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Forensic Genealogy: Polk County, Oregon, Jane Doe Cold Case—Charles McGee
On September 1st, 1996, the partial remains of Polk County Jane Doe were found by hunters near an old logging road about twenty miles west of Salem, Oregon. The victim—later determined to be a white female between the ages of 45 and 70—had been wrapped in a tarp, fastened with rope, before being discarded at the bottom of an embankment. Although the case was ruled a homicide, no cause of death could be determined and the women could not be identified. The case went cold and languished for over 20 years. But with new advances in DNA analysis and genetic genealogy, combined with tried-and-true genealogical research, a small team of researchers solved the case and a killer was brought to justice. This is the tragic story of Kathy Thomas and the genealogical methods used to help bring her family closure.
MCGS Membership Meeting - Curt Witcher
Curt Witcher - Using Fort Wayne's Genealogy Center and the Periodical Source Index to Advance Your Research
Curt Witcher, Director of Special Collections at the Allen County Public Library
Hear how to benefit from the Genealogy Center's collections and services, and get an introduction to the "new" Periodical Source Index (PERSI).
Registration: Non-members, please send an email to info@milwaukeegenealogy.org to be added to the invite list for the online meeting. Members will automatically receive a link.
Join Patricia Glover-Howard, president for the African American Genealogical Society of Milwaukee, as she shares resources that will help you find your ancestors. For Black Americans, finding these genealogy documents can be difficult. This interactive webinar will show you how to make the search easier.
Topics Include:
African-American Genealogy: Starting at Home
Family History Storytellers: Who Should I Believe?
Online African-American Genealogy Resources
In My Ancestors' Footsteps: DNA, Cousins and Connections
Patricia Glover-Howard is an Educator and Genealogy Enthusiast. Her genealogical journey started when she was contacted by a paternal cousin through 23andMe. Patricia honed her skills as Co-Host for the "Bernice Bennett Blog Talk" Radio Show. Patricia is the current President for the African American Genealogical Society of Milwaukee and former Board Member/VP of Meeting programming for the Milwaukee County Genealogical Society.
Cost: $40/person Wisconsin Historical Society or Wisconsin State Genealogical Society members receive a 10% discount Advance registration is required by noon May 19
Registration: https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Event/EV8485
MCGS Class - Don't Jump to Conclusions: After the Research
Beginner Genealogy Class - ONLINE
So you've been finding documents, collecting information --- but what does it all mean? Learn how to use the information you find as evidence to support a sound genealogical conclusion.
For more information see the MCGS Website
In two presentations, McKenna and Dan will discuss key aspects of researching The Channel Islands and Isle of Man.
An email with further instructions on how to be part of this meeting will be sent to you soon, or you can check bigwill.org for Zoom meeting link the week of the meeting.
McKenna from 10 am to 11:30 am: The Channel Islands preserved their Norman culture much later than the rest of England, including speaking island-specific variations of the Norman French language up until WWII, though these dialects were rarely written down. As a result, records used for genealogy from the Channel Islands often include a mix of French and English, and traditional surnames generally have their origins in Normandy. Come learn how to research your ancestors who are from the Channel Islands.
Lunch break from 11:30 to 12:30.
Then, Dan from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm: The Isle of Man sits in the middle of the Irish Sea surrounded by much larger neighbors on all sides, Scotland to the north, England to the East, Wales to the South and Ireland to the west. Considering this, it has its own fascinating history and relative autonomy through history. This includes records used for genealogical research and research strategy.
Mckenna Cooper is a research specialist at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah and is accredited in Scotland research. Her interest in the Channel Islands stems from a summer spent doing anthropological research on Guernsey’s culture and native language (Guernésiais, aka Guernsey French). She will graduate in June from the University of Strathclyde with an MSc in Genealogical, Paleographic, and Heraldic Studies.
Dan Poffenberger, AG, is a Senior British and Irish research specialist for FamilySearch at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is accredited in England research and is currently on his accreditation in Ireland research. His interest in Isle of Man research comes from his son-in-law, whose paternal second great grandfather, George Caine, was born on the Isle of Man. He presented at BIGWILL last year as well as numerous conferences nationally and internationally.
The British Interest Group of Wisconsin & Illinois (BIGWILL) is a special interest group for those who wish to research family history and ancestry in the British Isles. Visitors as well as members are always welcome to attend meetings, held the third Saturday in January, March, May, July, September and November, currently in Zoom meetings only.
We Come This Far by Faith: Using Obituaries & Church Records to Find My Family
Until further notice, The Society is conducting virtual educational meetings for members. To attend a monthly virtual membership meeting, go to “Contact Us” and request a meeting invitation. To join our organization, go to “Become a Member.”
Genealogy Resources in Vernon County presented by Carol Tovstad Krogan
Indexing Night at the ARC
Starting earlier than usual at 6:00 p.m. and indexing until 8:30 p.m. The June meeting is a work night in the Area Research Center (ARC) on the University of Wisconsin–River Falls campus. This is our chance to give back some of our time to the ARC by helping with one or more indexing projects as chosen by either Archivist Morgan Paavola or Community Archivist Shelby Edwards. This year we may work on getting the information from the Biographical Card Index entered into the Online Genealogy Index of Archived Records for Burnett, Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix Counties, which is a work in progress and can be found at www.3.uwrf.edu/ArchivesRecords. Or we may work on indexing Pierce County divorces as found in the Pierce County Circuit Court order books, or another project chosen by the archivists. If you have a laptop, please bring it; if you do not have one, you will pair up with someone who does.
The ARC is located on the lower level of the Chalmer Davee Library. Clear signage will direct you to the Area Research Center.
