Samuel and Joseph's parents were John Evans and Grace [Bray?]. They moved to Ontario with Samuel, Joseph and the other young siblings (the older ones stayed behind in England) but the parents stayed in Ontario when Samuel and Joseph moved down to Michigan.
Thanks again for the tip, Terri. I was able to use Samuel's wife Ida's maiden name to do a FamilySearch Pilot search to locate the record of her first marriage and an Ancestry search to locate her with her family in the census before she married. I haven't been able to find any records of what happened to her first husband, but if he died, and did so in Lapeer County (both assumptions, I know), it seems that death records for that early aren't online (and perhaps aren't in existence at all? I can't remember offhand).
It's possible that Ida and her first husband Thomas Acker did not remain in Lapeer County. The death of a daughter Maud born to parents Thomas and Ida Acker is recorded in Richfield, Genessee County on 26 January 1889. Another daughter of the same name was born to Thomas and Ida Acker of Richfield on 24 November of the same year (pilot.familysearch.org). Not really a huge help but perhaps not insignificant either.
Hi again everyone,
Thank you Catherine - I research in so many states that if I'm not looking at my notes I tend to forget what death dates are available at what sites (and in what states) when.
Thank you again Terri - looking at the records, it looks like Maud was 2 years 2 days old when she died, which would make 24 Nov the appropriate birth date for a death of 26 Jan. My educated guess is that one of the records has the wrong year listed, but I'm not sure which one!
The census shows that Ida had had two children that had died (and none that had lived), but I don't know if the other child was born to her and Thomas or to her and Samuel. I'm poking around FamilySearch Pilot and Seeking Michigan this afternoon looking for another record of a child's death.
Hello everyone. I recently discovered that one of my ancestors was incarcerated the facility in Ionia, where he later died. Does anyone have any advice for how I should approach the Michigan prison records? I don't know where I should begin. Thank you so much!
Wow! Thanks Concetta! That will definitely give me a place to look. I am interested to see if the reason for my great-uncle's imprisonment has anything to do with the story that been handed down... :-)
UPDATE:
Library of Michigan. On Friday, the State Librarian announced the following cuts effective 1 Oct 2010, based on a 23% budget reduction.
1. Elimination of the non-Michigan genealogy collection. Intent is to concentrate on a core curriculum of Michigan material
2. Elimination of the Federal Documents collection.
3. Consolidation of the remaining library material and relocation to the 4th and 5th floors
4. Approx. 1/3 cut in staffing
5. Possibility of leasing space vacated.
As to what will happen with the collections that are being discarded, one possibility includes finding a willing public institution to accept the material. At the moment, the possibility exists that failure to find a willing institute could result in the physical destruction of the collections. It is unclear from a statutory standpoint of what the law permits on the disposal of library assets. In fact it appears that the State is examining this issue as this very moment to determine their options.
This is coming from the State Librarian, not the Governor. Looks like we have another battle on our hands.
In follow-up to James LaLone's post of Feb 17: the action he mentions is the implementation of two 2009 executive orders from the governor. To see the official announcement of the implementation, and also to read the state librarian's testimony before the Joint Appropriations Committee on K-12 Education, see http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-54504_19270_50202---,00.html, under the "News from Nancy" column.
LeRoy Barnett, former State Archivist of MI has compiled a list of indexes to MI newspapers. This list shows what items have been indexed, where the index can be found and either call number or the website url. The list is available at: www.h-net.org/~hsm/pdf/IndexestoMichiganNewspapers.pdf
Catherine, thanks. There are several reason I do this, partly because I maintain the Mid-Michigan Genealogical Society site on Facebook & wish to keep members informed, also co-vice-president of the Society & always looking for possible speakers/topics for our programs. And the posting of the bus trip to FT. Wayne is because I want to go & hope others from the Lansing area will sign up so they will stop in Lansing!
Hello, I am researching my mother’s side of the family – Marble. I have run into a particular dilemma. I possess a marriage certificate (January 1, 1882) of my great grandfather William A Marble citing his father’s name Wm. Marble and mother Harriet Marble. The document states that William A. Marble was born in Hastings, Michigan. The birth would be approximately 1861 - 1864. When I inquired to the county for the birth certificate I was directed to the State of Michigan which subsequently informed me, “we cannot process this request because the vital event occurred prior to the years in which Michigan recorded such events.” Apparently Michigan began recording such events in 1867.
Can anyone provide any advice regarding obtaining the birth record. The document I have does not cite a Church or Parrish.
I also do not have supporting documentation of a death date or location.
Last know location was Roscommon, Roscommon County, Michigan, 1900 U.S. Census.
I live in Arizona and have been trying to research my family history from a distance and I have had some help but due to my location it is difficult to research full time. I am looking for my 4th great grandparents. They arrived and lived in Lenawee county in the late 1800's and I believe that there is still family that lives in or around the Detroit area. There are some name changes that have confused me during my research but I have been looking for the following surnames;Bohlke, Boehlke, Boehlka, Bilky, Bilkey. I know that on some federal census reports they have Billy
Hi To All Members of Michigan Research Group, it's great to find this group. I live in MN and need help finding my great grandfather John Dwyer who was born in MI on June 15, 1872 or 1864 and died in MN on Dec 21, 1912 when he was crushed by a load of logs while working as a longshoreman for Smith and Alger Mill. John Dwyer's father is "Mike" Dwyer born in Ireland and married Martha E. Baker of Ohio or Pennsylvania; both states are listed on various documents. I can't find anything about Mike Dwyer or Martha E. Baker either. John Dwyer married Emma Oven of NY. Emma first married George Frank Disberry in Harrisville, MI on on Jan 6, 1880, John and Emma had two sons while living in MI. 1st son was John Clifford born Aug 2, 1890 in Port Huron; the 2nd son Earl was also born in Port Huron in 1892 . By July 1895 I find them on the MN state 1895 census where they say they have been living in MN for 3 years. The 3rd son William Roy is born in MN. Any help is greatly appreciated even if it is just directing me to possible places to look for this information. Thanks, Marilyn
Hi Marilyn,
The state of Michigan didn't start collecting bmd info until 1876; although you can sometime find earlier records in some localities through the county clerks offices.
I did find some info on what I think is your family. It differs in places from yours but also agrees in others, so I'm sending it so you can decide if any of it is useful.
On ancestry.com, I found John and Emma in Duluth in 1900, but couldn't find them in other years:
DWYER, John b. Dec 1862, age 37, m 13 yrs, MI, Ire, PA, laborer
Emma, wife, b Feb 1860, age 40, m 13 yrs, 5 children, 3 living, NY Canada
(En) France
Clifford, son, b. Jan 1890, age 10, MI, MI, NY
Earl, son, b. Dec 1892, age 7, MI, MI, NY
Roy, son, b. Oct 1893, age 6, MN, MI, NY
Doris Mrs. boarder, b. Jan 1860, age 40, m 1yr, 0 children, MN, MI, NY
Bagley Allis, boarder, (female), b. Nov 1886, age 13, MN, MI, Can(Fr)
(the way the names were written in the census implied that the last two had the last name Dwyer as well as all the rest, although I wonder if that was a mistake for the last person and if her name was really Alice Bagley)
Michigan marriages from 1876 - 1920 are supposedly online at http://pilot.familysearch.org/, but I could not find a marriage record for John and Emma, but you should double-check me.
Also at ancestry.com, the only records for Michael (Mike) Dwyer with a wife named Martha were for 1880 and 1900, both in Port Huron, MI. I think the two records are for the same family although the ages are not terribly consistent.
