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

 

TSGS Meeting

Willard Library

Bayard Room

11 Sep 2012

 

 

 

Since this was 911 Patriot's Day, President Don Counts brought in his "Flag of Honor" with all of the names of those killed in the 911 attack in New York.  The names are used to make the stripes.  Vice-President John G. West helped Don show the flag at the meeting.  With about 30 people present the Bayard Room was a little crowded.

Earlier in the meeting, Special Collections Director Lyn Martin gave the library report mentioning up-coming events and informed the society that due to costs and security, all patrons needed to be out of the building no later than 8PM.  Since we have been meeting at 7PM this put pressure on us to get everything in and adjourn the meeting before 8 O'Clock.

The Finance Committee with approval of the TSGS Board of Directors proposed the 2012-2013 Budget which was accepted by the membership.

Indiana Bones presented his "Cemetery Stories" for the program.  The program was cut short in order to be out by 8PM.  The society may have to meet earlier or meet on weekends to avoid cutting meetings short.

John G. West, TSGS Vice-President

Willard Library Special Collections Added A New Feature!

The Special Collections Department did not have any books or other media that could be checked out and brought to your home.  However, Lyn Martin, Special Collections Librarian, has announced its new circulating library with check-out for home use.  Mostly "how-to-books" and manuals with some videos.  It is a nice start for some great material that requires more study or reading.  Click on the photo below for a larger image that you should be able to read many of the books that are available.  I have already checked out a book on DNA genealogical social networking.

- Photo taken and submitted by JGWest.

NAVIGATING ALONG the RIVER - Research Tips

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Ok! I know...
you are asking what is this photo about?

During our last TSGS meeting, I was taking photos for the blog of different things going on during the meeting. While I was up front by Lyn Martin's desk at Willard Library taking a photo of those in attendance, I looked down and noticed this small stack of new booklets covering some 1700's court information from Maryland. Having several lines in Maryland in the 1700's I just took a photo of the books to remind me later that these will be on the shelves in the near future that I will look for!

My research tip is probably used by a lot of family historians these days with the great digital cameras available. The tip is to take photos with your digital cameras for info you might normally use a photocopier to save the information to bring home. Caution: remember that a camera flash may be distracting to other patrons in the library or courthouse.

Do you remember those old detective/spy TV shows where they would sneak into the records in some office in the dark and using their little spy camera to photograph the pertinent files and used later in court? We can do that, too... only during day time! Digital cameras can take hundreds of photos and you can check to see if you got a good image.

Happy spying...er... I mean documenting your research!

- JGWest

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

Midnight Madness! @ Willard Library

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Time for Midnight Madness...
Jun 14, 2010 - Jun 18, 2010 9:00am to 12:00 Midnight
This is an annual event, offering free genealogical information, classes and help.

This week long event provides extended hours that Willard Library is open for genealogical researchers and offers some great programs/presentations by some of the areas most experienced genealogists and historians. Take a look at the schedule of these programs by clicking Midnight Madness. Here is Monday's line up:

Beginning Genealogy - (Lyn Martin) Jun 14, 2010 - (10:00 am)
An introduction to genealogy; what you need to know to start your family tree.
Newspaper Research From a New Prospective - (Connie Conrad) Jun 14, 2010 - (11:00 am)
Brief overview of how and where to find newspapers, and what you can find in them.
New Harmony & the Working Men's Institute - (Sherri Graves) Jun 14, 2010 - (2:00 pm)
Learn about the history of New Harmony.
Feel the History - (Jon Carl) Jun 14, 2010 - (7:00 pm)
History of Evansville. Jon Carl, E-Learning Coach at Reitz High School, will show videos of two history episodes made for WNIN-TV and discuss the research sources used to make them."Evansville's Great Flood of 1937" won first place in the Adobe School Innovation Awards in 2008. “James Gurzard’s Story – the Battle of Stones River” is the story of a Civil War Soldier and his family.

I was recently visiting New Harmony, Indiana and took a few photos concerning the Working Men's Institute (see below, click on image to enlarge).

- Photos taken & submitted by JGWest

TSGS Meeting Tonight!

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Mary Lou Bevers will have someone available for individual research assistance at 6:30 p.m. until meeting time. Be sure to bring your information on your area that you need some help.

Regular Meeting, 7:30 p.m. tonight...

We will conduct a brief installation of newly elected Officers & Directors.

Discussion Groups (choose one): (A) LAND WARRANTS, GRANTS, & SURVEYS led by Bettie Cook, CG; (B) VALUABLE DATABASES ONLINE led by Mary Lou Bevers; or (C) WILLARD LIBRARY COLLECTION & SERVICES led by Lyn Martin. Well rounded subjects for researching through courthouses, internet or the library!

