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Kalamazoo Valley Genealogical Society -- Kalamazoo, MI

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Friday, May 15 through Saturday, May 16

2026 Barbara J. Brown Family History Seminar Feathuring Alec Ferretti (Other Genealogical Events)

1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Participate online or onsite in downtown Lansing

The Kalamazoo Valley Genealogical Society is a member of the Michigan Genealogical Council and is pleased to provide you with information on their upcoming family history seminar.

Every year, the Archives of Michigan and the Michigan Genealogical Council host a seminar to promote family history awareness and teach genealogy research skills. The event is generously supported by the Abrams Foundation in loving memory of Barbara J. Brown. This year, they are delighted to host Alec Ferretti, who will join the event onsite in Lansing and via Zoom.

The Archives of Michigan is pleased to continue offering this flagship annual gathering as a hybrid event. In addition, the Archives of Michigan will offer the following additions to this year’s seminar:

A free pre-seminar session on Friday, May 15, at 10 a.m. (for online access, please register separately).
A continental breakfast for onsite attendees on both Friday and Saturday at no additional charge.
Lunch for onsite attendees on both Friday and Saturday at no additional charge.
Extended research hours in the Archives of Michigan reading room.
Recordings of seminar sessions are available to registrants for 30 days following the event.

The event fee is $55, and registration is open. For additional information and registration, see the following: https://mimgc.org/event/2026-barbara-j-brown-family-history-seminar/

Monday, May 18

KVGS General Meet - David Eddy, Law Enforcement's Leading Role in IGG-Enabled Criminal Investigation (KVGS Events)

7:00 pm

Portage District Library, 300 Library Lane, Portage, MI and on Zoom

Please join us for our May general meeting at 7 pm. Members and guests alike are always welcome!

This event is hybrid: at the Portage District Library and on Zoom. Socializing and refreshments begin at 6:30 pm at the library. Register in advance if you plan to attend via Zoom.

Immediately following a brief business meeting, Retired MSP Detective First Lieutenant David Eddy will present “Law Enforcement’s Leading Role in IGG-Enabled Criminal Investigations.”

While investigative applications and overall understanding of DNA have increased exponentially over the last few decades, another revolution in its evolution began in 2018 with the emergence of Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG), also known as Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG). In less than ten years, FIGG has provided new life to hundreds of dead-end cold-case investigations, as well as given new hope to countless families who had perhaps long-ago lost hope of locating their loved ones, identifying those responsible, or otherwise finding justice.

Come and hear David Eddy’s fascinating talk!

For our Zoom participants:

KVGS members can expect to receive a meeting reminder email with a Zoom registration link several days before the meeting. To our visitors, please contact us at info@mikvgs.org several days before the meeting to request the registration link. Members may also contact us by email.

Join us in person or online via Zoom!

Thursday, May 21

Drop-in Genealogy Help Sessions (KVGS Events)

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Heritage Room at Portage District Library - 300 Library Lane, Portage, MI 49002

Need help with a genealogy research problem? Wondering what to do next in your family history search? Bring your questions and problems to discuss with KVGS volunteers at the Portage District Library Heritage Room from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Just drop in and see what another point of view can do to help solve your problem.

Wednesday, May 27 through Saturday, May 30

2026 National Genealogical Society Family History Conference (Other Genealogical Events)

Grand Wayne Convention Center, Fort Wayne, IN

The Kalamazoo Valley Genealogical Society is a member of the National Genealogical Society and is pleased to provide information on their upcoming family history conference.

The National Genealogical Society’s annual conference—a pinnacle of the genealogical calendar—will take place 27-30 May 2026 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, home to the renowned Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library.

In recognition of the Semiquincentennial Anniversary of the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence on 4 July 1776, our theme is America at 250. The conference will shine a light on the stories, communities, and research strategies that help us understand the nation’s past. It will also focus on how genealogists can preserve our family histories for the future.

This conference will deliver the exceptional programming, expertise, and camaraderie you’ve come to expect from NGS. It will also offer participants the opportunity to pursue their research at one of the country's most significant genealogical destinations, the Allen County Public Library and its renowned Genealogy Center.

For more information and to register, contact https://conference.ngsgenealogy.org/

	Monday, June 1 Board Meeting (KVGS Events) 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm Zoom Monthly board meetings are open to members. Come see the Board in action. Currently, the Board is meeting by Zoom. If you want to attend, contact Pam Cassino (info@mikvgs.org) to be added to the list of attendees.

	Wednesday, June 3 Family Tree Maker User’s Group (SIG) (KVGS Events) 10:00 am Zoom Meets once a month on the first Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. on Zoom. New users and experienced users of the software gather to help each other with their questions and problems. Tips and discoveries are shared. Join the group by requesting a Zoom link from Bev Grambau at kazoobev@gmail.com.