TSGS Meeting Report

For those who could not attend our last TSGS Monthly Meeting, I offer this report...

We had 20 people attend last Tuesday night's meeting.  I sincerely believe that it was the shortest meeting in our over 35 year history - total time about 32 minutes after the meeting was called to order by President Don Counts.

Diana Davis, Treasurer, presented the following report:
Balance on 31 August 2012 - $2382.79
September income - 2075.86
Expenses -1017.76
Balance on 30 September 2012 - $3440.89
Membership: 187 individuals + 10 library subscription

Lyn Martin gave the library report on the following:
- New multi-generation family charts are available for $1 each
- New Kentucky death records arrived recently
- Circulating collection is going well

Greg Hager, Willard Library Director, made comments encouraging the society and offered the library's email database as a way to promote the society more.

John West made a motion to begin future meetings at 6:30 P.M. Sue Hebbeler seconded the motion. A majority vote approved 6:30 P.M. as starting time for future meetings.  The society membership also voted to cancel the TSGS Annual Dinner meeting in April.

Don Counts presented the program on Bio-Terrorism and Biological Warfare in the Revolutionary War.  Diana Davis’ name was drawn for the attendance prize which was a membership to TSGS for 2013.  John West called attention to a Facebook page for the TSGS a link to it can be found on the TSGS Cruiser Blog (above).

- Reported by John G. West, TSGS Vice-President

TSGS Meeting Report

Report on the TSGS Meeting held on Tuesday 12 Jun 2012

We had a small attendance of about 16 for this meeting, with 10 attendance prizes providing most with something to take home!  The weather has been so nice that we should have held the meeting outside!  Click on photos to see a larger image.

 Photo of some of the members just before the meeting was called to order by President Don Counts.  Several people were still researching on the microfilm machines in the back.  Willard Library is a great genealogical research library and is so beautiful inside & out.

 Above is pictured those officers elected for 2012-13 that were in attendance - from L-R: Sue Hebbeler, Corresponding Secretary; Larry Goss, Director; Rena Goss, Director; Becky West, Director; Kim Nightingale, Recording Secretary; John G. West, Vice-President; Don Counts, President.

 Becky West, the out-going Program Chair, after thanking the society for having a non-genealogist for 2 years as the Program Chair, read a brief humorous account of the Vincent Van Gogh Family Tree.  Then she introduced Indiana Bones (pictured below) to present his "Field Trip Health & Safety Tips!"  This was Indiana Bones first public appearance.  Since, John West was tagged as a "Cemetery Geek" by the Evansville Courier, Becky came up with the name of Indiana Bones for the TSGS Cruiser Blog and to give programs as this character.  John is shown with some of his gear: hat, walking stick, cemetery bag.  During the short session on tips, Indiana Bones pointed out some ideas of what to carry on field trips to a cemetery ("cemetery hopping"). A hand-out with suggested items for a first aid kit & a cemetery bag was passed out to all present.

Photos taken by Carol Lantaff, Larry Goss and JGWest.

TSGS News

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TSGS May 2012 Meeting Highlights

President Don Counts opened the meeting with some brief business. John West, Nominating Committee Chair, announced the slate of candidates for the 2012-13 year: President – Don Counts; Vice-President – John G. West; Treasurer – Diana Davis; Recording Secretary – Kim Nightingale; Corresponding Secretary – Sue Hebbeler; Packet Editor – Brenda Legate; Program Chair – Bettie Cummings Cook, CG with the following Directors: Rena Goss, Larry Goss, Becky West, Karin Maria Kirsch, Mary Lou Bevers.

In the absence of the current Program Chair Becky West, John West introduced the guest speaker... Jeannie Browning Hester, CEO & Owner of Browning Funeral Home. Jeannie presented a slide presentation that was followed by a live online demonstration of the Browning Genealogy Online Database. Several new features were shown with examples of information on some of our TSGS members that can be found on this database. Perhaps the most used is the obituary collection from the Evansville newspapers from 1900 to the present that were compiled by Charles H. Browning over most of his life. There was lots of interaction throughout the program of the near 20 persons present.

After the program, the Browning family gave everyone a delicious cookie for attending, plus they donated a restaurant gift certificate for a drawing... with Carol Lantaff winning it. Another drawing for a genealogy T-shirt donated by Gloria Strott was won by Betty Counts! [Corrected donation of T-shirt from Gloria Strott... thanks, Gloria!]

- 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 Recap For Those Not Attending

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Tri-State Genealogical Society Meeting Report

We had a very good meeting last night despite the cold temps! About 20 people came out for the meeting. The following report is being offered for the other 320 TSGS members that was not able to attend the meeting.

The Treasurer's Report gave a current balance of $7,756 and 340 members. We approved the proposed budget for the current year. The Acquisition Committee now has $2,000 approved to buy books & other research materials to deposit at Willard Library. All of the research materials that we obtain are placed on the stacks for any researchers to use (open to the general public). TSGS has added about $100,000 worth of books since our organization began. In the earlier years $2,000 bought a lot more books than it does today. The nominating committee was announced with Don Counts as Chair along with Bettie Cook. Don reported to me after the meeting that all Officers had been selected with one or two Directors needing to be confirmed. The attendance prize was won by Sue Hebbeler... she chose the TSGS paid one-year membership! Congratulations, Sue!! Thanks for attending!!!

