RootsMagic Users Update or Upgrade to Latest Version; Ancestry API Changes

Users of RootsMagic genealogy software might want to take note of a very recent change. Especially if you have your RootsMagic tree file synced to an Ancestry Member Tree.

Ancestry.com has officially completed its transition to a new API—the system RootsMagic uses to communicate with Ancestry trees. As of yesterday, the previous API has been turned off.

This change is designed to improve reliability and performance when uploading and downloading your tree data. However, it also means that older versions of RootsMagic are no longer able to connect to Ancestry.

If you are using RootsMagic 11:
Good news—the required update (version 11.2.0 or later) is completely free. Simply download and install the latest update to continue syncing with Ancestry.

If you are using RootsMagic 10 or earlier:
You will need to upgrade to RootsMagic 11 to maintain your connection with Ancestry. To help with this transition, the company is offering a limited-time $5 discount on the upgrade.

The RootsMagic 11 Ancestry Upgrade Special saves you $5 on the purchase of the software for new users or the upgrade of the software for owners of previous versions (10 or earlier.) This sale ends in about 8 days.

Besides the banner on the RootsMagic home page, there is a blog post explaining the situation. Essentially the advice is to upgrade/update to the latest version. Continuing to run the old software will just create greater disparity between your program's tree file and its associated Ancestry member tree because of the inability to sync. If you are not syncing your RootsMagic tree file and Ancestry Member Tree, it may seem like there is no urgency but running old software can sometimes get you stuck, especially if you are trying to work with others at a future date.

See you at our favorite library!
LE

PGSM May Meeting is Open to Public; Learn about Finding and Using Alien Registrations for 20th-Century US Immigrants

The Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan's May meeting is a webinar format that is open to the public. Hosted in partnership with the Polish Genealogy Society of Connecticut and the Northeast, the meeting takes place on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 2 p.m. Eastern Time.

Ryan Johnson will present Finding and Using Alien Registrations for 20th-Century U.S. Immigrants via Zoom. Invitations will be emailed to PGSM members.

Registration will be open to everyone at www.pgsm.org starting May 1. Pre-registration for this webinar meeting is required

Alien registration forms constitute an important federal immigration record series rich in genealogical details that was recently transferred from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to the National Archives Electronic Records Division. Join us to learn about why non-naturalized residents filed these forms just after the 1940 census and what information we might find in them about family members. We will then practice using a free database to identify and request these useful records.

Ryan Johnson, MAT, completed the National Genealogical Society's Advanced Skills in Genealogy Course and researches for clients in the Midwest. As the great-grandchild of eight 20th-century U.S. immigrants, he has special research interests in French Canada, Sweden, Italy, France, and the Baltic states.

See you at our favorite library!
LE

Mother's Day and Genealogy ... Pretty Sales on DNA and Vivid-Pix!

Happy Early Mother's Day to All!

Regardless of whether you are a Mom or even female, there are genealogy-related sales this time of year that might be of interest to you. Rather than detail them all individually, consider this a scavenger hunt of sorts.

April had DNA Day and several sales that started then turn into Spring or Early Mother's Day sales so some deals have been going on for while. Without further ado, here is a list.

DNA

AncestryDNA is now on sale for $29 until May 11, at 10 a.m. ET with taxes and shipping extra. There are options: pay $30 for the DNA test and 3-months of Ancestry World Explorer (which will renew at $99.95 every 3-months unless cancelled before term renewal) or pay $39 for the DNA test and 3-months of Ancestry All-Access (which will renew at $149 every 3-months unless cancelled before term renewal.

MyHeritageDNA has returned with the lowest price ever of $19.90 on its regularly priced $89 MyHeritageDNA test. Taxes and shipping extra; free shipping for 2 or more test kits. This sale ends today, May 3, 2026. There is also an option to pay the same price and also get 1-month of Complete free trial of MyHeritage's data subscription* and get free shipping. (*After 30 days, you'll enjoy a 50% discount and be charged $299 $149 for the first year. The Complete subscription renews annually. You can cancel anytime.)

FamilyTree DNA extended its DNA Day sale until April 30 but now is running its Mother's Day sale which runs until May 11. Some of the pricing it still the same.

