CommonCorners - West Michigan Community Calendar (commoncorners) //localendar.com/public/commoncorners Public events for calendar: commoncorners en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss localendar.com <![CDATA[WMGS Board of Directors Meeting]]> 4th Floor VanderVeen Center Conference Room, Grand Rapids Public Library

]]> Sat, 04 Apr 2026 09:30:00 EST Clubs & Organizations //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=433&calendar_id=347042&k=040426&cb=false //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=433&calendar_id=347042&k=040426&cb=false <![CDATA[Mini Class: Polish History]]> Why is Polish history helpful when doing genealogy? Discover the key moments in Poland’s history, from the golden age of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth to modern-day Poland. Explore how historical events have shaped the country’s borders, identity, and culture over the centuries.

Instructor from the Polish Heritage Society: Marzanna Butryn


Location: VanderVeen Room, 4th floor, GRPL]]> Sat, 04 Apr 2026 12:00:00 EST Clubs & Organizations //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=969&calendar_id=347042&k=040426&cb=false //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=969&calendar_id=347042&k=040426&cb=false <![CDATA[General Membership Meeting: topic - Masonic Fraternity & Symbols]]> Summary of the Masonic Fraternity and a discussion of various Masonic symbols that folks might encounter during their research.  Finding Freemasonry: Understanding Your Family's Fraternal Past. 

Speaker: Dirk W. Hughes (Masonic Temple)


Location: GRPL - Ryerson Auditorium]]> Sat, 04 Apr 2026 13:30:00 EST Clubs & Organizations //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=943&calendar_id=347042&k=040426&cb=false //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=943&calendar_id=347042&k=040426&cb=false <![CDATA[Projects Work Day]]> This will be a special day where we will be giving updates on projects in progress and announcing new projects that will start soon.


Location: VanderVeen Room, 4th floor, GRPL]]> Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:00:00 EST Clubs & Organizations //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=893&calendar_id=347042&k=040926&cb=false //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=893&calendar_id=347042&k=040926&cb=false <![CDATA[meet-up at the Archives and Library of Michigan]]> WMGS is joining the Ionia Genealogical Society for a meet-up at the Archives and Library of Michigan. If you would like to purchase a lunch for that day you need to register with Sue Irvine. 

The group arrives by personal vehicles.  Each car decides when to arrive and when to leave.  The society provides lunch probably from Jimmy Johns.  (We'd pay our share.)  They do have a donation to offset the lunch price.   


Location: Archives & Library of Michigan]]> Sat, 11 Apr 2026 10:00:00 EST Clubs & Organizations //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=993&calendar_id=347042&k=041126&cb=false //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=993&calendar_id=347042&k=041126&cb=false <![CDATA[2 Hour Class: Dutch Genealogy]]> In this class, we will look at the different types of Dutch records that typically exist, what information they can provide, and places where they can be found.  The primary focus will be on the civil registry records from 1811 and later.  If time permits, we will also explore records from before 1811, which are primarily church records.

Instructor: Roger Konyndyk


Location: VanderVeen Room, 4th floor, GRPL]]> Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:30:00 EST Clubs & Organizations //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=952&calendar_id=347042&k=041326&cb=false //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=952&calendar_id=347042&k=041326&cb=false <![CDATA[DNA Interest Group - Afternoon session]]> The DNA Interest Group (known as “DIG”) meets on the third Thursday of the month at the Main Branch of the Grand Rapids Public Library in the Vander Veen room on the 4th floor. We meet at 6:30 p.m. with the first half an hour being a presentation, video, speaker, etc. From 7:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m. we help each other with DNA questions and projects.  Check our Facebook group for updates. 

At the 3:30 p.m. meeting, Steve will be presenting a DNA mystery to the group.


Location: VanderVeen Room, 4th floor, GRPL]]> Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:30:00 EST Clubs & Organizations //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=992&calendar_id=347042&k=041626&cb=false //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=992&calendar_id=347042&k=041626&cb=false <![CDATA[DNA Interest Group]]> The DNA Interest Group (known as “DIG”) meets on the third Thursday of the month at the Main Branch of the Grand Rapids Public Library in the Vander Veen room on the 4th floor. We meet at 6:30 p.m. with the first half an hour being a presentation, video, speaker, etc. From 7:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m. We help each other with DNA questions and projects.  Check our Facebook group for updates. 

Joe Reilly will be presenting at the 6:30 p.m. 


