Our Next Meeting: Sunday March 24, 2024 1:30 PM

Our March meeting will be a virtual meeting via Zoom. Preregistration is required. A Zoom link will be sent to members one week prior to the event. Non-members wishing to attend on Zoom may send a request by Thursday, March 21st to Info@washtenawgenealogy.org

Program: "Buxton Settlers" by Shannon Prince 

The Elgin Settlement, also known as Buxton, was one of four organized black settlements developed in Canada. Organization of the settlement, located twelve miles south of Chatham, began in 1848.

Our Speaker: Shannon Prince is the Curator Emeritus of the Buxton National Historic Site & Museum. She is also a Storyteller and participant in historical re-enactments which brings the history of Buxton and the Underground Railroad to life for many groups both here and further a-field. She is a descendant of the early fugitive families that came to Canada for freedom and opportunity. As such, she brings an insight and respect and a love for this chapter in our heritage.

Shannon is currently a member of the Ontario Museums Association, the steering committee and co-chair for the National Historic Sites Alliance for Ontario, the Ontario Trillium Fund GrantReview Team and the Board of Directors for the Capitol Theatre. In the recent past she has been a Board member of the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce; the Advisory Board for theChatham-Kent Tourist Bureau; the African Canadian Heritage Network; and Tourism Ontario’s Underground Railroad Alliance. She is involved in joint Underground Railroad projects with York University, Toronto, the Underground Railroad Freedom Centre in Cincinnati and with Millersville University and several historical organizations in Pennsylvania.  To read a more detailed biographical sketch of Shannon click here.

 

Class: "Ireland & Reverse Genealogy" by Abigail Eynon 3:15
 
A deep dive into “Ireland Reaching Out” is both a detailed “how to” engage with volunteer genealogists who reach out to the global Irish Diaspora and help for finding the home parishes of your ancestors in Ireland.
Our Instructor: Abigail R. Eynon, a retired attorney, is a member of the Genealogical Society of Washtenaw County and descends from several Northfield Township Irish pioneer families. Abigail completed the Boston University - Metropolitan College Genealogical Essentials Program and focuses her genealogical efforts on the Irish pioneers who stepped into the wilderness of Michigan.
 
 

Notice

 
The GSWC Library was moved into storage the week of July 18, 2022. We are no longer located at the FamilySearch Center on E. Woodland Drive in Saline. For more information click on the "Library" button on the left side of the page.

2023-2024 Lectures and Classes

Click here for information about our meetings and the meeting schedule through May 2024.

Welcome!


The Genealogical Society of Washtenaw County, Michigan (GSWC for short) functions through volunteer efforts and welcomes anyone interested in genealogy and local history, whether beginning their family research or more experienced researchers.
 
THANK YOU for visiting the GSWC website. We hope your visit will help your research and you will return often.
 
To navigate easily on this site, and get the most benefit:
  • Click on the Green Buttons on the left. Note that after you click, submenu items may appear below the button.
  • Once you sign in as a member, further submenu items will appear below Members and Washtenaw Research.
Our website features an extensive list of Washtenaw County and Michigan research links and resources; databases; indexes; a surname database; a catalog of over 2,000 books, cemetery records, and census records in our library; and a calendar of events.
For HELP with your Washtenaw County research, use the "Research Requests” button on the left.
We encourage you to become a MEMBER.  (Click here to join). Your membership in the GSWC will help you further your research goals and will also help GSWC in its important work of collecting and preserving Washtenaw County’s family history and heritage.
 

 

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