1800:
DWYER, Michael, 44, farmer, Ire, Ire, Ire
Martha, 33, wife
James, 13, son
Ella, 11, daughter
Edward, 4, son
Anna 1, daughter
(note: no son John, but he was probably old enough to be working away from home so his absence is not necessarily a reason to rule this fam out as a possibility, but obviously more evidence would be helpful)
1900: address = 13 th street
DWYER, Michel (sic) R., b. Sep 1842. age 57, m 36 yrs, farmer, yr of immig =
1852, 48 yrs in US, naturalized
Martha, wife, b. May 1847, age 53, 10 children, 7 living, WI, Can (Eng),
Can(Eng)
Ellen A., daughter, b. Jan 1871, 29, dressmaker
Edward, son, b. Jan 1876, 24, boilermaker
Susanne, daughter, b. Aug 1879, 20, bookkeeper
Anna, daughter, b. Aug 1882, 17, telephone office
Fredirck (sic), son, b. Feb 1885, 15, clothes factory
Burt K, son b. Aug 1889, 10, at school
At seekingmichigan.com, a free site, there is a death record for a Michael Dwyer in Port Huron, d. Dec 28, 1903. This site has deaths from 1897-1920. Records from 1876-1896 are on the familysearch pilot site.
Unfortunately, there is no latest word on the LOM. Everything is still up in the air, a report from the MCIR is pending in June (I think). The changes or dismantlement of the LOM will take place Oct. 1. Being under the Education Dpt. as it was originally, has essentially placed the LOM in the status of least favored step-child. It is interesting that the state government provides a budget for the department & Library, then charges a rent for the space the Library uses but does not lower the rent so the Library can continue to function, therefore since the Education Dpt. can‘t afford the rent they are cutting back & moving it to a less costly space. There had been several choices to convert those floors into some profitable venture, but all have fallen through, so that even if the library is moved no revenue will be coming in. The Library is not broken, so why are they trying to “fix” it. The economy is broken.
Those who work or worked for the government are of an opinion that the dismantlement is a done deal and that the MCIR committee is just a smoke screen.
Apparently, the Archives (under the control of the DNR) has asked for the non-Michigan genealogy collection, but nothing official on this. The Dewey books are to be gotten rid of (there are genealogy books in that collection) as well as Fed. Docs., which in fact make up about one-third of the law library (which can’t be gotten rid of). If no one will take the collections not desired then they may try to sell the material or else throw it away (this seems to be unclear also.)
PLEASE keep writing your representative and ask questions why these things are happening. Why are they trying to "fix" unbroken structures & ruin the State's heritage. One 80 some year old gentleman who donated a $30,000 collection of Polish material may see that disapate, the $10,000 French-Canadian collection which was not purchased by the LOM but a gift from the Abrams Foundation will also disappear (it's the only one in the state). Material dealing with the South will also be gotten rid of.
The collection presently housed by the LOM to be kept intact, but may not necessarily be available to the public.
Write your representative and tell them that you would like them to support the bill (SB1154). Hopefully the collection will be remain available to the public, but more importantly the collection will be kept intact and that when the economy improves it will be available to the public.
While I don't live in MI I am interested in MI genealogy for my family tree and keeping these records open and available to all the public. Is there a name and address to write to in support of sending the records to a library that has the resources to manage these records?
Unfortunately there is no easy answer, it is typical politics. The State sets a budget. The governor moved the LOM to the Dept. of Education which used to control it. They have never treated the LOM as the gem it is. Well the LOM rents the floors in the building (ie. it pays the money back to the state which gave it to them in the first place.) So the state reduces the budget for the LOM but does not reduce the rent & they cannot afford the rent. So to "fix" the LOM (which is not broken, it is the economy that is) they are going to reduce the size of the collection and move it to cheaper floors (smaller space) in the building. The vacated floors were going to be rented out, however, all the plans have fallen through because of the economy, so even if the LOM is reduced the floors will be vacant and not bringing in any additional rent. The LOM which boasts the 10th largest genealogy research collection in the nation will probably go down to the 50th (if we are lucky). This is when heritage tours are on the rise and could bring in tourist dollars. Nobody wants the collections being gotten rid of. And nobody will take on the collection or parts of it because they do not have the money.
If the senate bill passes in the House of Reps. then the Michigan collection will probably be moved to the cheaper floors and the rest of the collection will be mothballed, which is better then getting rid of it. Then in the future it can be resurrected when the economy improves. We do not want the collection broken up.
Many people think the only way to do research is through the internet and they are sadly mistaken.
From Judi Dow (Jon Harrison e-mail) on the latest order of the Gov. of Michigan:
GRANHOLM VETOES LIBRARY POWER PROTECTIONS
Governor Jennifer Granholm * vetoed language Friday that was passed by the Legislature requiring that the Library of Michigan to maintain custody of the non-Michigan genealogy and federal document collections.
Ms. Granholm vetoed the sections in HB 5394 * (PA 47) addressing the library, which has been a point of controversy between the governor and the Legislature since Ms. Granholm abolished the Department of History, Arts and Libraries last year.
"I want to preserve the Library of Michigan's flexibility in exploring suitable candidates to assume the custodial responsibilities of these collections," Ms. Granholm said in her veto message.
The May/June issue of Family Chronicle has several interesting articles: Hudson’s Bay Company and Your Ancestors”, “Uncovering More Than Artifacts: Roy Wilcox and Isle Royale”, “A Job By Any Other Name: Archaic and Obsolete Occupations” and includes a review of the software program Family Tree Builder,
"Good morning,
Last year we wrote to you (the genie societies) concerning the Federal legislation, Preserving the American Historical Record (PAHR). Mark Harvey, our State Archivist has also spoke of this plan and updated Council at several of our delegate meetings.
This bill has been in the House of Representatives almost a year now, and has recently been introduced in the Senate, by Sen. Orin Hatch of Utah and Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan along with five other original sponsors.
The House bill is HR2256, and currently has over 50 co-sponsors. It is currently before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. While this bill currently has no co-sponsors in the House, not one represents a Michigan Congressional district.
The Senate bill is S3227 and has been referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
We are asking you to write to your Senator and Representative in the US Congress, ESPECIALLY if they serve on one of the above committees, and in your own words express why this legislation is important for the Preservation and continued access to the records we all use in our genealogy research. You can also ask your Representative to sign on as a co-sponsor.
Sample letters and additional information about PAHR may be found at their website, http://www.archivists.org/pahr/. This site is updated, as there are changes and progress with this legislation.
If passed, Michigan would receive over $1.6 million Federal dollars annually to help pay for the staffing to preserve, protect and make accessible our historic documents
Sincerely,
Tom Koselka, Legislative Liaison
Michigan Genealogical Council"
@James Do you have any notes from the meeting regarding photo restoration? I have several old photos that I've scanned that are in pretty bad shape. Would appreciate any advice.
You may have something similar in your area. I suppose if you have a lot of photos to restore then investing in a program may be worthwhile otherwise have a professional photo restorer doing it for you may be the way to go. She uses Adobe Photo Shop but says nowdays it comes with a lot of extra (unecessary) programs & goes for around $1,500.00, however Photo Shop Elements is quite good and can probably be enough for most people and does sell for under $100.00 (shop around).
Hello genealogists,
Below is the latest update from the Michigan Genealogical Council regarding the Library of Michigan, and recent actions taken by the Michigan Legislature affecting the non-Michigan genealogy collection as received from Tom Koselka, Michigan Genealogical Council (http://mimgc.org)
MICHIGAN GENEALOGICAL COUNCIL
P.O. Box 80953
Lansing, MI 48908-0953 http://mimgc.org
June 18, 2010
Dear Fellow Genealogists:
The Michigan Genealogical Council (MGC) would like to take this opportunity to bring everyone
up-to-date on the events surrounding the collections at the Library of Michigan. We would
like to thank everyone for their support as talks progressed.
