October is Family History Month in USA ... Do Something for Your Genealogy!

It's that time of year again -- October -- which means it is Family History Month in the United States!

MCGG suggests strongly encourages you to do something for your genealogy this month! You can do something each of the thirty-one days this month or take it week by week. Do a bunch of little tasks or some larger tasks or a combination of the two. Plan/Take a short research trip; make learning new things a priority; try a new website for a month; or sit your butt down to source your tree like you keep saying you will -- the opportunities are endless.

Keep in mind that there are often many genealogy "free-access" and sale offers in honor of this month so stay tuned here and keep an eye out for them yourself.

In the meantime, if you need some inspiration "to do something for your genealogy" here are some ideas -- inspired by some of the special designated days and weeks this month -- to help get you going.

October 1 - 31 -- Family History Month in the United States.
It is also Computer Learning Month, check out a book or watch a webinar on how to use one of your genealogy-related programs ... or your computer. Also, American Archives Month. Plan a research visit to your state or local archive.

The first week of October is Get Organized Week, plan one or two days or an hour each day to organize your genealogy papers.

October 1 -- National Ghost Hunting Day. Visit your ancestors' graves to take photos or spend some time online searching the various cemetery memorial websites. Also, National Homemade Cookies Day. It's not genealogy related or is it? Bake up a batch of grandma's or great grandma's cookies from a passed-down recipe. If grandma is still living, visit or call her and talk to her about her -- informally interview her. Since it is also the first Saturday of the month it is also International Frugal Fun Day so spend some time research on your favorite or a new-to-you free genealogy website.

October 3 -- National Techies Day. Spend sometime organizing the files on your hard drive and backing up your hard drive. Learn a new program or simply enter into your genealogy program that information you have been meaning to do.

October 4 -- National Tacos Day; National Golf Lover's Day; National Vodka Day. Use today to research/focus on your Mexican/Spanish, Scottish, or Russian ancestors.

October 5 -- National Do Something Nice Day; National Apple Betty Day; National Walk to School Day. Use today to share something with a relative, to research/focus on a Betty (Elizabeth) in your ancestry; or to research ancestors in school records. Also, Ask an Archivist Day. Sponsored by The Society of Archivists, use your Twitter account to ask your archive question using the #AskAnArchivist hashtag.

October 6 -- National German-American Day. Use today to research/focus on your German ancestors.

October 8 -- National Peirogi Day. Use today to research/focus on your Polish ancestors.

October 9 -- National Leif Erikson Day. Use today to research/focus on your Nordic ancestors. Also, National Clergy Appreciation Day. Use today to research/focus on your clergy ancestors. Also, Curious Events Day. Try investigating a mystery in your family tree.

October 10 -- National Native American Day. Use today to research/focus on your Native American ancestors. Also, Columbus Day. Use today to research/focus on your immigrant ancestors. Also, International Newspaper Carrier Day. Use today to investigate digitized newspapers for your ancestors. Or re-read your newspaper finds to see if you missed something. Also, Thanksgiving Day in Canada. Use today to research your Canadian ancestors, or those that lived there for a time.

October 12 -- National Farmer's Day. Use today to research/focus on your farming ancestors. Also, National Gumbo Day. Use today to research/focus on your Louisiana ancestors.
Also, Take Your Parents to Lunch Day. Use today to research/focus on your parents. Also, National Fossil Day. Use today to research/focus on your end-of-line ancestors. What sources have you missed in trying to research these ancestors? Are any now available online? They may not be indexed but they may now be accessible. Also, National Emergency Nurse's Day. Use today to research/focus on your ancestors who worked in the health care industry. Also, Cookbook Launch Day. Use today to research your female ancestors. Or, create "family cookbook" of your own with treasured, passed-down recipes or more current family favorites. Make it a project and you'll have made a holiday gift item. Also, Moment of Frustration Day, re-examine one or more of your "brickwall" ancestors and create a plan to knock down that wall. There are lots of ideas for how to do something for your genealogy today.

