TSGS Program Reported

"Traveling at 33 RPM in an IPad World"

Retired USI Professor and TSGS Board Member Larry Goss gave a very informative and interesting program entitled "Traveling at 33 RPM in an IPad World".   He presented an interactive program designed to inform about what we need to do to move into the world of technology.   He showed various methods of storage that has been used in the past and currently.   Several members told what other societies are doing.   One example was about going to a seminar and at registration was given a thumb drive with the option of getting printed information for $40.00 which was thick and heavy. A problem that many of us was wondering... how to implement our membership and keep control of our Packet publication?   It seemed to all come together.   We could require all members to have an email address with membership beginning with our next year and the Packet could be emailed each quarter.  This could be announced in the June edition of the Packet and offer for an additional fee to send them a thumb drive with all 30 years of the Packet preloaded, there is a company that can load this for us economically.   With this thumb drive when each edition of the Packet comes out the membership could download it to their thumb drive keeping it current.

- Reported by Don Counts, TSGS President

What is Digital Archiving?

Is "Digital Archiving" becoming the big buzz phrase for genealogical societies, libraries and other organizations?  It is with TSGS and many other organizations everywhere!  Our genealogical society has been talking about this subject for several years now, but have not done much more than say we need to talk about it.

Our society is very fortunate to have an experienced, knowledgeable person in the computer/electronic/media field who works with data storage.  University of Southern Indiana Retired Professor Larry Goss has been trying to get us more into the electronic age.  Larry has been digitally archiving past issues of our members quarterly journal, The Tri-State Packet, for several years now.  He is wanting the society to consider other alternatives to archiving these quarterlies.

It is amazing how many other groups are going to digital newsletters and quarterlies.  But, actually, it should not be all that amazing since going digital will reduce storage space and costs.  With all of the personal media electronic devices like smart phones, Kindles, Ipads, etc.  Digital data is the way everything will be available and at our fingertips in seconds.  A 20-yr-old is working with me.  He has this cool app on his Droid that when placed near the speaker of the truck radio, it will tell him all about a song that is playing: name, artist, album, recording date and more!  He can type in a tree or insect name and in a second have a photo of it and just everything you could ever want to know about an Elm tree or a June Bug!

This very morning, Dick Eastman has on his blog Eastman's Online Genealogical Newsletter (EOGN) a good article on going paperless with digital archiving.  He has a link to another very good article that both are very good for us less knowledgeable and possibly a little to a lot electronically challenged.  I suggest everyone should read both of these short articles to reduce storage of paper and make retrieval so much easier & faster.  Here are the links to the two articles:

http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2012/09/digital-scanning-system-replaces-paper-frees-up-space.html

http://digitalrv.rvtravel.com/2012/09/digital-scanning-system-vamooses-paper.html

Let us know what you think about "Digital Archiving."

- Written by JGWest

TSGS Annual Dinner Re-Cap

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Here is a brief summary of our TSGS Annual Dinner...

for those who could not attend.

The dinner was held at the Sirloin Stockade on Bellemeade Avenue near Green River Road on Tuesday evening, 10 April 2012.

Those awarded Certificates of Appreciation for presenting a program at one or more of our monthly membership meetings were: Stan Schmitt, Kim Nightingale, Peggy Gilkey, Mary Alice Springer, John G. West, Becky West and Terry Hughes. Three TSGS members were recognized by President Donald Counts with Certificates for their contributions to the Tri-State Genealogical Society: Becky West, Kim Nightingale and Larry Goss. Our guest speaker for the night was Terry Hughes who presented a slide program about the First Indiana Calvary Regiment formed in Evansville, Indiana in 1861 during the Civil War.

"I invented them, so I know there is no such thing."

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When I was a child, I was recruited by my father, Wesley Raymond Goss, as his "go fer" on the annual project to make the rounds through the house, garage, and barn to oil the bearings in all the electric motors that provided comfort and services for us in our modern farmstead. Dad was an electrical design engineer at General Electric. It seemed like he was always fitting a spare motor to some other hand cranked or otherwise un-powered device. On the old motors, he would flip the oil reservoir open, give it a shot of oil, and move on to the next. But on the modern motors that had no reservoirs, he would carefully drill a small hole in the end cap, and work a few drops of oil into the felt that was inside. In the middle of this process, I had the timerity to ask why we were doing that -- since they were permanently lubricated? He stood up, squared his shoulders, and said, "I invented them, so I know there is no such thing."