FTDNA's FamilyFinder (autosomal) test is on sale for $39, regulary $79. The mtDNA (mitochondrial/maternal for male and females) test is now $119, regularly $159, which is $10 better than the DNA Day sale. The FamilyFinder + mtFull Sequence bundle (for one person to test) is on sale for $149, regularly $229. This is $10 better than the DNA Day sale. 

The Y-DNA tests (for testing males only) are back to regular pricing but they will more than likely be on sale for Father's Day. The prices listed for this sale for Y-DNA tests were better during the DNA Day Sale.

23andMe's Mother Day sales goes until May 10. The Basic Ancestry test is 20% off so on sale for $79, regularly $99. Taxes and shipping extra; limit 4 tests. The Advanced Ancestry+Health test is on sale for $80, regularly $199. That is a savings of 55%. With this test the 23andMe+ Premium renews at $69 per year which can be cancelled at anytime. The Ultimate Health+ Advanced Ancestry is on sale for $399, regularly $499. With this test the 23andMe+ Total Health renews at $199 per year which can be cancelled at anytime. The last two test types are FSA & HSA Eligible.

LivingDNA is on sale for $69, regularly $124, plus taxes and shipping. This company is in England and for UK ancestry tries to go down to the county-level. 

With any of the DNA companies you can see prior posts that MCGG has written by using the labels in the left column. Just click on the label and see posts on prior sales and changes throughout the years with each company's testing.

Also running sales are: 

Vivid-Pix is using a coupon code Family2026 for its Mother's Day and Father's Day sale. Save $10 on its Vivid-Pix RESTORE software making it $39.99. Save $40 on the Memory Station Home Edition Software for Windows (includes Vivid-Pix Restore software) making it $159.99. See our past posts on Vivid-Pix using our labels in the left-hand column.

There are probably more out there. Good luck finding a sale on what you want.

See you at our favorite library!
LE

This Week is Our MCGG Friday Meeting on Handwriting Recognition using AI Internet Tools to Transcribe and Translate

MCGG meets in-person (hybrid) this Friday, May 1, 2026, at 1 p.m. in the Boardroom of the Mount Clemens Public Library. Our topic is ... Handwriting Recognition (HWR): Using "AI" and Internet Tools to Transcribe and Translate presented by Lisa Eschenburg.  

MCGG Member Eschenburg will continue the update for attendees on developments since she presented on AI in 2024. This month we concentrate on using AI and internet tools to transcribe and translate.

Our plan is that our meetings will be hybrid meaning the meeting will be in-person with a virtual Zoom option. The Zoom meeting link (or registration link) will now be found on our Southeast Michigan Genealogy Events Calendar and our Facebook page. The link will usually be added the night before or morning of the meeting. Members will receive a reminder email with the Zoom invite or a reminder that registration is required for a meeting.

New attendees are always welcome.

See you at our favorite library!
LE

May MCGG Meetings -- Join Us!

A reminder about our Macomb County Genealogy Group May 2026 meetings. Please Join Us!

MCGG meets in-person (hybrid) on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 1 p.m. in the Boardroom of the Mount Clemens Public Library. Our topic is ... Handwriting Recognition (HWR): Using "AI" and Internet Tools to Transcribe and Translate presented by Lisa Eschenburg.  

MCGG Member Eschenburg will continue the update for attendees on developments since she presented on AI in 2024. This month we concentrate on using AI and internet tools to transcribe and translate.

MCGG meets in-person Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 5 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Mount Clemens Public Library. Our topic is the ... MCGG Combined Friday Group and Let's Talk...Genealogy Annual Summer Potluck.

Bring a dish (homemade or store bought) and join us for some social time. This events starts at an earlier time 5 p.m; dinner is at 5:30 p.m. We will announce any other details closer to the date.

Our plan is that our meetings will be hybrid meaning the meeting will be in-person with a virtual Zoom option. The Zoom meeting link (or registration link) will now be found on our Southeast Michigan Genealogy Events Calendar and our Facebook page. The link will usually be added the night before or morning of the meeting. Members will receive a reminder email with the Zoom invite or a reminder that registration is required for a meeting.

New attendees are always welcome.

See you at our favorite library!
LE

Clarification: NEWEST LOW Sale for MyHeritage DNA Ends in 3 Days

Just spotted this morning that the newest lowest sale price for MyHeritage DNA ends in 3 days. So, probably Sunday, April 19.

