General Meeting Minutes
Harmony Library
Harmony and
Community Room
President Ken Goldsberry welcomed everyone to the meeting at
Brief Announcements
Since Ken was using crutches, he explained to everyone how he had injured his ankle in the process of installing an irrigation system. Hospitality Chair Carrie Graves was also on crutches due to an injury. The Society wishes them both a speedy recovery.
Hospitality needs volunteers to provide treats for the May
meeting. A clipboard was passed around
for people to sign. In addition, Ken
stated that the
Ken announced that the Society newsletter did not win the National Genealogical newsletter contest. Since the NGS is more beneficial to individuals than to societies, the Society has decided to drop membership in the organization.
Recycle Table Chair Cathi Smith announced that there are lots of new publications and other materials available at the Recycle Table. She encouraged everyone to look over the materials during the course of the evening. She also announced that several videos that were previously on the Recycle Table have been transferred to the Society Lending Library (located on the Publications Table) and are available for borrowing.
Hap Hazard, Publications Chair, stated that several Society
publications are available for purchase.
He suggested anyone interested might check the Society website for
current prices and order forms. Hap also
announced, that as Corresponding Secretary, he has received several copies of
the Federation of Genealogical Societies pamphlet, “Footprints of Family
History”. This pamphlet describes the
FGS conference to be held in September in
Genealogy Gems
Ken Goldsberry described in great detail a medal he had found which was inscribed to Max Ruyle and was dated 1937. Ken did some research on the medal and found that an organization known as the Kelvinator Pioneer Club presented the medals. He circulated the medal for everyone to inspect.
Visitors
President Ken Goldsberry introduced visitors George Mason, Doug Riley and Allen Miller. He welcomed them and encouraged them to become members of the Society.
At this point a break for treats and visiting was taken.
Guest Speaker
Len Ray introduced the evening’s speaker, Richard
Kautt. Mr. Kautt is an attorney and
genealogist from
Mr. Kautt began his presentation by reviewing the legal terms listed on his handout. All of them are typically used and will be found when researching wills. Next he presented a family tree showing his wife’s line. When he began, he knew only what he had learned from family members. Through the use of various family wills (and other documents that the wills led him to), he was able to add a great deal of information to the tree. The wills provided dates, family relationships and clues for further research.
One of the best techniques, according to Mr. Kautt, is to make suppositions about various family relationships, etc. and then use wills and other documents to prove or disapprove the suppositions. He suggested that researchers always check for wills and probate packages for ancestors. If they’re found, they can be a great source of family information.
More Genealogy Gems
Nancy Abrahams described spending a week in
Business Meeting
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Paul Smith reported that the Society’s bank balance is currently $3212.60.
Education
Education Chair Bob Larson announced that there will be several workshops presented in the next few months (see attached handout). These will include a workshop on Irfanview on May 17 and a workshop on Adobe Photoshop Elements in September. He also announced that the next Family Tree Maker class will be held on May 7.
Bob explained that he will be uploading to the Society website several videos in the near future. One will be the video on Society memories from 2007 that he presented at the January 2008 meeting. In addition, he will be placing a video of his presentation “Introduction to Genealogy” on the website.
NT Table
Paul Smith recently began a program, presented before each general meeting, which presents new technologies that are available to genealogists. He announced that he would like some help with ideas for future presentations. If anyone is using a new technology dealing with timelines, photo manipulation, etc., he asked them to contact him.
Basement Bookshelf
Roger Long stated that the Basement Bookshelf has added new books, and he recommended that members check the Society website to see what is available. If they find publications they’d like checked, they may contact him to start the process.
Carol Stetser stated that the Mentor Program is up and running. Volunteers are available to help anyone needing assistance. Contact program coordinator Sharon Koleber to be put in touch with a mentor.
Publicity
Publicity Chair Kathy Patrick stated that the Girl Scout Heritage Badge program was held on April 12. Carrie Graves reported that she had attended with her granddaughter and was very impressed with the program and the volunteers who made it work so well. She asked the volunteers to stand and be recognized by the Society.
Website
Len Ray stated that new information is being added to the Society website frequently. He recommended that members check it out and see what is available.
Miscellaneous
Announcements
Nadine Gates announced that a workshop, on writing your own life story, presented by Lissa Ann Forbes is coming up on May 12. She suggested that anyone who is interested in attending contact her.
Nancy Abrahams announced that there is a day-long workshop
on April 26 in
The meeting was adjourned at