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"What About Our
Criminal Ancestors?" November 20, 2025 6:00 pm via Zoom 
Michelle Custer Bates. aka "The "Criminal Genealogist" is the founder and owner of My Genealogy Roots. She is currently the Criminal Legal Assistant for the United States Attorney's Office, Northern District. In her "spare time" she provides professional genealogy services to help people discover their roots. As the founder and host of The Criminal Genealogist podcast she says she is a "true Crime Junkie who loves genealogy". This will be your opportunity to learn more about how to research, navigate and explore your criminal ancestors. She will help you learn how to explore the criminal side of ancestral research and uncover records that have often gone unexplored. You will dive into the judicial system with a summary of the various jurisdictions, discuss an overview of criminal records potentially available, what information researchers can discover in those records, and where to find these untapped resources that can uncover new details and break brick walls for your ancestors. This session sheds light on court cases, police reports, prison registers, and newspaper accounts that may reveal hidden stories and redefine family narratives. Whether your ancestor was a petty thief or a career criminal, this presentation equips you with the tools and strategies to track down the paper trail they left behind. |
All 2026 Meetings
via Zoom unless otherwise indicated 
* Peggy Clemens Lauritzen
"Research Using the National Register of Historic Places and Historical Marker Database" * Amber Oldenburg "Her Own Frontier: The Legacy of Female Homesteaders Who Shaped the American West" * Dr. Michelle Martin "Serving the Nation: Lilah Denton Lindsey, Activism and Education in the Mvskoke Nation" * Madeline Yanov "Locating Family Members in Old Business Records" * Elizabeth Freeman "Genealogical resources available at the Arkansas State Archives" Sharon Dragoo "The Butterfield Trail" * Sharon Gillins "The Southern Claims Commission" |
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MCGS Special Interest Groups
Here's where you can talk about your genealogy and family history research to your heart's content with genealogy friends from California to North Carolina (and points in-between).
Join the "Bunch" at anytime! Grab a sandwich, and come and go as you need to. This free-ranging conversation among genealogy friends always yields great information and builds relationships across local, state, and regional boundaries. No registration required but there are some guidelines:
Join the "Bunch" at anytime! Grab a sandwich, and come and go as you need to. This free-ranging conversation among genealogy friends always yields great information and builds relationships across local, state, and regional boundaries. No registration required but there are some guidelines:
- Please turn on your camera. This fosters the sense of connection and engagement that makes this virtual meeting a unique experience that so closely resembles an in-person meeting.
- Remember to be respectful and considerate of other’s opinions and contributions. When disagreements arise, common courtesy helps to maintain a positive community spirit.
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Explore the World of RootsMagic with Us!
Join us monthly on the second Thursday at 2:30 p.m. CDT for an informal and interactive session dedicated to all things RootsMagic. Whether you're a seasoned user of RootsMagic 10, still navigating earlier versions, or never used RootsMagic at all, this monthly virtual meeting on Zoom is your go-to space for Q&A, discussions and valuable insights using.this popular genealogy software.
Questions? Email: [email protected].
We have a new group RootsMagic Basics for Beginners! Check out the info HERE!
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Zotero 7 for Genealogy SIG
MEETS VIRTUALLY the third Thursday of the months at 2:30 p.m. CT to learn from other attendees how to use this free, extremely flexible research tool for collecting, organizing, annotating, citing, and sharing your genealogy research. To keep the group interaction to approximately one hour, participation may be limited at any time. You must register and answer the survey questions. Your registration will be reviewed before it is approved.
MEETS VIRTUALLY the third Thursday of the months at 2:30 p.m. CT to learn from other attendees how to use this free, extremely flexible research tool for collecting, organizing, annotating, citing, and sharing your genealogy research. To keep the group interaction to approximately one hour, participation may be limited at any time. You must register and answer the survey questions. Your registration will be reviewed before it is approved.
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All programs (both virtual and in-person) are open to the public. Virtual meetings prefer that you turn on your camera. Common courtesy in interactions with other participants is expected. Be a part of MCGS and become a member! Your membership gives you the opportunity to "give back" to the larger genealogy community and your dues help provide more and better resources for researchers. The regular monthly meeting is the 4th Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm CT
We Are Here for You
Whether you have Muskogee County ancestors or have no family connection to Muskogee County or even Oklahoma, you will still find extensive support for your genealogy and family history research at the Muskogee County Genealogical Society (MCGS).
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