As many of you are aware, the Library of Michigan is facing a projected 23 percent cut in
funding and a loss of 13 staff positions (in addition to the 16 staff lost resulting from the
Governor’s executive order) by the end of this current fiscal year (September 30, 2010). Due
to this projected loss in staff, Nancy Robertson, State Librarian, is forced to make a difficult
decision. She has had to look at the services the library provides and make some painful
cuts. One of the proposed cuts was to find new stewards for several of their collections,
among them the non-Michigan genealogical collection.
The position of the MGC has always been that any solution must meet the following three (3)
criteria:
1. Keep the collection together under one roof.
2. Keep the collection accessible to the public.
3. Keep the collection under state control and protection.
In January, Governor Granholm announced her appointments to the Michigan Center for
Innovation and Reinvention Board. This board is still working on their recommendation (now
due to the Governor on July 1, 2010). They have made it clear that their focus will be on the
uses of the 2nd and 3rd floor of the building, and will not make any recommendations in
regards to the collections. MGC representative, Dr. Frank Boles, has attended every meeting
and has done everything possible to express the position of the Council. We would like to
thank Dr. Boles for all his hard work and efforts on our behalf.
During this time, the Michigan Historical Center expressed an interest in moving the non-
Michigan collection to the State Archives. This plan was endorsed by the MGC as it met all
three of our criteria, and we applaud both the Department of Natural Resources and
Environment and the Department of Education for being willing to work together to find a
solution.
The cost of the move is between $80,000 - $100,000. Due to many generous donations, no
tax payer dollars would be needed to fund the cost of this move. The Michigan Genealogical
Council has received permission from the Abrams Foundation to use $10,000 of money that
was earmarked for the death record project to be diverted to this move. MGC also pledged
$5,000 of its own money to this effort.
Many local societies are also willing to donate money, if needed. Pledges of support come in
weekly. The MGC knows of, and would like to thank, the following societies that have pledged
their support:
Ingham County Genealogical Society
Jackson County Genealogical Society
Lenawee County Family Researchers
Mid Michigan Genealogical Society
Genealogical Society of Monroe County
Stockbridge Area Genealogical/Historical Society
Genealogical Society of Washtenaw County
Unfortunately, in March the Senate added language to the 2010-2011 Education Appropriation
bill (SB 1154) that states the following:
Sec. 804. The department and library of Michigan shall maintain custody of all
collections maintained, housed, owned, or otherwise kept by the library of Michigan in
fiscal year 2009-2010, and shall not sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of those
collections. The department and library of Michigan need not make the non-
Michigan genealogy or federal documents collections available to the public.
The MGC has problems with this legislation. First, there was no additional funding, so it
almost guarantees that the non-Michigan genealogical collection will not be made available to
the public, and secondly it does not allow the transfer to the Archives, which would be able to
keep the collection open to the public.
While well intentioned by the legislature, this has put negotiations on hold between the
departments of Education and Natural Resources and Environment.
While this bill is currently in committee to negotiate the house and senate versions, this
wording is not up for debate as this section of the bill was passed by both the House and the
Senate. Therefore, this language will be heading to the Governor once the final bill is passed.
The major attraction at the Library of Michigan is not only the collections, but also the
knowledgeable staff. If the non-Michigan genealogy collection is allowed to go dark, we will
lose more than just access to the collection, the staff will be diminished. The genealogists in
this state will have an uphill battle to open these collections and to reassemble a
knowledgeable staff.
Currently, we are in a holding pattern, along with the library and archives, while we let the
budget process play out. We are also keeping our eye on the MCIR board, and look forward
to reading their recommendations to the Governor.
We will keep you informed as the process progresses. We hope to have more information in
the next month.
In solidarity, [signed]
Cynthia S. Grostick
President of MGC
Thomas G. Koselka
MGC Corresponding Secretary &
Legislative Liaison
LIBRARY OF MICHIGAN:Temporary Reduction in Hours
Beginning August 2 through September 3, 2010, the Library of Michigan's public hours will be 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. This action is part of the Library's response to budget cuts and reduced staffing and will allow us to complete distribution of materials from the Dewey and Main collections to other Michigan libraries. Regular hours will resume on September 7, 2010.
From: Tom Koselka [mailto:tom@mimgc.org]
Sent: 19 July, 2010 4:26 PM
FYI
The Sep 2010 issue of Family Tree magazine is available, includes best 101 FREE websites, analyzing sources for people with the same name, DNA research & Finnish research
From: Tom Koselka [mailto:tom@mimgc.org]
Sent: 28 July, 2010 6:35 AM
Subject: MGC: Clarification of MCIR Board Statement
Dear Genealogists,
There has been some confusion and some misinterpretation about the MCIR
Board report released by Governor Granholm. With so much uncertainty
surrounding the collections and the Library of Michigan this past year,
rumors and misinterpretations increase exponentially each time they are
repeated.
The MCIR Board was appointed to serve in an advisory capacity to the
Governor. We are pleased with their conclusions and recommendations
regarding the genealogical collections at the Library of Michigan (LM);
however, the recommendations are just that; advisory recommendations. The
Governor will decide if she wishes to follow those recommendations.
Also, this is only one piece in the puzzle in the future of the collections
at the Library of Michigan. The Michigan Department of Education (MDE), is
the department responsible for the administration of the Library. They do
this following the mandates and budget guidelines given them by the Governor
and any legislation passed and signed into law by the Governor.
Unfortunately, with a projected 23 percent cut in funding proposed for
fiscal year 2010-2011 (beginning October 1, 2010), MDE and the Library of
Michigan have difficult choices to make. These were spelled out in their
February 12 memo that detailed how MDE and LM were going to comply with the
cost saving measures dictated by the two Executive Orders issued last year,
and still maintain a high-level of service and accessibility with their core
collections.
Randy Riley, Special Collections Manager for the Library of Michigan issued
the following statement recently to clarify several misunderstandings and
faulty conclusions:
"The state's current budget situation has required the Library of Michigan
focus more closely on our core missions of collecting/documenting the
history and heritage of Michigan and maintaining materials that assist state
government agencies in doing their work. Facing a 23% reduction in the
budget for the next fiscal year, the Library has been forced to re-examine
every program and service. The Library's staff will be "weeding" the Dewey
and Main Collections in an effort to keep items that "fit" the core mission.
After staff have thoroughly gone through the Dewey (4th floor) and Main (3rd
floor) Collections and pulled items that align with our primary mission,
Michigan libraries will be invited in to claim the remaining parts of those
collections. The change of hours is temporary. It will allow staff to have
the necessary time to work with the collections and evaluate the materials
in question.
NO PLANS ARE IN PLACE AT THIS TIME TO MOVE THE NON-MICHIGAN FAMILY HISTORY
COLLECTION TO THE ARCHIVES OR ANY OTHER INSTITUTION. Staff will only be
working with the Dewey and Main Collections during the reduced hours. The
family history collection will be accessible 1-5 (M-F) and 10-5 on Saturdays
until September 7. Regular hours will resume on the 7th. If you have
questions contact the Library of Michigan at (517) 373-1300 or
librarian@michigan.gov.
Thanks for your support and kind wishes."
As Randy has stated, currently nothing has changed as far as the
availability of the genealogy collections at the Library of Michigan. Hours
of operation will be TEMPORARILY reduced from Aug 2 thru September 3 to
permit staff to prepare the Main (third floor) and Dewey (fourth floor)
collections to be distributed to other Michigan Libraries. Items of
genealogical and historical significance are being separated by staff to be
added to the Michigan and Genealogy-both Michigan and non-Michigan -
collections.
Nothing will be resolved until a new budget passes. When this happens,
final decisions will be made by the Library administration on the future
hours, staffing, and services offered by the Library of Michigan. Anything
offered up before that is only speculation.
For the latest factual information about Library of Michigan operations,
collections and services, visit http://michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan. You
may also contact them by phone (517) 373-1300 or e-mail
librarian@michigan.gov.
We will continue to update you as the situation necessitates.
