NGS-L Archives

From: "Upfront with NGS" <>
Subject: [NGS] UpFront with NGS - Volume 9, Number 8-1 August 2009
Date: Mon, 3 Aug 2009 21:04:36 -0400
References: <48728D557296F54E9A1DF075C42B6D360718AE@server.ngs.local>

UpFront with NGS
The Online Newsletter of the National Genealogical Society
Volume 9, Number 8-1 August 2009

:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-

Today in UpFront

:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-

Articles

-- Notable Anniversaries by Jan Alpert, NGS President
-- Aging Your Ancestors by Jan Alpert, NGS President
-- Genealogy News and Issues by Charles S. "Chuck" Mason Jr., CG
-- Family History Conferences Offer Tremendous Opportunities
by Randy Riley, Special Collections Manager, Library of Michigan

NGS News & Events

-- 2010 Family History Conference in Salt Lake City
-- NGS Magazine Online
-- Free Online Course for NGS Members: Family History Skills
-- Paths to Your Past, A New Book for Beginners
-- Tennessee is Now Available in the Research in the States Series
-- Lectures on CD Available from 2009 NGS Family History Conference
-- 2011 Family History Conference in Charleston, South Carolina

Other News

-- Michigan Faces Loss of Library
-- Ancestral Atlas: The Social Networking Site for Dead People
-- Services Available at the Sutro Library in California

Events Around the United States

Family Reunions

About UpFront
- Previous Issues of UpFront with NGS
- How to Submit Items for Publication in UpFront with NGS
- Format Conventions
- How to Subscribe or Unsubscribe
- Disclaimers and Copyright
- NGS Contact Information
- About NGS

:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-

"To forget one's ancestors is to be a brook without a source, a tree without a root."
- Chinese proverb

:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-

-- Notable Anniversaries by Jan Alpert, NGS President

A couple of major anniversaries to remember!

This year is the 500th Anniversary of the birth of John Calvin, whose religious teachings influenced many of our Dutch, Puritan, and Scots-Irish ancestors. Their quest for religious freedom inspired them to follow their dissenting ministers and emigrate to America.

The other anniversary commemorates Henry Hudson's discovery and exploration of the Hudson River and northern New Jersey in 1609. To celebrate the importance of this anniversary, the New York State Historical Association quarterly, New York History, has articles focusing on early Dutch settlement in New York. As a member, I recently received the Fall 2008 issue, Vol. 89, issue 4. If you have Dutch ancestors, I recommend you try to locate a copy in your nearest genealogical library. I checked the PERSI index at HeritageQuest and found the following genealogical libraries have the New York History Quarterly, although Vol. 89 was not yet indexed in all the card catalogs: Allen County Public Library, Dallas Public Library, Los Angeles Public Library, New York Public Library, Family History Library, Library of Congress, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Newberry Library, and the State Historical Society of Wisconsin Library.

The introduction, “The Expanding World of New Netherland Studies,” explores recent publications that have advanced the study of New Netherlands.

“Landscapes and Other Objects: Creating Dutch New Netherland” discusses customs that the early settlers brought from the Netherlands and how they adapted by incorporating some things learned from the Native Americans. For example, the Dutch had built dikes in the Netherlands, but since wood was cheap in America, they learned to build fences instead. The early Dutch settlements were open to Native Americans because they were their trading partners. .

The second article, “Where Ye Walloens Dwell: Rethinking the Ethnic Identity of the Huguenots of New Paltz and Ulster County, New York,” discusses the origins of the Walloons and provides some details about their group migration to New York. The article also mentions the teachings of John Calvin and his influence on the Walloons.

The third article, “A Transatlantic Approach to Understanding the Formation of a Jewish community in New Netherland and New York,” discusses the earliest Jewish settlement in New York.

The last article, “Plants and the New Netherland Experience,” discusses what the Dutch settlers grew, including vegetables, fruit trees, flowers, and medicinal plants.

Fortunately, I had a cross-country plane ride that provided a great opportunity to absorb the issue cover to cover.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

-- Aging Your Ancestors by Jan Alpert, NGS President

How old was your ancestor, really?

In my husband’s family, several relatives have conflicting birth dates. To help me evaluate the evidence I have accumulated, I prepared a spreadsheet with the family member listed in the left column and then another column for every source that has provided me with a birth date or conflicting birth date. By using a spreadsheet, I can evaluate the likely accuracy or error for each record.

