Downriver Genealogical Society

Oakwood Cemetery with Mary-Johna Wein
2026-10-21 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Detroit) | Copeland Center, 2306 Fourth Street, Wyandotte, Michigan, 48192
2026 marks 200 years since the first burial at Oakwood Cemetery — Wyandotte’s oldest landmark. Within its gates rest former slaves, soldiers, state legislators, and everyday citizens whose lives shaped the community. From tales of the Purple Gang to stories of body snatchers, Oakwood holds a rich and fascinating history that continues to echo through time.

The Camp System - The Holocaust and the Final Solutionwith David Thacker
2026-11-18 19:00 - 21:00
This program will focus on the process of deportations into the different types of camps within occupied Europe. They will emphasize the human story of the Holocaust by explaining Jewish experiences living in the camps. You will explore various aspects of camp life, including work, food, resistance, violence and community. By examining testimonies and artifacts of those who survived the camp system, you will gain a deeper understanding of these atrocities.
David Thacker holds bachelor’s degrees in History and Political Science from Wayne State University. He is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in World War Two Studies, and a Graduate Certificate in Holocaust and Genocide Studies from Arizona State University. His research primarily focuses on the history of far-right and authoritarian movements in the United States and abroad. Since February 2025, David has served as an Education Associate at The Zekelman Holocaust Center. In this role, he leads guided tours of the museum’s permanent exhibit for school and adult groups, and delivers the Center’s educational programs and presentations to a wide range of audiences.

Friends of Freedom, Stories of the Underground Railroad with Jeri L. Duke
2027-01-20 19:00 - 21:00
The story is set prior to and during the U.S. Civil War. The plot centers on the faith and lives of two women. One is a Quaker who helps hide runaway slaves, and the other is a southern slave who helps other slaves escape to freedom. This work is a true story inspired by her own family history and love of ancestry. With this passion of history and reading, she put pen to paper to create her novels. Jeri will have her books to sell at the meeting.

November Gales with Ric Mixter
2027-02-17 19:00 - 21:00
Autumn Storms are notorious on the Great Lakes, and Ric has studied their devastating effects for over 25 years. This program features storms in 1905, 1913, 1940, and the wrecks of the Fitzgerald, Morrell, and Bradley. Rare interviews with survivors, as well as footage from each of the ships, make this spell-binding program very special.