Thank you, James, for keeping us updated on the status of the LOM. I can only hope that someone there realizes that the "non-Michigan" collection, really is part of our Michigan heritage, since most of our families here today came from elsewhere. But, I understand a 23% cut is really huge, and, unfortunately, hard decisions have to be made. (Perhaps, each of our state congressmen and senators should make the hard decision to take a 23% salary cut to show sympathy!)
Curt Witcher, manager of the Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library,
was the plenary speaker at BYU's Conference on Family History and Genealogy on Wednesday.
I am looking for information about the Michigan Central Railroad. My great-grandfather James (Pitts) Aikman worked the railroad in and around Vanderbilt until at least 1910. If anyone knows how to find information about this please contact me!
There's a very brief history of the railroad at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan_Central_Railroad. The rail line started out as a line in southern Michigan but the Wikipedia site shows a 1918 map which indicates the line also went into northern Michigan by that time.
-----Forwarded Message-----
From: Tom Koselka
Sent: Sep 16, 2010 12:31 PM
To: watte@tir.com
Subject: MGC Library of Michigan Show 'em we use 'em
Good afternoon genealogists,
Please share this with your membership.
Last year, genealogists, historians and librarians from every corner of Michigan rallied in front of the Capitol and then surrounded the Michigan Library and Historical Center holding a green ribbon. This action was to protest the Governor’s Executive Order that dismantled the Department of History, Arts and Libraries and endangered the Genealogy Collection at the Library of Michigan.
The legislature has just passed a much leaner budget for 2010-2011, and has included some support for the Genealogy collection at the Library in that budget. To illustrate our support and use of the genealogy collection to the Library administration, MGC is asking genealogists and historians to visit the Library to “Show ‘em we use ‘em”. We have selected four dates over the next four weeks to show this support. They are listed at the bottom of this e-mail.
The Genealogy collection is still on the second floor of the Library of Michigan. There are no longer plans to move it to the fourth floor. MGC continues to encourage cooperation between the Library and the Archives to offer services, programming and outreach to genealogists and historians. The hours for the Library are 10-5, Monday thru Saturday. If there is a Monday holiday, the Library is closed the Saturday to that holiday. The Archives are open on Monday thru Saturday, 1-5. Unfortunately, the Library has been forced to reduce the number of computers available to patrons, because of a change in the way the State charges for their use.
If you are able to join us at the Library, we ask that you arrive for the opening at 10 a.m. Please come prepared with several avenues of research to explore, especially books, maps, etc. The number of microfilm readers, printers and computers are limited, and we expect these to fill quickly. We realize that due to distance it is not convenient for each of our member societies to travel to Lansing. That is why we have selected four dates. We hope you will be able to arrange for a carpool with your society members on at least one of these days.
Please be at the Library before 10 a.m. and stop in the cafeteria to get a piece of green ribbon to pin on your shirt or blouse.
The dates to visit the Library of Michigan to “Show ‘em we use ‘em” are:
· Tuesday, September 21.
· Wednesday, September 29.
· Monday, October 4.
· Thursday, October 14.
Please help us keep the Genealogy Collection a priority at the Library of Michigan.
Thank you,
Tom Koselka, Corresponding Secretary
Michigan Genealogical Council
You would think that there would be something those of us from Michigan that live out of state could do to protest what is happening there at the library!
Concetta and Cathy--just reacting here, haven't given a lot of detailed thought to either of your points, but here goes:
First, I normally would agree with Concetta that sending letters to the gov and party heads would be an effective way for an out-of-stater to communicate the "reach" of the library beyond our state's borders, but I think it is a waste of time at this point--the Governor and the heads of the senate and house are term limited, and those terms for all 3 end this year. But, start those writing campaigns in January to the new leaders! Perhaps, you could also write to the senator and congressman in the area from where you originated.
Also, forget mentioning the impact on the budget, unless you want to point out how the expenses of the library are a drop in the bucket of the bigger state budget. The only financial impact the library has on the budget is to maintain or create costs. It is far cheaper for the state to dump the library than to keep it. But there are other kinds of costs--not necessarily measurable on a short-term financial basis, which is what budgets are for--that don't show up in a yearly, or even five yearly budget. For instance, what is the long term effect of the state's knowledge loss if the libraries holdings are not made available? What is the message we send to our children if we close the state library? Do we want to further drag the state's reputation down in the eyes of the country? Right now, we have one of the 10 best genealogy libraries in the country--why would we want to lower our standing in one of the few areas where we are still a leader?
Concetta's suggestion to use the library is probably the best, and if you can get here, it would be super. In the meantime, those of who live here need to get there more often!
> Hi everyone,
>
> It's been a long wait, but yesterday Governor Granholm signed the MDE budget, which includes the appropriations for the Library of Michigan operations and State Aid to Public Libraries. As you know, there could be positive or negative supplementals during the course of the upcoming fiscal year, but for now, this is what we know:
>
> The Library of Michigan operations appropriation is $3,837,300. This amount is a 16% reduction for us, compared to the past year which ends next week. Our staffing level is also reduced as of 10/1/10 by about 20% as a result. More in the coming weeks and months as we restructure and refocus in light of these budgetary realities.
>
> State Aid to Public Libraries funding has been appropriated at $5,750,000, a 4.1% reduction from this past year's $6,000,000. At that reduced amount, the basic state aid distribution amount would be $0.1803319 per capita.
>
> Once all of the budgets are signed, state government will start in on planning for the FY12 budget, so we are already looking ahead. That is the direction to face and address if we are to succeed. So let us forge ahead together for a stronger future.
>
> Nancy
>
>
> Nancy R. Robertson
> State Librarian
>
> Library of Michigan
> P.O. Box 30007
> 702 West Kalamazoo Street
> Lansing, MI 48909-7507
>
> Phone: 517-373-9464
> Toll Free: 877-479-0021
> Fax: 517-373-5700
> Email: robertsonn@michigan.gov
>
> Free educational, news, and
> library resources waiting for you at
> Michigan eLibrary: http://www.mel.org
MICHIGAN HISTORY magazine (Sep/Oct 2010 edition) has an article on the Navarre-Morris cabin in Monroe (p.25). The Macomb family of Grosse Ile is also featured (p.31). Several other families are discussed in this issue which is nice as so often the magazine focuses on places or things or events.
For our Civil War buffs, Chris Czopek's book on the identification of the Native American soldiers who were in Michigan's Co. K, is now available: http://redoak1863.homestead.com/contact.html
The future of the Library of Michigan is still on shaky ground. It is not being used very much lately & the Education Department (which I understand is not LOM friendly) will make recommendations of more cutbacks if we don't support it, especially with the new governor coming in. PLEASE support this valuable institution.
The Library of Michigan is making some funding-driven (or lack-of-funding-driven) changes starting in January 2011 that you should be aware of:
· The Library of Michigan will no longer participate in MeLCat starting January 3.
· Materials from LOM will no longer circulate – they will be available for in-library use only (except on a limited basis to state employees to conduct state business).
· LOM will no longer provide interlibrary loan services for public patrons.
· Beginning January 1, the LOM will be open Monday-Friday only (closed Saturday and Sunday).
From: Tom Koselka
Sent: Dec 4, 2010 7:37 AM
To: watte@tir.com
Subject: MGC - Library of Michigan update
Dear genealogists,
You may have heard of an anonymous 27-page document circulating in government circles that gives suggestions on how to cut almost $3 billion from the State of Michigan budget for the Fiscal 2011-2012 year. Among the possibilities floated in this document are:
· Eliminate funding for the Library of Michigan. This would eliminate all staff and make collections inaccessible to the public.
· Eliminate State Aid to Michigan Libraries. This would result in the loss of $5.6 million in federal matching funds, which are used to support the Michigan eLibrary (MeL) and the Michigan eLibrary Catalog (MeLCat).
· Privatize Higher Education facilities.