Being a kid, I thought he was just giving me a quick answer. We went on about our work, and I didn't think much more about it. Many years later, I found that he was telling me the absolute truth. He had taken a job with the Fort Wayne works where GE made their refrigerators. As a new college graduate in 1927, he was assigned as one of four engineers designing the Monitor-top refrigerators that had the first hermetically-sealed compressors in the industry (1928-1932). By the following summer, he had his first patent on the sintered bronze sleeve bearing that is used universally on electric motors. That bearing made the hermetically-sealed refrigeration systems we all live with in our refrigerators, heat pumps, and air-conditioning systems possible. Prior to that time, compressors were driven by open belts; the shafts needed lubrication; and the seals allowed the refrigerant to slowly leak into the atmosphere. Mom and Dad had one of the Monitor-top refrigerators when they lived in the city, but by the time I was born in 1937, they had moved to the farm and had one of the Coldspot refrigerators that was made in Evansville. It was not hermetically sealed, and the unit had to be recharged on a rather regular basis to keep it working.

Many years later, we moved to Evansville when I was hired at USI to teach in the Engineering Technology department. On one of the early visits that my parents made to Evansville for a Thanksgiving celebration, they were here when I needed to read a census microfilm that had been ordered. I hauled them down to Willard library, and sat them down in the second floor reading room with several books that I pulled off the shelves. I gave them a list of names, dates, and places to keep them occupied while I spent time at the microfilm reader. I found nothing of interest in the film I had borrowed. On the other hand, my parents discovered three people in two generations of the family on that afternoon. That success was all it took for my parents to devote a major amount of time in their later years doing genealogical research. They spent every Thursday, all day long, in the Reynolds collection of the Allen County Public Library, and they extended our known family back to the 800's and 53 to 55 generations.

-Written by Larry Goss

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

TSGS Meeting Report For Those Not In Attendance

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TSGS Annual Dinner Meeting 2011

I did not take an actual count, but I estimate about 30 people made it to the dinner last night. About 7:00 as President, I called the meeting to order announcing that the deadline for the next issue of the Tri-State Packet (our quarterly membership journal) is this Friday, 15 April. We recognized three individuals for significant contributions to our society and to the genealogical community. These awards, created over 30 years ago, may go to members or non-members and generally not given to TSGS officers for doing the job they have been elected to do. The first "TSGS Certificate of Appreciation" award announced was to Pastor John F. Schroeder for is work with Zion UCC records which resulted in the publication of these German church records in four volumes to date. The second award was presented to Don Counts for stepping up this year to fill any position that needed someone to get things done, including to agree serving as TSGS President for next year. The last one went to Becky West for also stepping up to serve (actually drafted) as TSGS Program Chair when we had no one and, then, agreeing to do it again next year! Becky is not a genealogist researcher but is a "spouse tag-a-long" or better "drag-a-long" to our meetings & events over the past 30 years. She has done a lot of typing and other routine chores for the 10 terms that her husband (me) has served as President.

This year, I felt that we needed saying a special "thanks" to those that present programs at our monthly meetings. I created a Certificate of Appreciation for these great programs we enjoy at each meeting. Those present to be recognized were Robert Hall: "The Legend of Washington Irving" - John G. West: "1871 Murder Confession" - Larry & Rena Goss: "Old Family Love Letters." Don Counts surprised me by presenting me a special gift in recognition of my long service to TSGS. Don gave me a DVD of a book he compiled "America's Godly Heritage."

Lyn Martin gave her Willard Library report. The President recognized the library staff that were present from the genealogical department, in addition to Lyn were: Peggy Newton, Vannetta McDowell, Pat Sides and John Scheer.

Becky West, TSGS Program Chair, introduced the program presented by Connie Conrad "Tombstone Art" a slide presentation. The slides were really interesting. I thanked Connie for her program and presented her with a TSGS Certificate for her entertaining program.

John G. West, TSGS President

"TSGS Meeting Tonight"

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Invitation to hear...

Larry & Rena Goss present

"Old Family Love Letters!"

TSGS Meeting Notice!

When: 08 Mar 2011 Tuesday Night

Time: 7:00 PM

Where: Willard Library - 2nd. Floor

What: Monthly Meeting

A drawing for an attendance prize

will be awarded at close of meeting...

you must be present to win.

The Tri-State Genealogical Society

will have a brief business meeting

followed by the program.

THE CAPTAIN'S LOG –TSGS News

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TSGS Meeting Notice!

When: 08 Mar 2011 Tuesday Night
Time: 7:00 PM
Where: Willard Library - 2nd. Floor
What: Monthly Meeting

A drawing for an attendance prize will be awarded at close of meeting... you must be present to win.

