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 

 

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 

Good News! MCPL's Local History & Genealogy Local Indexes are Back Up!

updated: This post was updated again October 23, 2025, at 11:02 a.m. A correction was made to the index's update content and brief instructions were added.
updated: This post was originally made, October 21, 2025, at 3:41 p.m. A correction was made to the index's update content on October 22, 2025, in the evening.

We have Good News for Macomb County Genealogy Researchers. 

The Mount Clemens Public Library's Local History & Genealogy Department Local Indexes are back up and running on the library's website.

You will find the Indexes under the Local History Resources under the Local History & Genealogy under Areas of Service. Or use the link to the Indexes page here. 

If you encounter a "refused to connect" error or an unhappy digital page face ...

 

... just refresh your browser page (that arrow in a circle just to the right of the back and forth page arrows) as that seems to fix the burp. (It is a large database index.)

 

The search interface is simple with just two options: Given Name and Surname. You do not have to fill both in -- just entering a surname works.

 

If you want to print the results list, just use your mouse or touchpad to highlight/select all of the results list and then print selection or print selection to PDF or after highlighting/selecting all of the results list copy/paste it into a word processing document.

The Obituary Index does not include additions made after the last time the index database was available on the library's prior website. At this time, the best practice to use the index is to search by Surname only to make sure you get a complete list of results.

Some minor issues are in the process of being resolved but users should be able to get what they need from the index. 

The actual newspapers can be found on microfilm in the Local History & Genealogy Room or some of them can be found digitally on the Digital Michigan Newspapers Portal. We have a post on how to find the digitized newspapers here. 

 

Good luck searching! 

See you at our favorite library!
LE 

Mount Clemens Public Library Fall Open House & Friend's Craft Show, Sat. Oct. 11

Our favorite library, Mount Clemens Public Library, is having a Fall Open House and Friend's Craft Show this Saturday, October 11, 2025.

The library is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

The Fall Open House runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Craft Show runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Enjoy local craft vendors at the Friends of the Mount Clemens Public Library's Craft Show, live music by Lance Steinhafel, and pumpkin painting. Make sure to add a leaf to our Local History room's family tree before you leave!

 

See you at our favorite library!
LE 

MCGG Volunteers Help Patrons with their Research; MCPL Local History & Genealogy Room Volunteer Schedule

For those interested, the following schedule is when our MCGG Volunteers are volunteering in the Mount Clemens Public Library's Local History and Genealogy Room. Days and times were adjusted based on the newer business hours of the library.

MCGG Volunteers are in the room:

Mondays
10 am to 3 pm 

Tuesdays
10 am to 3 pm
4 pm to 6 pm 

Wednesdays
4 pm to 8 pm 

Thursdays
10 am to 3 pm
3 pm to 6 pm 

Fridays
12 pm to 5 pm

Saturdays
Volunteers rotate each Saturday during the school year.

 

As a reminder, the library's business hours during the school year are:

Sunday Closed

Monday 10 am to 8 pm

Tuesday 10 am to 6 pm

Wednesday 12 pm to 8 pm

Thursday 10 am to 6 pm

Friday 10 am to 5 pm

Saturday 10 am to 2 pm (closed during the Summer)

See you at our favorite library!
LE 

Are You a Mt. Clemens Bather Alumni?

Are you a Mount Clemens High School Alumni?

Are interested in sharing your high school experiences and memories? If yes, consider adding them to the Mount Clemens Public Library's Oral History Collection.

If you are interested in being interviewed for the oral history project, please email localhistory@mtclib.org to set up an appointment.
 

See you at our favorite library!
LE 

Intro to Genetic Genealogy on Tuesday, May 6 at 6 p.m. -- Hybrid

We mentioned this back on February 19, so just a reminder that there are programs going on at the Mount Clemens Public Library too!

On Tuesday, May 6, at 6 p.m. in Auditorium A
Intro to Genetic Genealogy with Kate Penney Howard
Kate Penney Howard is a genetic genealogist and has presented at Rootstech, East Coast Genetic Genealogy Conference, NAAP/RTK's Untangling Our Roots, and the International Congress on Medieval Studies. She will introduce patrons to genetic genealogy and how to use it in one's one genealogy journey.

This is a hybrid event, both in person and virtual. Kate will present remotely. If you want to attend virtually, Get the link on the Mount Clemens Public Library's Events Calendar.

See you at our favorite library!
LE

 

MCPL's Local History & Genealogy Room to have Shortened Hours April 21 - 25

Attention: The Mount Clemens Public Library's Local History and Genealogy Room has temporary shortened hours for the week after Easter. From April 21 to April 25 the Local History & Genealogy Room is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The library itself will operate under its normal hours.

If you are just seeking to use the Genealogy and Local History databases, you are free to access the databases using the library's wi-fi from anywhere in the library.

See you at our favorite library!
LE

MCPL Local History & Genealogy Dept. Hosts Programs on Cemeteries, Amelia Earhart, Genetic Genealogy, Photography & Mt Clemens History, UFOs and More!

Mount Clemens Public Library's Local History & Genealogy Department is hosting some events that might interest our members and other genealogists.

On Thursday, Mar. 13, at 6 p.m. in Auditorium A
Bringing Historic Cemeteries to Life
Thomas C. Henthorn, Ph.D (Wyatt Endowed Professor of Public History, University of Michigan - Flint) will discuss why bringing cemeteries to life through preservation, advocacy, and programming is so important.

 

On Friday, Feb. 21, at 11 a.m. in the Local History & Genealogy Room
Preserving Your Family History
Drop-in to learn how to use the Local History & Genealogy Department's digitization equipment to digitize your family history, whether it be film negatives, home movies, or oral histories!

On Monday, Feb. 24, at 11 a.m. in the Local History & Genealogy Room
Historic Database Workshop
Drop-in to the Local History and Genealogy Room if you have any questions on how to use the historical databases the library offers.

 

On Tuesday, Mar. 18, at 6 p.m. in Auditorium BC
Seeking Dead People: Cemetery Research with Katherine R. Willson 
In this one-hour presentation, we will discuss the history of cemeteries, the history of cemetery stone choices, and the types of burial records that have been generated. We will then discuss tips for doing cemetery research online and offline. A Q&A period will follow the presentation, and a handout will be provided.

This is the rescheduled event from Nov 6, 2024.

Katherine R. Willson of Dexter, Michigan is an engaging and dynamic genealogy lecturer at regional and national events; a full-time researcher for clients; and a genealogy educator for 25+ years, including courses for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy and the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh. She is the founder & past President of the Virtual Genealogical Association, past President of Michigan Genealogical Council, and past board member of the Association of Professional Genealogists.

Her website (SocialMediaGenealogy.com) contains valuable resources for genealogists, including links to family interviewing questions, a catalog of almost 17,000+ genealogy/history links on Facebook, a catalog of 190+ genealogy YouTube channels, and a catalog of 76 genealogy podcasts.

 

On Tuesday, Apr. 8, at 6 p.m. in Auditorium BC
When Amelia Came to Michigan 
When Amelia Came to Michigan is the real life story of Amelia Earhart’s adventures in Michigan. Our many years of research indicates she was here more than 25 times promoting the aviation industry and opportunities for women in this field. Our lecture and visual presentation begins with her childhood at the turn of the century, her family life and education, early flying experiences, the world records and her 8 years of adventures in Michigan.
 

Why did she come here so often? Michigan had 40 airports in the 1920’s. Michigan also had the suppliers and engineering skills to support aircraft manufacturing and research. Henry and Edsel Ford invited Amelia to tour their aviation operations and the new Ford Airport. After several ticker parades in New York City and various solo flights from Hawaii to Oakland and cross country to Newark, Amelia wrote two books and became a fashion designer. Our 60 minute presentation reveals the life and times of the woman who flew for the fun of it!

 

On Tuesday, May 6, at 6 p.m. in Auditorium A
Intro to Genetic Genealogy with Kate Penney Howard
Kate Penney Howard is a genetic genealogist and has presented at Rootstech, East Coast Genetic Genealogy Conference, NAAP/RTK's Untangling Our Roots, and the International Congress on Medieval Studies. She will introduce patrons to genetic genealogy and how to use it in one's one genealogy journey.

This is a hybrid event, both in person and virtual. Kate will present remotely. Get the link on the Mount Clemens Public Library's Events Calendar.

 

On Thursday, May 8, at 6 p.m. in Mt. Clemens Public Library Bookmobile in the Roskopp Parking Lot
History and Photography Hike - Downtown Mount Clemens
Join Librarians Jade and Brittany for a history and photography night of fun. Did you know there is so much history in the buildings in downtown Mount Clemens? Librarian photographer Jade and Local History Librarian Brittany will be your tour and information guides. We will learn about the history of some of the famous buildings in Mount Clemens, along with photography tips to capture the perfect picture.

We will meet in the Roskopp Parking Lot, look for the Mount Clemens Public Library Bookmobile!

 

On Tuesday, May 13, at 6 p.m. in Auditorium BC
UFOs Over Michigan
Join us as Bill Konkolesky, State Director Michigan MUFON, discusses a historical overview of the state's biggest sightings.

See you at our favorite library!
LE

MCPL Local History & Genealogy Dept. Hosts Programs on the Civil War, Michigan Made Military Products and Tony Borroughs on Black Genealogy

Mount Clemens Public Library's Local History & Genealogy Department is hosting some events that might interest our members and other genealogists.

On Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 6 p.m. in Auditorium BC
Michigan in the Civil War
This presentation is unique in that it develops a month by month timeline of events in Michigan and at the Eastern battlefields. At the beginning of the war, in April of 1861, Michigan had about 1200 men and a few officers in the State Militia. By January of 1865, nearly 89,000 Michigan soldiers had served in the war. This program, in 77 minutes, tells true stories about Michigan people and Governor Blair’s search for troops to meet Lincoln’s request. The music and sounds created at the reenactment events make this a very special program relating to Michigan’s role in the Civil War. Presented by Al and Dave Eicher of Program Source International. 

 

 On Monday, Sept. 23, at 6 p.m. in Auditorium BC 
The Michigan Military Technical and Historical Society presents on 10 Military Things You Didn't Know were made in Michigan.

 

 On Tues., October 1, at 6 p.m. in Auditorium BC
Black Genealogy Basics with Tony Burroughs
How to get started doing African American family history with author of "Black Roots," Tony Burroughs.

 

See you at our favorite library!
LE

Mount Clemens Public Library's Local History & Genealogy Room is Open

We wanted to make sure that everyone has heard that the Local History & Genealogy Room at Mount Clemens Public Library reopened a couple days ago, on Tuesday, September 3. 

The leak and subsequent damage to the wall (not to the materials or equipment) has been fixed and remediated.

Just before this happened during the summer the room received some new equipment, a new scanning station that is similar to the BookScan Station but with some new capabilities. It is still touch-screen operated. It still has two scanners -- an 11"x17" flatbed scanner (with 600 PPI optical resolution) and a document feeder scanner. But this scanning station uses ScanEZ software. Please be aware that the quick guide sheet next to the station needs to be updated so until it is updated, follow the prompts on the screen and/or ask the room staff for some help.

What new capabilities you ask? Well, there is now Vivid-Pix software to help you restore photos and documents. And, there is text translation to a few different languages. So, enjoy the new equipment!

And, come back to your Local History & Genealogy Room to explore all its resources and dig into your genealogy research.

See you at our favorite library!
LE

MCPL's Local History & Genealogy Room Temporarily Closed; Limited Operations Until Further Notice

We've had an update on the Local History & Genealogy Room of our favorite library, Mount Clemens Public Library. 

Unfortunately, the Local History & Genealogy Room will be closed for the foreseeable future. Waterproofing outside needs to be completed before the inside repairs can be done. No materials have been damaged.

In the meantime, the LH&G Room will be under limited operations from the Boardroom (located near the elevator directly across from the LH&G Room) Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. There will be two computer terminals for patrons to use, but no microfilm machine access, digital equipment or access to the materials in the room. This likely means a delay in fulfilling research requests as well.

Remember, patrons can access the library's various subscriptions and databases from anywhere in the library by accessing the library's wireless internet with their own devices. If you plan to use the library's computer terminals remember to bring a USB device to download your research finds.

Volunteers may or may not be fulfilling their volunteer times during this limited operations period. Call or email the library to check if a volunteer will be in to help patrons.

See you at our favorite library!
LE

Quick Follow Up: MCPL's Local History & Genealogy Room Temporarily Closed

We were notified early this morning that the Local History & Genealogy Room at Mount Clemens Public Library will remain temporarily closed this week due to some construction issues. 

We will let everyone know when we hear of a reopening date.

If you are just looking to use the various subscriptions and databases rather than the equipment or materials in the room, you can access those subscriptions and databases from anywhere in the library on the library's wireless internet access. So fear not, researching can still be done! Maybe you will find a new second favorite place to utilize while in the library.

See you at our favorite library!
LE

MCPL's Local History & Genealogy Room Temporarily Closed; Update to Follow

We just found out the Local History & Genealogy Room at Mount Clemens Public Library is temporarily closed due to some construction issues. They hope to reopen Monday, July 15.

We will let you know if the estimate holds true.

If you are just looking to use the various subscriptions and databases rather than the equipment or materials in the room, you can access those subscriptions and databases from anywhere in the library on the library's wireless internet access. So fear not, researching can still be done! Maybe you will find a new second favorite place to utilize while in the library.

See you at our favorite library!
LE

Mount Clemens Public Library's Local History & Genealogy Room will be Closed Wed., July 3rd; the Library will be Closed July 4 - July 7 for the July 4th Holiday

Just an FYI ...

"American Flag" by JeepersMedia is
licensed under CC BY 2.0. Altered: cropped.

The Local History & Genealogy Room at Mount Clemens Public Library will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, July 3rd, so the staff can work on some projects.

And, the Mount Clemens Public Library will be closed for the Independence Holiday from Thursday, July 4 to Sunday, July 7. The library will reopen on Monday, July 8.

Enjoy the Independence Holiday! Be Safe!

See you at our favorite library!
LE

Mt Clemens Public Library's LH&G Department's June Programs

We are sharing the Mount Clemens Public Library's Local History and Genealogy Departments's June programs. 

If a program is hybrid the Zoom link is usually on the library's Face Book page or the Library Events Calendar near the time of the event. MCGG has added these programs to our Southeast Michigan Genealogy Events Calendar as well which is probably a little easier to read.

Tonight, Tuesday, May 21, at 6 p.m. in-person at Mount Clemens Public Library and on Zoom, the program is: Schools in Mount Clemens and Surrounding Area - 1947-1960. Public and religious schools in Mount Clemens have a long history. This talk presents an overview of the city's public and religious schools. The presenter attended one of these schools, the same one his mother also did, three short blocks from his home. Later he spent three years in a school operated by a church some miles away. The talk ends with a discussion of his attending Mount Clemens High School.

See you at our favorite library!
LE

Mount Clemens Public Library's Local History and Genealogy Historical Events

The Local History and Genealogy department at Mount Clemens Public Library is hosting presentations on several historical topics of interest. The majority are in-person but a few are hybrid too.

Check them out on the library's Library Events Calendar. We've also listed basic information on our own MCGG Southeast Michigan Genealogy Events Calendar.

See you at our favorite library!
LE

Mount Clemens Public Library Hosts a Variety of Programs February and March

Mount Clemens Public Library has a variety of programs genealogists might be interested in attending this February and March. We've added the library's programs to our Southeast Michigan Genealogy Events Calendar to help promote the programs. The library's events start with MCPL. Of course, the programs can also be found on the library's own Events Calendar.

It starts tonight (yes, it is January still) with Women of the Watch, Keepers of the Light with Anna Marck at 6 p.m. and continues with:

• 102nd Division - Preparing for Action Against Germany with Don Batkins - Hybrid In-Person/Zoom Presentation
  
  
• Midnight: Detroit and the Underground Railroad with Detroit Historical Society Assistant Curator, Billy Winkel
  
  
• Ghost Hunting in Michigan
  
  
• 60 Years Later - The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy
  
  
• Captial Women Hybrid Event   

See either events calendar for dates and times and details.

See you at our favorite library!
LE

MCPL's Local History & Genealogy Room Now Open Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Catching up on the news ... Did you know that for 2024 the Mount Clemens Public Library's Local History & Genealogy Room is now open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. -- no appointment needed.

So, after a long week of working, wrangling kids/grandkids (or doing both) you can carve out some time for yourself to unwind researching your family history in a relatively quiet space devoted to local history and genealogy. (Cheers of triumph have been known to happen.) Bring a family research buddy or, maybe ironically hide away here away from your family to work on your family.

See you at our favorite library!
LE

Bob the Skeleton is Ready for Halloween

You've heard of The Genealogy Fairy, right?

 

Bob the Skeleton, who has sort of become the guardian of the Local History & Genealogy Room at Mount Clemens Public Library, is dressed and ready for Halloween.

Now his costume is not as elaborate as that of the "new guy" upstairs near checkout, but his is more tailored to his chosen room's patrons.

In case you can't enlarge the photo enough to read the haiku and message, here it is.

 

Genealogy Fairy Haiku 

Come close, do not fear
Your Genealogy wish
Whisper in my ear.

 

Bob will put away his alter ego/secret identity (fairy wings, oak leaf crown and fairy wand aka The Genealogy Fairy) early next week to resume his normal identity.

Happy Halloween.

See you soon at our favorite library!
LE