Location: VanderVeen Room, 4th floor, GRPL]]> Thu, 16 Apr 2026 18:30:00 EST Clubs & Organizations //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=980&calendar_id=347042&k=041626&cb=false //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=980&calendar_id=347042&k=041626&cb=false <![CDATA[GRPL Lock-In]]> oin the Grand Rapids History Center for an after-hours program designed for genealogists. Learn how to use library resources to explore your family history and take advantage of free copying and printing during the event. Volunteers from the Western Michigan Genealogical Society will be on hand to assist attendees.

This event is presented by the Grand Rapids History Center and the Western Michigan Genealogical Society.

Registration Required no earlier than 1 month in advance - www.grpl.org/register 

]]> Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:00:00 EST Clubs & Organizations //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=958&calendar_id=347042&k=041726&cb=false //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=958&calendar_id=347042&k=041726&cb=false <![CDATA[Polish Interest Group]]> First monthly meeting of the Polish Interest Group.

Poles are the second largest ethnic group in Michigan and are a significant part of the history of Grand Rapids and Detroit. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, Michigan is home to the third largest Polish population after New York and Illinois. Because of these statistics, the Western Michigan Genealogical Society decided to have a Polish Interest Group. We will be having monthly meetings at the downtown Grand Rapids Public Library. They will be held on the 3rd Saturday of every month (except for July & August) in the VanderVeen Room on the 4th floor from noon – 2PM.

For our first meeting, I encourage people to bring some information (or stories) about their Polish ancestors to share with the group. 


Location: GRPL - VanderVeen Room, 4th floor]]> Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:00:00 EST Clubs & Organizations //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=979&calendar_id=347042&k=041826&cb=false //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=979&calendar_id=347042&k=041826&cb=false <![CDATA[WMGS Writers Group - Religious Traditions]]> We meet on the third Tuesday of the month, in person and on Zoom. In person, the location is Trinity United Methodist Church, 1100 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, 49506, one block west of Fuller. Parking is available in the small lot on the northeast side of the church on Lake Drive. We meet in the Discovery Room, right past the sanctuary, then left to the 3rd door on the right.

Contact Jill Pearson Reider at JillReider1@gmail.com or 307-699-0812 if you have any questions.  For the Zoom link, and more information, check the WMGS website: https://www.wmgs.org/ writers_group.htm  

Topic:  Spring is upon us with Easter and Passover celebrations. What religious traditions, sacraments, stories, memories have been passed down through the generations in your family?

]]> Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:30:00 EST Clubs & Organizations //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=983&calendar_id=347042&k=042126&cb=false //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=983&calendar_id=347042&k=042126&cb=false <![CDATA[Scandinavian Interest Group]]> Do you have ancestors from the Nordic countries of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland or are you just interested in the countries? Come and be a part of the Scandinavian Interest Group of WMGS and learn about the countries, how to research ancestors, travel ideas, and anything else Nordic.

The first meeting will be held in the Vander Veen Room on the 4th floor of the Main Grand Rapids Public Library on Tuesday, April 21 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. If you have any questions, please contact Jill Pearson Reider at JillReider1@gmail.com or 307-699-0812.


Location: VanderVeen Room, 4th floor - GRPL]]> Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:30:00 EST Clubs & Organizations //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=996&calendar_id=347042&k=042126&cb=false //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=996&calendar_id=347042&k=042126&cb=false <![CDATA[GRPL Book Sale]]> Join us at one of the library’s biggest book sales of the year! During this popular fundraiser, find bargains to help fill your home bookshelf, office, or classroom. Materials are added throughout the day. Cash, Venmo, and credit cards are accepted at this event.


All books are 50 cents each.
Specialty items are marked separately.


Location: GRPL ]]> Sat, 25 Apr 2026 09:00:00 EST Clubs & Organizations //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=998&calendar_id=347042&k=042526&cb=false //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=998&calendar_id=347042&k=042526&cb=false <![CDATA[Meeting Cancelled today - African American Genealogy Club]]> The African American Genealogy Club is a group of people who enjoy searching for hidden genealogy treasures that may help answer questions for a group of people whose history has been buried. The full intent of its participants is to learn the tools of genealogy research then to give back in the form of educating others. 

Questions: Contact Joyce Daniels at jmad_59@yahoo.com for more details.


Location: VanderVeen Room, 4th floor, GRPL]]> Sat, 25 Apr 2026 13:00:00 EST Clubs & Organizations //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=978&calendar_id=347042&k=042526&cb=false //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=978&calendar_id=347042&k=042526&cb=false