A Tribute to George Rogers Clark & the Capture of Fort Sackville

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TSGS President Don Counts & I drove up to Vincennes, Indiana on Saturday 25 Feb 2012 (along with our wives, Betty Counts & Becky West) for Don & I to participate in the 233rd. Anniversary Commemoration of the capture of Fort Sackville. [Click on photos to enlarge images.]
On the morning of 25 Feb 1779, Colonel George Rogers Clark and his small force of frontiersmen received the surrender of Fort Sackville from British Lt. Governor Henry Hamilton. Clark's great triumph at the now site of the George Rogers Clark Memorial in downtown Vincennes, was achieved only after an incredible 18-day midwinter journey through the icy floodwaters of the Illinois country. Above is the bronze statue in the rotunda that stands from the floor 12.5 feet tall, weighing about 12 tons. The exterior of the memorial building is 80 feet tall and 180 feet across at the base. Inside of the rotunda are seven murals, each created on a single piece of Belgium linen 16 feet wide by 28 feet tall.Above is a photo of the Indiana Society Sons of the American Revolution (INSSAR) Color Guard. Representing the Ohio Valley SAR chapter & who are also members of TSGS are (from right): Ken Gilkey, President Don Counts, Vice-President John G. West.Above: during the Pledge of Allegiance & singing of the Nation Anthem, the Color Guard was at "Present Arms" with the red & green striped George Rogers Clark flag dipped. John G. West was given the honor to carry the George Rogers Clark flag!The ladies above attended dressed in Colonial period dress. They are members of the INSSAR Ladies Auxiliary. Two of them are members of TSGS - Peggy Gilkey on the left & Betty Counts on the right. Not pictured was TSGS Program Chair Becky West.This beautiful wreath of flowers was placed by two very small students of the South Knox Elementary School. Patriotic songs & music was provided by the St. John Folk Group of St. John Catholic Church.

It was a very cold & windy day with snow flurries. Inside it was warm, but the marble benches that circle around the rotunda were very cold! But, the ceremony warmed our hearts and reminded us of what many of our ancestors endured 233 years ago!

- Compiled by JGWest

Warrick County 4-H Awards Banquet 2012

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TSGS President Don Counts & TSGS Vice-President John G. West present the Glenda K. Trapp Memorial Award Certificate to a very proud young lady - Madison McClane. The award is sponsored by the Tri-State Genealogical Society. Madison was recognized for her achievement in the 4-H Genealogy Project in Warrick Co., Indiana. John as the TSGS 4-H Coordinator presents this award in Vanderburgh and surrounding counties each year.John also serves as the Indiana Society Sons of the American Revolution state chair of the 4-H Youth Awards Program and annually presents an SAR Outstanding Citizenship Lapel Pin. This year's winner is Abigail Clark pictured below. John & Don also serve as state officers for the Indiana SAR Society. For many years John wore his Revolutionary War uniform to present this award. Then when presenting the TSGS genealogy award, John would say "switching hats" but did not have a different hat. This year John wore western attire (as did President Counts) to have a hat that might better match 4-H and then when awarding the SAR Citizenship award John put on a tri-corn hat worn by the Colonist during the Revolutionary War.TSGS members: Ken Gilkey, Peggy Gilkey, Betty Counts & TSGS Program Chair Becky West attended the awards event, as well.

- Photographers were Ken & Peggy Gilkey and Betty Counts

TSGS Meeting Recap For Those Not Attending

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We had a nice TSGS Monthly Meeting last night. President Don Counts led the meeting... he was not sure if he would make it back from an Indianapolis meeting earlier in the day. I was on standby as the Vice-President to to lead the meeting if needed. Click on photos to get a larger image.

Below is a view of most of those in attendance. I counted 24 people! An excellent crowd for a January meeting... great weather! The last two years we had to cancel the meeting in January due to bad weather.

In photo below our Secretary Kim Nightingale is reading the previous TSGS meeting minutes.

Below Diana Davis is giving the TSGS Treasurer's Report.

Becky West, TSGS Program Chair is introducing the night's speaker, Peggy Gilkey (seated on the right with the blue Colonial dress & straw bonnet). Her presentation was about the life of Elizabeth Grisom Claypool (better known as Betsy Ross).

