.Re-Cap of ourSeptember 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
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.
