Along with the City of Grand Rapids, the Western Michigan Genealogical Society (WMGS) eagerly anticipates hosting the 2018 NGS Family History Conference. Look for the WMGS booth and that of Experience Grand Rapids at the 2017 NGS conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. Meet some of our people who’ll tell you about the opportunities you’ll have here. Pick up the Announcement Brochure which will provide information about the program, conference hotels, and things to see and do around Grand Rapids. We look forward to welcoming you to Michigan in May, 2018!

In October of 1954, a dozen men and women interested in learning more about their heritage and preserving local genealogical records formed the Western Michigan Genealogical Society (WMGS) in Grand Rapids, Michigan. During those early days they gathered at the home of one of the members to work on indexing projects and began donating books and equipment to the Grand Rapids Public Library (GRPL) Special Collections Department. From that small beginning, membership has grown to over 430 members from 34 states. Although our original local focus and goals remain, our strong partnership with the GRPL has grown to the wider genealogical community in Michigan; now including other local historical and genealogical organizations, the Michigan Genealogical Council, the Library of Michigan, and the Archives of Michigan in Lansing.

We are fortunate to have members in our group who keep up with technological advances. Because of their efforts and the work of our volunteers, for the sixth consecutive year, we have been recognized in Family Tree Magazine’s list of 75 Best State Websites for Genealogy for 2016. We invite you to visit us at www.wmgs.org for a glimpse of what we do and then check out the link to our databases containing almost 3 MILLION records online!!!!!!