· Shift much of the State funding for Community Colleges to K-12 School Aid funds.
· Eliminate Veterans Service Organization funding, to name just a few.
With the Governor-elect Snyder’s transition staff calling the Michigan Library and Historical Center their home base for the transition period before he takes office, it is an opportunity for us to make a positive impact by using the collections available to us as genealogists and historical researches.
Over the past decade, the Library of Michigan was absorbed by the Michigan Department of Education and its appropriation cut by 2/3 or nearly $24.0 million, leaving a total appropriation of $11.0 million in fiscal 2009-10.
Earlier this year, the Michigan Center for Reinvention and Innovation reaffirmed the Michigan Library and Historical Center as the “people’s building” one of very few government buildings that are completely open to the public. Their final report also urged the historical and genealogical collections remain in the building and to be accessible to researchers.
The Michigan Library and Historical Center is a popular destination for Lansing visitors. Next to the Capitol and Michigan State University, it is the third most popular destination in the Greater Lansing Area. We are on the eve of the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War beginning next year, and the Bi-centennial of the War of 1812 the following year, the demand for these state and national treasures from the Archives and Library will increase.
Over the next several weeks, please try to make an extra visit to the Library of Michigan and the Archives of Michigan to show by example how important it is to keep these collections available to the public. Please urge the members of your society to do the same. These collections and records are not limited to genealogists, but are used by historical researchers of all types. Write a letter to the new administration and let them know how important these collections are to the citizens of our great State.
Best wishes,
Michigan Genealogical Council http://mimgc.org
Liz Loveland
Feb 11, 2010
Liz Loveland
Feb 11, 2010
Liz Loveland
Feb 13, 2010
Catherine Davis
Michigan death records for 1867-1897 are available on the family search Pilot site. 1897-1920 at seekingmichigan.org.
Feb 13, 2010
Terri Carlson
Feb 14, 2010
Liz Loveland
Thank you Catherine - I research in so many states that if I'm not looking at my notes I tend to forget what death dates are available at what sites (and in what states) when.
Thank you again Terri - looking at the records, it looks like Maud was 2 years 2 days old when she died, which would make 24 Nov the appropriate birth date for a death of 26 Jan. My educated guess is that one of the records has the wrong year listed, but I'm not sure which one!
The census shows that Ida had had two children that had died (and none that had lived), but I don't know if the other child was born to her and Thomas or to her and Samuel. I'm poking around FamilySearch Pilot and Seeking Michigan this afternoon looking for another record of a child's death.
Feb 14, 2010
Brenda K. Wolfgram Moore
http://www.mifamilyhistory.org/dibeanindex/
B
Feb 15, 2010
Diana Larson
Feb 15, 2010
Diana Larson
Feb 15, 2010
James P. LaLone
Library of Michigan. On Friday, the State Librarian announced the following cuts effective 1 Oct 2010, based on a 23% budget reduction.
1. Elimination of the non-Michigan genealogy collection. Intent is to concentrate on a core curriculum of Michigan material
2. Elimination of the Federal Documents collection.
3. Consolidation of the remaining library material and relocation to the 4th and 5th floors
4. Approx. 1/3 cut in staffing
5. Possibility of leasing space vacated.
As to what will happen with the collections that are being discarded, one possibility includes finding a willing public institution to accept the material. At the moment, the possibility exists that failure to find a willing institute could result in the physical destruction of the collections. It is unclear from a statutory standpoint of what the law permits on the disposal of library assets. In fact it appears that the State is examining this issue as this very moment to determine their options.
This is coming from the State Librarian, not the Governor. Looks like we have another battle on our hands.
Feb 17, 2010
Catherine Davis
Feb 20, 2010
James P. LaLone
http://mimgc.org/LOM.html
Feb 21, 2010
James P. LaLone
www.h-net.org/~hsm/pdf/IndexestoMichiganNewspapers.pdf
Feb 25, 2010
Catherine Davis
Feb 25, 2010
James P. LaLone
Feb 26, 2010
James P. LaLone
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/
Feb 26, 2010
James P. LaLone
http://cliffvenier.com/
FRENCH FAMILIES OF TRENTON, MICHIGAN
Descendants and Ancestors of Early French Settlers
Mar 7, 2010
John C. Bhend
Can anyone provide any advice regarding obtaining the birth record. The document I have does not cite a Church or Parrish.
I also do not have supporting documentation of a death date or location.
Last know location was Roscommon, Roscommon County, Michigan, 1900 U.S. Census.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Mar 13, 2010
Sherril Edward Bilky Jr
Mar 16, 2010
Marilyn K. Sobiech
Mar 17, 2010
Catherine Davis
The state of Michigan didn't start collecting bmd info until 1876; although you can sometime find earlier records in some localities through the county clerks offices.
I did find some info on what I think is your family. It differs in places from yours but also agrees in others, so I'm sending it so you can decide if any of it is useful.
On ancestry.com, I found John and Emma in Duluth in 1900, but couldn't find them in other years:
DWYER, John b. Dec 1862, age 37, m 13 yrs, MI, Ire, PA, laborer
Emma, wife, b Feb 1860, age 40, m 13 yrs, 5 children, 3 living, NY Canada
(En) France
Clifford, son, b. Jan 1890, age 10, MI, MI, NY
Earl, son, b. Dec 1892, age 7, MI, MI, NY
Roy, son, b. Oct 1893, age 6, MN, MI, NY
Doris Mrs. boarder, b. Jan 1860, age 40, m 1yr, 0 children, MN, MI, NY
Bagley Allis, boarder, (female), b. Nov 1886, age 13, MN, MI, Can(Fr)
(the way the names were written in the census implied that the last two had the last name Dwyer as well as all the rest, although I wonder if that was a mistake for the last person and if her name was really Alice Bagley)
Michigan marriages from 1876 - 1920 are supposedly online at http://pilot.familysearch.org/, but I could not find a marriage record for John and Emma, but you should double-check me.
Also at ancestry.com, the only records for Michael (Mike) Dwyer with a wife named Martha were for 1880 and 1900, both in Port Huron, MI. I think the two records are for the same family although the ages are not terribly consistent.
1800:
DWYER, Michael, 44, farmer, Ire, Ire, Ire
Martha, 33, wife
James, 13, son
Ella, 11, daughter
Edward, 4, son
Anna 1, daughter
(note: no son John, but he was probably old enough to be working away from home so his absence is not necessarily a reason to rule this fam out as a possibility, but obviously more evidence would be helpful)
1900: address = 13 th street
DWYER, Michel (sic) R., b. Sep 1842. age 57, m 36 yrs, farmer, yr of immig =
1852, 48 yrs in US, naturalized
Martha, wife, b. May 1847, age 53, 10 children, 7 living, WI, Can (Eng),
Can(Eng)
Ellen A., daughter, b. Jan 1871, 29, dressmaker
Edward, son, b. Jan 1876, 24, boilermaker
Susanne, daughter, b. Aug 1879, 20, bookkeeper
Anna, daughter, b. Aug 1882, 17, telephone office
Fredirck (sic), son, b. Feb 1885, 15, clothes factory
Burt K, son b. Aug 1889, 10, at school
At seekingmichigan.com, a free site, there is a death record for a Michael Dwyer in Port Huron, d. Dec 28, 1903. This site has deaths from 1897-1920. Records from 1876-1896 are on the familysearch pilot site.
Hope some of this proves to be helpful.
Mar 17, 2010
Catherine Davis
Mar 17, 2010
James P. LaLone
Those who work or worked for the government are of an opinion that the dismantlement is a done deal and that the MCIR committee is just a smoke screen.
Apparently, the Archives (under the control of the DNR) has asked for the non-Michigan genealogy collection, but nothing official on this. The Dewey books are to be gotten rid of (there are genealogy books in that collection) as well as Fed. Docs., which in fact make up about one-third of the law library (which can’t be gotten rid of). If no one will take the collections not desired then they may try to sell the material or else throw it away (this seems to be unclear also.)
