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[Manoomin: The Story of Wild Rice in Michigan – Virtual]]> Manoomin: The Story of Wild Rice in Michigan – Virtual

Presented by History Hounds with Barb Barton, Author and Brought to you by the Michigan Centennial Farm Association. 

Hear the captivating story of the history and ecology of Manoomin (wild rice) in Michigan and especially its cultural importance to the Anishinaabek. Learn why this important native grain almost disappeared and what is being done to protect it for future generations.

If you are a member of HSM (Historical Society of Michigan) or WMGS (Western Michigan Genealogical Society, then this presentation is free. Please try to register at least 1 day before the presentation.  https://www.hsmichigan.org/form/history-hounds


Location: Virtual]]> Tue, 01 Sep 2026 12:00:00 EST Clubs & Organizations //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=1025&calendar_id=347042&k=090126&cb=false //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=1025&calendar_id=347042&k=090126&cb=false <![CDATA[America's First Female Flyer: Harriet Quimby – Virtual]]> America's First Female Flyer: Harriet Quimby – Virtual

Presented by History Hounds with Bob Myers, Historical Society of Michigan  

Michigan native Harriet Quimby gained fame as America's first woman pilot. A true Renaissance woman, she was also a drama critic for Leslie's Illustrated Weekly; a motion picture screenwriter and actress; stage actress; and even a spokesperson for Vin Fiz grape soda. Discover the meteoric rise and sudden fall of this little-known American legend.

If you are a member of HSM (Historical Society of Michigan) or WMGS (Western Michigan Genealogical Society, then this presentation is free. Please try to register at least 1 day before the presentation.  https://www.hsmichigan.org/form/history-hounds


Location: Virtual]]> Wed, 09 Sep 2026 19:00:00 EST Clubs & Organizations //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=1026&calendar_id=347042&k=090926&cb=false //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=1026&calendar_id=347042&k=090926&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.  Also, this day is reserved for people who need help with their genealogy.


Location: VanderVeen Room, 4th floor, GRPL]]> Thu, 10 Sep 2026 13:00:00 EST Clubs & Organizations //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=893&calendar_id=347042&k=091026&cb=false //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=893&calendar_id=347042&k=091026&cb=false <![CDATA[WMGS Board of Directors Meeting]]> 4th Floor VanderVeen Center Conference Room, Grand Rapids Public Library

]]> Sat, 12 Sep 2026 09:30:00 EST Clubs & Organizations //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=959&calendar_id=347042&k=091226&cb=false //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=959&calendar_id=347042&k=091226&cb=false <![CDATA[Mini Class: Michigan's Pre-Statehood Certificate - what is it and how to get it]]> Michigan Genealogical Council (MGC) Pioneer Certificate Program honors descendants of early Michigan settlers through two main categories: 

  • Pre-Statehood (before Jan. 26, 1837) and 
  • First Families (Jan. 26, 1837–Dec. 31, 1880).

Applicants must provide documented proof of direct lineage to an ancestor who settled in Michigan by the specified dates.

We'll go over what documents you need to gather together and how to fill out the application form for the Pre-Statehood certificate.

Instructor: Linda Wells


Location: VanderVeen Room - GRPL]]> Sat, 12 Sep 2026 12:00:00 EST Clubs & Organizations //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=918&calendar_id=347042&k=091226&cb=false //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=918&calendar_id=347042&k=091226&cb=false <![CDATA[General Membership Meeting: Brown's Funeral Home]]> Topic: Brown's Funeral Home

Brown’s Funeral Home has been in business for over 100 Years. The founder of Brown’s Funeral home is Milo Milton Brown born on the last day of December 1897. Journey with the man and the business over the one hundred years. There is history and changing ways of embalming, racism and changes in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Learning about Brown’s founder Milo she was excited to share the history of the oldest Black Funeral Service for a hundred years is outstanding.1925-2025.

Speaker Cynthia Bailey has been interested in history and genealogy connecting the two to learn the effects of how the two are interchangeable. She became interested in doing research about various subjects for both historical and genealogical presentations as a Toastmaster and inspirational speaker. Cynthia has given presentations before on St. Andrews Cemetery, Inspirational presentation 'I have PMA' (Positive Mental Attitude for Gilda's Club and written articles on the Freedmen’s Bureau and Emmett Bolden Grand Rapids first Rosa Parks.


Location: GRPL - Ryerson Auditorium]]> Sat, 12 Sep 2026 13:30:00 EST Clubs & Organizations //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=932&calendar_id=347042&k=091226&cb=false //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=932&calendar_id=347042&k=091226&cb=false <![CDATA[2 Hour Class: Top 10 Genealogy Research Mistakes]]> There are some common genealogy mistakes that all researchers make. We will go over 10 of them and learn how to avoid making these mistakes. 

