Judy Nimer Muhn, president of the Michigan Genealogical Council, is the guest speaker at the Anchorage Genealogical Society annual seminar April 18. Here she is in the South Dakota State Historical Archives in Pierre. An ancestor, Jean-Baptiste Amiot/Amyot, had been part of a French expedition to the west, looking for a route to the western sea (the Pacific Ocean). The expedition was in 1743, and the French "claimed" the territory for the French crown and placed three lead plates in the area. Children found one of the lead plates in 1913. Muhn learned that this is one of the original lead plates that was buried on a hilltop and is held by this facility in its museum. As the museum was closed for renovations, she asked to see any records of this discovery. Her request evolved into an opportunity to see the actual plate and hold it.
The Anchorage Genealogical Society's annual seminar will feature nationally known genealogy expert Judy Nimer Muhn on April 18.
The seminar is from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Waldron Hall, 2222 E. Tudor Road.
Muhn began her professional genealogical work in 1993. She has lectured at National Genealogical Society conferences, RootsTech, Federation of Genealogical Societies as well as conferences in Europe and around the United States. Traveling extensively around the world, Nimer Muhn has visited and researched in the villages and archives of Germany, Scotland, France, Quebec, and Ontario where her or her husband's family lived. Owner of Lineage Journeys, she conducts research for clients and offers presentations for a variety of organizations.
Muhn is the president of the Michigan Genealogical Council, a board member of the National Genealogical Society, president of the Oakland County Genealogical Society and a member of many societies related to genealogy.
A school assignment sparked Muhn's lifelong interest in genealogy. She had to fill out a family tree, and in asking her mother about her ancestors realized branches were missing.
"Where are our people from?" she wanted to know. She was 12 years old.
Then, in 1993, she and her husband were living in Europe. She turned her interest into a side gig and started her business, Lineage Journeys, which helps people who want to know more about their family history.
Three years ago, she was able to retire from her organizational development career and has been dedicating herself full time to genealogy. She's both researcher and student in that she's always learning something new.
"I feel like I'm getting a doctorate but I'm not getting the credit for it. Gee!"
Muhn has presented at RootsTech, a national genealogy conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, and that's why the Anchorage Genealogical Society invited her to come to Alaska.
She had three pieces of advice for those researching their family roots:
Remember that because they lived, you are. We can learn uncomfortable truths about who our ancestors were or the actions they took, but on some level, we have to have gratefulness because they gave you life, ultimately.
Keep digging. "There are no dead ends," Muhn said. "Genealogy doesn't happen as fast as 'Finding your Roots' on PBS." Finding your way through family roadblocks requires research skills, time and tenacity.
Reach out. Broaden your search to finding your cousins or second cousins. Do they have a family bible? Facebook is your best friend. Broaden your circle to include tools like interlibrary loan and attending seminars. There are resources in a lot of communities to help you.
To register for the seminar on April 18, go to the Anchorage Genealogical Society website: https://www.anchoragegenealogy.org/store.php?sid=3. It costs $45 for the full-day workshop and $25 for the half-day workshop.
