Programs

 

Programs are usually the 3rd Saturday of the month at Hackley Public Library, 315 W. Western Ave, Muskegon, MI 49440 at 10:30 AM. The doors will open at 10:00 AM. Theprogram will be in the lower level, Room #2. Use the FRONT DOOR ONLY! There is parking on the street, access to the front door only. Handicap ramp is also available. You can take the stairs or elevator to the lower level. Restrooms are also available in the lower level. Meetings are FREE to the public or anyone interested in their family history!

No programs in July & December. 

 

March Program

Saturday, March 15, 2025 @ 10:30 AM

"Making the Genealogy Center in Fort Wayne, IN Your Research Assistant” 

Speaker, Curt Witcher

 

Curt Witcher is the Director of Special Collections at the Allen County Public Library, managing the widely acclaimed Genealogy Center as well as the Rolland Center for Lincoln Research. He is a former president of both the Federation of Genealogical Societies and the National Genealogical Society, and the founding president of the Indiana Genealogical Society. Curt currently serves on the Indiana State Historical Records Advisory Board, the Indiana Historical Society’s publications committee, and the executive committee of the Friends of the Lincoln Collection of Indiana’s Board of Directors. He also serves on the Northeast Indiana Jewish Genealogy Society board of directors as well as an advisor for the African American Genealogical Society of Fort Wayne. 

April Program

Saturday, April 19, 2025 @ 10:30 AM

"Ancestral Past” 

Speaker, Scott Norwick

 

Painting the picture of Michigan based on 1950 census results – this presentation covers background on the 1950 census including birth locations, parent birth locations, income levels, educations levels, military service, unemployment levels and job industry information. Comparisons will be discussed on urban to rural areas, Michigan’s various regions and Michigan to other Midwest states. Scott will also address foreign immigration clusters highlighted through birth and parent birth locations. Focus on the migration to Michigan from other states (including the Great Migration from southern states), concentration on employment industries and interesting and unusual job titles will be summarized.

 

 

 

May Program

Saturday, May 17, 2025 @ 10:30 AM

"What Was The War Of 1812 & Persons Who Played A Part In It” 

Speaker, Marsha Dekker

 

Marsha Dekker currently serves as a Volunteer Genealogist for the State of Michigan, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) as well as President/Treasurer of a local chapter of Daughters of 1812. As the former Registrar of a local chapter of DAR, she assisted over 50 women with membership. She worked for the Kansas Oil Museum assisting with the Butler County Genealogy Library & helping patrons with research, starting a genealogy group, giving tours for schools, and giving classes in genealogy for the local Community College. Marsha is a member of Clan Campbell, Clan Ewing, Williams Family Association, the National Genealogical Society, Western Michigan Genealogy Society, and several websites such as American Ancestors, Ancestry, My Heritage, FamilySearch, and others.

 

 

June Program

Saturday, June 21, 2025 @ 10:30 AM

"Squeezing All the Facts Out of Your DNA Matches” 

Speaker, Kate Penney Howard

 

Near the top of your match list, you’ve got this mystery match that just might be the key to your research. The only problem is they don’t have a visible tree, and they didn’t respond to the message you sent two years ago, but that doesn’t mean that you should give up!  This will give users of every skill level more tools to crack that difficult case. You’ll learn about strategies for logically approaching your search, what you can glean from your match’s profile, how free & paid resources can help you, and you’ll receive a research template that will help you ensure you have left no stone unturned. This is an entertaining, fast-paced, so join us with whatever note-taking device you prefer and bring your questions for the Q&A session at the end.

She will finish her presentation with a DNA story on a White Cloud, Michigan lumberjack!