See yesterday's post regarding the sale.

See you at our favorite library!
LE 

AncestryDNA FLASH Sale $39 TODAY ONLY

Ancestry is having a FLASH sale on AncestryDNA TODAY ONLY until April 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Remember taxes and shipping are extra. The regular price of an AncestryDNA test is $99.

There are three options with this sale.

Just the AncestryDNA test is on sale for $39.

For new subscribers or those without a current active subscription:

The AncestryDNA test and a World Explorer Membership for $1 has a total sale price of $40.

The AncestryDNA test and an All-Access Membership for $10 has a total sale price of $49.

These subscription memberships will renew at regular prices every three months until you cancel.

*Offers end 16 Apr 2026 at 11:59pm ET. Excludes shipping. Package offers are for new and returning subscribers only and not for renewal of current subscriptions. Limit one $1 subscription per user. Your World Explorer subscription will automatically renew at $99.95 or your All Access subscription will automatically renew at $149 every 3 months until you cancel by visiting your Account Settings or by contacting us. See our Renewal and Cancellation Terms for further details.

See our prior posts on AncestryDNA for the changes in what you can access for your DNA test without an Ancestry member subscription and what you can not. You can see past sale trends by selecting the topic label in the left column of this blog (for example, AncestryDNA) to see all past posts regarding AncestryDNA.

Good luck finding the sales you need!

See you at our favorite library!
LE

NEWEST LOW for MyHeritage DNA

MyHeritage DNA hit a new low.

For its Spring DNA Sale, which has been extended, the NEW LOWEST PRICE EVER is $19.90 for MyHeritage DNA. The autosomal DNA test is regularly $89. The site says sale ends soon but we can't find an exact end date/time. So don't wait too long if you are going to buy.

There are two options:

MyHeritage DNA test for $19.90, plus taxes and shipping. Usually there is an offer to purchase two test kits and get free standard shipping.

MyHeritage DNA test plus 30-day Complete free trail* for $19.90, plus taxes and free shipping.

*After 30 days, you'll enjoy a 50% discount and be charged $299 $149 for the first year. The Complete subscription renews annually. You can cancel anytime.

Remember, MyHeritage ended its DNA uploads of DNA test data from other DNA genealogy testing sites back in August 2025. So now you do have to test directly with MyHeritage DNA. And at this new low sale price it should not be a hard decision to get yourself or your tester into another DNA match pool.

In October MyHeritage announced it is transitioning to Whole Genome Sequencing of its MyHeritage DNA tests. We mentioned it in this post. From comments at RootsTech 2026 and the Q&A at the bottom of the sale page we believe that all tests are being processed with Whole Genome Sequencing.

See you at our favorite library!
LE 

Tomorrow MCGG Friday Group Meets at 1pm for Full-Text Search: Where to Find it, How to Use It -- Join Us!

 MCGG meets in-person (hybrid) tomorrow Friday, April 10, 2026, at 1 p.m. in the Boardroom of the Mount Clemens Public Library. Our topic is ... Full-Text Search: Where to Find It, How to Use It presented by Lisa Eschenburg.  

MCGG Member Eschenburg will update attendees on Full-Text Search developments since she presented on AI in 2024, and where to find Full-Text Search now and how to use it.

Our plan is that our meetings will be hybrid meaning the meeting will be in-person with a virtual Zoom option. The Zoom meeting link (or registration link) will now be found on our Southeast Michigan Genealogy Events Calendar and our Facebook page. The link will usually be added the night before or morning of the meeting. Members will receive a reminder email with the Zoom invite or a reminder that registration is required for a meeting.

New attendees are always welcome.

See you at our favorite library!
LE

Tonight Our MCGG Let's Talk...Genealogy Meets at 6:30pm; Topic: Organizing

MCGG Let's Talk...Genealogy discussion group meets in-person (hybrid) TONIGHT Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the Local History & Genealogy Room of the Mount Clemens Public Library. Our topic is ... Organizing: Our data, our projects ... ourselves.

Let's share and talk about organizing. Whether it is our research data, projects we have conquered or need to conquer, or ourselves (time management, etc.) Let's discuss what programs or apps we have used or have wondered about, or processes we have used, or how should I approach this ... Let's Talk.