October 13 -- National Train Your Brain Day. Use today to learn something new. Watch a genealogy webinar, or read a genealogy book. Also, National Yorkshire Pudding Day. Use today to research/focus on your English ancestors. Also, Navy Birthday. Use today to research/focus on your naval/seafaring ancestors. Also International Skeptics Day, take another look at those family branches that might be a little shaky.

October 15 -- Sweetest Day. Use today to concentrate your research on finding any marriage records you do not already have for your ancestors. Or, as you show your "sweetests" you care, talk to them about themselves -- another opportunity to informally interview your relatives. Also, National Cake Decorating Day. Use today to research/focus on your baker ancestors, or to concentrate on finding any birth records you do not already have for your ancestors

October 17 -- National Mulligan Day. Use today to "do something over." Revisit a problem or ancestor the eluded you once before. Also, National Black Poetry Day. Use today to research/focus on your African American ancestors. Also, National Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day. Use today to clean up and organize your computer files.

October 19 -- Evaluate Your Life Day. In the spirit of this day spend some time re-evaluating your research efforts on a particular problem.

October 23 -- National Boston Creme Pie Day. Use today to research/focus on your Massachusetts ancestors. Also, National Mother-in-law Day. Use today to research/focus on your spouse's mother's ancestors.

October 24 -- United Nations Day. Use today to research/focus on an ancestor you put off researching because he/she is a nationality you have not researched before.

October 27 -- Navy Day. Use another day today to research/focus on your naval/seafaring ancestors. Also, National Tell a Story Day in Scotland and the U.K., so try writing your memories about a particular relative. Or, write down those stories of your ancestors/family that you heard growing up.

October 29 -- National Hermit Day. Use today to research/focus on your ancestors who did not marry or have children. Sometimes the probates of those without direct heirs can be goldmines. 

October 31 -- Halloween. Do some more cemetery research or research probate records for your ancestors today. And, take a little break from genealogy to pass out some candy tonight. You did remember to buy some trick-or-treat candy right?

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Local Genealogy Workshops and Seminars are Happening in October & November

With this blog/website MCGG tries to keep you informed about not only our own genealogy group's activities but also major genealogy news we think is of interest to you and your research, and the events of other genealogy groups taking place in our area.

Mostly we do this last one by providing the Southeast Michigan Genealogy Events Calendar but with so many events taking place in the next two months we thought to highlight a few.

5th Annual Genealogy Workshop
October 29, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Pre-registration required, Costs

Hosted by the Lapeer County Genealogy Society, the workshop will be taught by Katherine Wilson  who returns for a second year. The classes (different from last year's) are:

• They Didn't All Come Thru Ellis Island: Finding and Analyzing Passenger Lists
• Seeking Dead People: Getting the Most from Cemetery Research Online & In-Person
• Filling Out Your Family Tree Without Breaking the Bank
• Writing Down the Bones: Printing Your Family History

Pre-registration is required. Registration Cost (Non-Refundable): $40 before October 20th; or $45 after October 20th. [Groups of 10 signing up together will have each individual's registration reduced by $5 each.] Bring a brown-bag lunch because lunch is just 45 minutes. Workshop sign-in begins at 8:30 a.m. that day so everyone will be ready to start at 9 a.m.

MCGG is providing the workshop registration/information here because the Lapeer County Genealogy Society's webpage on the Lapeer County Clerk's website is currently down due to server failure. The society's page has not been restored yet.
For more information on this workshop: contact LCGS through Sharon using email   sharonlea29@hotmail.com


11th Annual Family History Festival "Not Far From the Tree"
October 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
No pre-registration required, Free*

Hosted by the Detroit Society for Genealogical Research in the Friends auditorium of the Detroit Public Library. This year's speakers are Thomas MacEntee (presenting The Genealogy-Do-Over, and The 15 Habits of Highly Frugal Genealogists) and Dr. Deborah A. Abbott (presenting Researching Funeral Home Records: Looking for the Dead, and Breaking the Break Wall: Researching in Blank and White.)

