Looking for new ways to research the family tree? "Learning More at the Library of Michigan," a free annual genealogy seminar set for Saturday, March 29, will focus on utilizing online resources for family history research. The workshop runs from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the Michigan Library and Historical Center. Seating is limited, so registration is recommended. Sign up online at www.michigan.gov/familyhistory, by e-mail at librarian@michigan.gov or by phone at (517) 373-1300.

Join fellow family historians at the CSI Meets Roots seminar, July 20-21, at the Library of Michigan and learn new tips, new resources and the new methods of forensic genealogy. Check out the complete schedule of programs and register soon ~ this will be a popular event.

If you're just starting a family history project or if you have already had some experience in conducting genealogy research, a special workshop offered by the Richard W. Bailey Library at Washtenaw Community College should be of interest to you. 'Tracing Your Roots: Do You Really Know Who You Are?' will be held on Friday, June 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon at the Towsley Auditorium in the Morris Lawrence Building on the WCC campus.
Featured speakers include Wally & Doris Patrick [LDS Ann Arbor Area Family History Library]; Kris Rzepczynski [Library of Michigan]; and Bobbie Snow
[longtime genealogical researcher]. Topics included are: Genealogy Resources, Census Records, Vital Records, Immigrant Ancestors, African-American Genealogy and Internet Genealogy Resources. The workshop is free of charge. Those interested should register by June 1 by calling (734)973-3379 or by email: lrosser@wccnet.edu.

The Genealogical Society of Washtenaw County is offering a 2-part workshop on Sunday, April 22 on choosing and utilizing genealogy software to document and create your family history. A number of software packages will be profiled (including 'The Family Tree Maker', 'GenBox', 'Legacy', 'The Master Genealogist' and 'Reunion'). Attendees will be able to try out the programs and obtain assistance from Society members. The workshop is free to anyone interested. It will be held at the Education Center Auditorium, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Campus, 5305 Elliott Drive, at 1:30 p.m.

Have you ever thought of writing stories from your life or compiling an autobiography? The next meeting of the Washtenaw County Genealogical Society will feature Stephanie Kadel Taras, a professional personal biographer, speaking on "One Story at a Time" in a hands-on workshop designed to inspire individuals to craft their own life stories. The program, which is open to all, will take place at the Education Center Auditorium, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Campus, 5303 Elliott Drive, Ypsilanti on Sunday, March 25, 2007. For more information on the speaker check out her web site. For additional help check out some of the library's books on writing your life story and leave a legacy for your family and descendants.

Scrapbooking has been around as a hobby for a long time but recently has had a surge of renewed interest. This is a new magazine for the Library and is carried at the Downtown, Malletts Creek & Pittsfield branches. It’s published quarterly and is expected to be popular with paper crafters and others looking for patterns, inspiration, and new ideas.You can also get Free Online Projects and Ideas online here. The Library also carries Memory Makers magazine at the Downtown branch. This will also appeal to scrapbookers.

If you had an ancestor who might have served in the War of 1812 you might wish to attend the next meeting of the Genealogical Society of Washtenaw County on Sunday, February 25 at 1:30 p.m. at the Education Center Auditorium, St Joseph Mercy Hospital Campus, 5305 Elliott Drive. The program, which is open to all, will feature a lecture by Xavier Allen, a local reenactor and storyteller, speaking on 'The War of 1812: A perspective from Upper Canada.' In addition Carolyn Griffin will speak on researching War of 1812 ancestors. There have been several recent good books on the war, including A.J. Langguth's Union 1812 and Walter Borneman's 1812: The War that Forged a Nation which might also be of interest. For some online genealogical research also check the library's web site for other resources.

You never have all the information you want about your ancestors. There's always someone or some questions that you never asked until it was too late. Fortunately some records keep getting easier to locate and view.

Some states such as West Virginia have set up sites click here that allow people to view and download vital records such as birth, death and marriage records over 75 years old. Hopefully Michigan will do so in the near future. Recently I discovered the death certificates of my maternal grandmother and great grandmother via West Virginia's fine web site. What a find! Saved me hours of travel and/or countless correspondence.

If you are exploring your family history, the Genealogical Society of Washtenaw County, Michigan is a great place for getting help, listening to informative speakers and meeting fellow genealogists. The society will be holding its next meeting on Sunday, September 24, 2006 at the Education Center Auditorium on the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Campus at 5305 Elliott Drive in Ypsilanti. The featured guest speaker will be James Craven, noted conservator at the Bentley Historical Library, who will speak on repairing and restoring books, manuscripts, maps and photos. Also on the program is a class dealing with researching Connecticut ancestors. The program begins at 1:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.