In the photo below, Peggy had said that she wanted to impress me with her ability to make a perfect 5-pointed star with one-cut of the scissors as Betsy demonstrated to George Washington. She carefully folded it, and then snipped it one time... then from behind the poteem she showed us some paper dolls - I was impressed!!! :)

Then she showed us the 5-pointed star!

Peggy's husband assisted Peggy during the program showing several Colonial flags. Here he is showing the "Betsy Ross" U.S. Flag. Ken is wearing Colonial attire with a tri-corn hat.

After the program everyone got a chance to make a perfect 5-pointed star, not all qualified! :) But everyone had a lot of fun trying!

Before adjournment, attendance prizes were drawn. Ernie Payne won the first prize a genealogy book, JD Strouth & Irvin Conrad won a 2012 16-month calendar each. The calendars were donated by Peggy Gilkey.

- Compiled by JGWest

Photos of TSGS Christmas Social 2011

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I better get these photos of the TSGS Christmas Social before our TSGS President gets upset with me (he has sent me numerous reminders to post these... sorry Don!)
So, Don, above is the nice photo I took of you! As compared to the one you took of me just after sticking some snacks in my mouth (below).

Below is a semi-group photo of some of our members enjoying treats & conversation. We had about 30 people show up during the night.

Two members who happen to be DAR members, as well.

This shot was taken from the Bayard Room's door across the tables... Becky West made some punch (the easy way!) that was a big hit. Another big hit was Peggy Gilkey's Pecan Pie... Ken is sitting there (at the table behind Sue) eating the last of the second pie!

The TSGS Program Chair that hosted the Christmas event was Becky West wearing her reindeer antlers that blink!

Everyone had a great time. Larry Goss & I were disappointed that no one brought a cheese ball, but there were plenty of great treats to keep us happy!!!

- Compiled by JGWest. Photos taken by Don Counts, except for the first photo.

TSGS Meeting Report For Those Not In Attendance

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TSGS First Meeting for 2011-2012
13 Sep 2011

President Don Counts presides over the meeting (Peggy Newton, librarian is standing to his right). Seated in the first row is (L-R): Carol Lantaff, Rena & Larry Goss, Peggy & Ken Gilkey.
At end of the table (standing), Secretary Kim Nightingale reads the minutes of the previous meeting. Seated at that table at the end is Treasurer, Diana Davis, Former President Karin Kirsch, Program Chair Becky West. Carol Lantaff is at the end of the table to Kim's left.

Lyn Martin gives an animated Library Report as President Counts stands by.

Speaking of animation, former President John G. West, presented a lively program "Genealogical Research Skills vs. Just Plain Luck!" John used this John Deere cap to illustrate that all of his ancestors were farmers. Holding a corn-cob pipe was used to show that those farmers were almost exclusively tobacco farmers.

John dramatized that most of his lucky success in finding ancestors was that he had a wee bit o' Irish blood in him... and possibly a wee bit of Leprachauns along the line. Here John asked the audience if they thought he looked like a "little Leprachaun!" John used humor & unusual stories to point out his lucky findings, but then mentioned how using better research skills could have eliminated the need of luck to discover his ancestors. About 18-20 members were in attendance. Peggy Gilkey won the attendance prize... one year's TSGS membership.

- Photos taken by JGWest & Don Counts

Tombstone Thursday - Ladd

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Teresa Ladd
Born April 15, 1836
Died December 23, 1902

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"Since She Has Left Us We all feel like a Broken Hand"

This stone is on a farm on the Sandlick Road in Caldwell Co., Ky.

It was ordered from Sears & Roebuck Co.

- Submitted by Ken Gilkey [Photographer unknown]

[Tombstone Thursday is dedicated in memory of Donald G. West 1952-2000]

From the FIRST MATE's PHOTO ALBUM...

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... last night's TSGS meeting.

We had about 20-25 attend our meeting! We are trying to get more of our 425 members to attend, with a slight increase noted over some meetings of our last fiscal year of 15-20 attending. We would love to have more members & guests to come join us.
Our guest soeaker was Ken Gilkey, Presideent of the Ohio Valley Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. Ken gave an interesting account of George Rogers Clark capture of Ft. Sackville (Vincennes, IN). The after meeting comments were very good. Thanks, Ken!

The red & green 13 striped flag is known as the George Rogers Clark flag. Colonel Clark was a brother to William Clark of the Lewis & Clark Expedition.

