Local

and

Family History Resource Fair

The Western Michigan Genealogical Society

and

GR Reads

Present:

Saturday, June 26th 10:30 am - to 4:30 pmGrand Rapids Public Library 111 Library St.

  

Find Unique Local ResourcesMeet Local AuthorsLearn New Research TechniquesDiscover Methods for PreservationTour GRPL Local History Department Have Documents Translated

Attend Terrifc Classes

Ask Experts - Get Answers

Save Your Family’s History!

Free Parking!!!

4TH FLOOR VANDERVEEN CENTER FOR THE BOOK 1ST FLOOR ADULT COMPUTER TRAINING ROOM

10:30to11:15

Local and Family History Resource Fair

Class Schedule - 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM

WHERE DO I START:

Where should I look rstfor information about my family? Wanda Schottler isan experienced genealogist and has presented a num

ber of beginner classes on a variety of topics. In thissession she will illustrate how to use simple tools fororganizing and recording your family records, and how to utilize convenient genealogical forms.

CENSUS RECORDS - THE GENEALO-GIST’S SECOND RESOURCE.

The presentationconsists of a brief overview of census records, theirpurpose, organization, enumeration and access. BillGrinstead is currently serving as the education coor

dinator for WMGS.

11:30to12:15

LOCATING YOUR ANCESTORS USINGLAND RECORDS:

Karen Blumenshine describes why genealogists should use land records to nd theirancestors. She will answer the following questions: Where are those records found? How do you go aboutnding the right deed and property and, what infor

mation can you nd in a deed? She will also discussother information that is available using in Land

FREE GENEALOGICAL DATABASES AVAILABLE AT WMGS.ORG. WMGS

Presi-

dent and Webmaster, Don Bryant, will present anoverview of searchable western Michigan databasesavailable at WMGS.ORG. You’ll learn how to searchand discover tips on pinpointing and maximizing your results.

1:30to2:1512:30to1:15

LIBRARY TOUR

: Tour the GRPL Local His

tory Department on the 4th oor with an experiencedLibrarian. Discover all of the terric historical andgenealogical resources that are available at the GrandRapids Public Library. Assemble by the desk near theentrance to the 4th Floor.

LAST DOCUMENTS:

Shirley DeBoer, CG

will

discuss the “why and how” of nding an individual’sdeath record along with steps to take when one cannot be found. Substitute sources that surround a person will be suggested so that a maximum of information isavailable to not only connect to an ancestor in the U.S.or overseas but also to enhance family history.

LIBRARY TOUR:

Tour the GRPL Local History Department on the 4th oor with an experienced Li

brarian. Discover all of the terric historical and genea

logical resources that are available at the Grand RapidsPublic Library. Assemble by the desk near the entranceto the 4th Floor.

SAVING LIVES....ONE STORY AT A TIME:

There’s an old saying that people die twice — once when they physically die, and a second time when they are forgotten. This mini-session, led by Deb Moore,personal historian, will focus on making you and yourancestors unforgettable by adding the stories behindthe names and dates on your family tree. Tips andtechniques will be presented to help you get startedpreserving the stories of ve (or more!) generations of your family.

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR USING ANCES-TRY.COM

: Sue Irvine will show us some neat ways to search for ancestors using ANCESTRY.COM. Bring a knotty ancestral problem to work on.It will also help to bring along a four-generationchart, or other information that will narrow yoursearch.

3:30to4:302:30to3:15

Be sure to visit the authorsand resources available in the

3rd Floor Ryerson Auditorium

before and after classes or tours.

GETTING STARTED WITH FAMILY TREEMAKER 9.

Computer savvy Kaye Fish will show you how to maximize your use of this software pro

gram. You will learn how to set up preferences afterinstallation and how to begin entering information.