Oakland County Genealogical Society

Oakland County Genealogical Society Message

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:38:00 GMT

Your membership mailing will arrive soon, containing a renewal form and our program schedule. Plan to attend as often as you can. OCGS now has its own Public Calendar. The calendar was created using Google's Calendar application. You may access the calendar using this link: <a href="http://www.google.com/calendar/hosted/ocgsmi.org/embed?src=googleapps%40ocgsmi.org&ctz=America/New_York">http://www.google.com/calendar/hosted/ocgsmi.org/embed?src=googleapps%40ocgsmi.org&ctz=America/New_York</a> You can get a preview of our program list by clicking on the agenda tab, and clicking search for more events several times. Each time the calendar searches another month, another meeting description will be added to the list. Clicking on an event will allow you to see the details.

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OCGS -- CLARIFICATION - Library of Michigan

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:52:00 GMT

This is a clarification concerning the recent recommendation to Governor Granholm, which we received from the Michigan Genealogical Council. Dear Genealogists, There has been some confusion and some misinterpretation about the MCIR Board report released by Governor Granholm. With so much uncertainty surrounding the collections and the Library of Michigan this past year, rumors and misinterpretations increase exponentially each time they are repeated. The MCIR Board was appointed to serve in an advisory capacity to the Governor. We are pleased with their conclusions and recommendations regarding the genealogical collections at the Library of Michigan (LM); however, the recommendations are just that; advisory recommendations. The Governor will decide if she wishes to follow those recommendations. Also, this is only one piece in the puzzle in the future of the collections at the Library of Michigan. The Michigan Department of Education (MDE), is the department responsible for the administration of the Library. They do this following the mandates and budget guidelines given them by the Governor and any legislation passed and signed into law by the Governor. Unfortunately, with a projected 23 percent cut in funding proposed for fiscal year 2010-2011 (beginning October 1, 2010), MDE and the Library of Michigan have difficult choices to make. These were spelled out in their February 12 memo that detailed how MDE and LM were going to comply with the cost saving measures dictated by the two Executive Orders issued last year, and still maintain a high-level of service and accessibility with their core collections. Randy Riley, Special Collections Manager for the Library of Michigan issued the following statement recently to clarify several misunderstandings and faulty conclusions: The states current budget situation has required the Library of Michigan focus more closely on our core missions of collecting/documenting the history and heritage of Michigan and maintaining materials that assist state government agencies in doing their work. Facing a 23% reduction in the budget for the next fiscal year, the Library has been forced to re-examine every program and service. The Librarys staff will be weeding the Dewey and Main Collections in an effort to keep items that fit the core mission. After staff have thoroughly gone through the Dewey (4th floor) and Main (3rd floor) Collections and pulled items that align with our primary mission, Michigan libraries will be invited in to claim the remaining parts of those collections. The change of hours is temporary. It will allow staff to have the necessary time to work with the collections and evaluate the materials in question. NO PLANS ARE IN PLACE AT THIS TIME TO MOVE THE NON-MICHIGAN FAMILY HISTORY COLLECTION TO THE ARCHIVES OR ANY OTHER INSTITUTION. Staff will only be working with the Dewey and Main Collections during the reduced hours. The family history collection will be accessible 1-5 (M-F) and 10-5 on Saturdays until September 7. Regular hours will resume on the 7th. If you have questions contact the Library of Michigan at (517) 373-1300 or <a href="mailto:librarian@michigan.gov">librarian@michigan.gov</a>. Thanks for your support and kind wishes. As Randy has stated, currently nothing has changed as far as the availability of the genealogy collections at the Library of Michigan. Hours of operation will be TEMPORARILY reduced from Aug 2 thru September 3 to permit staff to prepare the Main (third floor) and Dewey (fourth floor) collections to be distributed to other Michigan Libraries. Items of genealogical and historical significance are being separated by staff to be added to the Michigan and Genealogyboth Michigan and non-Michigan collections. Nothing will be resolved until a new budget passes. When this happens, final decisions will be made by the Library administration on the future hours, staffing, and services offered by the Library of Michigan. Anything offered up before that is only speculation. For the latest factual information about Library of Michigan operations, collections and services, visit <a href="http://michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan">http://michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan</a>. You may also contact them by phone (517) 373-1300 or e-mail <a href="mailto:librarian@michigan.gov">librarian@michigan.gov</a>. We will continue to update you as the situation necessitates. Best wishes, Tom Koselka, Legislative Liaison Michigan Genealogical Council <a href="http://mimgc.org">http://mimgc.org</a>

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OCGS message - on-line historical and genealogical information

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 11:49:00 GMT

If you do any on-line research, or have considered doing any, please check out Miriam Robbins Midkiff's wonderful series, "52 Weeks of Online American Digital Archives and Databases" posted on her blog, "AnceStories: The Stories of My Ancestors". She recently published her Michigan edition, and it is a very complete listing of non-subscription, on-line resources for Michigan historical and genealogical information. In her own words, Miriam's series focuses on: "...............Online American Digital Archives and Databases found for free at state, county, municipal, college and university history, library, and archive websites, as well as public and private library and museum sites, and historical and genealogical society sites". The Michigan post is found here: [<a href="http://ancestories1.blogspot.com/2010/07/52-weeks-of-online-american-digital_18.html">http://ancestories1.blogspot.com/2010/07/52-weeks-of-online-american-digital_18.html</a>].

