Northeast Michigan History and Genealogy

Northeast Michigan History and Genealogy The Northeast Michigan Genealogical Society was founded in 1976 and is gathering of persons interest, it closed in early 2025.

We will keep the site open, adding photos and information as we find it. THE GATHERING OF GENEALOGIST OCCURS SIX TIMES ANNUALLY, GENERALLY ON THE THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH Location will be posted on this page
Meetings frequently include speakers, and all meetings have time for sharing and questions regarding genealogical research. Throughout the year, the needs of the experienced genealogist, as well as beginners, are addressed. Most often, the place and time of the meeting is published in our quarterly newsletter and of course here, on our face book page. In collaboration with these two mediums, announcements are made on the radio and in the area newspapers.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/178qXNCRPs/
02/15/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/178qXNCRPs/

This Valentine’s Day, we celebrate love at the lighthouse—and love for lighthouses.

Patrick Garrity and Mary Chambers (later Garrity) lived within 10 miles of each other in Ireland, but they didn’t actually meet until both of their families moved to Michigan in 1848.

Married in 1859, the couple were together for more than 40 years until Patrick’s passing in 1903. Together, they had seven children, and five of them went on to careers in the lighthouse service. As a family, they gave 74 consecutive years of service and more than 260 combined years of service to Great Lakes lighthouses.

Here is an excerpt from Mary’s obituary in The Alpena News in 1912:
“Mr. and Mrs. Garrity were never known to turn a person, friend or stranger, hungry from their door… Many a shipwrecked sailor and passenger has known Mrs. Garrity’s gentle attention and kindly hospitality.”

Learn more at the Presque Isle Township Museum Society or in the Great Lakes Maritime Collection:
https://thunderbay.noaa.gov/heritage/maritime-collection-archive.html

A sad day in Michigan history. :(
02/09/2026

A sad day in Michigan history. :(

Yesterday was the 75th anniversary of the 1951 State Office Building Fire, which severely impacted the and other SOM offices that worked in the structure. Here is the front page of the 2/9/1951 Lansing State Journal showing the extent of the fire.

12/13/2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QQf81Xpy00
12/09/2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QQf81Xpy00

In this video we spent 3 days exploring Alpena Michigan and the Lake Huron coast! We explore a waterfall, sinkholes, multiple lighthouses and state parks cha...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt6sYIJlwT0
12/02/2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt6sYIJlwT0

Vietnam's effect on the local community of Alpena, Michigan. The documentary interviews seven community members and they explain their opinions and experien...

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491 Johnson Street
Alpena, MI
49707

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THE GATHERING OF GENEALOGIST OCCURS SIX TIMES ANNUALLY, GENERALLY ON THE THIRD SATURDAY OF THE MONTH Location will be posted on this page and on our Website see www.nemgs.org,in “Roots & Branches” our quarterly newsletter, in addition and announcements are made on the radio and in the area newspapers. Meetings frequently include speakers, activities and have time for sharing and questions regarding genealogical research. Throughout the year, the needs of the experienced genealogist, as well as beginners, are addressed.