PLEASE keep writing your representative and ask questions why these things are happening. Why are they trying to "fix" unbroken structures & ruin the State's heritage. One 80 some year old gentleman who donated a $30,000 collection of Polish material may see that disapate, the $10,000 French-Canadian collection which was not purchased by the LOM but a gift from the Abrams Foundation will also disappear (it's the only one in the state). Material dealing with the South will also be gotten rid of.
To try and stay in touch with things visit:
http://mimgc.org/LOM.html
http://michigan.gov/documents/dnr/draft_agenda_March_15_314837_7.pdf
Mar 21, 2010
James P. LaLone
A bill was passed in the MI Senate which has some good news, see:
www.legislature.mi.gov
Bill number type in <1154> and hit search.
Page comes up with several choices - pick
"As Passed by the Senate" (text or PDF),
On page p.22 on PDF you will see -
The collection presently housed by the LOM to be kept intact, but may not necessarily be available to the public.
Write your representative and tell them that you would like them to support the bill (SB1154). Hopefully the collection will be remain available to the public, but more importantly the collection will be kept intact and that when the economy improves it will be available to the public.
Mar 25, 2010
Marilyn K. Sobiech
Mar 26, 2010
James P. LaLone
The senate & representative contact info is here:
http://www.capwiz.com/ala/mi/directory/statedir.tt?state=MI&lvl...
Unfortunately there is no easy answer, it is typical politics. The State sets a budget. The governor moved the LOM to the Dept. of Education which used to control it. They have never treated the LOM as the gem it is. Well the LOM rents the floors in the building (ie. it pays the money back to the state which gave it to them in the first place.) So the state reduces the budget for the LOM but does not reduce the rent & they cannot afford the rent. So to "fix" the LOM (which is not broken, it is the economy that is) they are going to reduce the size of the collection and move it to cheaper floors (smaller space) in the building. The vacated floors were going to be rented out, however, all the plans have fallen through because of the economy, so even if the LOM is reduced the floors will be vacant and not bringing in any additional rent. The LOM which boasts the 10th largest genealogy research collection in the nation will probably go down to the 50th (if we are lucky). This is when heritage tours are on the rise and could bring in tourist dollars. Nobody wants the collections being gotten rid of. And nobody will take on the collection or parts of it because they do not have the money.
If the senate bill passes in the House of Reps. then the Michigan collection will probably be moved to the cheaper floors and the rest of the collection will be mothballed, which is better then getting rid of it. Then in the future it can be resurrected when the economy improves. We do not want the collection broken up.
Many people think the only way to do research is through the internet and they are sadly mistaken.
Mar 26, 2010
James P. LaLone
GRANHOLM VETOES LIBRARY POWER PROTECTIONS
Governor Jennifer Granholm * vetoed language Friday that was passed by the Legislature requiring that the Library of Michigan to maintain custody of the non-Michigan genealogy and federal document collections.
Ms. Granholm vetoed the sections in HB 5394 * (PA 47) addressing the library, which has been a point of controversy between the governor and the Legislature since Ms. Granholm abolished the Department of History, Arts and Libraries last year.
"I want to preserve the Library of Michigan's flexibility in exploring suitable candidates to assume the custodial responsibilities of these collections," Ms. Granholm said in her veto message.
* Source: Gongwer News Servic
Apr 7, 2010
James P. LaLone
CADL's Reference Head has shared his recent History of the Lansing Theatres at Slideshare!:
http://ow.ly/1Cb5d
Apr 23, 2010
James P. LaLone
Apr 25, 2010
James P. LaLone
Last year we wrote to you (the genie societies) concerning the Federal legislation, Preserving the American Historical Record (PAHR). Mark Harvey, our State Archivist has also spoke of this plan and updated Council at several of our delegate meetings.
This bill has been in the House of Representatives almost a year now, and has recently been introduced in the Senate, by Sen. Orin Hatch of Utah and Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan along with five other original sponsors.
The House bill is HR2256, and currently has over 50 co-sponsors. It is currently before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. While this bill currently has no co-sponsors in the House, not one represents a Michigan Congressional district.
The Senate bill is S3227 and has been referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
We are asking you to write to your Senator and Representative in the US Congress, ESPECIALLY if they serve on one of the above committees, and in your own words express why this legislation is important for the Preservation and continued access to the records we all use in our genealogy research. You can also ask your Representative to sign on as a co-sponsor.
Sample letters and additional information about PAHR may be found at their website, http://www.archivists.org/pahr/. This site is updated, as there are changes and progress with this legislation.
If passed, Michigan would receive over $1.6 million Federal dollars annually to help pay for the staffing to preserve, protect and make accessible our historic documents
Sincerely,
Tom Koselka, Legislative Liaison
Michigan Genealogical Council"
Apr 25, 2010
Bernard Doddema, Jr.
Thanks.
Apr 26, 2010
James P. LaLone
http://www.ajmorris.com/a06/photopres.htm
http://www.loricase.com/faq.html
http://www.loc.gov/preserv/careothr.html
http://www.digitalpreservation.gov/
http://genealogy.about.com/library/authors/ucmishkin1a.htm
Her business is: www.capcityrepo.com
You may have something similar in your area. I suppose if you have a lot of photos to restore then investing in a program may be worthwhile otherwise have a professional photo restorer doing it for you may be the way to go. She uses Adobe Photo Shop but says nowdays it comes with a lot of extra (unecessary) programs & goes for around $1,500.00, however Photo Shop Elements is quite good and can probably be enough for most people and does sell for under $100.00 (shop around).
Hope this helps some. Jim.
Apr 29, 2010
James P. LaLone
http://www.native-languages.org/michigan.htm
http://www.aaanativearts.com/tribes-by-states/michigan_tribes.htm
http://bentley.umich.edu/research/guides/nativeamericans/nativeam_s...
JOHNSTON genealogy
www.johnstongenealogy.com/Wm.%20Esq.%20of%20A...
May 20, 2010
James P. LaLone
Hello genealogists,
Below is the latest update from the Michigan Genealogical Council regarding the Library of Michigan, and recent actions taken by the Michigan Legislature affecting the non-Michigan genealogy collection as received from Tom Koselka, Michigan Genealogical Council (http://mimgc.org)
MICHIGAN GENEALOGICAL COUNCIL
P.O. Box 80953
Lansing, MI 48908-0953
http://mimgc.org
June 18, 2010
Dear Fellow Genealogists:
The Michigan Genealogical Council (MGC) would like to take this opportunity to bring everyone
up-to-date on the events surrounding the collections at the Library of Michigan. We would
like to thank everyone for their support as talks progressed.
As many of you are aware, the Library of Michigan is facing a projected 23 percent cut in
funding and a loss of 13 staff positions (in addition to the 16 staff lost resulting from the
Governor’s executive order) by the end of this current fiscal year (September 30, 2010). Due
to this projected loss in staff, Nancy Robertson, State Librarian, is forced to make a difficult
decision. She has had to look at the services the library provides and make some painful
cuts. One of the proposed cuts was to find new stewards for several of their collections,
among them the non-Michigan genealogical collection.
The position of the MGC has always been that any solution must meet the following three (3)
criteria:
1. Keep the collection together under one roof.
2. Keep the collection accessible to the public.
3. Keep the collection under state control and protection.
In January, Governor Granholm announced her appointments to the Michigan Center for
Innovation and Reinvention Board. This board is still working on their recommendation (now
due to the Governor on July 1, 2010). They have made it clear that their focus will be on the
uses of the 2nd and 3rd floor of the building, and will not make any recommendations in
regards to the collections. MGC representative, Dr. Frank Boles, has attended every meeting
and has done everything possible to express the position of the Council. We would like to
thank Dr. Boles for all his hard work and efforts on our behalf.
