We meet in the Media Classroom on the main level. Send your topic suggestions to dsgrdnaint@dsgrinc.org

Exploring the French colonial presence in Detroit, from its establishment to its dissolution in the early nineteenth century, 

Dr. Guillaume Teasdale, University of Windsor, Department of History, explains how a society similar to the rural settlements of the Saint Lawrence valley developed in an isolated place and how it survived well beyond the fall of New France. Fruits of Perseverance offers a window into the development of a French community in the borderlands of New France, whose heritage is still celebrated today by tens of thousands of residents of southwest Ontario and southeast Michigan.  Longue vie à Detroit en Nouvelle-France en Amérique du Nord! 

Dr. Teasdale will have his book available for your purchase and signing.

“Connecting the Points on Your Family Map” by DSGR Board / Society member Derek Blount. This program will show how to connect points on a U.S. Map to indicate how and where ancestors travelled.

 

The discussion will include Eastern and Western expansion, roads, canals, steamships, riverboats, railroads, wagon roads, commercial roads, Native American and exploration trails.

“An Overview of the Local Government Records Project at the Archives of Michigan” with Andrea Gietzen of the Archives of Michigan. In her talk, she will explain the details of how she, the Local Government Records Archivist, has been travelling around to Michigan’s 83 counties, meeting with probate court staff to collect Probate Court records and why this is being done.

 

Ms. Gietzen will also share with us her knowledge of the types of records that are typically getting transferred (specifically for this project),  the overall process of how this happens, some of the challenges and the current status of the project.

“A Genetic Genealogy Overview” All of us carry around our genetic genealogy, preserved in the DNA passed to us by our ancestors. The current generation is the first to have access to DNA records. Those who learn to use these new records are in a position to make discoveries that were not previously possible. Like traditional genealogy sources, there are several different kinds of DNA records. Each type of DNA record provides different information about our genetic ancestors. The techniques needed to read and understand them varies by record type. Join Dr. James Sims as he provides a  broad overview of the field of genetic genealogy with examples drawn from his research. 

 

After the membership meeting, Mark Bowden, Coordinator for Special Collections, will provide a 30-minute overview of the resources and card catalogues of the Burton Historical Collection that will take place in the Burton Reading Room.

“Germanic Genealogical Research”  We will discover how to find your Germanic ancestors, including making the leap across the Atlantic, to find the parish and village; what to do about that darn handwriting and language, current resources online in Germany, and some fun facts about the Detroit German community.  Join presenter Julia Hanneman-Schoenbach with herSTORY der Deutschen migration nach Detroit aus unserem Vaterland.

Annual Bus Trip to the Allen County Public Library, Genealogy Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Registration will be posted on the society web page in the Spring of 2020.

This trip is co-sponsored by the Detroit Society for Genealogical Research and the Western Wayne County Genealogical Society.