Our plan is that our meetings will be hybrid meaning the meeting will be in-person with a virtual Zoom option. The Zoom meeting link (or registration link) will now be found on our Southeast Michigan Genealogy Events Calendar and our Facebook page. The link will usually be added the night before or morning of the meeting. Members will receive a reminder email with the Zoom invite or a reminder that registration is required for a meeting.

New attendees are always welcome.

See you at our favorite library!
LE

April and May MCGG Meetings -- Join Us!

A reminder about our Macomb County Genealogy Group April and May 2026 meetings. Please Join Us!

MCGG Let's Talk...Genealogy discussion group meets in-person (hybrid) Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the Local History & Genealogy Room of the Mount Clemens Public Library. Our topic is ... Organizing: Our data, our projects ... ourselves.

Let's share and talk about organizing. Whether it is our research data, projects we have conquered or need to conquer, or ourselves (time management, etc.) Let's discuss what programs or apps we have used or have wondered about, or processes we have used, or how should I approach this ... Let's Talk.

 

MCGG meets in-person (hybrid) on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 1 p.m. in the Boardroom of the Mount Clemens Public Library. Our topic is ... Full-Text Search: Where to Find It, How to Use It presented by Lisa Eschenburg.  

MCGG Member Eschenburg will update attendees on Full-Text Search developments since she presented on AI in 2024, and where to find Full-Text Search now and how to use it.

MCGG meets in-person (hybrid) on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 1 p.m. in the Boardroom of the Mount Clemens Public Library. Our topic is ... Handwriting Recognition (HWR): Using "AI" and Internet Tools to Transcribe and Translate presented by Lisa Eschenburg.  

MCGG Member Eschenburg will continue the update for attendees on developments since she presented on AI in 2024. This month we concentrate on using AI and internet tools to transcribe and translate.

MCGG meets in-person Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 5 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Mount Clemens Public Library. Our topic is the ... MCGG Combined Friday Group and Let's Talk...Genealogy Annual Summer Potluck.

Bring a dish (homemade or store bought) and join us for some social time. This events starts at an earlier time 5 p.m; dinner is at 5:30 p.m. We will announce any other details closer to the date.

Our plan is that our meetings will be hybrid meaning the meeting will be in-person with a virtual Zoom option. The Zoom meeting link (or registration link) will now be found on our Southeast Michigan Genealogy Events Calendar and our Facebook page. The link will usually be added the night before or morning of the meeting. Members will receive a reminder email with the Zoom invite or a reminder that registration is required for a meeting.

New attendees are always welcome.

See you at our favorite library!
LE

MCGG's Let's Talk...Genelaogy Meeting is Tomorrow Mar. 11, from 6:30 - 8 pm

 MCGG Let's Talk...Genealogy discussion group meets in-person (hybrid) tomorrow Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the Local History & Genealogy Room of the Mount Clemens Public Library. Our topic is ... What Did We Learn from RootsTech 2026?

Let's share and talk about the online sessions you watched or have marked to watch from the RootsTech 2026 conference held March 5 to 7th. We'll also talk about the new things announced and if any conference sales are still taking place.

Our plan is that our meetings will be hybrid meaning the meeting will be in-person with a virtual Zoom option. The Zoom meeting link (or registration link) will now be found on our Southeast Michigan Genealogy Events Calendar and our Facebook page. The link will usually be added the night before or morning of the meeting. Members will receive a reminder email with the Zoom invite or a reminder that registration is required for a meeting.

New attendees are always welcome.

See you at our favorite library!
LE

RootsTech 2026 Deals In Expo Hall -- Check Them Out Before They are Gone!

It's RootsTech 2026 time! Besides catching the latest learning sessions do not forget to check out the Virtual Expo Hall. That is where the sponsors (vendors) have their own pages and most of them are offering sales and discounts on their products.

But be aware, many of them end when RootsTech ends Saturday. Though some sales may extend longer. Make sure you know when the sales in which you are interested end so you don't lose out. We've tried to note sale end dates when we could find them.

Or click on the "Browse All Deals" below the Top Deals section to see even more deals all on one page. 

Memberships

There are a lot of societies in the Society Sponsor area. Some are giving discounts on memberships to their organizations. The New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) aka American Ancestors has a $25 off discount on a membership with promo code RT26. Or just click the link on its expo page to be taken to its own website with the discount code entered. The discount price will show as you go through the purchase process.