During this time, the Michigan Historical Center expressed an interest in moving the non-
Michigan collection to the State Archives. This plan was endorsed by the MGC as it met all
three of our criteria, and we applaud both the Department of Natural Resources and
Environment and the Department of Education for being willing to work together to find a
solution.
The cost of the move is between $80,000 - $100,000. Due to many generous donations, no
tax payer dollars would be needed to fund the cost of this move. The Michigan Genealogical
Council has received permission from the Abrams Foundation to use $10,000 of money that
was earmarked for the death record project to be diverted to this move. MGC also pledged
$5,000 of its own money to this effort.
Many local societies are also willing to donate money, if needed. Pledges of support come in
weekly. The MGC knows of, and would like to thank, the following societies that have pledged
their support:
Ingham County Genealogical Society
Jackson County Genealogical Society
Lenawee County Family Researchers
Mid Michigan Genealogical Society
Genealogical Society of Monroe County
Stockbridge Area Genealogical/Historical Society
Genealogical Society of Washtenaw County
Unfortunately, in March the Senate added language to the 2010-2011 Education Appropriation
bill (SB 1154) that states the following:
Sec. 804. The department and library of Michigan shall maintain custody of all
collections maintained, housed, owned, or otherwise kept by the library of Michigan in
fiscal year 2009-2010, and shall not sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of those
collections. The department and library of Michigan need not make the non-
Michigan genealogy or federal documents collections available to the public.
The MGC has problems with this legislation. First, there was no additional funding, so it
almost guarantees that the non-Michigan genealogical collection will not be made available to
the public, and secondly it does not allow the transfer to the Archives, which would be able to
keep the collection open to the public.
While well intentioned by the legislature, this has put negotiations on hold between the
departments of Education and Natural Resources and Environment.
While this bill is currently in committee to negotiate the house and senate versions, this
wording is not up for debate as this section of the bill was passed by both the House and the
Senate. Therefore, this language will be heading to the Governor once the final bill is passed.
The major attraction at the Library of Michigan is not only the collections, but also the
knowledgeable staff. If the non-Michigan genealogy collection is allowed to go dark, we will
lose more than just access to the collection, the staff will be diminished. The genealogists in
this state will have an uphill battle to open these collections and to reassemble a
knowledgeable staff.
Currently, we are in a holding pattern, along with the library and archives, while we let the
budget process play out. We are also keeping our eye on the MCIR board, and look forward
to reading their recommendations to the Governor.
We will keep you informed as the process progresses. We hope to have more information in
the next month.
In solidarity, [signed]
Cynthia S. Grostick
President of MGC
Thomas G. Koselka
MGC Corresponding Secretary &
Legislative Liaison
Jun 20, 2010
James P. LaLone
Beginning August 2 through September 3, 2010, the Library of Michigan's public hours will be 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. This action is part of the Library's response to budget cuts and reduced staffing and will allow us to complete distribution of materials from the Dewey and Main collections to other Michigan libraries. Regular hours will resume on September 7, 2010.
From: Tom Koselka [mailto:tom@mimgc.org]
Sent: 19 July, 2010 4:26 PM
Good afternoon,
Michigan's Governor Granholm has issued the following press release on her
webpage: http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168--240954--,00.html
Tom Koselka, Corresponding Secretary
Michigan Genealogical Council
FYI
The Sep 2010 issue of Family Tree magazine is available, includes best 101 FREE websites, analyzing sources for people with the same name, DNA research & Finnish research
Jul 20, 2010
James P. LaLone
http://www.hal.state.mi.us/cemeteries/default.aspx
http://www.migenweb.net/
http://www.cyndislist.com/mi.htm
http://www.findagrave.com/
http://www.cyndislist.com/cemetery.htm
Jul 28, 2010
James P. LaLone
Sent: 28 July, 2010 6:35 AM
Subject: MGC: Clarification of MCIR Board Statement
Dear Genealogists,
There has been some confusion and some misinterpretation about the MCIR
Board report released by Governor Granholm. With so much uncertainty
surrounding the collections and the Library of Michigan this past year,
rumors and misinterpretations increase exponentially each time they are
repeated.
The MCIR Board was appointed to serve in an advisory capacity to the
Governor. We are pleased with their conclusions and recommendations
regarding the genealogical collections at the Library of Michigan (LM);
however, the recommendations are just that; advisory recommendations. The
Governor will decide if she wishes to follow those recommendations.
Also, this is only one piece in the puzzle in the future of the collections
at the Library of Michigan. The Michigan Department of Education (MDE), is
the department responsible for the administration of the Library. They do
this following the mandates and budget guidelines given them by the Governor
and any legislation passed and signed into law by the Governor.
Unfortunately, with a projected 23 percent cut in funding proposed for
fiscal year 2010-2011 (beginning October 1, 2010), MDE and the Library of
Michigan have difficult choices to make. These were spelled out in their
February 12 memo that detailed how MDE and LM were going to comply with the
cost saving measures dictated by the two Executive Orders issued last year,
and still maintain a high-level of service and accessibility with their core
collections.
Randy Riley, Special Collections Manager for the Library of Michigan issued
the following statement recently to clarify several misunderstandings and
faulty conclusions:
"The state's current budget situation has required the Library of Michigan
focus more closely on our core missions of collecting/documenting the
history and heritage of Michigan and maintaining materials that assist state
government agencies in doing their work. Facing a 23% reduction in the
budget for the next fiscal year, the Library has been forced to re-examine
every program and service. The Library's staff will be "weeding" the Dewey
and Main Collections in an effort to keep items that "fit" the core mission.
After staff have thoroughly gone through the Dewey (4th floor) and Main (3rd
floor) Collections and pulled items that align with our primary mission,
Michigan libraries will be invited in to claim the remaining parts of those
collections. The change of hours is temporary. It will allow staff to have
the necessary time to work with the collections and evaluate the materials
in question.
NO PLANS ARE IN PLACE AT THIS TIME TO MOVE THE NON-MICHIGAN FAMILY HISTORY
COLLECTION TO THE ARCHIVES OR ANY OTHER INSTITUTION. Staff will only be
working with the Dewey and Main Collections during the reduced hours. The
family history collection will be accessible 1-5 (M-F) and 10-5 on Saturdays
until September 7. Regular hours will resume on the 7th. If you have
questions contact the Library of Michigan at (517) 373-1300 or
librarian@michigan.gov.
Thanks for your support and kind wishes."
As Randy has stated, currently nothing has changed as far as the
availability of the genealogy collections at the Library of Michigan. Hours
of operation will be TEMPORARILY reduced from Aug 2 thru September 3 to
permit staff to prepare the Main (third floor) and Dewey (fourth floor)
collections to be distributed to other Michigan Libraries. Items of
genealogical and historical significance are being separated by staff to be
added to the Michigan and Genealogy-both Michigan and non-Michigan -
collections.
Nothing will be resolved until a new budget passes. When this happens,
final decisions will be made by the Library administration on the future
hours, staffing, and services offered by the Library of Michigan. Anything
offered up before that is only speculation.
For the latest factual information about Library of Michigan operations,
collections and services, visit http://michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan. You
may also contact them by phone (517) 373-1300 or e-mail
librarian@michigan.gov.
We will continue to update you as the situation necessitates.
Best wishes,
Tom Koselka, Legislative Liaison
Michigan Genealogical Council
http://mimgc.org
Jul 29, 2010
Catherine Davis
Jul 29, 2010
James P. LaLone
was the plenary speaker at BYU's Conference on Family History and Genealogy on Wednesday.
http://www.mormontimes.com/article/16144/The-coming-genealogical-da...
