Spring is the perfect time to grow your family tree and there’s no better place to do it than at the Barbara J. Brown Family History Seminar, held Friday, May 9 through Saturday, May 10, 2025. Co-hosted each year by the Archives of Michigan and the Michigan Genealogical Council, this yearly genealogy event is generously supported by the Abrams Foundation in loving memory of Barbara J. Brown.
The 2025 seminar will once again be a hybrid event, offering a rich lineup of speakers and sessions both onsite in Lansing, Michigan, and online via Zoom. Whether you’re just beginning your genealogy journey or you're a seasoned researcher, there’s something here for everyone.
Featured Speaker: Kelvin L. Meyers
A professional forensic genealogist since 1996, Kelvin brings nearly three decades of experience in tracing heirs, resolving complex lineage questions, and working with legal and probate cases across the United States and internationally. He is a sought-after expert in forensic genealogy, regularly collaborating with law firms, probate courts, and mineral rights companies to uncover and document familial connections.
Kelvin currently serves as President of the Forensic Genealogy Special Interest Group of the Association of Professional Genealogists. In recognition of his outstanding service to the field, he received the Lloyd DeWitt Bockstruck Distinguished Service Award from the Dallas Genealogical Society in 2018. He is also a Fellow of the Texas State Genealogical Society.
A respected national speaker and educator, Kelvin has presented at genealogical societies, institutes, and conferences across the country. He is the author of Research in Texas for the National Genealogical Society’s Research in the States series, and continues to be a leader in applying forensic methodology to genealogical problem-solving.
Seminar Schedule:
Friday, May 9, 2025
|
Time |
Event |
|
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM |
Continental Breakfast (onsite only) |
|
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Extended Archives Research Hours (onsite only) |
|
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM |
Pre-Seminar Session: Military Records at the Archives (hybrid) |
|
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM |
Seminar Registration & Lunch (onsite only) |
|
1:00 PM – 1:20 PM |
Session 1: Welcome and Remarks |
|
1:40 PM – 2:40 PM |
Session 2: Resources of Faith Communities – Judy Nimer Muhn (hybrid) |
|
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM |
Session 3: Dealing with Record Loss – Kelvin L. Meyers
(hybrid) |
|
4:20 PM – 5:00 PM |
Session 4a: Michiganology Updates (hybrid) |
|
4:20 PM – 5:00 PM |
Session 4b: Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the Archives (onsite
only) |
Saturday, May 10, 2025
|
Time |
Event |
|
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM |
Seminar Registration & Continental Breakfast (onsite
only) |
|
8:50 AM – 9:50 AM |
Session 5: Digitizing Probate Records – Kris Rzepczynski
(hybrid) |
|
10:10 AM – 11:10 AM |
Session 6: Researching Female Ancestors – Kelvin L. Meyers
(hybrid) |
|
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM |
Session 7: City Directories – Jessica Trotter (hybrid) |
|
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM |
Lunch (onsite only) |
|
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM |
Session 8: My Ancestor in Court – Kelvin L. Meyers
(hybrid) |
|
2:50 PM – 3:50 PM |
Session 9: Online Resources for Michigan’s Roots – Matt
Pacer (hybrid) |
|
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
Extended Archives Research Hours (onsite only) |
Special Perks for Onsite Attendees
-
Free continental breakfast both days
-
Lunch included on Friday and Saturday
-
Extended research hours in the Archives of Michigan reading room
Recordings of seminar sessions available to registrants for 30 days following the event
Registration Information
-
Seminar Fee: $55
-
Register for the Seminar and Free Military Records Pre-Seminar Session at the Archives of Michigan website. https://www.michigan.gov/mhc/archives/family-history-seminar
This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow researchers, learn from expert speakers, and explore the records that bring your family history to life. Whether you attend in person or from home, be sure to register today for the 2025 Barbara J. Brown Family History Seminar!
AI Disclosure
I am no graphic designer but I can articulate what I want. The image at the top of the blog post was created with my ideas by DALL-E through GPT-4o
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