Milwaukee County Genealogical Society

Beginner Genealogy Classes 2022-2023

 
Online "Beginner" Genealogy Classes NOT just for Beginners! 
 
 
Are you interested in starting to research your family tree? Or have you started, but aren't making as much progress as you'd like? Milwaukee County Genealogical Society can help with FREE Beginner Genealogical Classes which start every September.
 
Join the volunteers of your Milwaukee County Genealogical Society, with the support and cooperation of the Milwaukee Public Library Central and the fantastic librarians of the Frank P. Zeidler Humanities Room at the Central Library, in taking a fresh look at your old habits. Sign up for the MCGS Genealogy Classes. Students are encouraged to bring their laptops to in-person classes.
 
With sessions held one Saturday each month from September through June, taking the classes is a wonderful way to reinvigorate your research, to look at old habits with new eyes and possibly meet new cousins (which happens more often than you might think!). Many of us have taken the Beginner Classes more than once, and thereby gained more than a refresher; we’ve gained new perspectives and new friends. And your insights may help someone else, newbie or veteran. We all learned from someone else; such communal learning by sharing is the warm heart of genealogy.
 
The classes are free; however to cover printing costs, there is a $2 fee for handouts at each in person session. Class handouts contain information and forms used in the class, and to assist you in your research. Classes meet once a month from September until June between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Starting ONLINE and IN PERSON on Saturday September 24, 2022. Meetings will be held at Milwaukee Central Public Library Downtown, 814 W. Wisconsin Avenue, with convenvient on and off street parking. Metered street parking is available around the library building. Parking is free at metered spaces on Sundays city-wide. Parking is free on Saturdays in specific areas downtown, but may have time limits - always read the posted parking sign to ensure you are in compliance. Smart meters are currently being installed in locations with multi-space Luke meters.  These meters service up to 2 parking spaces and utilize coin or credit card payments at the meter, in addition to payments made with the MKE Park App. There is also a parking lot on Wisconsin Avenue across the street from the library. MCGS Classes are held in the 1st Floor Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Meeting Room near the main entrance of the Milwaukee Central Public Library. This room is located right next to the elevator. For handicap access, enter the lower level of the building via 8th Street and take the elevator to the first floor.
 
Please sign-up in advance!
Register for the class series at Zoom Registration:
 
After registering, you will receive an automatic confirmation email containing information about joining the online meeting. (Check your spam folder.)
This class is also being held in person at the Milwaukee Public Library Central.
You are welcome at any in person or online session.
Email MCGS  with any questions.
Contact information requested:
name and email (optional - address, state, phone)
Zoom link will be emailed to you prior to each online class.
 
 
 
2022 - 2023
Class Syllabus
Saturday 9:30am - 11:30am (In Person and Online)
 
September 24
Getting Started: Organization and Software
Learn the best way to get started on your family history (or what to do if you've already started). We'll also spend some time discussing the various software programs available for managing your growing collection of data.
 
October 29
More than Just Names: Census Records
Census records are one of the major sources of genealogical information and it's important to know how to make the most of this important source.
by Diane Piedt
3 options for powerpoint slides
 
November 19
Getting it on Record: Courthouses and Archives
and
From Cradle to Grave: Church and Cemetery Records
Learn about two different sources for important genealogical information that may not be available anywhere else -- local courthouses and cemeteries.
by Diane Piedt
January 28
Starting at Home: Milwaukee Public Library
A spotlight on the special resources found at the Central Library in Milwaukee.
by Milwaukee Public Library Librarian Kirsten Thompson
 
 
February 25
More than Just Books: General Library Records
Learn about the many ways that libraries can be useful to the family historian.
by Margaret Sandoval Skare
 
 
March 25
Asking Questions, Finding Answers:
Queries, Newspapers, and Social Media
To get an answer, you must first ask the question. Find out what goes into a successful query -- whether you mail it or post it online. Also discover all the wonderful material to be found in historic newspapers.
 
 
April 29
Travelling Abroad (or Not):
Foreign Research and Professional Help
by Karen Jegen
 
 
May 20
Don’t Jump to Conclusions: After the Research
So you've been finding documents, collecting information --- but what does it all mean? Learn how to use the information you find as evidence to support a sound genealogical conclusion.
 
 
 
(Please Note: the Date and Time has changed for the DNA class.
- class schedule revision - new date June 23, original date June 24)
(DNA for Genealogy: What It Can and Can’t Do)
 
Please register here for this DNA presentation on Friday, June 23rd at 1:30pm-3:00pm: 
"DNA Genealogy at a Glance"
By Eleanor Brinsko (professional genealogist)
 
 
 

**Note: Check the MCGS website for cancellation of classes, meetings, and programs due to inclement weather.
 
Please sign-up in advance!