The Tri-State Genealogical Society will have a brief business meeting followed by a presentation by Rena & Larry Goss "Old Family Love Letters." Anyone interested in genealogy is invited... you do not need to be a member to attend the society's monthly meetings.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This time of the year, weather conditions may cause the society to cancel meetings... the decision to cancel usually is determined the day of the meeting, providing short notice. We will use a policy for automatic cancellation if the Evansville Vanderburgh County School Corporation cancels school the morning of the meeting. Since a bad weather system may develop later in the day (or that night), check this blog for cancellation notice or call Willard Library.

John G. West, TSGS President

THE CAPTAIN'S LOG –TSGS News

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Tonight!

The May monthly membership meeting will be tonight (11 May 2010 ~ second Tuesday of the month).

Join us at Willard Library. Invite a friend! You do not need to be a member.

7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting (Election of Officers & Directors).
Discussion Groups (choose one):
(A) TECH TALK (computers, photography, etc.) led by Larry Goss;
(B) WILLARD LIBRARY COLLECTION & SERVICES, led by Lyn Martin;
(C) PITFALLS led by Mary Lou Bevers.

John G. West, TSGS President

THE CAPTAIN'S LOG –TSGS News

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Tomorrow Night!

The May monthly membership meeting will be 11 May 2010 (second Tuesday of the month).

Join us at Willard Library. Invite a friend! You do not need to be a member.

7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting (Election of Officers & Directors).
Discussion Groups (choose one):
(A) TECH TALK (computers, photography, etc.) led by Larry Goss;
(B) WILLARD LIBRARY COLLECTION & SERVICES, led by Lyn Martin;
(C) PITFALLS led by Mary Lou Bevers.

John G. West, TSGS President

THE CAPTAIN'S LOG –TSGS News

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The May monthly membership meeting will 11 May 2010 (second Tuesday of the month). Join us at Willard Library.


7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting (Election of Officers & Directors)

Meeting & Discussion Groups (choose one): (A) TECH TALK (computers, photography, etc.) led by Larry Goss; (B) WILLARD LIBRARY COLLECTION & SERVICES, led by Lyn Martin; (C) PITFALLS led by Mary Lou Bevers.

John G. West, TSGS President

STAYING AFLOAT in the GENE POOL -Genetic DNA News

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Perspective

At our TSGS monthly meeting last Tuesday night, Larry Goss made a report about having all put the last 2 issues of the Tri-State Packet on a CD. I asked a somewhat dumb question as to how many issues he had on that CD with his reply: “all of them!” After the laughter subsided, I mentioned that the day had been unlucky for me and jokingly stated that Larry was just adding to it. I told everyone about my fall on my back as I stepped on a sheet of ice... I did not injure myself. Former TSGS President Karin Kirsch stated that it was not an unlucky day, because I was actually lucky not to get hurt. I thought she was right! - I had the wrong perspective of the incident.

Perspective comes into play when we consider a glass with a substance at the half-way mark... is it half full or half empty? If you dislike buttermilk, but have to drink a glass of it, the glass being half empty sounds best. However, if you love buttermilk, the glass being still half full is best. Simple perspective!

Perspective of how we view things changes the meaning of the results and is true with our genealogical research. We often get very disappointed when we get a “hot new lead” only ending up proving that that person or family is not ours. However, with the right perspective, it should be good news, since you just eliminated one family to be confused with your correct line... you are narrowing the search. That is an important discovery concerning your ancestry.

This happens all of the time with genealogical DNA testing. You seem to wait forever for the results only to discover that you did not match with anyone. Very disappointing! Sometimes this is a result of not having very many with your surname taking the test, yet. But if there are larger numbers testing in your group with no matches... you can eliminate the (documented) families from further research by you. I put "documented," since some may think they are descended from someone, but has not proven it. That might mean they are not descended from that line.

Other reasons you may not match is that back in time your surname was different than it is today. Anglicized names occurred often in America, especially with German names in Colonial times and both World Wars. Adoptions & illegitimate births ended with name changes from the original father. Sometimes people changed their names to escape the law or their past. This is always a perspective that you must look for when doing your genealogical research. It would be important to find any name changes as it will affect your family history and might just make it an interesting story!

Remember to always keep your genealogy in perspective!

- Written 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

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Re-Cap of our
September TSGS meeting
(and other items)...