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OCGS -- some good news - Library of Michigan

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 01:06:00 GMT

This message regarding the Michigan Center for Innovation and Reinvention's recommendation for the Library of Michigan was circulated by the Michgian Genealogical Council. Good afternoon, Michigans Governor Granholm has issued the following press release on her webpage: <a href="http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168--240954--,00.html">http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168--240954--,00.html</a> Tom Koselka, Corresponding Secretary Michigan Genealogical Council MCIR Board Recommends Genealogy Collections Stay at Michigan Library and Historical Center July 19, 2010 Urges Exploration of New Uses for "the people's building" LANSING - In a report to Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, the Michigan Center for Innovation and Reinvention (MCIR) Board has recommended that the Michigan Library and Historical Center remain "the people's building" and current genealogy collections and resources stay at the facility with adequate funding. The board also noted that up to 80,000 square feet of space in the Michigan Library and Historical Center could become available within the next two years. It recommended further exploration of three potential uses of the newly available space: - The Innovative Education Center - a non-traditional school experience that fosters the love of learning essential to success by engaging middle and high school students in innovative thinking about the past and the future. - The Michigan Leadership Center - focused on engaging high school youth and others in public policy and political leadership through research, study, debate and negotiation. - The Family History Digital Center - a place where families discover, share and preserve their treasured memories and history. "This report and its recommendations center on using the Michigan Library and Historical Center as a place of educational excellence, where future leaders can be molded and inspired to learn," said Department of Natural Resources and Environment Director Rebecca Humphries, who chaired the board. "The recommendations also emphasize the value that Michigan citizens place on preserving and sharing our heritage, while pushing to find new partnerships and programs that effectively serve the public - especially youth and families." The report stresses the need for the state to seek partnerships with other organizations to further explore the feasibility of the three new uses of the facility. Reflecting public testimony, it recommends that the current genealogy collections and resources remain within the Michigan Library and Historical Center with adequate funding. It identifies long-term, stable funding for existing and new programs as a matter of serious concern. The report notes that Michigan's current economy makes major capital investment in the facility unrealistic and advises, instead, a more fiscally conservative approach, building on existing programs and focusing on the up to 80,000 square feet in the building that will become available as the Library of Michigan eliminates programs and services to reduce expenditures and focus on its core mission. Mike Smith, board vice-chair and director of the Walter Reuther Library at Wayne State University, stressed the board's belief that any new programs that come into the building must reinforce and expand its original purposes. "More than any other state facility, this is the people's building," Smith said. "If space becomes available, it must be filled with functions that are compatible with the building's prominent public role." Established by Executive Order 2009-36 as amended, the board began meeting in February. It received public testimony at each of its six meetings, convened five focus groups, and reviewed information provided by state agencies. The Michigan Library and Historical Center currently houses the Library of Michigan, Michigan Department of Education; Services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth; the Michigan Historical Center (Michigan Historical Museum and Archives of Michigan), Department of Natural Resources and Environment; and the State Historic Preservation Office and Office of the State Archaeologist, Michigan State Housing Development Authority. For the full text of the report and other information about the board and its work, visit www.michigan.gov/mcir . The Department of Natural Resources and Environment is committed to the conservation, protection, management, and accessible use and enjoyment of the state's environment, natural resources, and related economic interests for current and future generations. Learn more at www.michigan.gov/dnre

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OCGS Volunteers needed

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:00:00 GMT

The Burton Historical Collection's 5th Annual Family History Festival, will be held this year on September 25th. We again need volunteers to man a table during the presentations. If we can get 4 people to help, the volunteers will be able to attend some sessions by alternating "table duty". Please reply to this message if you can help. Thank you.