Instructor:  Linda Wells


Location: GRPL VanderVeen Room - downtown GR Library]]> Mon, 14 Sep 2026 18:30:00 EST Clubs & Organizations //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=999&calendar_id=347042&k=091426&cb=false //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=999&calendar_id=347042&k=091426&cb=false <![CDATA[WMGS Writers Group]]> 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  


Location: Trinity United Methodist Church]]> Tue, 15 Sep 2026 13:30:00 EST Clubs & Organizations //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=936&calendar_id=347042&k=091526&cb=false //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=936&calendar_id=347042&k=091526&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. 


Location: VanderVeen Room, 4th floor, GRPL]]> Thu, 17 Sep 2026 15:30:00 EST Clubs & Organizations //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=879&calendar_id=347042&k=091726&cb=false //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=879&calendar_id=347042&k=091726&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. 


Location: VanderVeen Room, 4th floor, GRPL]]> Thu, 17 Sep 2026 18:30:00 EST Clubs & Organizations //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=784&calendar_id=347042&k=091726&cb=false //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=784&calendar_id=347042&k=091726&cb=false <![CDATA[Polish Interest Group - Find the Correct Polish Parish for Any Village]]> In Poland, parish jurisdictions shifted, villages shared names, and records were split between church archives, civil registration offices and state archives (with additional wartime disruption). The most useful information to know is: the village name exactly as written on family paperwork, any alternative spellings, the ancestor’s religion if known, and the approximate year range for the events you want (birth/marriage/death). 

Bring your Polish genealogy paperwork and computers. We will all work together on getting further along in our Polish research.

Linda Wells

(LindaLGuth@gmail.com)


Location: GRPL - VanderVeen Room, 4th floor]]> Mon, 21 Sep 2026 18:30:00 EST Clubs & Organizations //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=1015&calendar_id=347042&k=092126&cb=false //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=1015&calendar_id=347042&k=092126&cb=false <![CDATA[Michigan History Conference]]> Historical Society of Michigan 152nd Annual Meeting and Michigan History Conference at GVSU Grand Rapids.  We will have an exhibit table and WMGS branded items will be placed in conference participants’ bags. 

Traveling to a new host location in the Lower Peninsula each fall, the Michigan History Conferences explores unique regional history in the form of keynote presentations, content sessions, immersive local tours, educational workshops, exhibits, and more. Attendees return to this event year after year to explore new-to-them local history as our event travels throughout the state.

For 2026, HSM will explore the history of Grand Rapids and the Western Michigan area at the Grand Valley State University's downtown campus and learn about local history, important Michiganders, niche topics, and more.

Learn more and register today by calling (800) 692-1828 or visiting www.hsm.pub/mhc2025.


Location: GVSU downtown]]> Fri, 25 Sep 2026 08:00:00 EST Clubs & Organizations //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=994&calendar_id=347042&k=092526&cb=false //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=994&calendar_id=347042&k=092526&cb=false <![CDATA[Michigan History Conference]]> Historical Society of Michigan 152nd Annual Meeting and Michigan History Conference at GVSU Grand Rapids.  We will have an exhibit table and WMGS branded items will be placed in conference participants’ bags. 

Traveling to a new host location in the Lower Peninsula each fall, the Michigan History Conferences explores unique regional history in the form of keynote presentations, content sessions, immersive local tours, educational workshops, exhibits, and more. Attendees return to this event year after year to explore new-to-them local history as our event travels throughout the state.

For 2026, HSM will explore the history of Grand Rapids and the Western Michigan area at the Grand Valley State University's downtown campus and learn about local history, important Michiganders, niche topics, and more.

Learn more and register today by calling (800) 692-1828 or visiting www.hsm.pub/mhc2025.


Location: GVSU downtown]]> Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 EST Clubs & Organizations //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=994&calendar_id=347042&k=092626&cb=false //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=994&calendar_id=347042&k=092626&cb=false <![CDATA[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 Yalonda Moncrief (y.alonda.marie.yh@gmail.com) for more details.


Location: VanderVeen Room, 4th floor, GRPL]]> Sat, 26 Sep 2026 13:00:00 EST Clubs & Organizations //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=935&calendar_id=347042&k=092626&cb=false //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=935&calendar_id=347042&k=092626&cb=false <![CDATA[Michigan History Conference]]> Historical Society of Michigan 152nd Annual Meeting and Michigan History Conference at GVSU Grand Rapids.  We will have an exhibit table and WMGS branded items will be placed in conference participants’ bags. 

Traveling to a new host location in the Lower Peninsula each fall, the Michigan History Conferences explores unique regional history in the form of keynote presentations, content sessions, immersive local tours, educational workshops, exhibits, and more. Attendees return to this event year after year to explore new-to-them local history as our event travels throughout the state.

For 2026, HSM will explore the history of Grand Rapids and the Western Michigan area at the Grand Valley State University's downtown campus and learn about local history, important Michiganders, niche topics, and more.

Learn more and register today by calling (800) 692-1828 or visiting www.hsm.pub/mhc2025.


Location: GVSU downtown]]> Sun, 27 Sep 2026 08:00:00 EST Clubs & Organizations //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=994&calendar_id=347042&k=092726&cb=false //localendar.com/elsie?DAM=PublishedEvent&event_id=994&calendar_id=347042&k=092726&cb=false