About queries. A query is a concise short paragraph about one particular individual that clearly defines your genealogical question. GSWC accepts *free* queries for publication in our quarterly magazine, Family History Capers if the reference is to Washtenaw County and the surrounding area. These queries are indexed at the GSWC Library and, on our website, in the Capers Name Index. Members may submit queries for localities beyond Washtenaw County.

Query hints. Be sure to include a name, a date and a place in your query. What information are you seeking? Be specific. Write out all words in full. Please include your email address and indicate if you wish it published with your query. Are you willing to exchange data or to correspond? Are you willing to exchange research?

Query examples

National Genealogical Society "Writing a Query"
In the Capers Combination Subject Index, the list of issues with queries starts on page 66.
Family History Capers 5(1):28 and 12(1):20 (login required) have queries (if you want to skip the index)

Submission options

email template --> opens an email window addressed to research@washtenawgenealogy.org with the subject heading Capers Query
fillable form --> opens a fillable PDF form. Fill in, download, and save. Submit as an email attachment to research@washtenawgenealogy.org.

About research requests. The submitted names must have a possible Washtenaw County connection. GSWC volunteers conduct limited research at the GSWC library using the sources available there. Four unique resources are

indexed files of query/research correspondence
family vertical files
GSWC Member Ancestor Surname index
an (earlier) pioneer file

The Society may be able to supply names of others who can check additional sources. Research requests are written up in Capers as a Query if the requester agrees. A contribution of ten dollars is suggested. Donations are used to purchase research materials for our library.

What to include in your research request

Your name, address, and email address
Your specific request
- Name of the individual and family members
- Specific information you seek
- Approximate time period when the person was in Washtenaw County
- Place in the county, if known
- Information you already know, including family group sheets, pedigree charts, census data
Donations are appreciated. Suggested amount $10.

Submitting by mail

Please send your research request to:

The Genealogical Society of Washtenaw County, Michigan, Inc

P.O. Box 7155

Ann Arbor, MI 48107-7155

If you have no email address, please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope

Submitting by email

email template --> opens an email window with a template and the subject heading Research Request
Do you have any attachments?

Three ways to give

Donate by PayPal or a debit or credit card (click Donate). You do not have to have a PayPal account.

*About the new donation form. We are transitioning to a new, different way to donate--an online donation form that will generate a printable mail-in form or a printable invoice, so it is useful whether you want to donate by check with a mail-in form or online by PayPal or credit card. We encourage you to try it. Until we complete the transition period, we are retaining the yellow Donate button—which still works.

Advantages of the new donation form

Generate a mail-in form to print and enclose with your check.
Pay online by PayPal or credit card and generate an invoice to save for your records
Contact information will populate automatically with the information in your member profile if you are logged in as a member
Dedicate a donation to someone's memory in the comment section
Set up recurring donations
Mark your donation as anonymous

About lookups. The Research Committee will do a lookup for you in a non-Washtenaw County book owned by the library, but will not be able to do follow-up research. See also Washtenaw Research "Queries and Lookups."

mmcc 1/6/2023; 1/22/23 SLB; 3/19/24 JT; 10/29/24 JT 1/22/2025 JT 2/13/2025 JT 2/18/2025