September 10 Meeting for The Pikes Peak Genealogical Society

Wednesday, September 10

What About Your Criminal Ancestors?

by Michelle Bates
7 p.m., via Zoom

This presentation explores the criminal side of our ancestral research, uncovering records that have often gone unexplored. We 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 our 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.

Michelle Bates is a professional genealogist and speaker with a specialty in uncovering the stories of criminal ancestors and locating heirs in probate cases. She is the creator and host of The Criminal Genealogist podcast, where she explores the lives, crimes, and family histories of past offenders—bringing a fresh perspective to genealogical research through the lens of criminal records. Michelle holds a certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University. She volunteers with the Tulsa Genealogical Society, the Association of Professional Genealogists, and the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. By day, Michelle serves as a criminal paralegal for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Oklahoma. Through her business, My Genealogy Roots, she partners with attorneys to track down living heirs in complex probate cases. She’s also building a comprehensive research database to support genealogists in tracing criminal records and histories.

Members: Zoom links and handouts will be emailed to you before the meeting. If you still need the monthly meeting link, log in with your user name and password, then click on "Monthly Meeting Zoom Link," the second button under Member Log In.

Guests are welcome to attend the meeting via Zoom. Please request an invitation from the PPGS [email protected]. Please note that only members receive meeting handouts. If you are interested in joining PPGS go to PPGS Join / Renew.

Wednesday, September 10

6:30 p.m., Mountain Time, Zoom hangout begins

7 p.m., Mountain Time, Meeting begins via Zoom

The Pikes Peak Genealogical Society meets on the second Wednesday of each month via Zoom. Guests are welcome, but if you plan to attend regularly, please join the Society to support its efforts.