Limited parking is available behind South Hall, next to Chalmer Davee Library. Other parking is available in the lot across Cascade Avenue next to North Hall. Entrances to the parking lot next to North Hall are on S 2nd Street and Spring Street. If you are traveling from the west on Cascade Avenue, continue straight at the roundabout, take the first right and then turn into the parking lot on your left to enter the lot next to Chalmer Davee Library. If travelling from the east on Cascade Avenue, continue straight at the first roundabout, go all the way around the 2nd roundabout and take the first right. The parking lot next to Chalmer Davee Library will be on your left. Parking in this lot seems to be free after 4:30 p.m.
Polish Fest
Milwaukee County Genealogical Society will have a booth at the festival.
For more information at polishfest.org
Program Presenter(s): Keighton Klos is the Executive Director of the Milton House Museum. She has a Bachelor's of Arts in Public History from the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater, and has over 8 years of experience in the museum field. She is a self-described history nerd, with her main area of interest being the American Civil War. She lives in Milton with her husband and 2 young sons
Program Summary: Join Milton House Executive Director Keighton Klos as she discusses the role of the Milton House on the Underground Railroad. Built as a stagecoach in 1844 by Joseph Goodrich, the founder of Milton, the iconic Milton House building stands today as the last certified Underground Railroad site open to the public in Wisconsin. During this presentation, learn how a small town kept a big secret, and how the legacy of Joseph Goodrich and the Milton House Museum is still impacting the community today.
How to Attend: This is a LIVE presentation and must be watched at the scheduled time. The Zoom link, program code and handout link on the RCGS website will allow participation from your home PC, Mac, or smartphone.
Cost: Free and open to the public.
Walking My Ancestors' Land: Land, Wills & Probate Records
MCGS Membership Meeting - TBD
TBD Online Meeting or MPL
-ELECTION of MCGS Board Member Officers
MCGS Class - DNA for Genealogy: What It Can and Can't Do
Program Presenter(s): Vicki Ruthe Hahn is the founder of the IL-WI State Line Genealogical Club, LLC, and regularly presents programs to regional genealogical societies.
Program Summary: Using genealogy techniques of searching for house architectural clues, local history, legal documents, maps, and stories, to learn more about a building and all of its occupants.
How to Attend: This is a LIVE presentation and must be watched at the scheduled time. The Zoom link, program code and handout link on the RCGS website allow participation from your home PC, Mac, or smartphone.
Festa Italiana
For more information at festaitaliana.org: or iccmilwaukee.com
MCGS Membership Meeting - Summer Picnic
Summer Picnic!
-CELEBRATE our 87th Anniversary of the "Picnic In Ancestral Grove" picnic. While we are enjoying our picnic in our own homes, please attend this zoom session, to socialize with your MCGS friends and share some of your genealogical discoveries.
Registration: Non-members, please send an email to info@milwaukeegenealogy.org to be added to the invite list for the online meeting. Members will automatically be sent a link.
German Fest
For more information at germanfest.com
Black Arts Fest MKE
For more information at blasckartsfestmke.com
Puerto Rican Family Festival at Humboldt Park
For more information conquistadornews.com
Irish Fest
La Crosse Area Genealogical Society will have a booth at the festival.
For more information see the Irish Fest website.
For more information at irishfest.com
Mexican Fiesta
For more information at mexicanfiesta.org
Wisconsin Highland Games
For more information at wisconsinscottish.org
Program Presenter(s): Dr. J P Leary (Cherokee/Delaware) serves as an Associate Professor in First Nations Studies, History, and Humanities, as a member of the graduate faculty in the Professional Program in Education, and as a faculty affiliate with the Education Center for First Nations Studies. He regularly teaches a variety of courses including Introduction to FNS: The Tribal World, American Indians in Film, Mohican Ethno-history, First Nations and Education Policy, and the FNS Seminar. His primary research interests relate to curriculum policy, the history of education, and the representation and self-representation of Native people in education and popular culture. Dr. Leary is also the faculty advisor for Intertribal Student Council.
Program Summary: Since its passage in 1989, a state law known as Act 31 requires that all students in Wisconsin learn about the history, culture, and tribal sovereignty of Wisconsin’s federally recognized tribes. The Story of Act 31 details the law’s inception-tracing its origins to a court decision in 1983 that affirmed American Indian hunting and fishing treaty rights in Wisconsin, and to the violent public outcry that followed the court’s decision. Leary paints a picture of controversy stemming from past policy decisions that denied generations of Wisconsin students the opportunity to learn about tribal history.
Election/Getting and Staying Organized: Paper or Digital?
Migration presented by Prof. Tiffany Trimmer
CAFE: A Cultural Event
For more information at oakcreekwi.gov
Scandinavian Fest
For more information
Grandmama Said What? Conducting Oral Histories & Evaluating Evidence
Join WSGS Affiliate Norwegian American Genealogical Center & Naeseth Library for a research tour to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah where you’ll find the largest collection of genealogical materials in the world; NAGC researchers (Jerry Paulson & Chris Klauer) will be available to assist you during the entire trip; knowledgeable library staff & volunteers will be on hand for research help. This trip is not limited to those with Norwegian ancestry!
For more information and to register, see the NAGCNL website at http://www.nagcnl.org/event/genealogy-research-trip-to-salt-lake-city-october-16-23-2022/
1950 Census presented by Terry Micks
Holiday Folk Fair International
Milwaukee County Genealogical Society will have a booth at the folk fair.
For more information at folkfair.org
Courthouses, Libraries Archives Oh My!
Brickwall Round Table and Ethnic Treats
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