Christopher Cooke, Superintendent of the Evansville City Cemeteries, sent me information from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources about the Historic Preservation Month Photo Contest from the Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology... for more info go to this link: http://www.in.gov/dnr/historic/3994.htm

Our speaker last night, Kim Nightingale gave a program concerning German "ahnentafeln" or "ancestor charts. According to John T. Humphrey, in Germany beginning in 1933, it became law that all governmental employees had to obtain an Ahnenpass with ancestor charts containing 4-6 generations which would have from 15 to 60 ancestors with 11 to 52 surnames. These German SS Records required that all family relationships be proven by documentation with each document being certified. At the end of World War II, the U.S. acquired the original records of the SS and archived them on microfilm now stored at the Maryland College Park campus of the National Archives - being part of Record Group 242, Collection of Foreign Records Seized. Mr. Humphrey discovered these records at NARA in 2003 & has been getting the word out about the value of these records to genealogists. Go here for more information on Military & SS Records: http://www.archives.gov/research/captured-german-records/foreign-records-seized.html

If today's weather (late afternoon snow with slippery streets) was one day sooner, we would have had to cancel the meeting. Everyone seemed to like Kim's presentation... it was well prepared and concise with a very nice outline with all of the pertinent facts & links.

- Submitted by JGWest

From the FIRST MATE's PHOTO ALBUM...

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Photos taken by Brenda Jerome of our Christmas Social last night. Despite the terrible rainy night most of the TSGS officers and some of our local members made it out to Willard Library to enjoy holiday snacks & treats and fellowship with each other. Larry Goss brought his Keystone steropticon that shows pictures in 3-D... really cool. This gadget was the front runner of the View Master with its round disks.
L-R: TSGS Treasurer Bettie Cook; Board Director Janet Mann; John Scherer.

L-R: TSGS Corresponding Secretary Sue Hebbeler, Vice President Doug Korb; Dan Korb; President John G. West (laughing at something Larry Goss was joking about).

L-R: TSGS Board Director Becky West; Program Chair Mary Lou Bevers; Treasurer Bettie Cook; Board Director Janet Mann; John Scherer.

L-R: TSGS President John G. West (who probably should go on a diet!); Board Director Larry Goss; Board Director Rena Goss; Board Director Becky West. Other officers attending, but not pictured were TSGS Board Director Don Counts & Secretary Brenda Jerome (photographer for the night). And also attending was Lyn Martin (TSGS Ex Official Board Member representing Willard Library). Many of our members and officers take a quick punch & snack break and then back to researching! Some sat around and told jokes & stories.

I told the story that happened at my mother's funeral in 1997. Mom and her brothers were all Catholic, but Dad was not... so all of us were not raised Catholic. When the Priest came to the visitation at the funeral home to perform the Rosary... Mom's three brothers and families (all Catholic) slipped out the back door. I looked around and suddenly noticed there were no Catholic visitors present. I went to the Priest and introduced myself and informed him that the only Catholics present was my mother & him. The Preist said, "You mean the only two Catholics here is me and the deceased?" He laughed and said this will be a first! He gave as good a Rosary as I had every heard, but he did cut it short.

- Photos taken & submitted by Brenda Joyce Jerome, CG. Commentary by JGWest

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

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

From the FIRST MATE's PHOTO ALBUM...

An Artist's Engraving on Stone

This is a photo of a beautiful clear glass oil lamp/lantern

Actually this is engraved on a grave marker in Oak Hill Cemetery (Evansville, Indiana). Although the stone looks like gray in this close-up photo, the marker is a beautiful black color.

The above engraving is on the grave marker for Sue Hebbeler's Uncle Norman (shown below) and there is a mirrored replica on the opposite side of the face of the marker. This is either done by a stencil with sand blasting or it is laser etched. These black granite markers with etchings of photos, objects, scenes or lettering have become very popular in cemeteries to honor & remember a loved one.

- Photo taken and submitted by JGWest

"Avanelle Hebbeler"

Avanelle & Elmer F. Hebbeler

The above photo is on their tombstone at Oak Hill Cemetery, Evansville, Indiana. Avanelle was a member of TSGS from its earliest days. She was one of the first people I met at TSGS when I joined. I knew Elmer a little from the Evansville Fire Department and talked with him when he came to a TSGS meeting with Avanelle.

This is the front of their beautiful black marker showing that they were married 19 Mar 1946. As a genealogist she had her maiden name inscribed as "Nee Postlethweight."


Here is a photo of the back side of their marker with a lot on it! The following photos take a closer look at what is on the back side.


Here is a list of their children. Barbara Sue Hebbeler is our longtime TSGS Corresponding Secretary Sue.

Elmer was A Ranger in World War II and his military banner is engraved on his side of the marker. Below the banner is an Evansville Fire Fighters "25 Year Honorably Retired" shield.

This is on Avanelle's side of the marker. A very nice Rose engraved with the TSGS Logo and the name "Tri-State Genealogical Society" engraved below. As far as I know this is the only engraving of our logo and name anywhere. She loved genealogy and our society. She is at peace now and with her ancestors.

Here is a closer look at the engraving.


Photos taken and submitted by JGWest