Michigan
    • Genealogical Resources at the Archives of Michigan

    Military Research
     9 a.m. to noon Monday, Oct. 9, or 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10

    • Using Military Records Housed at the Archives of Michigan
    • Strategies for Battling Military Records at the Library of Michigan
    • Researching Your Civil War Ancestor at the Library of Michigan

    Research Methods
     9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Oct. 17, or 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18

    • How to Organize Your Family History Research
    • Family History on the Internet
    • Genealogy of a House

    International Resources
     9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Oct. 24, or 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25

    • French-Canadian Resources at the Library of Michigan
    • Coming to America: Research with Ships' Passenger Lists
    • Vital Records Research at the Library of Michigan

In addition, Beginning Genealogy for the Visually Impaired Researcher is set for 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Library of Michigan. The Library of Michigan and the Michigan Genealogical Council will co-sponsor the Michigan Genealogical Council Seminar from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14. The event includes tours, workshops and the presentation of the Genealogist of the Year Award. Registration is $15, which includes a $5 donation to the Library of Michigan and a $5 donation to the Michigan Genealogical Council.

Workshop seating is limited, so registration is recommended. Sign up on-line at www.michigan.gov/familyhistory, by e-mail at librarian@michigan.gov or by phone at (517) 373-1300. If you have any questions, please contact the Library of Michigan's special collections services at (517) 373-1300. The Michigan Library and Historical Center is located at 702 W. Kalamazoo St. in Lansing. Parking is available at the Michigan Library and Historical Center's parking lot off Kalamazoo Street.

The Library of Michigan is part of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL). Dedicated to enriching quality of life and strengthening the economy 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. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).