Beginning in February, 2025, We meet at 7 p.m., in the community room at the Bloomfield Township Library, 1099 Lone Pine Rd, Bloomfield Township, Michigan. A Zoom registration link will be posted about a week before each meeting for those who cannot drive to the library.
Jan 19
Ethnic Resources Around Southeast Michigan
Our February 4 meeting is at 7 p.m. at the Bloomfield Township Library, 1099 Lone Pine Rd, Bloomfield Township, Michigan. We meet in the community room. A Zoom registration link is posted below ahead for those who cannot drive to the library.
Our President, Judy Nimer Muhn will present.
While the holdings of various libraries and archives are being shared this program year from the Librarians and Archivists, a collection of various records that aren’t online, that are helpful to researchers seeking ethnic information – about the incredible cultures and people who were courageous enough to venture to the United States and Canada and, ultimately, came to Michigan. Judy Nimer Muhn has researched in many of these more specialized collections for French-Canadian, Scottish, Polish, German, Native/First Nations and more. Join us for an opportunity to explore or think about the holdings of various collections that can help you!
If you cannot join us in person, register to view the zoom presentation here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/zNnvUo7ERMmzbRiJx9bGIQ
Dec 31
January 7: Genealogical Resources at the Detroit Public Library
Our January meeting is on January 7, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 5500 N. Adams Rd. (between Long Lake and Square Lake Roads), Troy, MI 48098. A Zoom link will be posted a week in advance for those unable to drive to the meeting location. Mark Bowden, Coordinator for Special Collections at the Detroit Public Library is our speaker.
Mark’s presentation focuses on some of the unique genealogical resources for Michigan and Detroit research found at the Burton Historical Collection including: Detroit Death index, burial transit permits, Wayne County Coroner’s files, Roman Catholic Church records, naturalization records from Detroit Recorder’s Court, Michigan World War II service awards index, Michigan Korean war casualties index, and more!
Since 2010, Mark Bowden has been the Coordinator for Special Collections at the Detroit Public Library. These collections include: the Burton Historical Collection, the Rare Book Collection, the E. Azalia Hackley Collection of African Americans in the Performing Arts, the Ernie Harwell Sports Collection, and the National Automotive History Collection. During the last 19 years he has spoken to many groups about the genealogical resources housed in the Burton Collection.
If you are unable to drive to the Church, you may watch the presentation on Zoom.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/DuCkaRwIRxaFYKaNAaDFZQ
Dec 13
Tell a Story!
Do you have a family story to tell?
We are all consumed with research, but there is joy in telling family stories and sharing with interested researchers. We are always looking for articles for our Quarterly.
Would you like some help telling it?
Jay Taylor, the editor of Acorns to Oaks is happy to help you tell your story. If you aren’t sure how to proceed, Jay wants to hear from you.
Send your stories, questions, or comments to: qeditor@ocgsmi.org.
Dec 12
Join the Society Board
Our Recording Secretary has been forced to resign due to family commitments. In addition, we are in need of a Vice President, an office which has been vacant for quite some time.
Here are the duties of the Recording Secretary:
Here are the duties of the Vice-President:
Please consider helping the Society! Contact President Judy Nimer Muhn: president@ocgsmi.org.
Nov 27
Researching Your Family’s History at the Archives of Michigan
This meeting is at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 5500 N. Adams Rd. (between Long Lake and Square Lake Roads), Troy, MI 48098 at 7 p.m. on December 3, 2024. A Zoom link will be added here a week ahead for those who cannot attend in person.

Kris Rzepczynski
An introduction to the Archives of Michigan, this program
will explore the genealogical collections available there, including original source records, published resources, and online tools at Michiganology. One of the larger family history collections in the United States, the Archives’ holdings emphasize Michigan, the Great Lakes states, New England, the Mid-Atlantic region, as well as Ontario and Quebec.
Our speaker is Kris Rzepczynski, a Senior Archivist at the Archives of Michigan, where he specializes in family history and Michigan research, Kris has worked in the genealogical community for more than 20 years. He holds a Master of Library and Information Science from Wayne State University and a Master of Arts in History from Western Michigan University. He is a former Vice-President of Membership for the Federation of Genealogical Societies and a former President of the Mid-Michigan Genealogical Society.
This meeting is at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 5500 N. Adams Rd. (between Long Lake and Square Lake Roads), Troy, MI 48098 at 7 p.m.
If you are not able to drive to the Church, here is a Zoom link to register for the virtual program:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pcOqvpjspG913JIcPDTsRGsJwZQhMNlyg
Please register in advance.
The handout for this meeting is available in the member’s area; you will need to login to download it.
Nov 02
A Nation of Stories: Connecting Local Legacies to America250
Our November Joint meeting the Detroit Society for Genealogical Research is November 9, at 11 a.m. The speaker is Elizabeth Hodges, genealogy librarian at the Allen County Public Library.
Discover the diverse and interconnected stories that shape our nation’s history as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This presentation will equip you with the tools to uncover, document, and share your community’s contributions to American independence. Discover strategies for public engagement through collaborative projects, educational programs, and community events that spotlight the unique stories of your area, fostering a meaningful connection to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
This is a joint program with the Detroit Society for Genealogical Research (DSGR) and will be virtual via zoom. A Zoom registration link was sent to current members today, November 2.
Here is the link for anyone to register now:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6617303751224/WN_is0Ae6LtTmmHFDOsJAoWIQ
The handout is available in the member’s area of this website. Log in and then select “meeting handouts” under the Member’s Only heading on the top menu. When you reach the handout page, search for November or 2024.
Sep 24
October Help Night
Our Help Night is October 8 at 7 pm at the Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Rd., Bloomfield Township, MI 48032. We will meet in the Community Room.
Experts in various research field will help you as you build your family history. Currently scheduled topics are: Beginners, German, Acadian/French Canadian, DAR/SAR lineages and information, and United Kingdom.
There is no charge to attend our meetings, but you can support us by joining or renewing your membership.