Great Lakes ships, Michigan in the Civil War, archeology, oral history and folklore are among agenda topics for "Michigan in Perspective -- the 39th annual conference on local history" Friday and Saturday, April 11-12, in Wayne State University's McGregor Memorial Conference Center.

Among the guest speakers will be Dennis Hale, the only crewman who survived the sinking of the freighter Daniel J. Morrell, which broke up during a Lake Huron gale in November 1966. Also of interest to Great Lakes vessel enthusiasts will be films on the Milwaukee Clipper and the Edmund Fitzgerald bell recovery expedition.

For Civil War buffs there will be a discussion on Internet resources for Michigan Civil War history. A panel will offer tips on producing a historical society newsletter and another panel will discuss writing effective community histories.

Other conference topics range from the history of Detroit's Elmwood Cemetery to Native American and Mariachi music.

U.S. District Judge Avern Cohn, the Friday noon luncheon speaker, will discuss "History, Tradition and the Law."

Dan Ewald, former vice president for public relations with the Detroit Tigers and former Detroit News baseball writer, will deliver the Henry Brown Memorial Lecture at the Saturday noon luncheon. His topic is titled "On a Handshake: The Detroit Tigers, Tradition and Detroit."

Conference registration is $7. Admission to the luncheon programs is $11 each. A get-acquainted breakfast at 8:30 a.m. Saturday is $7. Advance payment for the breakfast and luncheon programs is strongly recommended to ensure seating. There is no charge for a reception from 5-6:30 p.m. Friday in the Detroit Public Library's Burton Historical Collection room.

For more information, a program schedule and registration form call WSU's Walter P. Reuther Library at 313- 577-4003.