Berrien County Genealogical Society

Helping you on your genealogy journey.

Purpose of the Berrien County Genealogical Society is to:
 * Stimulate interest in genealogy
 * Acquire and share genealogical materials
 * Preserve records of ancestors in Berrien County
 * Assist genealogists in compiling their family genealogies and histories by holding regular educational meetings.

Benefits

 * Membership Benefits
 * New and Historic PastFinder Newsletters
 * Indexed Berrien County research data
 * Surname list posts on our website
 * Discount at BCGS events and on BCGS Publications
 * Opportunity to serve on a committee and eligible for Election to the BCGS Board
 * Non-Member Benefits on our website
 * Blank Genealogy Forms
 * Blank U. S. Census Forms
 * General Research tips on many subjects
 * Links to other research sites

History of the society

 * BCGS was founded in the Fall of 1971 as The Genealogical Association of Southwest Michigan.  The name was changed in 2001 to Berrien County Genealogical Society to better reflect the region of emphasis.  The BCGS is a non-profit organization incorporated under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3).  The Society is an all volunteer organization which is supported by dues and donations.  Researching our family history is a fun and exciting journey with many rewards. Members of the Berrien County Genealogical Society are at different levels of research, from the beginner to the advanced.  All those interested in genealogy are welcome at any event.

Society Officers

 * President -- Patsy Miller
 * Vice-President -- Aloma Custer
 * Treasurer -- Janice Plangger
 * Secretary -- Louise Chapman
 * Parliamentarian -- Connie Hutchinson
 * Director -- Alma Arent
 * Director -- Bob Cooley
 * Director -- Joyce Hudak
 * Director -- Margaret Van Hoeven

Society Projects

 * In keeping with our Society Purpose, following are some of the areas of record preservation
 * Compiling Cemetery Books
 * Pioneer Certificate Project
 * Cemetery Preservation
 * Scanning Documents

Current Projects

 * Adding Member Only content to our website
 * Completed Pioneer Certificate Pedigrees
 * Berrien County Histories with every name index
 * Donated Scrapbooks and Family Histories
 * Obituaries and Death Notices
 * School Yearbooks
 * Berrien County Church Histories and records
 * Berrien County Vital Record Index

FamilySearch Wiki Projects

 * None at this time

FamilySearch Wiki Page Adoptions

 * None at this time

Past Projects

 * Cemetery Indexing
 * Cemetery Clean-up and Headstone Repair

Blog

 * None at this time

Facebook page

 * www.facebook.com/bcgensoc

Publications

 * Cemetery Books for most of Berrien County Cemeteries.  For titles and pricing, visit our website:  http://www.bcgensoc.com/store.php?cid=5&sid=1

Newsletters

 * The PastFinder is published quarterly featuring articles, book reviews, Bible records, old records, queries, etc. submitted by members.

Collections

 * Our library collection has over 600 items.  This includes close to 50 family genealogies along with an Ancestral file that is constantly growing.  Our collection is housed at the Berrien Springs Community Library, 215 W. Union Street, Berrien Springs, MI.  Visit our website to search our holdings:  http://www.bcgensoc.com/libraryRecords.php

Events

 * Events are held to further our Society Mission to promote interest, education, and good research practices in genealogy, as well as to gather, house and publish related materials, inclusive of original records.  Programs are scheduled and announced in the BCGS newsletter, via separate mailing, and on our website.  Other special meetings or programs may be scheduled by the Board and announced by email, mail, or via our website:  http://www.bcgensoc.com/eventListings.php?nm=19

Society Meetings

 * Society Meetings are listed on our website.  Visit our website for details:  http://www.bcgensoc.com/eventListings.php?nm=19

Workshops

 * Society Workshops held in conjunction with the LDS Family History Center are held monthly at a designated time and place.  Visit our website for additional details:  http://www.bcgensoc.com/eventListings.php?nm=19

Board Meetings

 * Board Meetings are listed on our website.  All members are welcome to attend.  Visit our website for details:  http://www.bcgensoc.com/eventListings.php?nm=19

Training Meetings

 * Seminars are held to further our mission of genealogy education and are listed on our website.  Visit our website for details:  http://www.bcgensoc.com/eventListings.php?nm=19

Frequently Asked Questions

 * Q. What are the directions to the society?
 * A.


 * Q. What are the society's hours of operation?
 * A.


 * May also include such items as: cost to join your society, how members access online records, free look ups, online meetings, newsletter queries, access to publications, or support from other members

Nearby or Alternate Repositories

 * (List each repository, link to it, and briefly describe their collection. Ideally list around 3 to 7 repositories, but this is flexible.)

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