New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (NYGBS) has a $10 off membership with code ROOTS10.

Family Tree DNA

As you would guess there are DNA sales going on during RootsTech 2026. Check out Family Tree DNA's variety of tests and test bundles on sale by clicking the link that takes you to a special page of the FTDNA website. You can view a chart of the sale prices for tests, test bundles and upgrades in a PDF file. And then use the specialized code for the test, bundle or upgrade you want. The FamilyFinder autosomal DNA test is on sale for $29. Remember if you are upgrading or plan to add a test type to an existing test, you need to be signed into that particular test kit before placing the order. By the way there is a code to unlock a DNA uploaded test for free. These Family Tree DNA Promo Codes are good March 4-31, 2026.

Ancestry and AncestryDNA

There are a variety of things on sale from Ancestry. An autosomal DNA test is on sale for $29, regular price $99. Shipping is extra. You can get one month of ProTools for $5 instead of $10. There are 50% discounts on semi- and annual World Explorer and All-Access Memberships. There are discounts on its other websites (Fold3.com and Newspapers.com) as well as its new AncestryPreserve kits. Ancestry's sales end March 7, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. MT.

23andMe

There is a 71% off sale at 23andMe. The Advanced Ancestry + Health: 23andMe+ Premium test which is regularly $199.00, has a RootsTech Discount bringing the price to $80. 

Family Tree Maker

Save up to 50% off at Software MacKiev. Family Tree Maker 2024 is regularly $80. It is $39.95 -- 50% off for the download. We have not spotted the sale end date for this sale so if you need it get it sooner rather than later. If you want a DVD or USB drive with that download, the discount is a bit less. The DVD+download is 45% off the regular price of $90 ($49.95 + $5.95 shipping and handling.) The USB drive+download is 40% off the regular price of $100 ($59.95 + $5.95 shipping and handling.)

The Companion Guide printed book is regularly $40, on sale for just $29.95 which is 25% off.

For the plug-ins at the MacKiev store, Family Book Creator 2024 is one sale for $39.95, which is 30% off the $60 regular price. Charting Companion 8 is regularly $50 and for this sale it is 20% off for new users so $39.95 and it is 40% off for existing users to upgrade so $29.95.

Family Book Creator 2024

On its own website, Family Book Creator is advertised 33% off with Promo Code RootsTech2026. This sale goes to mid-March 2026. A private license for Windows or Mac is $59.95 which would make the sale price about $40.17 for the download. 

RootsMagic 11

Though not as good a deal if you are in-person at RootsTech, the rest of us can save a little too. Save from Home: Save $5 on RootsMagic 11—just $34.95 for new users or $24.95 for existing users. Visit rootsmagic.com to claim your discount. This offer runs through Friday, March 13, 2026. See the claim your discount banner at the top of the RootsMagic website homepage.

Vivid-Pix

Vivid-Pix sales for RootsTech 2026 are on its sale page for the event. The coupon code is RT2026. This sale is good until March 30, 2026.

ArkivDigital

There is a 3 month special subscription pricing to ArkivDigital for those with Swedish ancestry.

Finland's Family History Association

Finland's Family History Association is giving free access during RootsTech. See that link in the Expo Hall for details.

So take a look there is a lot there. 

See you at our favorite library!
LE 

MCGG's Friday Meeting is This Week; Get Genealogy Help on Mar. 6, from 1-3 pm

MCGG meets in-person this Friday, March 6, 2026, at 1 p.m. 
in the Local History and Genealogy Room of the Mount Clemens Public Library. Our topic is ... Help! 

Got genealogical/local history questions? Bring'em to this Help Session, we will try to help. This meeting is for everyone no matter your genealogy experience -- from seedling to robust branch -- Join Us!

Feel free to bring a laptop/device so you can do some research or a USB drive to save your finds. Try out a database while in the library, or get some help with your genealogy program. Or get help with any other genealogy questions/problems. Or get help learning to use or some tips for using the Digitization Lab equipment. We have several MCGG members with a variety of genealogy backgrounds/experiences so we will likely have someone to provide some help.

March 6 is one of the days of RootsTech 2026 so we will likely have something playing on the large display. Join us for this time to advance your knowledge and/or research.