After cleaning the small G.A.R. sawhorse type stand, I showed it to our members to see if anyone knew why these were at Oak Hill Cemetery. This one was on loan to show. Everyone that gave a comment suggested this plus the other 8 or so others were used to set a coffin upon at the cemetery before it was moved to lower the coffin into the grave. (They may have been, also, used in the homes or other places where the body of the deceased may have been on display before going to the cemetery.) All agreed that it was interesting that these existed. "G.A.R." was determined to stand for the Grand Army of the Republic.

We had a very good meeting that many missed... next month's meeting will feature Robert N. Hall a very entertaining speaker who will discuss the works of author Washington Irving including Rip VanWinkle and the "Legend of Sleepy Hollow" (kind of a fall/Halloween theme). Mr. Hall will be dressed as Ichabod Crane! I have heard this and about 5 other programs by Bob and I believe this is his very best of the great programs I have had the opportunity & pleasure to hear!

- Photos taken & submitted by JGWest

THE CAPTAIN'S LOG –TSGS News

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TSGS Meeting tonight!!!!!

The Tri-State Genealogical Society will hold its first meeting of the 2010-2011 year at Willard Library on the second floor. The meeting will begin at 7 PM... this is a change from 7:30 PM. The society voted to start the meetings 1/2 hour earlier to ensure leaving a little earlier for the library staff.

Ken Gilkey will be our guest speaker from the Ohio Valley Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution where ken serves as President and is a member of the chapter's Speakers Bureau. He will tell us about the Indiana Revolutionary War battle where George Rogers Clark captured Ft. Sackville. It is an interesting story! I have attended Ken's program twice and enjoyed learning about this part of the war that most do not know about.

John G. West, TSGS President

"Happy Easter"

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Rock Chapel... Jasper, Indiana

Thanks to Ernie Payne, on our way home from Spring Mill, we stopped in Jasper to see the open rock chapel on the grounds of St. Joseph Catholic Church. It is made up of round (ball-shaped) rock formations called geodes that are cemented together. Ernie & I share a love of geology and fossil collecting. Don Counts took this photo. Others in the SUV were driver Ken Gilkey, Chris Myers & J.D. Strouth.

The six of us (plus Robert Hall, Rex Legler, & Ed Hitchcock) of the Ohio Valley Chapter of SAR attended the Indiana Society of SAR Annual Meeting in Spring Mill Park on Saturday. J.D., Don & I were re-elected to our State SAR Offices


Easter Blessings to All!


- Photo of Rock Chapel taken & submitted by Donald R. Counts

Tombstone Thursday - Moss

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Here lies Doug Moss...

Not all was a loss,

Cause Doug got his wish...

That last big fish!

- by JGWest

- Photo submitted by Don Counts (twice) & Ken Gilkey (once). Photo from FunPics.com

[Tombstone Thursday is dedicated in memory of Donald G. West 1952-2000]

Marker/Plaque/Monument Monday

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Willard Library Flag Pole & Dedication Plaque...
Please click on photos to enlarge the image. Because of the flowered foliage, the date is hidden. The last line partially covered states: "Dedicated October 1, 1989."
Below: A few years ago before one of the Sat. morning Ohio Valley Chapter, the library staff (on duty that morning) did not know how to put the flag at half mast. So, our Color Guard members did the honors of putting the flag at half mast. It had been ordered by the Mayor for a funeral of a young soldier that had been killed in the war.

SAR members (L-R): J.D. Stouth, Don Counts, Ken Gilkey.

- Photos taken by Chris Myers

From the FIRST MATE's PHOTO ALBUM...

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Local DAR & SAR
very active in the Evansville, Indiana area...

These two photos taken at the 2009 West Side Nut Club Fall Festival Parade of the Captain Henry Vanderburgh Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Photos submitted by Vannetta McDowell.

SAR & DAR participate in the West Side Fall Festival Parade

These two photos at the 2009 Fall Festival Parade are of the Ohio Valley SAR Chapter of the Indiana Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Photos taken by Cheri Baumberger & submitted by Don Counts.

THE CAPTAIN'S LOG –TSGS News

TSGS Monthly
Membership Meeting
Highlights - 09 Jun 2009

TSGS President John G. West conducting the last meeting of the 2008-2009 Fiscal Year. To the right (seated behind desk) is TSGS Secretary Lyn Martin. The 2009-2010 Proposed Budget was approved by the members. Also, the TSGS members voted to donate $50 as a "Gift Of Appreciation" to the Willard Library Staff Association for their service and dedication to the public genealogical community and TSGS members.