We had about 20 people show up to our first meeting of the year. During old business I previewed our TSGS Cruiser Blog & the TSGS Web Site to remind members that this is a source of the society's information and news. I wanted the members to realize that there is quite a large number of people outside our membership that follow the blog. I asked for members to submit items for the blog... so, we can have a variety of articles, photos, stories, research tips, etc. By the way, anyone may submit anything they wish to be considered for publication on the blog. Things that we are mostly looking for are items related to genealogy or history with emphasis on the tri-state area. We have weekly features such as: "Monument Monday," "From the First Mate's Photo Album" and "Tombstone Thursday." Some features are published as needed such as this one the "Captain's Log" for TSGS News. Others include: "Staying Afloat in the Gene Pool - Genetic DNA News;" "Racing Down the River - Brief Genealogical Notes;" "Dock at the Library - TSGS Meetings/Events"or "Navigating Along the River - Research Tips." One that we will use from time to time is "RIVER DEBRIS –TSGS Dock of Shame" that have discussed cemetery vandalism & theft. Take a look at the variety of things on the blog and send in your submissions!

It was announced that the father of Willard Library's maintenance man, Mike, had died recently. Long time genealogist and SAR member (former TSGS member) Gordon Tierney passed away this year and within his estate were many genealogical papers, reference books, etc. that were donated by his family to Willard Library. I knew that I was leaving someone out at the meeting... former TSGS officer, Sue Newcom just lost her husband last month. We send our prayers and condolences to the families of those who have now moved on to be with their ancestors.

It was very good to see Larry Goss who has had an eventful year with a stroke being the worse. He is doing very well, in fact, he and Rena are going overseas to tour around and then go see their son. Our Treasurer Bettie Cook was too sick to attend Tuesday's meeting and after a Doctor's visit yesterday, she will be in the hospital for a cardiac conversion procedure that she has had once before. It should be routine and she will be home tonight or tomorrow. Keep her in your prayers.

We tried something kind of new by having two discussion groups instead of a single speaker giving a presentation. The discussions groups focused on German research and cemeteries. Both were great successes! We will have more of these in the future. It is a great way to get more to participate and to ask questions to learn what they need to know. Give us your feedback on what you think of these discussion groups.

Connie Conrad gave a review of the newer Family Tree Maker (FTM) software by Ancestry.com... the versions for 2009 & 2010 are totally different from the FTM program most of us know. Connie stated that at the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) conference there were warnings concerning this new Ancestry.com changes in FTM.

Bettie Cook sent her Treasurer's report to me for presentation at the meeting. We are beginning the year with a very healthy balance of $10,091.64. Of course the members' quarterly journal, the Tri-State Packet will consume a major portion of that for publishing and postage. Bettie's report was very professionally completed - it will be filed for audit at the end of our fiscal year in June. Last year we finished the year with 303 paid members. This year at the beginning, we are starting with 345 paid members! We exchange journals with 55 organizations... these journals are available at Willard Library and our exchanged journal is placed in the libraries of these other organizations. Last year, we figured that we needed 333 members to break even on the dues collected and cost of providing the quarterly to members. We had discussed the possibility of raising dues... we decided to keep the dues as it is at only $12 per year. We are already slightly above that break even point and there are a few more memberships that have arrived at the library... we typically get new members and renewals all year long with an estimate of a total of 370+ members by the end of the year.

The September issue of the Tri-State Packet should arrive in member's mail box early next week. Remember anyone (member or not) can submit items for the Tri-State Packet, the TSGS Cruiser Blog or the Web Site. On the Web Site we are looking for photos of TSGS meetings & events (old or new) and useful genealogical links to resources on the Internet.

John G. West, TSGS President

We shall NEVER forget! "Lets Roll!" 11 Sep 2001

Have Fun... Be a Volunteer!

TSGS Member of the Board of Directors ~
Larry Goss

ERIN McCRACKEN / Courier & Press Larry Goss, left, and Carol Schmitt, longtime employees of the University of Southern Indiana, get a good laugh at a photograph from the 1970s that showed a friend and colleague as they sorted through photos to try to identify the people in them at the University Archives and Special Collections at the David L. Rice Library on Wednesday afternoon.

If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then the University of Southern Indiana's History Days at the Archives has nearly 10 million words to filter through to help establish a history of the school.

That's because staff from the University Archives and Special Collections has 10,000 photos filled with unidentified faculty and students they are trying to identify to build an online database.

Larry Goss, a faculty member who retired in 2001, felt he could help because of his experience with archiving. "I've been doing nothing but archiving, archiving, archiving, mostly photographs and documents for genealogy and that sort of thing," Goss said. He felt compelled to help when he heard about the project. "When the opportunity came here for me to help the university, I thought 'Sure, why not?'"