We will close/end the meeting about 3 p.m. but you can stay until the room/library closes at 5 p.m. The LH&G room opens at 10 a.m. on Fridays.

This meeting will be in-person only rather than hybrid.

Our plan is that our meetings will be hybrid meaning the meeting will be in-person with a virtual Zoom option when possible. The format of this particular meeting did not support Zoom easily so we decided to do in-person only. 

New attendees are always welcome.

See you at our favorite library!
LE

RootsTech 2026 Starts Tomorrow! and Runs March 5 to March 7

RootsTech 2026 Starts Tomorrow!

RootsTech 2026 -- the genealogy and technology conference takes place March 5 to March 7, 2026, in Salt Lake City, Utah, but it also has an online component as well for those unable to attend in-person.

And technically there are a few sessions this evening because you know somewhere in the world the sun rises and a new day begins well before our day does.

 

Participation in RootsTech 2026 Online requires registration and the cost is ... FREE! Participating online gives you access to 200+ online sessions in over 26 languages; the ability to join keynote sessions live from where ever you are that day with internet connection; the ability to chat with other online participants; and access to syllabi and class handouts.

Use your free user account for FamilySearch.org to sign-in at the RootsTech website before you register. Or if you are already logged into FamilySearch.org and bring up a tab/window with RootsTech.org in the same browser it recognizes that you are already logged in.

Once you are registered, you can create a schedule for yourself for each day of the conference. And, even if you can't attend every session each day, most sessions are recorded and can be viewed after the conference ends. Note that some sessions will be only available after the conference for a few months before they are removed. But the vast majority will stay up for later viewing.

And DO NOT FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE VIRTUAL EXPO HALL. This is where the vendors have their RootsTech specials/sales noted. Some even have live or pre-recorded mini-sessions detailing their products.

Have fun!

See you at our favorite library!
LE

MCPL Local History & Genealogy Programming of Interest -- Join Them!

Our favorite library has a variety of programs of its own each month. Be sure to check its Library Events Calendar to see what might interest you. Here are some coming highlights.

 

Saturday, February 28, 2026, 11 am to 1 pm, Meeting Room BC
Telling Your Stories, Finding Your Roots

Please join us as Omer Jean Winborn and Cheryl Garnett, president and vice president of the Fred Hart Williams Genealogical Society, share their journeys with family history, offer guidance, and provide resources to support African American genealogy.

Winborn and Garnett are dedicated to making it easier for African Americans in their community to uncover their family roots through a blend of genetic genealogy and traditional, boots-on-the-ground research. They are also the co-founders of the Washtenaw County African American Genealogy Society.

Come prepared with questions—or your brick walls—and Winborn and Garnett will be ready to offer assistance.

This two-hour program will begin with a one-hour presentation, followed by an hour dedicated to research questions.

 

Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 1 pm - 2 pm, Meeting Room A
And There I Take My Stand: Women's Suffrage in Michigan with Katherine R. Willson

This 60-minute presentation traces the long fight for women’s voting rights, setting the stage with the major civil rights barriers women faced and the national timeline that shaped the movement. From there, we turn our focus to Michigan, highlighting the state’s pivotal events, local advocates, and hard-won milestones.

Along the way, we explore online and offline sources that help us dig deeper into this history on our own. A four-page handout is provided, and we’ll wrap up with time for general Q&A.

This will be a hybrid event, with the speaker presenting remotely.

See you at our favorite library!
LE 

 

March MCGG Meetings -- Join Us!

A reminder about our Macomb County Genealogy Group March 2026 meetings. Please Join Us!

MCGG meets in-person on Friday, March 6, 2026, at 1 p.m. 
in the Local History and Genealogy Room of the Mount Clemens Public Library. Our topic is ... Help! 

Got genealogical/local history questions? Bring'em to this Help Session, we will try to help.

Feel free to bring a laptop/device so you can do some research, try out a database while in the library, or get some help with your genealogy program. Or help with any other genealogy questions/problems. We have several MCGG members with a variety of genealogy backgrounds/experiences so we will likely have someone to provide some help.

March 6 is one of the days of RootsTech 2026 so we will likely have something playing on the large display.

This meeting will be in-person only rather than hybrid.

MCGG Let's Talk...Genealogy discussion group meets in-person (hybrid) Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the Local History & Genealogy Room of the Mount Clemens Public Library. Our topic is ... What Did We Learn from RootsTech 2026?

