Irish Genealogical Society of Michigan

The Irish Genealogical Society of Michigan ...

Welcome to the Irish Genealogical Society of Michigan. The Irish Genealogical Society of Michigan is a non-denominational organization focusing on genealogical research in all thirty-two counties of the Emerald Isle. The society is open to everyone!

Benefits

 * What are the benefits for becoming a member of the society?
 * Delivery of the monthly newsletter, The Irish Tree.
 * The ability to register research queries.
 * Access to the IGSM/Shirley Phillips Memorial Library and online catalog.
 * Access to our Irish Surname Registry.
 * What are the benefits the society has to offer for those who are not members?
 * Monthly meetings offering knowledgable speakers, research information and tips.

History of the society

 * The Beginnings of IGSM... The Irish Genealogical Society of Michigan was the dream of one woman, Shirley Phillips. For many years Shirley had been a member of other genealogical societies in the Detroit area, and she couldn’t understand why there wasn’t an Irish group. Certainly there were a lot of people of Irish descent in the Detroit area, so why not an Irish Genealogical Society?  In early July 1995, Shirley Phillips noticed an article that the Gaelic League was hosting a talk by Noel Van Gorden, at the time, head of the Burton Historical Collection of the Detroit Public Library. Shirley then called a friend and attended the meeting. Shirley got together with other genealogists in the Detroit area to form a core group.  She tapped people from the Oakland County Genealogical Society, the Detroit Society for Genealogical Research, the Western Wayne Genealogical Society, among others, who had an interest in Irish genealogy. Shirley then became the President. She began posting notices at the local Irish Social Clubs and finally on Saturday, February 24, 1996, the first meeting of the Irish Genealogical Society of Michigan was held at the Gaelic League in Detroit.  Shirley attributed much of the successful formulation of the Irish Genealogical Society of Michigan to Kathleen O’Neill, past president of the Gaelic League, who provided a meeting place for the IGSM. The IGSM is a non-denominational organization focusing on genealogical research in all thirty-two counties of the Emerald Isle. The society is open to everyone! The group has grown steadily, and is now comprised of over one hundred and twenty five active members.  Meetings are normally held on the third or fourth Saturday of the month, from September through June, except December. Schedule changes do occur because of Gaelic League events. Beginning at 12:00 pm and continuing until 1:15 pm, interested members gather to use the resources in the Shirley Phillips Memorial Library.  The regular meeting begins at 1:30 pm with a speaker. Some past topics of speeches have been: The Irish Linen Industry in Northern Ireland, Irish Genealogy on the Internet, Interpreting Church Records Written in Latin, and Planning a Research Trip to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City.  The steady growth has been evident in other ways, also. The Gaelic League has graciously provided room for the Library which is primarily for Irish Genealogical Research. With some timely purchases and donations, the Library is equipped with three Pentium IV-based computers, two laser printers, a microfiche reader, copier/scanner, file cabinets and an expanding collection of Irish Genealogy resources! The Librarian is always looking for books, newspapers, periodicals, and CDs about people of Irish descent, particularly in the Detroit/Michigan/Ontario area.

Society Officers

 * President: Bob Gaffrey Vice President: Bill O'Reilly Treasurer: Marilyn Couture Recording Secretary: Erin Keem Corresponding Secretary: Judy Cartier

Current Projects
Further information is available at: Irish Genealogical Society of Michigan

Facebook page

 * Irish Genealogical Society of Michigan on Facebook

Publications

 * Our roots began in Ireland ... : an Irish surname registry project for the Detroit Tricentennial in 2001 Statement of Responsibility: compiled by the Irish Genealogical Society of Michigan Authors: Irish Genealogical Society of Michigan (Added Author) Format: Books/Monographs Language: English Publication: Detroit, Michigan : Irish Genealogical Society of Michigan, c2001 Physical: 190 p. Subject Class: 977.4 D2

Newsletters

 * The Irish Tree

Society Meetings

 * The membership meetings are normally held on the third or fourth Saturday of the month, from September through June, except December, at 1:30 pm. Schedule changes do occur because of Gaelic League events. Check the events page for a schedule of upcoming meetings and topics.

Board Meetings

 * The board meetings are normally held on the third or fourth Saturday of the month, from September through June, except December, at 11:00 am.

Frequently Asked Questions

 * Q. What are the directions to the society?
 * A. The IGSM holds their meetings at the Gaelic League of Detroit, 2068 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, MI 48216.


 * Q. What are the society's hours of operation?
 * A.For further information on membership, cost and benefits, please visit our website.


 * Website



Nearby or Alternate Repositories
Bloomfield Hills Michigan Family History Center

7425 Woodward Ave Bloomfield Hills MI 48304-3568 United States Enter the Northwest door of the building, go down the hall and then turn right.

phone: 248-647-5671