Though the festival is free, if you desire a prepared lunch there is a cost and it must be pre-ordered. (see FHF flyer for details). The Burton Historical Collection will be open for research from 10 am - 6 pm. For more information:  http://www.dsgr.org/


2016 Annual Polish Genealogy Seminar
October 15, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Pre-registration (online) required before October 1st, Costs
Hosted by the Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan, this year's speakers are Tim Firkowski (presenting Finding The Family:  Problems, Successes & Rewards, and Researching in Poland:  Problems and Successes) and Kamila Mazurek (presenting From Beggars to Kings, and Marriage Law in the Former Prussian Partition of Poland.)

Pre-registration is required before October 1st. Registration Cost: $65 per person which includes continental breakfast and Polish lunch. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. that day so everyone will be ready to start at 9 a.m. For more information, www.pgsm.org


Close Encounters of the Genealogical Kind: What All Good Genealogists Need to Know
November 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Pre-registration required, Costs

Hosted by the Western Wayne County Genealogical Society, William J. Priest will make four presentations:

• Genealogy Standards: What They Are and Why We Need Them!
• Using Notes and Events to Their Greatest Potential!
• Organizing Your Paper and/or Electronic Records
• Planning a Successful Genealogy Research Trip

Door prizes will be awarded after each presentation and you must be present to win. Pre-registration is required. Registration Cost: $20 before October 22; or $30 after October 22. A Box Lunch is an additional $10. Registration opens at 9:00 a.m. that day so everyone will be ready to start at 10 a.m. For more information, http://www.wwcgs.org/


Please note this is not a complete list, these are a just a few that we have highlighted.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Sat., Sept. 17 is Bag Day — Shop the Used Book Sale at Mt Clemens Public Library

2016 Used Book Sale

It is the last day of the Mount Clemens Public Library's Used Book Sale. The sale is open Saturday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and it is Bag Day!

We are now selling books at $5 per Bag. We are also having a Bag Day Special ... Buy Four Bags ($20) and Take ALL the books you want.

2016 Used Book Sale

We hope you will make some time to come shop.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Got Irish Ancestors? Plan to Research at FindMyPast.co.uk over the Next Four Days

FindMyPast has made all 111 million of its Irish records free for the next four days, Sept. 15 - 18. Access ends at midnight in the UK which is 8 p.m. Eastern Time for us.

Those of us in the United States should use the United Kingdom version of the FindMyPast website to take part in the free access where there is a dedicated search page for this free access period.

During this free access time period, you will need to sign-in to either your subscription account or free account. If you do not have a free account at FindMyPast already, simply create one. (A free account is not the same as a free trial subscription so do not click on the link to sign up for a free trial subscription.) The simplest way to create a free account is to do a search, click to view a result image and the website will ask you to sign into your account or create a free account.

Have fun searching. 

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Tonight: 2016 Used Book Sale at MCPL, Preview Night Tonight with $10 Admission

2016 Used Book Sale

We've been busy the last couple days and now we are ready. The 2016 Used Book Sale at Mount Clemens Public Library begins tonight with Preview Night. There is a $10 admission fee per person to shop the books early tonight, Sept. 14, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Community Room downstairs.

2016 Used Book Sale

And yes, thanks to all who donated these past several months, the library's elevator is working!

The sale, continues Thursday through Saturday, is hosted by the Macomb County Genealogy Group and this year will benefit the programs at the library.

Used Book Sale Days and Hours are: 

September 14, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. is the Preview Event. Preview Event Admission is $10 per person. Shop the sale early for the best selection. 

September 15, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. is Day One of the Sale. 

September 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. is Day Two of the Sale. 

September 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. is the Last Day of the Sale. 

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Congratulations Mount Clemens Public Library, Macomb Cable Network on Winning 2016 State History Award (Media)

Congratulations, to our favorite library Mount Clemens Public Library and the Macomb Cable Network for winning the 2016 State History Award (media category) for their jointly-created local history video series, A Minute of Your Time.

Read more at the Mount Clemens Public Library's blog on the library's website.

See You Soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Remember this Month's Wednesday's Let's Talk...Genealogy is THIS WEEK!