2009-2010 Officers Installation: Standing in the back row (L-R) - Vice President Douglas Korb; Treasurer Bettie Cummings Cook, CG; Corresponding Secretary Sue Hebbeler; Membership Chair Don Pierce; Program Chair Mary Lou Bevers; Director Becky West. Seated in front row (L-R) - President John G. West; Recording Secretary Brenda Joyce Jerome, CG; Director Donald R. Counts; Director Karin Marie Kirsch; Director Janet Breivogel Mann. Not present for photo: Tri-State Packet Editor Brenda Legate; Directors Larry Goss, Gloria Strott & Rena Goss.

The program for this meeting was presented by Willard Library's
Special Collection Director Lyn Martin.

-Photos taken by Kenneth Gilkey and submitted by JGWest

From the FIRST MATE's PHOTO ALBUM...

Vincennes Rendezvous 2009

Indiana & Kentucky Societies of the

Sons of the American Revolution

Revolutionary War Grave

Dedication Ceremony

Memorial Day Weekend

Above photo: second from right is John G. West. Next is my friend Mark Kreps and 6th. from right is Ken Gilkey. We were serving in a 15-man Color Guard.

In this photo John G. West is second from the left.

- Photos taken & submitted by Cheri Baumberger

INSSAR Elects 2009-2010 State Officers

Indiana Society

Sons of the American Revolution

2009-2010 State Officers

Second from left is State Historian John G. West (member of TSGS & the Ohio Valley Chapter [OVC] INSSAR) and in the center of the photo (seventh from left in a Revolutionary War uniform) is State Chaplain Don Counts (member TSGS & OVC). Also in this photo is INSSAR District One Director J.D. Strouth & District Two Director Dr. T. Rex Legler, II both members of OVC. Counts & West were recently re-elected to these offices at the April 2009 Annual House of Delegates Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The OVChapter will meet later this morning at Willard Library... TSGS members Ken Gilkey, President & Chris Myers, Secretary. West serves as the Chapter Treasurer while Counts is the Chapter Vice-President.

- Photo submitted by Don Counts (photographer unknown)

THE CAPTAIN'S LOG –TSGS News

TSGS Meeting Program 12 May 2009

During last night's Tri-State Genealogical Society monthly membership meeting (at Willard Library), Brenda Joyce Jerome, CG, presented her program on her Smithland, Kentucky Project. Researching the people of this small river city which is the county seat of County during the 1830-1850 time span. Brenda had several interesting tales and several murder cases. The program was entitled: "Smithland - Genealogy of a Kentucky River Town."

TSGS Elects Officers & Directors

for 2009-2010

Board of Directors: (Seated L-R) Janet Mann, Gloria Strott, Becky West, Karin Kirsch, Don Counts and (standing to the left) Larry Goss. Also elected a Director, but not present for this photo is Rena Goss. Officers (standing L-R after Larry Goss): [Brenda Legate - Tri-State Packet Editor not present for this photo], Don Pierce - Membership Chair, Mary Lou Bevers - Program Chair, Bettie Cook - Treasurer, Sue Hebbeler - Corresponding Secretary, Brenda Jerome - Recording Secretary, Douglas Korb - Vice President, and John G. West - President.

We had a nice attendance of about 30 people, many attended the HELP Session conducted by Mr. Mark Lammers entitled "Research at the Family History Library."

Top photo taken by JGWest with photo of officers taken by Ken Gilkey.

John G. West, President

"Remembering Her Wedding Day... on Mother's Day"

Peggy Gilkey is sharing this great Mother's Day suggestion with us.

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Since Mother's Day is coming up, it started me thinking about something Ken and I both did sometime ago. I was visiting with my mom in Kentucky before her death and we spent alot of time talking about her family and going through old family photos. I decided to ask her about her Wedding Day. It was wonderful how she remembered every detail down to the cost of everything, the town and what was happening at the time. I scribbled down everything she told me, dates, colors, prices and places. When I got home I went through my notes and put it all in story form. On my next visit I read it to her and asked if any changes should be made. We did the same thing with Ken's mom when she was in a retirement home before her death. It was amazing how she could remember even the cost of her shoes, where they married, people in the town.