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OCGS - Library of Michigan

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 14:47:00 GMT

The Michigan Genealogical Council has posted a new statement regarding the current status of the Library of Michigan. You may read the statement just below the photograph of the Library on this page: (Please copy and paste if the link is not clickable). <a href="http://mimgc.org/LOM.html">http://mimgc.org/LOM.html</a>

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OCGS Meeting Notice and Opportunity to help the Society

Wed, 26 May 2010 13:20:00 GMT

(Mailing list information, including unsubscription instructions, is located at the end of this message.) __ On Tuesday, June 1, 2010 the Oakland County Genealogical Society is pleased to present a program titled Shared Stories and Records of Great Lakes Families. Our speaker is Cecile (Ceil) Wendt Jensen, CG, owner of Michigan Polonia, author, researcher and 2008 recipient of the Lucy Mary Kellogg award. The Detroit River separates Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan. Many early families settled on both sides of the river. Learn how they pushed houses across the Detroit River and the St. Clair River (between Port Huron and Sarnia, Ontario) during the winter months! Also, Cornish and Irish miners were recruited from Ontario for the Copper and Iron mines in Upper Michigan. So please join us for this interesting and informative presentation. We meet at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 5500 N. Adams Road in Troy. It is located on the east side of Adams Road about halfway between Long Lake Rd. and Square Lake Rd., where Westview Rd. intersects from the west. The meeting will start at 7:00 PM and the public is invited. There is no charge. The church has a flat entrance and ample lighted parking. For more information, please contact Dick Fellrath at (248) 519-5064. The OCGS website is www.rhpl.org/OCGS/. __________________________________________________________________________________ AND: Due to other responsibilities, Pam Epple has found it necessary to step aside as editor of Acorns to Oaks. She will continue her excellent writing for the Quarterly. We owe Pam a great debt for her hard work over the years. Heather Curtis has volunteered to handle the design, publishing and mailing of the Q, since she currently works in publishing for her employer in her day job. The issue that is currently in the pipeline will be going out soon. Because many hands make light work, the officers have organized a short meeting before our regular program June 1, 2010, to recruit members and explain "position descriptions" to possible volunteers. With the addition of just a few people, Society tasks can easily be managed. We hope you will spread the word about these opportunities and consider what might be a good fit for your skills. The Society needs volunteers for the following positions: Writers can submit articles, tips, website reviews, historical photographs with a short caption or transcribed documents relating to Oakland County on a quarterly or one-time basis. All submissions will be considered and proper recognition will be given. Proofreaders will be asked to edit articles submitted for grammatical and spelling errors, and will review transcribed materials to assure that what has been typed is what was written (i.e. errors that were written remain intact in the typed transcription, etc.). Artwork/Photography Collectors will be responsible for finding, identifying and organizing artwork and photography for inclusion in future issues of Acorns to Oaks. If identification can not be made, the photos and art can be placed in the Quarterly seeking identification. This position may also submit articles seeking donations/submissions. We are also seeking a leader to become the new Editor for Acorns to Oaks. This person will be responsible to make sure the Quarterly has enough articles, photos, etc. each volume to be published, work with the entire committee to publish four issues per year, solicit new committee members, work with the designer to submit content in a timely fashion so it can be printed and mailed according to the schedule. Transcriber responsible to transcribes local records, exactly as written, for inclusion in the quarterly or other Society publications Additionally, we need to fill the following positions: Surname Board (One or two people could work together on this.) Assure surname board is set up before each meeting. The board is stored at the church. Assist members in posting the surnames they are researching, and help them find those names, if they are on the board. Time involved, 1/2 hour before the meeting, and 1/2 hour or less after the meeting. Sales Table Place publications on sales table before the meeting. Assist members and guests who are interested in purchasing publications. Re-box publications when members and guests have finished browsing after the meeting. Take the change box home and reconcile sales, prepare a report for the treasurer listing sales by publication and the price collected for each.Turn in the report and check or cash for the total sales to the treasurer. Time involved, 1/2 hour before the meeting, and 1/2 hour or less after the meeting. You may volunteer to assist the Society by replying to this message, or by arriving at 6:30 on the evening of the meeting for a brief overview, or by phoning or e-mailing any board member. Thank you for your consideration. -- The following information is a reminder of your current mailing list subscription: You are subscribed to the following list: Oakland County Genealogical Society using the following email: example@example.com You may automatically unsubscribe from this list at any time by visiting the following URL: <<a href="http://www.warrenweb.info/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/u/ocgs/>">http://www.warrenweb.info/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/u/ocgs/&gt</a>; If the above URL is inoperable, make sure that you have copied the entire address. Some mail readers will wrap a long URL and thus break this automatic unsubscribe mechanism. You may also change your subscription by visiting this list's main screen: <<a href="http://www.warrenweb.info/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/ocgs>">http://www.warrenweb.info/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/ocgs&gt</a>; If you're still having trouble, please contact the list owner at: <<a href="mailto:grannypamw@gmail.com>">mailto:grannypamw@gmail.com&gt</a>; The following physical address is associated with this mailing list: Oakland County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 1094 Birmingham, MI 48012 Mailing List Powered by Dada Mail <a href="http://www.warrenweb.info/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/what_is_dada_mail/">http://www.warrenweb.info/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/what_is_dada_mail/</a>

