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Welcome to GSWC!
The Genealogical Society of Washtenaw County, Michigan (GSWC) welcomes anyone interested in genealogy and local history, whether they are beginning or more experienced family history researchers. We publish a quarterly journal called Family History Capers and hold eight general meetings a year, each with a program and a class. We also have active special interest groups. Attending GSWC meetings will help you to keep current in the world of genealogy. Thank you for visiting the GSWC website. We hope your visit will be productive and that you will return often.
Our website features an extensive list of Washtenaw County and Michigan research links and resources; databases; and indexes. Washtenaw Research is our most important page, with twenty categories and its own page navigation. The Bible registry has over two thousand surnames and over nine thousand individual names. The library catalog has over two thousand books. Members have added over three hundred names to the surnames database. Every issue of Family History Capers has been indexed to the best of our ability. Public Downloads has forms, handouts, and reports.
We invite you to explore the site. Please see About Our Website for navigation notes.
Browse the categories on the Washtenaw Research page and click on some links. Email a member directly from Members Surnames by clicking on the envelope icon by a name. Filter the records in the Library Catalog by name, subject, or location. If you need a library look-up, please submit a request to the research committee, which meets every Monday at the library. Contact the research team to arrange for a visit to the library.
GSWC Zoom Meeting February 23, 2025 1:30 PM
 After the brief business meeting starting at 1:30pm Peggy Lauritzen will present, via Zoom, "Homespun and Calico: Researching the Lives of Our Foremothers."
One of the most challenging aspects of genealogical research is finding the records of our female ancestors. This presentation will include some of the records that are among the most valuable, and also some of the most under utilized.
After a short intermission Teresa Steinkamp McMillin will teach, via Zoom, "Hunting for Henry: A Case Study Using Collaterals." 
Henry Steren was a German immigrant who lived in Quincy, Illinois. The United States records that were created about him indicate only that he was from the Province of Hanover in Germany. This lecture will detail how his town of origin and parents were identified, in spite of the lack of records naming him. Carefully researching each of his associates and correlating all available evidence reveals the origins of Henry. Use of the Genealogical Proof Standard is demonstrated.
How do I get a link to join the meeting? Members will receive an email invitation to register for the meeting about a week prior. Non-members, please send a request to register (must be received by *February 20*). Please see About Meetings for more information.
Family History Capers - Current Issue
Volume 48 - Issue 2. January 7, 2025. Contents include Washtenaw County Rural Schools History Series, Lyndon, Part Two; Oral History Interviewing Tips: Radio Shows (illustrated); Washtenaw County Farm Bureau and Junior Farm Bureau Membership 1944, Part Two; Edgar Guy Family Bible Record; Alvin Jay Pratt Family Bible Record; In Memoriam [former GSWC members] Retro Report [to be continued].To read the current issue of Capers online, first log in. Then, select Capers Current Issue under *Members* in the menu; or go to Washtenaw Research > Capers Archive > Current Issue. Or, find a copy at a library near you ( open WorldCat list).
2024-2025 Lectures and Classes
Click here for a flyer with information about our meetings and the meeting schedule through May 2025. Please download it and post it where it will do the most good.
Become a Member!
Membership in GSWC will give you full access to society collections by unlocking member-only indexes, databases, cemetery records, and archives. It will open up opportunities for you to meet like-minded people who will hear you. As a member you can help grow our surname database and receive messages from others with similar lines. As a member you can help us to maintain high quality programming and website content. You can help to ensure the continuation of our society and to shape its future.
Our work is done entirely by volunteers. We have projects you may be interested in, as listed on the Volunteer page. Whether your skill set lies in writing, editing, speaking, teaching, research, administration, marketing, cataloging, indexing, data entry, or field work (reading gravestones! photography!) you can find your special niche here. Or, try something new! Join us and experience the satisfaction of helping others.
Our Memberships and Social Media
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