Jul 30, 2010
Cathy Milioto
Aug 18, 2010
Catherine Davis
Aug 18, 2010
James P. LaLone
-----Forwarded Message-----
From: Tom Koselka
Sent: Sep 16, 2010 12:31 PM
To: watte@tir.com
Subject: MGC Library of Michigan Show 'em we use 'em
Good afternoon genealogists,
Please share this with your membership.
Last year, genealogists, historians and librarians from every corner of Michigan rallied in front of the Capitol and then surrounded the Michigan Library and Historical Center holding a green ribbon. This action was to protest the Governor’s Executive Order that dismantled the Department of History, Arts and Libraries and endangered the Genealogy Collection at the Library of Michigan.
The legislature has just passed a much leaner budget for 2010-2011, and has included some support for the Genealogy collection at the Library in that budget. To illustrate our support and use of the genealogy collection to the Library administration, MGC is asking genealogists and historians to visit the Library to “Show ‘em we use ‘em”. We have selected four dates over the next four weeks to show this support. They are listed at the bottom of this e-mail.
The Genealogy collection is still on the second floor of the Library of Michigan. There are no longer plans to move it to the fourth floor. MGC continues to encourage cooperation between the Library and the Archives to offer services, programming and outreach to genealogists and historians. The hours for the Library are 10-5, Monday thru Saturday. If there is a Monday holiday, the Library is closed the Saturday to that holiday. The Archives are open on Monday thru Saturday, 1-5. Unfortunately, the Library has been forced to reduce the number of computers available to patrons, because of a change in the way the State charges for their use.
If you are able to join us at the Library, we ask that you arrive for the opening at 10 a.m. Please come prepared with several avenues of research to explore, especially books, maps, etc. The number of microfilm readers, printers and computers are limited, and we expect these to fill quickly. We realize that due to distance it is not convenient for each of our member societies to travel to Lansing. That is why we have selected four dates. We hope you will be able to arrange for a carpool with your society members on at least one of these days.
Please be at the Library before 10 a.m. and stop in the cafeteria to get a piece of green ribbon to pin on your shirt or blouse.
The dates to visit the Library of Michigan to “Show ‘em we use ‘em” are:
· Tuesday, September 21.
· Wednesday, September 29.
· Monday, October 4.
· Thursday, October 14.
Please help us keep the Genealogy Collection a priority at the Library of Michigan.
Thank you,
Tom Koselka, Corresponding Secretary
Michigan Genealogical Council
Sep 16, 2010
Cathy Milioto
Sep 18, 2010
Catherine Davis
First, I normally would agree with Concetta that sending letters to the gov and party heads would be an effective way for an out-of-stater to communicate the "reach" of the library beyond our state's borders, but I think it is a waste of time at this point--the Governor and the heads of the senate and house are term limited, and those terms for all 3 end this year. But, start those writing campaigns in January to the new leaders! Perhaps, you could also write to the senator and congressman in the area from where you originated.
Also, forget mentioning the impact on the budget, unless you want to point out how the expenses of the library are a drop in the bucket of the bigger state budget. The only financial impact the library has on the budget is to maintain or create costs. It is far cheaper for the state to dump the library than to keep it. But there are other kinds of costs--not necessarily measurable on a short-term financial basis, which is what budgets are for--that don't show up in a yearly, or even five yearly budget. For instance, what is the long term effect of the state's knowledge loss if the libraries holdings are not made available? What is the message we send to our children if we close the state library? Do we want to further drag the state's reputation down in the eyes of the country? Right now, we have one of the 10 best genealogy libraries in the country--why would we want to lower our standing in one of the few areas where we are still a leader?
Concetta's suggestion to use the library is probably the best, and if you can get here, it would be super. In the meantime, those of who live here need to get there more often!
Sep 19, 2010
James P. LaLone
> Hi everyone,
>
> It's been a long wait, but yesterday Governor Granholm signed the MDE budget, which includes the appropriations for the Library of Michigan operations and State Aid to Public Libraries. As you know, there could be positive or negative supplementals during the course of the upcoming fiscal year, but for now, this is what we know:
>
> The Library of Michigan operations appropriation is $3,837,300. This amount is a 16% reduction for us, compared to the past year which ends next week. Our staffing level is also reduced as of 10/1/10 by about 20% as a result. More in the coming weeks and months as we restructure and refocus in light of these budgetary realities.
>
> State Aid to Public Libraries funding has been appropriated at $5,750,000, a 4.1% reduction from this past year's $6,000,000. At that reduced amount, the basic state aid distribution amount would be $0.1803319 per capita.
>
> Once all of the budgets are signed, state government will start in on planning for the FY12 budget, so we are already looking ahead. That is the direction to face and address if we are to succeed. So let us forge ahead together for a stronger future.
>
> Nancy
>
>
> Nancy R. Robertson
> State Librarian
>
> Library of Michigan
> P.O. Box 30007
> 702 West Kalamazoo Street
> Lansing, MI 48909-7507
>
> Phone: 517-373-9464
> Toll Free: 877-479-0021
> Fax: 517-373-5700
> Email: robertsonn@michigan.gov
>
> Free educational, news, and
> library resources waiting for you at
> Michigan eLibrary: http://www.mel.org
Sep 24, 2010
James P. LaLone
Sep 27, 2010
James P. LaLone
Oct 29, 2010
James P. LaLone
Nov 15, 2010
James P. LaLone
Nov 18, 2010
James P. LaLone
· The Library of Michigan will no longer participate in MeLCat starting January 3.
· Materials from LOM will no longer circulate – they will be available for in-library use only (except on a limited basis to state employees to conduct state business).
· LOM will no longer provide interlibrary loan services for public patrons.
· Beginning January 1, the LOM will be open Monday-Friday only (closed Saturday and Sunday).
From: Tom Koselka
Sent: Dec 4, 2010 7:37 AM
To: watte@tir.com
Subject: MGC - Library of Michigan update
Dear genealogists,
You may have heard of an anonymous 27-page document circulating in government circles that gives suggestions on how to cut almost $3 billion from the State of Michigan budget for the Fiscal 2011-2012 year. Among the possibilities floated in this document are:
· Eliminate funding for the Library of Michigan. This would eliminate all staff and make collections inaccessible to the public.
· Eliminate State Aid to Michigan Libraries. This would result in the loss of $5.6 million in federal matching funds, which are used to support the Michigan eLibrary (MeL) and the Michigan eLibrary Catalog (MeLCat).
· Privatize Higher Education facilities.
· Shift much of the State funding for Community Colleges to K-12 School Aid funds.
· Eliminate Veterans Service Organization funding, to name just a few.
With the Governor-elect Snyder’s transition staff calling the Michigan Library and Historical Center their home base for the transition period before he takes office, it is an opportunity for us to make a positive impact by using the collections available to us as genealogists and historical researches.
Over the past decade, the Library of Michigan was absorbed by the Michigan Department of Education and its appropriation cut by 2/3 or nearly $24.0 million, leaving a total appropriation of $11.0 million in fiscal 2009-10.
Earlier this year, the Michigan Center for Reinvention and Innovation reaffirmed the Michigan Library and Historical Center as the “people’s building” one of very few government buildings that are completely open to the public. Their final report also urged the historical and genealogical collections remain in the building and to be accessible to researchers.
The Michigan Library and Historical Center is a popular destination for Lansing visitors. Next to the Capitol and Michigan State University, it is the third most popular destination in the Greater Lansing Area. We are on the eve of the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War beginning next year, and the Bi-centennial of the War of 1812 the following year, the demand for these state and national treasures from the Archives and Library will increase.
Over the next several weeks, please try to make an extra visit to the Library of Michigan and the Archives of Michigan to show by example how important it is to keep these collections available to the public. Please urge the members of your society to do the same. These collections and records are not limited to genealogists, but are used by historical researchers of all types. Write a letter to the new administration and let them know how important these collections are to the citizens of our great State.
Best wishes,
Michigan Genealogical Council
http://mimgc.org
Dec 6, 2010