African American Genealogical Society of Milwaukee

08/04/2026

LEARN HOW TO TRACE YOUR FAMILY TREE

Stop by our stall at the Fondy Farmers Market
Saturday, August 8, 2026
8:30 a.m.– 1:00 p.m.
2200 W. Fond du Lac Avenue

The African American Genealogical Society of Milwaukee (AAGSOM) has been in existence for 34 years. The society helps people trace their African American ancestry and preserve their heritage.

Members of AAGSOM will be at the Market to share their techniques for finding and saving your family history. Members will show you how to get started, how to create a family tree, and look for free online search programs. In addition, they will help you find ways to break through genealogy “brick walls” with other research tips.

AAGSOM members look forward to answering questions, sharing stories and providing any additional assistance with your research.

Look forward to seeing you.

05/15/2026

"SHOW & TELL"
The African American Genealogical Society of Milwaukee (AAGSOM) presents the above interactive workshop on Saturday, May 16, from 1:30 to 3:00 at the Capitol Branch Library, 3969 N. 74th Street.

Your ancestors collected recipes, books, letters, toys, tools, jewelry, and photographs, among other things. If you have any of these, please dust off your treasures and bring your history to life. Sharing your artifacts and the story behind them is a powerful way to bridge the gap between documented facts and lived experience. So, tell us what the item is and how it was used, who owned it, and how it was passed down. Your keepsake might seem small, but its story could spark memories, laughter, and connection—join us in celebrating the pieces of the past that make us who we are.

The workshop is in-person, and visitors are welcome. For our members who want to attend online, please, register prior to the meeting at: https://www.aagsom.org/copy-of-contact-us-1

04/13/2026

The African American Genealogical Society of Milwaukee (AAGSOM) presents a workshop, “Confirming Enslaved Ancestors Using DNA”, on Saturday, April 18th, from 1:30 to 3:00 via Zoom for AAGSOM members only. This session will not be in-person.

DNA can provide a vital link to family history that is often lost due to the lack of records during slavery. That same testing can help descendants overcome the “brick walls” in regular genealogical research. Enslaved people, considered “property”, were often excluded from or listed without surnames in records. So, DNA can confirm information about our enslaved ancestors, have a deeper dive into family history, and honor the resilience of families.

Historian Diane Taylor, a long-time member of AAGSOM, will facilitate the workshop by providing insight into the benefits and methods of DNA testing for genealogical research, major databases, focusing on close matches, and linking family trees. Diane uses a unique blend of tenacity, detective work, and curiosity to trace family lineage.

An individual membership to AAGSOM is $20 and gives you access to calendar-year events. If you have any questions or would like to join our organization, you may contact us at:
https://www.aagsom.org/contact-us
or
Complete an application at:
https://www.aagsom.org/membership-application

03/17/2026

02/19/2026

The African American Genealogical Society of Milwaukee (AAGSOM) presents a workshop, "How Contraband, Freedmen, Free People of Color & Registration Helped My Family Research" on Saturday, February 21st, from 1:30 to 3:00 at Good Hope Library (Study Room), 7715 W. Good Hope Rd.

The presenter, Myrelene Saunders, will explain how she used the above topics to help her find her 2x great-grandparents, George and Jenny. In the early 1990’s, Myrelene found their names on a Registration of Marriage document. However, it wasn't until 2020 when she watched the television show, “The Former Slaves of Lake Mills", about African Americans in rural Wisconsin, that she discovered additional information, and the genealogy brick wall began to crumble.

Myrelene Saunders is the current President of the African American Genealogical Society of Milwaukee and a go-to resource on breaking down brick walls. She has a passion for genealogy research and has been doing that for more than 50 years. She is committed to continuous learning and gaining a greater understanding of family history.

01/15/2026

The African American Genealogical Society of Milwaukee (AAGSOM) presents an in-person and virtual "Members-Only" workshop.

This session, "Show & Tell", will be held on Saturday, January 17th at 1:30 at the Martin Luther King Branch Library, 2901 N. Martin Luther King Dr.

There are many tools available to help genealogy researchers. This month’s workshop will give you a closer look at Chuck Powell’s (historian and former AAGSOM President) items related to his search. From old books and historical documents to family items, Chuck will share some of his favorite keepsakes he’s gathered over the years. He’ll also tell us about the stories behind them. Chuck even discovered and reclaimed a family treasure on eBay that belonged to one of his ancestors, and he’s added it to his personal archives of family and Black history. Discover what Chuck Powell has as part of his family archives.

Please join us on Saturday. To register, click on:
https://www.aagsom.org/copy-of-contact-us-1

01/02/2026

HAPPY NEW YEAR
We wish you much success in researching your family lineage and discovering new details. We connect you with like-minded individuals who share “brick walls” and make the journey more fun and collaborative.

As you gain a better understanding of your history, you will be amazed at how it binds us together as individuals, communities, and generations.

That said, we send you greetings for good fortune, hope, cultural continuity, and new beginnings in 2026.

AAGSOM Executive Board

11/12/2025

The African American Genealogical Society of Milwaukee (AAGSOM) presents a Free virtual workshop, "Using DNA to Find Unknown Relatives", on Saturday, November 15th at 1:30 p.m.

DNA testing helps identify family relatives by revealing matches, uncovering connections, and breaking down brick walls. Test results are compared to those of others and the matches range from close family members to distant cousins you may have never known existed. DNA can provide clues in your research, particularly when incomplete records are present, such as those resulting from name changes, name abbreviations, or unknown family linkages.

Our presenter, Vivian Peet, is an avid genealogy researcher and family historian. She is a founding and active member of AAGSOM, having served in various capacities. Moreover, Vivian has implemented several key initiatives that have enriched the knowledge and ability of Society members.

Please join us on Saturday and come with your DNA questions.
To register, click on:
https://www.aagsom.org/copy-of-contact-us-1

10/15/2025

AAGSOM is pleased at welcome our speaker, Jeff Kannel, to our Open House on Saturday, October 18, at 2:00 at the Villard Square Library. Jeff is a retired pediatric physical therapist and educator. He was a volunteer and tour guide at the Civil War Museum in Kenosha from 2011 to 2020. He began researching African American Civil War soldiers in 2010 and published "Make Way for Liberty" in 2020. Jeff has done presentations about African American service in the Civil War in more than 20 communities in Wisconsin and Illinois. He co-authored the story of a Black Civil War veteran, “Henry Sink: Settler, Soldier, Citizen,” for the Winter 2018 Wisconsin Magazine of History. A member of the Wisconsin Historical Society since 1995, he lives in Wauwatosa and enjoys spending time with his fun grandchildren.