Alexander Tolksdorf will make this presentation which is designed to help those new to researching German records. It will focus specifically on how/where to locate the records and how to interpret the records. This ranges from using FamilySearch’s catalog to using German repositories like Archion.de to contacting local archives.

Additional attention will be provided to historical geopolitics of what is today Germany, handwriting styles, as well as useful Germany reference materials. Lastly, the class also covers territorial regions formerly included in the German Empire (i.e. Alsace-Lorraine and eastern Prussian provinces).

Alexander Tolksdorf is a genealogist and speaker, specializing in German, Dutch, and Eastern European research. He began his personal journey in high school, inspired by a trip to Ellis Island and through a correspondence with his great uncle in Germany, who also was an active family historian. All four of his grandparents immigrated to the United States in the 1950s following the Second World War; as such, the majority of his research experience and focus is in European sources.

Register in advance for the meeting here:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAkc-6hrTwjEtDdkSmvVItqKxMpXOMnRoTd

Laressa Northrup will present an overview of estate records created when a person died will include individuals with and without will; and guardianship and coroner’s records. We will discuss what may be included in a probate record and what clues to look for. Types of wills, inheritance laws, and where to find probate records will be covered.

Laressa Northrup has been interested in family history since 1978. She holds advanced certificates from the National Institute of Genealogical Studies in US genealogy, Canadian genealogy, and English genealogy. Her specific interests are New York, Pennsylvania, Religious Research, and Photographs. This meeting is virtual meeting.

When: Dec 6, 2022 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvfuqsrzIrH9XfSK-aCxtXOHzsViUA59YQ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

The Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan’s next virtual meeting will be held Saturday, November 19. The meeting is free and open to the public.  More detailed information is on the flyer.

Our next meeting is Saturday, November 5 at 11:00 a.m.

Uncover Your Family’s Story Using the Genealogy Center’s Online Catalog and PERSI.  Elizabeth Hodges, Genealogy Librarian at the Genealogy Center at Allen County Public Library will present. This is a joint  meeting of the Detroit Society for Genealogical Research and the Oakland County Genealogical Society.

This is a Zoom webinar – registration required. DSGR and OCGS Members will have the first opportunity to register. Registration will be open to the public in two days.

The registration link is:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/7716666307100/WN_n6TdcYm_R9qovZhuDSZLyA

Oakland County Genealogical Society

On October 25, 2022 the following additions / updates were made. Please note that members must be logged in to view member’s only content.

Updated Acorns to Oaks Public Surname Index to include Volume 43 of Acorns to Oaks

Updated Member’s Only Surname Index to include Volume 43 of Acorns to Oaks

Updated Member’s Only Location Index to include Volume 43 of Acorns to Oaks

Updated Member’s Only Acorns to Oaks Back Issues to include all issues through 43-4

One of our board members has had their phone number spoofed and used for outgoing calls. The caller ID for these calls indicated “Oakland County GS”.

We discovered the spoof because the call recipient returned the call and the board member talked to them.

Please note that the Society DOES NOT have a phone number, and does not place calls indicating they are from the Society on the caller ID.

Calls like this are spam and may try to obtain personal information. Do not respond.

Thank You.

Storytelling techniques can enhance any type or length of story. Author Laura Hedgecock illustrates how family history storytellers can borrow concepts from creative nonfiction to empower their narratives to connect through generations.

LAURA HEDGECOCK is passionate about telling stories and connecting with others. She comes by that passion honestly; her grandmother, Hazel Crymes, wrote throughout her life. However, her grandmother wrote in secret; Laura believes in sharing.

When she’s not writing, Mrs. Hedgecock enjoys spending time with her husband, her young-adult sons (when they’re available), playing soccer, nature photography, and finding her roots.

We hope for a hybrid meeting, but the meeting may be virtual only, depending on restrictions. Please check back a week before the meeting for informality regarding location and registration for the virtual presentation.

Our meeting is October 4,  7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Register for the Zoom meeting here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYsdO-trj0pH9Gfp8HqyYVZRBVj_Bl2ghTw

We are happy to let you know that the program schedule for 2022-23 is complete and posted on the website. Please go to https://ocgsmi.org/events to review this year’s offerings.

Our president, Judy Muhn has prepared a message to our members,  please access it here.

In addition, we have sent membership renewal notices to members who have an email address. Your participation is vital and we hope you will renew promptly. The easiest way to renew is to log into your account online. If you aren’t sure of the date your membership expires, please check the label of your most recent Acorns to Oaks, or log into your member record here on the site to see the date. If you prefer to renew my US mail, you can access a member for to mail with your check here.

Thanks for being an important part of the Society!