Wisconsin Genealogy Day 

Learn how to research your Midwestern ancestors while celebrating Wisconsin family stories and state history during this free virtual event.

History is all around us—what does yours hold? Join us for a free virtual event where you’ll dive into your family’s past and learn from expert speakers how to research your Wisconsin and Midwestern ancestors. Space is limited—be sure to reserve your spot today! 

This event is sponsored by the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Wisconsin State Genealogical Society.  

What You’ll Experience

• A free, virtual course in uncovering your own Midwestern roots, family and ancestors 
• Presentations from regionally and nationally recognized speakers with years of research experience 
• Access to presentation recordings and handouts for 30 days after the event 

Advanced registration is required 
Guests must be 13+

Presentations 

Cari Taplin presents The Third Coast: How the Great Lakes Shaped America 
Join genealogist Cari Taplin as she examines how the unique Great Lakes waterway system spurred westward expansion and settlement. Taplin will provide an overview of the geographical and historical development of these inland “seas,” from early trade routes and the Straits of Mackinac to the engineering marvels of the Welland Canal and the St. Lawrence Seaway. Along the way, guests will learn how to navigate specialized maritime records, including Great Lakes passenger lists at the National Archives (NARA) and unique collections at the Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library. By understanding the impact of steamships and canal travel on Great Lakes migration patterns, you’ll gain a comprehensive framework for tracing ancestors who used these waterways to establish new lives in the American Midwest and Ontario.  

Stefanie Ojibway Gerberding presents Where Our Mothers First Saw the Sun: Wisconsin Native American Genealogy 
In this talk, genealogist Stefanie Ojibway Gerberding explores Native American family history through the broader story of Wisconsin’s Tribal Nations, revealing how history and genealogy are intrinsically connected. From treaties that reshaped homelands to federal policies that influenced how Native people were identified, documented, and remembered, the forces of history continue to shape the records researchers rely upon today. By placing records within their historical and cultural context, researchers can move beyond names and dates to uncover accurate and meaningful family stories. 

Lee Grady presents Military Records at the Wisconsin Historical Society Archives 
Join WisHistory Senior Reference Archivist Lee Grady as he explores Wisconsin Historical Society Archives records documenting military service from the American Revolution to the Vietnam War. See Revolutionary War pension applications from the Draper Collection, Civil War and World War One service records from Wisconsin soldiers, and letters, diaries, and photos of veterans from conflicts up to the Vietnam War and beyond.  

Tina Beaird presents Unlocking the Treasures Within Midwest Archives and Repositories 
The Midwest is blessed with a series of top-notch repositories, museums, and archives for conducting genealogical research. Join genealogist and librarian Tina Beaird as she highlights the many types of materials available at archives, as well as the best places to research your Midwest ancestors—from public libraries to state historical societies and beyond. 

Organizer