For example, the emigrant ancestor Assien Beltman’s birth record in Emmen, Dalfsen, Overijssel, Netherlands, was 23 December 1822, and his baptism was 24 December 1822. However, when he came to America, he told the Graafschap Christian Reformed Church that he was born 20 December 1828. In the U.S. Census he was 33 years old in 1860, 35 years old in 1870, and 53 years old in 1880. He was listed as Henry Bateman in the 1870 census, so I don’t have much confidence in Samuel Johnson, the census taker. He did not spell many of the surnames in this Dutch community correctly, nor even the name of the town. I am continuing my research to determine when Assien came to Michigan and why he appears to have lied about his age. The earliest record I have found in Michigan is his marriage to Dena Havercate in 1856.

One of Assien Beltman’s sons, Hendrik, has no civil birth record because he was purportedly born in 1866, and civil birth registrations were recorded beginning in 1867. The Graafschap Christian Reformed Church recorded his birth as 22 July 1866 and his baptism as 9 September 1866. In the 1870 census his age was 4 years, and in 1880 his age was 13. He died 2 August 1908, when his age was given as 41 years 10 days; this would make his birth year 1867. It is possible he was born a year before he was baptized, but then his sister Hannah could not have been born 22 December 1867. So, in evaluating the evidence, he was probably 42 when he died, and the error was on the death record.

My husband’s grandfather John Beltman was born 6 February 1872, and he was baptized 14 April 1872. In the 1880 U.S. Census he was 7 years old and 28 in the 1900 U.S. Census. However, the date on his tombstone says 1873-1940. In evaluating the evidence, it appears that the birth date error is on the tombstone.

One of Assien’s granddaughters was Gezina Smilde, born 26 October 1883 according to the county birth records. The Graafschap Christian Reformed Church records say she was born 10 October 1883. She was not baptized until 1 April 1894, so the church was probably given her birth date 10 years after her birth. Both her death certificate and obituary give her birth date as 26 October 1882, and the Social Security Death Index has her birth year as 1884. I consider the county birth record as the valid date.

In evaluating the correct ages of the people mentioned above, I have put some weight on the 1880 census, which was taken by a friend and neighbor, Jan (John) W. Garvelink. Assien Beltman and Jan Garvelink served together in various positions in Fillmore Township. Jan Garvelink went on to become a a member of the state house in Michigan 1873-74 and state senate 1891-1892. He was a director of Holland First State Bank and a member of the board of trustees of John Calvin Theological School, now Calvin College. He was also named as the administrator of Assien Beltman’s estate in 1892. In the probate file each of the surviving children and the granddaughter are listed with their current ages, providing more evidence to help me determine their correct date of birth.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

-- Genealogy News and Issues by Charles S. "Chuck" Mason Jr., CG

A couple of weeks ago the news broke that another important genealogical resource had been damaged. That day CNN announced that graves at Burr Oak Cemetery near Chicago had been dug up, the bodies dumped in a mass grave, and the records of the cemetery altered so that the graves could be resold by four cemetery employees. Burr Oak is a historic African American Cemetery in Alsip, and many notable African Americans from the Chicago area are buried there.

This is certainly not the first cemetery to suffer losses at the hands of unethical people. Over the years similar crimes have been committed at cemeteries all over the country and maybe the world. Cemeteries also suffer losses at the hands of vandals and in some cases through the carelessness of employees.

Employees might be careless in record-keeping practices. They may not carefully record the required information in the records, or they might accidentally misplace or destroy records. Vandals have caused damages to cemeteries, too. Particularly older cemeteries or ones that might not have any kind of security often suffer the greatest damages.

All of these problems create losses for genealogists. You may be concerned by the losses and damage done, but might say, “What can I do?” Actually, there are a number of things that you can do to help prevent future losses or to preserve information in case of these losses.

Here in Virginia we have very restrictive laws that govern what can be done to a cemetery. For example, land developers cannot just destroy old cemeteries. In several cases near my home, developers were not allowed to move old family cemeteries. They had to place fences around the graves and build around them.

You can assist in your state by finding out what state laws govern the removal of old cemeteries. If the laws do not exist or do not require proper removal of the bodies, you may want to become involved in passing stricter laws. You certainly will not want to do it all yourself, but you can work with others to get the laws passed. Historical and genealogical organizations can be a great help. Encourage involvement from any organizations to which you belong. There are also preservation groups working to accomplish the passing of laws that you can join.

Even in states where cemeteries and developers are carefully regulated, vandals and nature are damaging or destroying cemeteries. Vandals have damaged and, in some cases, removed tombstones. Nature has done its share of damage, too. Old tombstones, particularly those made of limestone, have been eroded by rain and snow, making them unreadable. In other cases, tombstones have fallen over and broken because of settlement of the ground. Old abandoned cemeteries are often overgrown with trees and weeds. In one abandoned cemetery, I found a tree growing in a large crack in a tombstone, causing the tombstone to crack further.

Before it is too late, you can take pictures of the tombstones and transcribe them. Before you begin, make sure that you are not duplicating the efforts of others. Check to see if someone else has already done the transcriptions.

One of the local genealogical societies I belong to did just that about ten years ago. Volunteers transcribed all the tombstones for every cemetery in the county, with the exception of a couple of very large commercial cemeteries that were not transcribed. Information for contacting those cemeteries was included in the five volumes of transcriptions we published.

You may not want to take on such a large project that may take many years, but doing one small cemetery or a portion of a larger one is a start. Others may be inspired to help. You also do not have to publish a book. The information may be placed in a local library or with a genealogical or historical society. You or someone else may want to place the information on a website.

There is something even easier you can do to help preserve information. “Find A Grave” is a volunteer effort to place information about cemeteries on their website. I heard about this project over a year ago, but did not really look at the website until recently. The website can be searched by location, which includes countries around the world. When you select the United States, you can then select a state and an alphabetical list of cemeteries will come up. I checked the listing for a number of very small cemeteries, and they were already on the list. However, if a cemetery you seek is not listed, you can add it. Some listings of people buried in the cemetery have already been recorded, and in some cases pictures of the tombstone have been included. If your ancestors are not already listed, you can add them. You can also add information and/or pictures to existing listings. In addition, you can volunteer to take pictures in cemeteries near your home for other people.

This is a great way to preserve cemetery information. You can put as much information on the listing as you wish. Some of the listings I examined included basic information, and others had a great deal of genealogy included. In several cases the person’s obituary was included. There is a section to record the exact location of the grave, the section, lot number, and grave number.

I started adding my family by placing a listing for my parents on the website. I started with them because I had the cemetery deed with the exact location of their graves. I need to get a good picture of their marker to add to the site. I have other family members that I will be adding in the near future.

You can find the "Find A Grave" website at http://www.findagrave.com/. Registration is free, and once completed, allows you to add burial records, photos, and memorials, as well as to search all the existing records available there.

The records created at the time of our ancestors’ deaths are the records most likely to contain a great deal of genealogical information. Death certificates, death notices or obituaries, probate records, and funeral home or cemetery records may all contain a great deal of genealogical information. We cannot afford to loose any one of them. Tombstones and cemeteries are among the most venerable records of an ancestor’s death. We all need to do as much as we can to help preserve them for future generations of genealogists. What will you do to help?

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

-- Family History Conferences Offer Tremendous Opportunities
by Randy Riley, Special Collections Manager, Library of Michigan

Editor's Note: The following article is from the Michigan Genealogist, the Summer 2009 edition of the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries' Quarterly Genealogy Newsletter. You can visit the department's website at http://www.michigan.gov/hal. Permission to reprint this article was provided by author Randy Riley.

Family History Conferences Offer Tremendous Opportunities

Recently I had the privilege of attending the National Genealogical Society's "The Building of a Nation: From Roanoke to the West" conference in Raleigh, N.C. I was surprised that I did not run into one person from Michigan at this national conference. I began to ask myself, "What benefits are there for attending regional and national family history conferences?" and "Is it important to have Michigan represented at national conferences?" So... why should you attend?

It is easy to come up with dozens of excuses for not traveling to genealogy conferences. "It is too expensive." "It is too far away." "I don't have anyone to go with." "I get all my information on the Internet." "I know more about family history than most of the speakers do." "I am a beginner and probably wouldn't take anything away from the conference." "I don't recognize the names of any of the speakers." "I have been doing family history for so long that there is little left to learn." "My people weren't from North Carolina, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Missouri or any of the other states that have recently hosted a conference." This list of excuses could go on and on.

Family history conferences and seminars offer tremendous opportunities for researchers. The National Genealogical Society and Federation of Genealogical Society conferences provide the most knowledgeable speakers from the United States and elsewhere. The hosting society's program committees are committed to offering a wide range of topics and look for the best speakers available. You can count on high quality content in almost every program offered. The conferences also are very careful about offering sections that appeal to beginners and expert researchers. There literally is something for everyone. The exhibit hall provides attendees with an opportunity to rub shoulders with vendors selling various family history products. Everyone has an opportunity to get "face time" with large vendors like Ancestry or to search through stacks of books to locate hard-to-find research tools.

I admit, attending a conference out of town is not cheap. There are several ways that you can stretch your limited dollars. Share a room with a group of friends to save expenses. Maybe the conference is within driving distance and instead of paying for an airline ticket you can get a carload of friends to help share the costs. Traveling with people who share your love of family history can also increase the amount of fun you have at the conference. If a conference is located in an area where you have relatives, you may be able to spend a few nights at their home to save money. Some of the conference-sponsored meals can be "spendy," but there are cheaper meal options within walking distance of most of the convention centers that host the conferences. If you start today, you can stash a few dollars away each week and by next summer you should have a decent sum of money saved as your conference fund. Planning in advance will help you budget and make attending one of the national conferences possible.

These conferences provide me with an opportunity to brag about the Library of Michigan's family history collection. They provide me with an opportunity to share ideas and educate researchers about the vast number of resources found in Michigan libraries and archives. Many conference attendees are surprised when I inform them of all the great things Michigan libraries offer and all of the amazing projects Michigan societies are working on. National conferences provide us with an opportunity to keep Michigan in the spotlight where genealogy is concerned.

After every conference I attend I feel re-energized. Gathering with "like-minded" folks, sharing information, swapping stories, learning new research methodologies and making new friends from across the country is a huge benefit of these conferences. At the end of the conference I am filled with enthusiasm and want to get home and share everything I have learned. There is something amazing about mingling with hundreds of people who are serious about genealogy. These are people willing and eager to listen to you talk about your latest find or help you get over your most frustrating hurdle. People are willing and eager to share what they know. You can't help but share this energy when you get home. Take a look at your calendar. The Federation of Genealogical Societies is meeting Sept. 2-5 in Little Rock, Ark. Will I see you there?

Happy searching.

Randy Riley
Special Collections Manager
Library of Michigan


-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:

NGS News & Events

-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:

-- 2010 Family History Conference in Salt Lake City

Theme: Follow Your Ancestral Trail

The 2010 NGS Family History Conference will be held at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mark your calendars for 28 April–1 May 2010. Online registration for the 2010 NGS Family History Conference will begin 1 November 2009.

Whether your family helped settle the nation, migrated across the country, stayed in the same place, or recently arrived in America, this conference has much to offer. The family history resources in Salt Lake City, Utah, will provide a depth and breadth to your research. The Family History Library has an extensive collection of international records. A major focus of the conference will be increasing research skills in foreign countries.

Hotel conference reservations are now available at four hotels, including the Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City Downtown, Salt Lake Plaza Hotel, Shilo Inn Suites Hotel, and Crystal Inn Hotel & Suites. Details, including rates and amenities, can be found at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org by clicking on Conferences & Events and then Annual Conference, and finally Accommodations. The Radisson is the main conference hotel and is adjacent to the entrance of the Salt Palace Convention Center where the NGS Conference will be held. Make your hotel reservations early!

Exhibit sales for the 2010 Family History Conference opened 15 July 2009. To make a booth reservation today or view a list of exhibitors who have signed up thus far, visit www.ngsgenealogy.org and click on Conferences & Events.

The conference flyer is available for download at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org by clicking on Conferences & Events and then Annual Conference, and finally For the Media.

Questions? Contact the Conference Manager at .

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

-- NGS Magazine Online

Recent issues (2005–current) of NGS Magazine (formerly NGS NewsMagazine) are currently available under the Members Only section of the website. The Apr/May/June 2009 issue is now available. Visit http://www.ngsgenealogy.org for more information.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

-- Free Online Course for NGS Members: Family History Skills

Start your family history quest or brush up on genealogy basics by reviewing our free online course for members of the National Genealogical Society. You may wish to try this shorter course first and then delve into some of the other NGS online courses or the in-depth Home Study Course. More information about NGS courses can be found at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

-- _Paths to Your Past_, A New Book for Beginners

NGS is pleased to offer a new publication for beginning genealogists, _Paths to Your Past_, edited by Pamela Boyer Sayre, CG, CGL and NGS Director of Education and Publications, with contributions from Marty Hiatt, CG. The new 57-page, soft-cover book replaces an earlier publication entitled Instructions for Beginners in Genealogy, which was last updated in 2001.

Because the Internet has drastically changed the way we search for our ancestors, the new publication has been rewritten and reorganized to help beginners get started in the search for their ancestors. It tells how to collect information from family, libraries, government agencies at all levels, and the Internet; how to record facts; and how to write citations for sources so that they or anyone else can find them again in the future if need be. You will also find suggestions for learning more about genealogy. The book also includes a glossary for often-used family research terms.

_Paths to Your Past_ would make an excellent addition to your library, teaching tool, or gift for friends or relatives new to genealogy. It is available in print at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org: click on Store, and search for _Paths to Your Past_. Please make sure you are logged on at the NGS website before proceeding to the Store. This will ensure that the member discount is applied to your purchases. The cost, which includes shipping, is $18 for members and $21 for non-members. If you teach family history research courses and would like to purchase multiple copies, a discount is available for purchases of 12 or more copies by contacting . Look for the PDF version in the online store soon!