Just a Reminder:
This Wednesday, September 7*, 2016, at 7 p.m. in the Genealogy/Local History Room of the Mount Clemens Public Library is MCGG's Let's Talk...Genealogy meeting. We kick off our 12th year with the discussion topic of the night ... Where Do I Go From Here?

Bring your research questions, brick walls, or new finds to share with the group. We'll give everyone a turn.

*Please note:  this month's meeting is being held the first Wednesday of the month because the Mount Clemens Public Library's Used Book Sale (which MCGG is running) starts the night we would normally meet. We apologize for the inconvenience but we can not be in two places at one time.

New attendees are always welcome. 

See you soon at the Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

It's Getting Closer ... The Used Book Sale at Mt. Clemens Library is Sept. 14-17

Get your book donations in before September 9th!

It is almost that time again ... the Mount Clemens Public Library's Used Book Sale. Again, hosted by the Macomb County Genealogy Group.

We have had a few very-dedicated volunteers sorting all year round to get us ready for this event. So if you have been thinking of donating some books, this is your last chance.

Used Book Sale Days and Hours are: 

September 14, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. is the Preview Event. Preview Event Admission is $10 per person. Shop the sale early for the best selection. 

September 15, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. is Day One of the Sale. 

September 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. is Day Two of the Sale. 

September 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. is the Last Day of the Sale. 

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Friday's Meeting is Coming Together: Family Reunions from Beginning to End

On Friday, September 9, at 1:00 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Mount Clemens Public Library, MCGG kicks off its 43rd year with MCGG member Ken Kohlmann presenting Coming Together: Family Reunions from Beginning to End.

If you are in the Mt. Clemens area, PLEASE JOIN US. 

See you soon at the Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

MCGG's SouthEast Michigan Genealogy Calendar Updated for Area's Meetings

Our SouthEast Michigan Genealogy Calendar has been updated. 

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library! 
LE

Free Access This Weekend Occupational-related Records at Ancestry.com

A little late notice but the shrubbery demanded attention.

Ancestry.com is offering free access this Labor Day Holiday Weekend to occupational-related databases until Monday, September 5, 2016, 11:59 p.m. ET.

You need a free Ancestry account in order to participate. Remember, for free access you do not need to subscribe, do a free-trial or provide your credit card. If you see any of this, you have clicked on the wrong thing. Simply register for a free username. You do this by going to the link above and starting a search. Then a pop-up window will show asking for your name and email address. Fill that in and as it says a username and password will be sent to your email.

What records are included? Ancestry has a page set up with the list of included databases which are federal and state census, some directories and military lists, voters registrations, etc.

Have a safe and happy holiday.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

This Wednesday's Let's Talk...Genealogy topic is Where Do I Go From Here?

This Wednesday, September 7*, 2016, at 7 p.m. in the Genealogy/Local History Room of the Mount Clemens Public Library is MCGG's Let's Talk...Genealogy meeting. We kick off our 12th year with the discussion topic of the night ... Where Do I Go From Here?

Bring your research questions, brick walls, or new finds to share with the group. We'll give everyone a turn.

*Please note: That this month's meeting is being held the first Wednesday of the month because the Mount Clemens Public Library's Used Book Sale (which MCGG is running) starts the night we would normally meet. We apologize for the inconvenience but we can not be in two places at one time.

New attendees are always welcome. 

See you soon at the Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Family Tree DNA Lowers Regular Price of FamilyFinder (Autosomal) Test to $79

After nearly a month of being on sale at its lowest price ever, Family Tree DNA has now lowered the regular price of its Family Finder (Autosomal DNA) test.

As of today the FamilyFinder test is now listed at a regular price of $79.

A FamilyFinder test used to be regularly priced at $99. A sale was $89, while a good sale was $79. This past month an even better sale was had for $69 during its Summer Sizzle Sale.

Shipping costs are separate; to Michigan the cost is $12.95 which covers receiving and sending the test.

Thank you Family Tree DNA, we hope the new price in the customer's favor is optimal for bringing in more new matches for everyone while still letting you thrive!

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE