Michigan Genealogical Council Fall Family History Seminar

Each fall, the Michigan Genealogical Council, alongside the Archives of Michigan and the Library of Michigan, presents a daylong seminar focusing on various genealogical topics. 

This year’s keynote speaker is Michael L. Strauss, an accredited genealogist who works as a research manager and senior genealogist for AncestryProGenealogists, Ancestry’s research division. He’s also a United States Coast Guard veteran, published author, national genealogical lecturer and faculty member at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh and Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research, where he coordinates military history courses. 

Strauss will cover four topics throughout the day, including an introduction to military genealogy research, a deep dive into records from the Civil War and the Great Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps and advice for researching ancestors’ work history.

Guests can also choose to attend additional presentations during two of Strauss’ sessions. Kris Rzepczynski, a senior archivist at the Archives of Michigan, will discuss how to research ancestors from Michigan who served in World War I, and Matt Pacer, a reference librarian at the Library of Michigan, will detail the library’s military history resources.

There will be a lunch break from 12:15 to 1 p.m. Attendees can either pre-order a lunch from Grand Traverse Pie Co. or bring their own.

The seminar is available either in person or via Zoom. To register and view the full schedule, visit mimgc.org.