Come join us for our last meeting for 2009-10. We will not meet in July & August, but will begin our monthly meetings again in September.

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

"Yes, Mary Jane... there is a Spirit of Genealogy!"

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Dear Librarian,

I want to know my family roots. Is there truly a “Spirit of Genealogy”? Some of my friends say it can’t be done. My mother says that if you see it in “The Handy Book” or on “Ancestry” it must be true. Please tell me, is there a Spirit of Genealogy?

Mary Jane


Dear Mary Jane,

Your friends are wrong. You can find your family roots and the Spirit of Genealogy will help you. The Spirit lives in the memories and records of all your ancestors. On Christmas Eve, the Spirit flies through the air on a Conestoga wagon, pulled by dray horses. She visits all the libraries and courthouses. She goes to the cemeteries and newspapers and the National Archives, and she leaves clues about your family for you to find during the year. When you write your letter to her, be sure to tell her everything you’ve found and send her copies of your charts and group sheets. She will reward your efforts by putting research hints in your stocking or on Face Book.

Yes, Mary Jane, there is a Spirit of Genealogy and she will live as long as people cherish their families and want to know about those who went before us and made us who we are. Happy Hunting and Merry Christmas!

Your Librarian

[Copyright 2009 by Lyn Martin]
The above was written by Lyn Martin, Director of the Special Collections Department of Willard Library - used here with special permission. The letters are published on a large parchment paper and on special display in the case at the top of the stairs to the Genealogy & History Department.

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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TSGS salutes all U.S. Veterans today!

Ancestry.com has announced that it is providing free search on its U.S. Military Collection through 13 Nov. in honor of America's veterans.

Last night's TSGS meeting...

We had a nice turn out with about 25 people. [Please click on photos to get a larger image... I apologise for the clarity of these photos.*]


Photo of some of those in attendance: first table Colonel John Wesley Powell & Karin Marie Kirsch - second table TSGS Vice President Doug Korb & her husband Dan Korb.

TSGS Treasurer Bettie Cook presenting the Treasurer's Report. Bettie also presented a brief overview of Probate Records later in the meeting.

Willard Library's Special Collections Director [Genealogy & History] Lyn Martin gave a report on library news and upcoming events. TSGS President West is to the left and TSGS Secretary Brenda Jerome is seated to the right.

Above, John G. West is leading the discussion group for Genealogical DNA Testing. Mary Lou Bevers, TSGS Program Chair, conducted a discussion group in the Bayard Room concerning Geographical Boundary Changes.

[*I asked a friend to take photos for me last night with my camera which is not easy to use without blurring photos - these were the best. There is a trick to avoid the photos from blurring with my camera which is not easy to do, but the best bet will be for me to get a better camera! - JGW]

Tombstone Thursday - Willard Library Displays

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For quite some time the genealogy staff at Willard Library have put together some great displays. With Halloween coming up in this month of October, the displays have centered around cemeteries and grave markers. [Click on the photos to enlarge the image to see it better.]

The first two photos below come from St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Evansville, Indiana. These photos taken by Vannetta McDowell are part of Vannetta's collection of tombstone photos displayed on the shelves behind the counter & desk of the second floor at Willard Library.
Above is the top of a grave marker showing the family. Below is the grieving angel holding a wreath.

Below is the grave of Vannetta's aunt who died as a child buried in Pythian Ridge Cemetery in Union County, Sturgis, KY. ( Emma Gould Ghormley).

The 3 photos above were taken & submitted by Vannetta McDowell.

These two photos show the Tombstone Photo Collection at Willard Library put together by Vannetta.

The next four photos are of the display case at top of stairs to the second floor on "Cemetery Restoration and Preservation." Vannetta put this display together, as well. The glass shows sun light reflections, but you can still see most of what was caught in the photos.

This is another display in a neat "Treasure Chest" that was created by Lyn Martin.

All of these are at Willard Library... visit the library and take a look. Let the staff know how much you like the displays - they work hard on these and deserve some praise. Each month is a new theme. Oh, and check out the display case as you first enter Willard.

