Our Speaker this year is Judy Nimer Muhn, Ed.M., FSA Scot
Writer, speaker, blogger, presenter and researcher. Judy has been researching her family tree from the age of 12, specializing in French-Canadian, Acadian, Native American, Scottish and Michigan, Ontario and Quebec research. Beginning as a professional genealogist in Europe in 1993, she has lectured at the National Genealogical Society’s conferences, RootsTech and RootsTech Connect, Federation of Genealogical Societies, as well as conferences in Europe and around the United States. She is currently writing a book of the matrilineal descent of her oldest female ancestor from Normandy, France. Traveling extensively around the world, Judy has visited and researched in the villages and archives of Germany, France, Scotland, Quebec, and Ontario where her or her husband’s family lived as well as the lineages of her Native family. Owner of Lineage Journeys, she conducts research for clients and offers presentations in churches, libraries and organizations.
Judy is a board member and chair of the Awards Committee of the National Genealogical Society, President for the Oakland County Genealogical Society, Vice President and Social Media co-chair for the Michigan Genealogical Council, Secretary for the GeneaBloggers, Delegate to MGC and NGS for the French Canadian Heritage Society, a founder of the English-Speaking Genealogists of Europe, NATO Chapter and a former AOL Genealogy Forum leader. A member of the National Genealogical Society, GeneaBloggers, Association of Professional Genealogists, Detroit Society for Genealogical Research, French Canadian Heritage Society of Michigan, Ontario Genealogical Society, Quebec Family History Society, Gratiot County Genealogy & Historical Society, Clan Elliot USA and Clan Campbell USA, Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and many more.
The sessions to be presented throughout the day are:
No Dead Ends: Finding Your Way Through Family Roadblocks: No genealogist works their way through their family history without coming across the challenges of what looks like a dead end: no records, no obvious next step, unidentified parents and more. Learn about the tools, techniques, and ways of thinking of professional genealogists to find ways to get around those road blocks and continue your ancestral journey.
Native American, First Nations, Indian: Researching Indigenous Peoples: Family legends often tell of an ancestor who was the daughter of a chief or some other Indian relationship. Come and find out the truth, myths, facts and information about how to determine if your family descends from Native or First Nations people.
Seeking A Higher Source: The Resources of Faith Communities: Key events in our ancestors’ lives were often documented in the faith communities in which they worshipped. Exploring the records and their importance across faith communities, Judy will provide information on the types of records, locations of archives and access to records, and the key ways that these records can enrich your family’s history.
Researching in Canada: Your Maple Leaf Connection! The records of Canada – both Anglophone and Francophone – are rich with information of the settlement of North America, resulting in the country now called Canada. The settlements of the French and English date from 1604 and reflect the history of these populations also in Europe. Learn about how to connect across the border and the records that can help you!
The event is being held in The Pinnacle Center, 3330 Highland Drive, Hudsonville, Michigan. Click this link to open a Google map from which you can get directions.
The Pinnacle Center is on 32nd Avenue, between New Holland Street and Quincy Street. Most people will arrive on the Gerald R. Ford Freeway – I-196.