Let's share and talk about the online sessions you watched or have marked to watch from the RootsTech 2026 conference held March 5 to 7th. We'll also talk about the new things announced and if any conference sales are still taking place. Keep an eye on this blog during the conference in case we pass on any news.

Our plan is that our meetings will be hybrid meaning the meeting will be in-person with a virtual Zoom option. The Zoom meeting link (or registration link) will now be found on our Southeast Michigan Genealogy Events Calendar and our Facebook page. The link will usually be added the night before or morning of the meeting. Members will receive a reminder email with the Zoom invite or a reminder that registration is required for a meeting.

New attendees are always welcome.

See you at our favorite library!
LE

New Hours for the Local History and Genealogy Room at Mount Clemens Public Library Start March 1, 2026

ATTENTION:  All the Genealogists and Historians who use the Mount Clemens Public Library's Local History and Genealogy Room. The room's hours will be changing as of March 1, 2026. But note that the library's hours will not change.

Starting March 1, 2026:

Monday 10 am - 6 pm

Tuesday 10 am - 6 pm

Wednesday 12 pm - 6 pm

Thursday 10 am - 6 pm

Friday 10 am - 5 pm

Saturday is by appointment only

Note that for Saturday appointments you need to arrange these by end of day Wednesday of that week. To book an appointment, email localhistory@mtclib.org or call 586-469-6200 ext. 6.

The change in the Local History & Genealogy Room hours will not negatively impact the timing of our 2nd Wednesday of the month Let's Talk...Genealogy discussion group meetings which run from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. because the library's hours are not changing.

The reduction in LH&G Room hours was based on several things including room usage trends. 

Also, if you simply want to use the various database offerings available (like Ancestry Library Edition, Fold3, or the FamilySearch Affiliate access) while in the library, you can access these with your own devices from anywhere in the library -- upstairs or downstairs.

 

 

Lastly, if you really need to access the FamilySearch Affiliate resources, MCGG has learned that many of the Suburban Library Cooperative libraries are now also FamilySearch Affiliate locations. Some of these libraries have longer hours and even hours on Sundays. So you have some alternative ways to solve those desperate research urges when you encounter locked digitized microfilm.

See you at our favorite library!
LE 

Annual George Washington Birthday Event at Washington Historical Museum Feb. 22

The Washington Historical Museum, located at 58230 Van Dyke (north of 26 Mile Road), will be open on Sunday, February 22, from 1 to 4 p.m. The historical society will host its annual George Washington Birthday Event.

Visitors can tour the museum exhibits and view the 27 finalist entries for the 2026 Ron Gordon Memorial George Washington Art Contest. Refreshments and cherry desserts will be served. 

This event is free and all are welcome. 

George Washington was born on February 22, 1732, 294 years ago. Recently, Presidents Day has been celebrated as a combination of Washington's and Abraham Lincoln's (February 12, 1809) birthdays. 

For more information, call 586-786-5304 (answering machine at the museum), check the Greater Washington Area Historical Society Facebook Page, or go to their website: www.washhistsoc.org. 

See you at our favorite library!
LE

February MCGG Meetings -- Join Us!

A reminder about our Macomb County Genealogy Group February 2026 meetings.

MCGG meets in-person on Friday, February 6, 2026, at 1 p.m. 
in the Boardroom of the Mount Clemens Public Library. Our topic is ... Invigorate Your Research Fingers, Mouse and Stylus-Wand presented by Lisa Eschenburg.

Eschenburg will cover various research resources and methods to try, and give reminders, suggestions, tips, tricks, ... and charms? ... to invigorate your research and hopefully spark your results.

MCGG Let's Talk...Genealogy discussion group meets in-person (hybrid) Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the Local History & Genealogy Room of the Mount Clemens Public Library. Our topic is ... Free Genealogy Learning Resources.

Let's share and ask questions about where we find free genealogy learning resources. Looking for a particular subject -- ask! Another member may have a suggestion of where to look and try -- be it a video/webinar or printable documentation or even a book from a local library!

Our plan is that our meetings will be hybrid meaning the meeting will be in-person with a virtual Zoom option. The Zoom meeting link (or registration link) will now be found on our Southeast Michigan Genealogy Events Calendar and our Facebook page. The link will usually be added the night before or morning of the meeting. Members will receive a reminder email with the Zoom invite or a reminder that registration is required for a meeting.

