Please join us Monday evening, May 15, at 7 pm for our May General meeting. Following the business meeting, KVGS member Gary Swain will present "Carved in Stone: Genealogy in the Cemetery." This event is hybrid (Portage District Library, 300 Library Lane, Portage, Michigan, and on Zoom). Socializing and refreshments will begin at 6:30 pm (PDL). Zoom attendees may register in advance through the “EVENTS PAGE” (see registration link under calendar event).
ACPL Genealogy Center Day! An enjoyable day of research and exploration is planned at the Genealogy Center at Allen County Public Library, Saturday, May 20. Attendees are asked to drive or carpool to ACPL, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, IN. Meeting Room C, which is located on the first floor, has been reserved from 9 am - 11 am to gather and enjoy some refreshments. A tour of the Genealogy Center is scheduled at 10 am. Afterward, we will research and explore to our heart's desires. Saturday Library hours are 9 am - 6 pm. All are welcome to join us!
The April 24, 2023 Skills Session: "Preparing for a trip to the Allen County Public Library's Genealogy Center," with Janet Wright, provided excellent advice on preparing for your visit. A recording of the session is available to members under "RECORDINGS" on the website. You must remember to log in first.
The May Skills Session, our last until September, is scheduled for Monday evening, May 22, at 7 pm on Zoom. This year's Back to Basics series continues with a session on Land records, from member Janet Wright. Land records are the second largest collection of records after census records and can place your ancestors between census years. Register in advance through the “EVENTS PAGE” (see registration link under calendar event).
Members can expect to receive a meeting reminder and invitation to register for the above Zoom meetings a few days before each event.
Kalamazoo Valley Genealogical Society's 65th Anniversary! On June 12, 2023, 65 years to the day, KVGS will celebrate its 65th Birthday at the Portage District Library, 300 Library Lane, Portage, MI. This will be an in-person event. Our activities will begin at 6 pm. Plans include, for those who are able, an enjoyable field trip from the library at 6 pm, for a demonstration of "Tombstone cleaning in Central Cemetery," with presenter Gary Swain. Central Cemetery is a short walking distance from the library. Comfortable shoes are recommended. Those who don't plan to participate in the field trip are invited to remain at the library to enjoy the extra time catching up with old friends.
Afterward, we will return to the library for birthday cake, reminiscing, and a brief business meeting and program which will begin at about 7 pm. In addition, we invite you to bring any genealogical material you no longer use - books, magazines, maps or charts, even file folders, and other types of supplies - for a swap session. And, you may just find yourself the winner of a door prize - The Family Tree Cemetery Field Guide! Our 65th Anniversary won't be the same without you. Please join us!
Lastly, did you miss an earlier program or Skills Session? If so, check out “RECORDINGS” for a treasure trove of recordings and handouts beginning March 2020 through the present. You must remember to log in as a member first.
Enjoy your genealogical journey!
KVGS Board
