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 September 28, 2024.

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.

When: Class sessions held one Saturday each month from September through June between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. 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.

Where: 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.

Handouts: The classes are free and the handouts are available in pdf form to download (scroll down page for current handout). Printed handouts will be available at each class session for a $2 fee to cover a printing costs. Class handouts contain information and forms used in the class, and assist you in your research.

Parking: Meetings will be held at Milwaukee Central Public Library Downtown, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., with convenvient on and off street parking. Metered street parking is available around the library building. 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. These smart meters service up to 2 parking spaces and utilize coin or credit card payments at the meter, or use the MKE Park App. There is also a parking lot on Wisconsin Avenue across the street from the library.

Class Recording: A MCGS benefit, is the ability for MCGS members to login into this website, and in the members only area to view a video recording of the 2023-2024 Beginner Genealogy Classes and download the class handouts.

Appleton Public Library youtube channel is an excellent resource for genealogy videos, including their "Genealogy Series for Seniors".

Questions: send an email to info @milwaukeegenealogy.org

Class Schedule available to download in this form

Please feel free to attend any in person session! Walk-ins welcome!

2024 - 2025

Class Schedule

Saturday 9:30am - 11:30am (In Person only)

Note: Handouts will only be available to download on this page the week before each class

Handouts also available in the members only area.

September 28

Getting Started in Genealogy

Learn the best way to get started on your family history (or what to do if you've already started).

by Sherri E. Dodd

October 26

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

and

African-American Genealogy Research

How I used the 1700 to 1800 census to trace my ancestry back to their slave owners.

by Cathy Bell

November 16

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 25

Starting at Home: Milwaukee Public Library

A spotlight on the special resources found at the Central Library in Milwaukee.

by Milwaukee Public Library Librarian - Jennifer Heidel

March 1

Don't Miss These - More Places to Find Records

Learn about the many ways that libraries can be useful to the family historian.

by Margaret Sandoval Skare

March 29

Historical Newspapers and Social Media for Genealogy

Explore the past through the wonderful material found in historic newspapers, and learn about social media apps to ask questions and make connections.

by Carol Genung

April 26

Starting Foreign Research

Learn how to find your Immigrant Ancestor's hometown and start researching records from the foreign homeland.

by Karen Jegen

May 17 (originally scheduled for June 28)

"Is this My Guy?" - Don't Jump to Conclusions!

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.

by Terri Cieslak

2025 HANDOUT will be available May 16 - May 18

June 28

(DNA for Genealogy was originally scheduled for May 17, but instead this "Ask a Genealogist" class session will be held in June)

"ASK A GENEALOGIST"

by MCGS class instructors/genealogists

Class atendees will have the opportunity to work one on one with a genealogist, to assist them as need with their genealogy questions. Do you have a brick wall that you would like help with? If you would like, please bring your laptop or genealogy paperwork, and MCGS class instructors/genealogists will work with you, to answer your questions.

**Note: Check the MCGS website for cancellation of classes, meetings, and programs due to inclement weather.

Class Schedule available to download in this form