1. Visit ancestral graveyards Take advantage of the good weather and visit the final resting places of your ancestors. Look for interesting headstones, take photographs, and make notes of any relevant information.
2. Attend family reunions Summer is a popular time for family gatherings, so make an effort to attend reunions or organize one yourself. These events are excellent opportunities to connect with relatives, share stories, and gather valuable family history information.
3. Interview older relatives Use the relaxed and leisurely atmosphere of summer to sit down with older relatives and conduct interviews. Ask them about their memories, family traditions, and any information they might have about your ancestors.
4. Explore local archives and libraries Many genealogical societies and libraries have extended summer hours. Take advantage of these resources to access birth, marriage, and death records, local newspapers, city directories, and other valuable genealogical materials.
5. Plan research trips If you're considering visiting a specific location for genealogical research, summer is an ideal time to plan your trip. Research local repositories, historical societies, and archives beforehand to maximize your time on-site.
6. Digitize family photos and documents
Take advantage of the longer days to digitize your collection of family photos, documents, and other memorabilia. Scan or photograph them to preserve them for future generations and easily share them with family members.
7. Create a family history timeline Use summer downtime to compile a timeline of your family history. Organize key events, births, marriages, and deaths in chronological order to identify gaps in your research and potential areas for further investigation.
8. DNA testing Consider taking a DNA test during the summer. Many DNA testing companies offer discounts during this time, and the summer break provides ample time for you to explore the results, connect with matches, and delve into genetic genealogy.
9. Attend genealogy conferences or workshops Check for genealogy conferences or workshops taking place during the summer. These events offer valuable educational opportunities, networking with other researchers, and access to experts who can help you break through brick walls in your research.
10. Explore outdoor historical sites Visit historical sites and landmarks related to your ancestors' lives. Whether it's a colonial village, a battlefield, or an ancestral hometown, experiencing these places firsthand can provide invaluable context for your family history research.
Remember to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and enjoy the process of discovering your family's past.
Happy summer genealogy research!
June Genealogy Program
June 17, 2025
Title: What does the LTPL Genealogy Department have to offer you?
Time: 6:30 PM IN-PERSON
Presenter: Cathy McCarthy Cottone
My name is Cathy McCarthy Cottone and I work at the Lyon Township Public Library. I have been working at this library over 24 years helping others research their roots.
This talk will highlight:
TOOLS WE PROVIDE:
Local History – We house records, newspapers, and that aren’t available online, making them essential for tracing family roots.
Digitization Efforts – We have digitized historical records, making them more accessible to the pubic
Databases - We provide access to subscription-based databases for free, saving researchers money.
Community Engagement – We foster connections between generations
Presentations of Interest
Round Table Discussions
Genealogy Book Club
One on One Help
Outreach
Books – Circulate and Reference
Periodicals
FamilySearch Affiliate
• 10 Scrapbooks - of local interest births marriages and deaths that are indexe
• Local Photo History Books - we have copied all our original photos and placed the copies into binders.
• Local Family Histories - indexed
• Local History
• Plat Map Books - we have a collection of plats for Oakland County with range from the 1890’s – 1920’s.
• Local Year Books - we have a collection of New Hudson High School and South Lyon High School yearbooks
• Tax Assessment Books – we have a nice collection of Tax Assessment books that range from 1880’s – 1920’s
• Death Certificates – we have death certificates for a small-time frame that have an index.
• Burial Transfer Records – these are records that get created when you die in one county but are buried in another county.
• Phillips Funeral Home Records – Phillips funeral home has given us paper copies of their funeral home records. 1929 - 2019
• Local Cemetery Records – we have local cemetery records for the following cemeteries, New Hudson, Chubb, Kensington, Rose and South Lyon. These cemeteries have been indexed by the Township, and we have the index on paper on in an excel format
LTPL Genealogy Subscription Databases 2024:
• Ancestry Library - AncestryLibrary is a resourceful tool for genealogical research, offering access to a vast collection of historical records, family trees, and other resources to help you trace your ancestry. It provides guides, tips, and tools to assist with your research, such as census records, timelines, and DNA
• Findmypast - is a genealogy platform that specializes in British and Irish family history. It offers access to billions of historical records, including census data, parish records, military records,and newspapers. They also provide tools like hints to help you uncover new details about your heritage.
• American Ancestors - American Ancestors/The New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) is America’s founding genealogical and the most respected name in family history.
• America’s News - by ProQuest is a comprehensive resource for accessing U.S. news content. It provides a vast collection of current and archived news articles from national, regional, and local newspapers.
• Ann Arbor News - by ProQuest is part of ProQuest extensive collection of historical and current news archives. It provides access to articles, reports, and other content from the Ann Arbor News, which covers local events, community stories, and regional developments.
• Asian Life in America - by ProQuest offers resources related to Asian studies and life, including collections that focus on historical, cultural, and social aspects of Asia.
• Black Life in America - by ProQuest is a comprehensive resource that explores the history, culture, and experiences of Black Americans.
• Detroit News Collection - is a valuable resource for exploring Michigan history and community stories. It includes archives of articles from The Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, and Detroit Times, dating back to 1874.
• GenealogyBank - is an online subscription service designed for family history research. It offers access to one of the largest collections of digitized U.S. newspapers, dating back to 1690.
• Fold3 - is a genealogy and military records platform that provides access to historical military documents, photos, and personal stories of service members. It specializes in U.S. military records, including those from the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I, World War II, and more.
• HeritageHub - is a genealogy resource that provides access to obituaries and death notices from newspapers and funeral homes across the United States. It covers records dating back to 1704, making it a valuable tool for tracing family history and uncovering deeper connections through historical documents.
• Newsbank - is a research database that provides access to thousands of newspapers, newswires, blogs, videos, and other publications. It offers both current and archived news content,
making it a valuable resource for historical research and genealogy.
• My Heritage Library Edition - is a genealogy research database that provides access to billions of historical records from around the world. It includes census data, birth and death records, immigration documents, military records, and family tree profiles.
All are welcome to come share their ideas, show genealogy treasures or tell us about a brick wall that they have encountered. We all have a lot of experience to share with each other! There will be one meeting this month.