New attendees are always welcome.

See you at our favorite library!
LE

Tonight's MCGG Let's Talk...Genealogy Meeting is NOW ZOOM ONLY

Though our favorite library is open and as of now not planning to close due to the weather. We've decided that our members should just stay home and not worry about driving in the snow.

MCGG Let's Talk...Genealogy discussion group meets tonight via ZOOM ONLY Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. Our topic is ... Where Do I Go From Here? Our Zoom capability is thanks to the Local History & Genealogy Room of the Mount Clemens Public Library.

Bring research questions, brick walls, or new finds to share with the group! Let's share our challenges, maybe someone will have an idea to solve them.

Why is this our most popular discussion topic? Because it is your opportunity to get your questions or problems hopefully answered. But not just from one point of view but often several. And, when you have a new genealogy find you have like-minded genealogists who understand that satisfaction when maybe family members do not

Members received a meeting reminder with the Zoom invite the other day. That link is still good.

The Zoom meeting link (or registration link) can be found on our Southeast Michigan Genealogy Events Calendar and our Facebook page. 

New attendees are always welcome.

See you at our favorite library!
LE

This Wednesday is Our MCGG Let's Talk...Genealogy Meeting! Join Us!

MCGG Let's Talk...Genealogy discussion group meets in-person (hybrid) this Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the Local History & Genealogy Room of the Mount Clemens Public Library. Our topic is ... Where Do I Go From Here?

Bring research questions, brick walls, or new finds to share with the group! Let's share our challenges, maybe someone will have an idea to solve them.

Why is this our most popular discussion topic? Because it is your opportunity to get your questions or problems hopefully answered. But not just from one point of view but often several. And, when you have a new genealogy find you have like-minded genealogists who understand that satisfaction when maybe family members do not

Our plan is that our meetings will be hybrid meaning the meeting will be in-person with a virtual Zoom option. The Zoom meeting link (or registration link) will now be found on our Southeast Michigan Genealogy Events Calendar and our Facebook page. The link will usually be added the night before or morning of the meeting. Members will receive a reminder email with the Zoom invite or a reminder that registration is required for a meeting.

New attendees are always welcome.

See you at our favorite library!
LE

MCGG's January Meetings -- Join Us!

A reminder about our Macomb County Genealogy Group January 2026 meetings.

MCGG meets in-person on Friday, January 9, 2026, at 1 p.m. 
in the Boardroom of the Mount Clemens Public Library. Our topic is ... How Do I ... ?

This meeting will be a little more interactive than our normal Friday meetings. Want to know how to do something? Ask us and we (all present) will try to help you. We all have a variety of interests -- some similar and some different -- let's see what kind of mix of questions we get on Friday.

MCGG Let's Talk...Genealogy discussion group meets in-person (hybrid) Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the Local History & Genealogy Room of the Mount Clemens Public Library. Our topic is ... Where Do I Go From Here?

Bring research questions, brick walls, or new finds to share with the group! Let's share our challenges, maybe someone will have an idea to solve them.

Why is this our most popular discussion topic? Because it is your opportunity to get your questions or problems hopefully answered. But not just from one point of view but often several. And, when you have a new genealogy find you have like-minded genealogists who understand that satisfaction when maybe family members do not

Our plan is that our meetings will be hybrid meaning the meeting will be in-person with a virtual Zoom option. The Zoom meeting link (or registration link) will now be found on our Southeast Michigan Genealogy Events Calendar and our Facebook page. The link will usually be added the night before or morning of the meeting. Members will receive a reminder email with the Zoom invite or a reminder that registration is required for a meeting.

New attendees are always welcome.

See you at our favorite library!
LE

Season 12 Finding Your Roots Starts Next Tuesday! January 6, 2026 at 8 p.m.

It is almost that time again ... Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. starts its 12th Season on January 6, 2026, on PBS at 8 p.m. Eastern. 

If you can't catch the show Tuesday night, don't worry it repeats on  Wednesday, at 3 p.m. and again Saturday at 5 p.m. It may even end up on your provider's InDemand or similar service.

We previously posted what we knew about the new season back in October.

See you at our favorite library!
LE