Feb 28
Beginning Irish Genealogy
Following the clues from your U.S. paper trail, this program will help show you different resources and examples of that paper trail and then we will talk about different Irish websites that will help you once you are researching over the pond. This is a virtual meeting via Zoom.
The handout is available in the member’s area. Search 2024 and select March.
Our speaker is Cathy Cottone. Cathy McCarthy Cottone has been researching her family since 1991 when she inherited her Grandmother’s bible. Cathy’s roots are in England, Ireland, Croatia, Finland and Norway. Cathy has worked as a genealogist at the Lyon Township Public Library in Lyon Township, for over 22 years, helping others research their roots. Cathy has been a member of Irish Genealogical Society of Michigan for over 22 years and has served as a board member, including a past editor of The Irish Tree.
Cathy’s motto is “Genealogy Before Housework”.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYldempqzMoG92xNjrR8cfR-SyDW1e9ABnw
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
This and our programs April-June are scheduled to be Zoom only. We would like to have hybrid meetings, but we need a volunteer to manage the second computer to do so. Volunteer if you can! email: president@ocgsmi.org
Feb 27
1850 Agricultural Census for Oakland County
The 1850 Agricultural census for Oakland County was transcribed from microfilm by our members many years ago and published in Acorns to Oaks. A database derived from that transcription is has been posted in the members area. You need to be logged in to see the database. Find it here.
Feb 23
Acorns to Oaks Available in Print
We no longer print and mail Acorns to Oaks to members but they may download each issue in the member’s area.
Great news! We are making the current issue, and following ones available in a print version from Amazon Books. For those who prefer print, this is a great option. Prime members receive free shipping!
You can find Acorns to Oaks 45-1 here: Acorns to Oaks: Vol 45, No 1: OCGS, Taylor, Jay R: 9798879702552: Amazon.com: Books
Feb 13
Beginning Irish Genealogy
Join us for our virtual program on March 5 at 7:00 p.m.
Following the clues from your U.S. paper trail, this program will help show you different resources and examples of that paper trail and then we will talk about different Irish websites that will help you once you are researching over the pond. The handout for this meeting is available to members in the member area.
This and our following programs are scheduled to be Zoom only. We would like to have hybrid meetings, but we need a volunteer to manage the second computer to do so. Volunteer if you can! email: president@ocgsmi.org.
Check back a week in advance for a Zoom registration link.
Speaker: Cathy Cattone
Jan 31
February Program – Finding Black Ancestors
Finding Black Ancestors: February6, 2024 at 7:00 via Zoom.
The presentation discusses the unique challenges of African American genealogical research, sharing some of the relevant history and resources available to research. It includes a case study of researching freedom seekers (Underground Railroad), free blacks and enslaved persons. Our speaker is Rozlyn Kelly.
This program is scheduled to be Zoom only. We would like to have hybrid meetings, but we need a volunteer to manage the second computer to do so. Volunteer if you can! email: president@ocgsmi.org.
Dec 23
Finding Family with DNA Testing
January 2 meeting
7:00 p.m.
Zoom only
Learn how adoptees and others find biological parents and siblings through DNA testing. Review the case that started it all and see today’s recommended strategies. View examples of surprise discoveries and see the tools used to identify relationships.
Speaker Richard Hill was the first adoptee to identify my birth family through genetic genealogy DNA testing. This was so remarkable at the time that my story was later told on the front page of The Wall Street Journal. To share what I learned with other adoptees and genealogists, I created the DNA Testing Adviser website in 2008.
This program is scheduled to be Zoom only. We would like to have hybrid meetings, but we need a volunteer to manage the second computer to do so. Volunteer if you can! email: president@ocgsmi.org.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsf-2rqTsoHtXi412QMMcWggmEDfl9QDsY
The handout is available in the member’s area. Log in to download it.
Nov 30
December 5 Meeting and Handout
Magnificent Land Records and Where to Find Them
Tuesday December 5, 2003, 7 p.m.
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 5500 N Adams Road, Troy, Michigan
You can download the handout in the member’s area now. Use this link and search for December 2023. The handout is available to logged in members only. You will be asked to log in if you have not done so.
Land records are an important piece of any genealogical puzzle, especially in years that pre-date census records and vital records. We will review the various types of land records that are typically held in a courthouse.
Our speaker is Jeff Mason who worked as a CPA in the Lansing area for 31 years and is presently retired. He has been an active genealogist for the last 47 years, doing extensive research in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. He has also performed extensive research of records in England & Wales, as his English research has taken him to the former Family History Centre in London, the Society of Genealogists in London, the Worcestershire County Records office, and visits to ancestral hometowns in rural England. Jeff is a contributor to the Find-A-Grave project, is responsible for requiring his daughter to hold membership in the DAR, is the administrator and co-founder of the Nason Family DNA project through FamilyTreeDNA.com, and for the last 12 years a frequent speaker at genealogical and historical societies throughout Michigan.
The meeting will be held at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 5500 N. Adams Rd. (between Long Lake and Square Lake Roads), Troy, MI 48098. The church has a flat entrance and ample, lighted parking. Meetings are open to the public and free of charge; all are welcome. This meeting is in-person only.
Nov 17
Join our Board
Hi folks. We are looking for a few good people to join our board. We could use help in a variety of ways, including publicity and programming. We are a easy going bunch who work together. Message us to explore opportunities! Info@ocgsmi.org or president@ocgsmi.org.
