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 27, 2025.

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 at the class. Class instructors may send a digital handout directly to students by email. 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 2024-2025 Beginner Genealogy Classes and download the 2024-2025 class handouts.

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

Class Schedule available to download in this form

Questions: send an email to info @milwaukeegenealogy.org

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

2025 - 2026

Class Schedule

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

Note: Handouts will be available at the class

September 27

Getting Started in Genealogy, Processes and Methods

Learn the first steps in family history research and the best practices that will help you build a verifiable family tree.
Instructor: Terri Cieslak

October 25

Introduction to Ancestry and FamilySearch

Learn how to navigate, search, and build a tree in the world’s two largest genealogy databases.
Instructor: Terri Cieslak

November 22

Census, Land and Probate Records

These records are one of the major sources of genealogical information and it’s important to know how to make the most of these important sources.
Instructor: Terri Cieslak

This class will be held in the Central Library 2nd Floor Innovation and Learning Lab

January 24

Starting at Home: Milwaukee Public Library

A spotlight on the special resources found at the Central Library in Milwaukee.
Instructor: Jennifer Heidel MPL Librarian

February 28

Don't Miss These - More Places to Find Records

Learn about other libraries and archives that are useful to the family historian.

Instructor: Margaret Sandoval Skare

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE CLASS SCHEDULE HAS BEEN REVISED!

March 28 (originally scheduled for June 27)

Foreign Research Basics

Learn how to find your immigrant ancestor’s hometown and start researching foreign records without leaving your armchair.
Instructor: Karen Jegen

April 25 (originally scheduled for March 28)

From Cradle to Grave: Vital, Church and Cemetery Records

It’s all about birth, marriage and death records, and more!
Instructor: Diane Piedt

Church HANDOUT 2023/2024

Church Powerpoint with notes HANDOUT 2023/2024

Vital Records Powerpoint with notes HANDOUT 2026

May 30 (originally scheduled for April 25)

DNA for Genealogy

Instructor: Dan Rauscher

Discussion will include choosing a DNA testing company, ethnicity estimates, genetic matches,
and doing genetic genealogy.

(Previously Scheduled: More Records! Immigration, Naturalization, Military, and Social Security Records

More Records! Immigration, Naturalization, Military, and Social Security Records
Discover life-changing events in your ancestor’s history and add details to their life story.
Instructor: )

June 27 (originally scheduled for May 30)

Using Historical Newspapers and Social Media

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

Instructor: TBD

This class will be held in the Central Library 2nd Floor Innovation and Learning Lab

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

Class Schedule available to download in this form