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Oakland County Genealogical Society Message

Thu, 13 May 2010 13:50:00 GMT

We are passing on this information from a flyer we received. OCGS is not a sponsor of this event. The Southfield Public Library, [www.southfieldlibrary.org] is holding a GENEALOGY LOCK-IN on Friday, Jun e18, 2010 from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. No one will be admitted after 7 p.m. This workshop is for those 18 and older. Use a library computer, or bring your own and use the libraries free WiFi Access the Library's genealogical databases, including Ancestry Staff assistance $5 free printing Brief instructional demonstrations. Fee $10 at the door. More information at: www.southfieldlibrary.org

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Oakland County Genealogical Society Message

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 10:47:00 GMT

On May 4 2010, the Oakland County Genealogical Society presents a program titled Putting It All Together. Jim Jackson, past president of OCGS and DSGR, owner of MichList.com, and 2006 Lucy Mary Kellogg recipient will discuss one pioneer family, Laura Ingalls and Almonzo Wilder. The presentation will follow the family through their travels 'Out West', examining the many records that were generated and left behind. The Oakland County Genealogical Society meets at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 5500 N. Adams Road in Troy. It is located on the east side of Adams Road about halfway between Long Lake Rd. and Square Lake Rd., where Westview Rd. intersects from the west. The meeting will start at 7:00 PM and the public is invited. There is no charge. The church has a flat entrance and ample lighted parking.

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Oakland County Genealogical Society meeting notice

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 21:58:00 GMT

On Tuesday, April 6, 2010 the Oakland County Genealogical Society is pleased to present a program titled Have You Ever Wanted to Walk a Mile or Ten in Your Ancestors Footsteps? Our speaker is Kathryn Lake, owner of Looking4Ancestors.com, who will bring the use of atlases, maps and gazetteers in genealogy research to the forefront. By having a visual aid of the places your ancestors lived, it is easier to see how they moved from place to place, where they might have traveled to gain employment, or traveled to find a spouse. An overview of the different types of maps and techniques for incorporating maps into your family history will also be shared. So please join us for this informative presentation. We will meet at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 5500 N. Adams Road in Troy. It is located on the east side of Adams Road about halfway between Long Lake Rd. and Square Lake Rd., where Westview Rd. intersects from the west. The meeting will start at 7:00 PM and the public is invited. There is no charge. The church has a flat entrance and ample lighted parking. For more information, please contact Dick Fellrath at (248) 519-5064.

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OCGS message, WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:38:00 GMT

About Who Do You Think You Are. Tape/DVR if you will be out tonight! If you missed last week's show and did not record it, you can watch it on the web on Hulu. Copy and paste the link of you cannot click it: <a href="http://www.hulu.com/watch/132794/who-do-you-think-you-are-sarah-jessica-parker">http://www.hulu.com/watch/132794/who-do-you-think-you-are-sarah-jessica-parker</a> Episode Schedule In case youre curious about the celebrity line up and timing for the episodes, here is the current schedule according to NBC: * March 5 Sarah Jessica Parker * March 12 Emmitt Smith * March 19 Lisa Kudrow * March 26 Matthew Broderick * April 2 Brooke Shields * April 9 Susan Sarandon * April 23 Spike Lee Who Do You Think You Are? is in the News In the coming weeks, Who Do You Think You Are? is going to be spotlighted in several major media outlets. Among them, Oprah will designate an entire hour to family history next Tuesday! Heres a list of a few shows to watch for (all dates/times are subject to change): · Wednesday, March 3 o Today Show (NBC) 8-9 am o The View (ABC check your local TV listings) o The Joy Behar Show (HLN Headline News) 9 pm ET · Friday, March 5 o Today Show (NBC) 10-11 am · Monday, March 8 o Martha Stewart (check your local TV listings) · Tuesday, March 9 o Oprah (check your local TV listings) o Craig Ferguson (CBS late night) · Friday, March 19 o Bonnie Hunt (check your local TV listings) Success of the UK Version As many of you know, the idea for Who Do You Think You Are? originated from a phenomenally successful show in the UK, which has traced the roots of some 50 individuals in the last 6 years. During the last season, more than 5 million viewers tuned in to watch the UK show. Nearly 12,000 Brits attended the Who Do You Think You Are? Live conference in February 2009. Of those, 84 percent say they started researching their family history since 2004. The show has generated a surge of family history interest in the UK and the U.S. version of Who Do You Think You Are? could result in the same reaction. Throughout these next few weeks, it will be exciting to see Americas reaction to the show! Just a reminder, if you are looking for resources to easily share news and information about the series with others, visit: www.ancestry.com/spreadtheword.

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