What can cemetery records, old census schedules, military records and even lumbermen’s log marks tell us about the history of the White Lake area?
As it turns out, quite a lot.
At the next meeting of the White Lake Area Historical Society, Karen Frazier, President of the Muskegon County Genealogical Society, will explain how genealogical resources can help not only people tracing their family trees, but also anyone researching local people, businesses, properties and events.
The program, “Local and Family History Resources for the White Lake Area,” will be presented Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Lebanon Lutheran Church, 1101 S. Mears Ave, Whitehall.
Local history and family history often overlap. The same records used to trace an ancestor can help identify who lived in a house, owned a piece of property, worked in a local industry or helped shape a community. Frazier will introduce a variety of resources available to researchers and explain where to turn for help when the next clue is difficult to find.
Among the resources she will discuss are the historical and genealogical archives at Hackley Public Library, scanning and preserving historical materials, help with county records, research services, educational programs and connections to additional genealogical resources.
The Muskegon County Genealogical Society also maintains and provides access to specialized databases and indexes of particular interest to White Lake area researchers. These include the 1885 and 1895 Michigan state censuses for Muskegon County, cemetery records, military records, and information about log marks and lumbermen.
Frazier will also discuss the Society’s monthly programs, research assistance, other available resources and additional benefits offered to members.
For White Lake Area Historical Society members—and anyone interested in understanding the people and stories behind local history—the program offers an opportunity to discover resources that may help answer old questions and uncover new ones.
The program is free and open to the public. All are welcome to attend.