- The last 7 photos were taken & submitted by JGWest

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

THE CAPTAIN'S LOG –TSGS News

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I hope to see a large crowd tonight at our Tri-State Genealogical Society monthly membership meeting:

13 Oct 2009
6:30 p.m. Individual Research Assistance
Bring your information!

7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting
"What Everyone Needs To Understand About Research..." - Mary Lou Bevers

Discussion Groups:

"Organizing Your Information" - Mary Lou Bevers

OR "Passenger Lists" - Karin Marie Kirsch

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When you visit Willard Library, be sure to check out the display cases on the first floor by the front door and, especially the case at the top of the stairs to the genealogy floor. This month Vannetta McDowell has done an excellent display on cemetery preservation. To add to this is a display behind the upstairs counter in the book cases of some very nice examples of some of the incredible grave markers she has photographed. I am very much impressed with this display and photos.

Peggy Newton, Pat Sides & Lyn Martin have made displays including those book cases and a "Treasure Chest!"

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Karin Kirsch is developing a "Special Interest Group" (SIG) concerning German Genealogy. If you are interested contact Karin or come to tonight's meeting to learn more!

John G. West, TSGS President

From the FIRST MATE's PHOTO ALBUM...

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TSGS Monthly Meeting
08 Sep 2009 at Willard Library...

[Please click on thumbnails to enlarge the photos]

Don Counts is getting some individual help from Lyn Martin. We have eliminated the 6:30 PM HELP Sessions due to declining attendance and have emplemented individual research assistance. Program Chair, Mary Lou Bevers, asks that people bring their information on their research with them and volunteers will provide assistance to help you with your research... this will be for beginners through advanced researchers - we can all use some help getting over those "brick walls!" Contact Mary Lou if you would like to be a volunteer to help others.

Program Chair Mary Lou Bevers explaining the new approach for genealogical learning at our meetings. This year's theme is "A little something for everyone." Then she conducted a lecture on "Basics & Beyond."


Connie Conrad lead a discussion group about "Cemetery & Funeral Homes." They had some interesting stories and problems with what is "carved in stones!"

The discussion group for "German Research" was lead by Karin Kirsch, as you might suspect this group really had the questions and participated with a great deal of interest. [Photo above & below.]

Below is another photo of Connie's group showing Karin's group in the background.

The discussion groups seemed to be a very big hit! We had problems getting them to break up so we could get ready to leave for the night. That's the kind of problems we like to have. This was our first attempt at discussion groups after the business meeting and if this is a typical example of the interest, we have a nice new learning tool!

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- Photos taken & submitted by JGWest

"Good Time & Learning for All at Workshop"

Ron Darrah presented his workshop on "Obscure Genealogical Sources" inside Willard Library while several organizations & book vendors were under tents outside in the library's park.



Photo above taken by Lyn Martin right at the end of the four programs conducted by Ron Darrah far left. Going from Ron to the right is Bob Johnson (longtime TSGS member), Vannetta McDowell (Willard Staff Member, past TSGS Board Member), Graham Denby Morey (TSGS Member) and John G. West (TSGS President). I learned from this program that the 1930 US Federal Census includes two questions to help identify veterans... this I was not aware of. We all learned a lot more that may be available through school records. Graham & I attended Evansville College (U of E) together and are both members of the Ohio Valley Chapter of the Indiana Society Sons of the American Revolution (INSSAR). Ron is a member of INSSAR, as well.

This photo was taken by Don Pierce, just before I packed up the TSGS books to go back in the library's TSGS closet. This was the first time for me to set-up and man the TSGS table... I can honestly say that I now appreciate the work so many others have done in the past events working the TSGS table! Thanks to all of them! We did sell two books and got two membership renewals. The Posey County Historical Society (PCHS) members can be seen in the background taking down their information booth. Many working it were also active TSGS members. As a fund raiser for their cemetery preservation project, they were selling chocolate suckers (bars on a stick) that were in the shape of tombstones. They used Halloween candy molds to make them... really neat!

Several other vendors were present: Pat Gooldy of Ye Olde Genealogie Shoppe (one of the Evansville area all-time favorites) came all the way from Indianapolis and Brenda Joyce Jerome (TSGS Secretary) had a table of her publications with two or three other vendors there as well. Brenda watched the TSGS table while I was inside learning new things in the workshop.

It was a chilly, breezy, overcast day and we had a few light mists of rain... mixed with some sunny periods, too. Nice day for vendors outdoors (as long as you had a light jacket or sweater)!

Lyn Martin, Peggy Newton, Vannetta McDowell and several other Willard staff members did a great job of organizing and keeping this workshop going for Willard's first free all-day genealogical workshop. Congratulations and a big thank-you for a successful event. After 50 years of researching... I still learned a lot from this one day. Thanks to Ron Darrah for a very well conducted workshop. Many of us know him through the Indiana Society of SAR and others through his involvement in the Indiana Genealogical Society (IGS).

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