With men it usually is a different story, they do well to remember the date. I think they were so happy to win the girl and that was the thing that was most important to them.


Now both our moms have gone on to meet their ancestors but we still have these wonderful stories of their wedding days to pass on to their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. If you still have your mom spend some time with her this Mother's Day and learn her Wedding Day story, if she is no longer with you write your own story and give a copy to your children or grand children.

- Submitted by Peggy Gilkey

[NOTE: I was going to use today for some follow-up on our Frank Vincent Kiefer mystery... we have some updates on this local actor. It will be in tomorrow's (Sat.) blog. My apologies to the ones that went to a lot of trouble following up on this, but I will have more time to present it better. Peggy's idea is more timely for today.]

THE CAPTAIN'S LOG –TSGS News

Tonight is the TSGS Annual Dinner Meeting at the Sirloin Stockade on Bellemeade Ave. near Green River Road. From 5:30 t0 6:30 we will eat and enjoy some fellowship (genealogists usually have little trouble visiting with one another!). We will have a very short meeting with some Certificates of Appreciation presented to some TSGS members for contributing to the success of our society. About 7PM our guest speaker, Judge Redwine, will speak concerning Judge Lynch. I am really looking forward to hearing his program. Come join us. You do not need to be a member to attend our meetings.

Our regular web site has recently jumped to over 1,500 visits since last Thanksgiving (less than five months) which gives us about 300 visits per month or an average of 10 visits a day. Before this time we got about 10 visits every two or three weeks! Our Clustra-Maps Counter shows that we have had visits from people in 29 countries with 12 having two or more visits. These are unique visits meaning that each person is only counted once in a 24 hour period. The number of hits during this time is over 5,350! Which is over 1,000 hits per month. We are attracting some visitors to our web sites. Since 14 Dec 2008, the TSGS Cruiser Blog has had over 4,400 hits - 4 months... an average of 1,100 visits per month.

I invite everyone to consider submitting short articles, photos, links or even ideas to make this blog a further success and to make it a diverse blog made up of genealogists with all kinds of interests and experiences. Share with others some of your stories.

Tomorrow is Tax Day, but it is also the deadline for submissions for the Tri-State Packet - our members quarterly journal.

TSGS member, Ken Gilkey is in the hospital... remember him in your prayers.

See you tonight!
John G. West, TSGS President

"Land-Office Military Warrants"

John,

Thought this might be useful for the blog. Some from Posey Co. might enjoy seeing these Land Grants. A surveyor from Paducah sent it to me. The survey was for Northwestern Livingston Co., Ky. which at the time would have been (close to) across the Ohio River from now present Posey Co., Indiana.

Dont really know how Zephaniah Posey fits into this picture. Maybe someone from Posey Co. can answer that.

A really good article on Gen. Thomas Posey is at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Posey

Numerous websites state that Posey was the son of George Washington ?

-Submitted by Ken Gilkey

From the FIRST MATE'sPHOTO ALBUM...

DAR Historical Marker Dedication

Captain Henry Vanderburgh Chapter, NSDAR

Willard Library, Evansville, IN May 22, 2008

SAR members of the Ohio Valley INSSAR Chapter
provided the Color Guard for this DAR ceremony.
L-R: Kenneth Gilkey, Donald Counts, Christopher Myers.
Photo taken by Peggy Gilkey.

Transcription
On The Bronze Book Plaque
(Left Page)
Welcome
to Willard Library
A Landmark of Service
Crowning Achievement
of Willard Carpenter
(Right Page)
Join Us
Read for Pleasure
Research Genealogy
Study Local History
Increase Our Knowledge

(On The Stone Marker below DAR Emblem)

Willard Carpenter, Philanthropist, Community Leader,

Founder of Willard Library 1885

Marker placed May 22, 2008

by Capt. Henry Vanderburgh Chapter NSDAR

Organized 1896, Evansville, IN

See more photos of this event at: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~inovcsar/willardlibmarker.html

This is the first photo of a new regular feature that will appear about once a week, usually on Wednesdays. Generally, one photo will be exhibited with a little info about it. The focus of the photos will be genealogical in nature or related to the tri-state area. Visitors may submit photos with who, what, where and when (if known) to me at: TSGS Cruiser