Read the full story on the Evansville Courier & Press website:
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2009/jul/23/usi-gaining-photo-captions/[click here]

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

“It's just one more scam!"

TSGS Director Larry Goss got this in his email box and passed it on to us to watch out for this type of scam.

Dear Goss,

I will like to seek your help in a business proposal , which although is sensitive by nature and not what I should discuss with someone I don’t know and have not met using a medium such as this but I do not have a choice .

I am Mr. Eric Mack, personal attorney to late Dr. Edward Goss, who died of a cardiac arrest a few years ago leaving behind a large sum of money with a commercial bank in the Island of Seychelles which is a tax free zone, a place where plenty of rich people tend to hide away funds not ready to be used or invested. I will not mention the amount of money which runs into several millions in United States Dollars and name of bank presently until we have agreed to deal. I trust you will understand the need for such precautions.

So far, valuable efforts has been made to get to his people but to no avail, as he had no known relatives more because he left his next of kin column in his account opening forms blank and he has no known relative. Due to this development the bank has come forward to ask us as his personal attorneys to bring forward a close relative to claim the funds otherwise as the Seychelles national laws would have it, any dormant account for five years will be declared unclaimed and then paid into the government purse.

To avert this negative development my colleagues and I have decided to look for a reputable person to act as the next of kin to late Dr. Goss. So that the funds could be processed and released into his account, which is where you come in. my law firm will also act as your personal attorneys since we will be portraying you as being directly related to our late client being from the same country.

All legal documents to aid your claim for this fund and to prove your relationship with the deceased will be provided by us. Your help will be appreciated with 30% of the total sum which I would disclose in my next email Please accept my apologies, keep my confidence and disregard this letter if you do not appreciate this proposition I have offered you.

I wait anxiously for your response.

Yours Faithfully,
Eric Mack

THE CAPTAIN'S LOG –TSGS News

We conduct the TSGS monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of each month. The above photo was taken at the pre-meeting HELP Session led by Rena Goss on "Ohio Research." There was a nice crowd for her program. At the monthly meeting, Rena's husband Larry Goss gave his program on "Grandma's Photo Album" - a very informative and entertaining slide presentation. Thanks to Rena & Larry for two great programs. More photos of the meeting on our web site: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~intsgs/index.html Scroll down to 2009 TSGS Photo Album click on it... come back to the main page and check out some of the other photos.

Yesterday was the 200th. Anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's Birthday. He was known as “Honest Abe” and he was not a very good looking person. He did not let his lack of good looks deter him; in fact, he often used that fact to his favor. During one of the Douglas/Lincoln debates, Douglas accused “Honest Abe” of being “two-faced” concerning some issues. Lincoln asked the crowd, “I leave it up to you, if I had two faces, would I be wearing this one? Which drew a loud roar of laughter and totally destroyed Douglas' point against Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln was special to me as I was growing up because we lived so close to Gentryville, IN where Lincoln spent his boyhood years.

Today is Friday the 13th. a day generally regarded as unlucky. I have always been kind of a “lucky” person and Friday the 13th. always seemed to enhance that good luck. To make my point, I have found three $20 bills on three Friday the 13 days. Other good things have happened for me on this day. I have always tried to maintain a positive outlook on all sorts of situations that seems to help make positive things happen in my life. Even when something bad happens, I tend to think how much worse it could have been had it been that I was not so lucky!

Tomorrow is Valentine Day or is it Valentine's Day. Forty years ago, I surprised Becky on Valentine Day with an engagement ring. It has been hard to beat that present. I am pleased to say that after 40 years, she is still my “sweetheart!”

Back to yesterday, the TSGS Cruiser Blog had a lot of visitors with 93 hits! Of those visits 62 were unique visits meaning that is counted as one hit in 24 hours per individual (actually computer); and, of those 59 were first time visitors to our blog! In the last 3 days we have had over 100 first time visitors!!! Hopefully many will find their way back to visit us again. Our regular web site reached an interesting number of visitors yesterday of 55,555 since we began that web site in 1996. Since Thanksgiving 2008 we have had over 3,500 visits to the web site.

Sent in by former TSGS President, Margery W Shaw - In the February 2009 issue of USI magazine, look on page 7 to read the description of the collection of photographs and then go online at www.in.gov/memories There are many from Evansville, Indiana.

Sent in by Chris Myers - The Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library has some high resolution photos and a couple of early City Directories up at this site: http://evpl.org/research/digitalcollections/

- by John G. West, TSGS President