MEETINGS & EVENTS

 

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Regular membership meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month at times

and locations to be determined, although we typically meet 1pm - 3 pm. 

All interested persons are welcome to attend our meetings and educational programs.

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Please note we do not formally meet in December, January or February except to provide

genealogy workshops for the community. 

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Tuesday, March 18, 2025 @ 1pm

Sandusky District Library, 55 East Sanilac Road, Sandusky

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Researching Walter Gwizdz - An Orphan Boy and WWII Veteran

Janis Stein, born and raised in Huron county, is a freelance writer and asistant editor of the Lakeshore Guardian. She will discuss her latest book paying tribute to local WWII veterans.

She will have books available for purchase.

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Note: Nominations will be taken for President, Treasurer and Trustee #1.

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Tuesday, April 15, 2024 @ 1pm

Sandusky District Library, 55 East Sanilac Road, Sandusky

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Lumber Barons and the Shanties That Worked for Them.

Professional genealogist Derek Blount's presentation will take a historical look at the
Michigan lumber industry and the men that worked for it. Available records will be
discussed, and sources identified.

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Election Held for President, Treasurer and Trustee #1.

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Tuesday, May 20, 2024 @ 1pm

Sandusky District Library, 55 East Sanilac Road, Sandusky

 

Past Preservation

Speaker Justin Frost from Midland will explain how to properly clean and preserve cemetery headstones.

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Reminder: June 1st -  $20 Annual Dues

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Tuesday, June 17, 2024 @ 1pm

Sandusky District Library, 55 East Sanilac Road, Sandusky

 

Revolutionary War and the Birth of the Nation

Speaker Derek Blount will give a short historical review of the war
and a deep dive into available records. Common records of enlistment, pensions and
muster rolls will be reviewed with an addition to little-known records that lead to others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROJECTS

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Members of the Society continually work at locating and transcribing records of local genealogical interest. The Society also periodically conducts genealogy workshops open to the public and in other ways promotes interest in the study of family history. Here you will find recently completed works and potential future projects, as well as individual member endeavors focused on Sanilac County.

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 When Volga Germans Worked Michigan's Sanilac County Fields

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Society member Tim Weeder has published an article in the Journal of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. Summer 2024. Volume 47, Number 2.  The article first began as a presentation to the society and was later reworked for a 2018 newspaper article in the Sanilac County News.

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 Pioneer Certificates

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The Society is supportive of the Pioneer Certificate Program sponsored by the Michigan Genealogical Council. To learn more about this program please visit www.mimgc.org. Recipients will receive either the Pre-Statehood or the First Families certificate, depending upon the arrival date of their earliest Michigan ancestor. The personalized certificates and a pin bearing the emblem of the certificate will be presented and their ancestor's name added to a database of early Michigan pioneers.

 

Pre-Statehood

before Jan 26, 1837

 

First Families

Jan 26, 1837 to Dec 31, 1880

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Any certificate awardee who can also show their ancestor lived in Sanilac County between Jan 1, 1850 and December 31, 1880 (such as census or vital record) is eligible for an additional certificate compliments the Sanilac County Genealogical Society. You need not be a member of the Society, but there is a $10 fee for non-members. Certificates are free to SCGS members. The Sanilac County Early Pioneers Certificate is an excellent way to recognize early residents of our county, link oneself to local history, and build family pride.

                                                           

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Colonie Saxonia in Delaware Township

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We are proud to announce Utz Schmidt, a fellow member of the Sanilac County Genealogical Society, has published a major work Michigan's Thumb: A Paradise for Saxonia Settlers. It chronicles the recruitment, immigration and establishment of 100 German families from Saxony beginning in the 1850s up through the 1930s. His in-depth book took years to research and write. It is 360 pages with many photographs and maps. Both genealogists and historians will enjoy this book. Order your copy at https://www.lulu.com

 

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Sanilac Country Rural Schools Project

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A joint project of the Sanilac County Genealogical Society and Sanilac County Historical Society initiated in April, 2018 and completed May, 2019. The purpose was to rediscover our country schools which served our community for well over a century.  Project workers documented the location of 200 former schoolhouses using plat maps, property deeds, personal recollections and historical works.  They sought and obtained thousands of photographs of former schoolhouses, teachers and students, as well as school memorabilia such as report cards, school board meeting records, lists of students and teachers, personal memoirs, reunion notes, etc. The end product was added to the extensive digital collection held by the Sandusky District Library. Go to Sandusky District Library - Genealogy and click on History folder then scroll down to Sanilac Rural Schools. The project was co-chaired by Ella Klein and Richard Parr.

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Sanilac County Land Patent Purchases 1833-1849

(including portions of Huron County)

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This project involved transcribing a historic register once belonging to Hiram Bacon (1814-1869) who would become the first Deputy Clerk for the fully organized Sanilac County in 1850. Who initiated the register and for what purpose is a mystery.  The record keeping began when the region was part of Desmond Township, St. Clair County and then became Lexington Township, St. Clair County. This work should be used in conjunction with records found at the fully searchable database of General Land Office Records.  Register owner: Richard Parr. Tim Weeder transcribed the register and wrote the introductory section about the register, history of first surveys and surveyors, early boundary changes, Federal land patents and the Detroit Land Office. Project completed November, 2018. Go to Sandusky District Library - Genealogy and scroll down to Documents folder.

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Index to Sanilac County Births, Marriages & Deaths 1849-1920

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The Index of Birth Records 1867-1879 was compiled by extracting and proofreading courthouse records by the research team of Ella Klein, John Agar, Dorothy Kelly, Pat Parr, Sue Patullo and Jan Wallace.  The Index of Marriage Records 1849-1920 was extracted and proofread by Ella Klein, Shirley Davies, Dorothy Kelly, Tom Maher, Pat Parr, Sue Patullo, Susan Potter, Jan Wallace and Jeanne Wilson. The Index of Marriage Records 1870-1885 was researched by Ella Klein. The Index of Death Records 1889-1898 were compiled by Ella Klein, Norma Barlow, Susan Clarkson, Dorothy Kelly and Tom Maher.  Go to Sandusky District Library - Genealogy and scroll down to Documents folder.

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1890 Reconstructed Federal Census for Sanilac County, Michigan

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The 1890 Federal Census for Sanilac County, destroyed by fire in Washington D.C., has long frustrated researchers of family history. This project attempts to fill the gap between the 1880 and 1900 Federal Censuses.  The reconstruction was done by members of the Sanilac County Genealogical Society. Sources: 1880 and 1900 Federal Census, newspaper items, vital records, personal information, plat book entries and local history accounts. The 1894 State of Michigan Census was also used for the alphabetically first ten townships, starting with Argyle and ending with Flynn. Unfortunately the other townships were not available. Go to Sandusky District Library - Genealogy and scroll down to Documents folder.

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