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

-- Tennessee is Now Available in the Research in the States Series

NGS has released the 38-page _Research in Tennessee_, which has been revised and updated by Chuck Sherrill.

The following states are available from the National Genealogical Society Research in the States Series at the NGS website, http://www.ngsgenealogy.org:

* _Research in Arkansas_ by Lynda Childers Suffridge, 2008
* _Research in Illinois_ by Diane Renner Walsh, 2007
* _Research in Maryland_ by Patricia O'Brien, 2007
* _Research in Michigan_ by Shirley M. DeBoer, 2008
* _Research in Missouri_ by Pamela Boyer Porter and Ann Carter Fleming, 2007
* _Research in North Carolina_ by Jeffrey L. Haines, 2008,
* _Research in Ohio_ by Diane Vanskiver Gagel, 2008
* _Research in Oregon_ by Connie Miller Lenzen, 2007
* _Research in Pennsylvania_ by Kay Haviland Freilich, 2007
* _Research in Tennessee_ by Chuck Sherrill, 2009
* _Research in Virginia_ by Eric G. Grundset, 2007
* _Research in West Virginia_ by Barbara Vine Little, 2007

Each publication is 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches, slightly larger than our previous Research in the States publications. The average length is 42 pages, but it varies by state. These publications are available in print for $14.50 for NGS members and $17.50 for non-members. The price includes shipping.

Alternatively, each book can be purchased as a PDF file, an "e-book" that you can download from the NGS web site and then either read on your computer or print. E-books are $8 for NGS members and $10 for non-members. Both the print and PDF versions of the Research in the States series can be found on the NGS website: http://www.ngsgenealogy.org, click on "Store." Please make sure you are logged on at the NGS website before proceeding to the store. This will ensure that the member discount is applied to your purchases.

Each publication includes a section on archives, libraries, societies, and other research facilities in the respective state, as well as a discussion of the major family history resources available, such as maps, cemetery records, census, city directories, newspapers, military records, tax records and vital records. In addition, for each state you will find a discussion of which records are available at the local, county, and state level.

NGS plans to add a few new states each year, so check the NGS website periodically for new releases at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

-- Lectures on CD Available from 2009 NGS Family History Conference

CDs of lectures from the 2009 NGS Conference are now available for ordering. If you were unable to attend the 2009 conference in Raleigh, North Carolina in May, you will be pleased to know that more than 100 lectures were recorded and can be purchased on CD for $12 each plus shipping. Lectures are available via a link on the NGS website: http://www.ngsgenealogy.org. Click on "Conferences & Events," then "Annual Conference," then "Lectures on CD-ROM from Previous Conference." This link will take you to the JAMB-INC.com website, the recording company for these conferences. Once you are on the JAMB-Inc. website, click on Genealogy and look for the 2009 NGS Family History Conference or our two previous conferences in Kansas City 2008 and Richmond 2007. The CDs provide you with an opportunity to hear genealogical experts discuss topics that will help you in your family research. Listed on the website is each speaker by last name, as well as the lecture track and title of each talk.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

-- 2011 Family History Conference in Charleston, South Carolina

NGS has selected Charleston, South Carolina, for the 2011 Family History Conference. Lodging will include a combination of hotels and suite hotels adjacent to the North Charleston Convention Center. All the participating hotels will provide free Internet. Save the dates 11-14 May 2011.


-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:

Other News

-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:

-- Michigan Faces Loss of Library

Michigan has a wonderful collection of interest to genealogists. Due to the budget shortfalls in Michigan, the collection may be closed and/or broken up. The Michigan Genealogical Council is organizing a hands around the library on 5 August; further information is online at http://mimgc.org/. If you live within driving distance of Lansing, come support this wonderful institution, which issued the following press release.

July 15, 2009
To Whom It May Concern:

As you may be aware, Michigan is facing a huge financial crisis. Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm issued Executive Order 2009-36 dissolving the Department of History, Arts & Libraries and splitting the various functions between various other state departments. The Library of Michigan would be transferred to the Department of Education, and the Archives of Michigan would be transferred to the Department of Natural Resources. This order would take effect October 1, 2009.

What is of concern is Section B (8) of the Executive Order that states:

“Unless the Superintendent finds it impracticable, these measures shall include, but not limited to, all of the following:

(a) Eliminating circulation of specific collections (including, but not limited to, the Main, Dewey, and General Reference collections, the Michigan collection, the Michigan Documents collection, and the Rare Book collection) or, alternatively, transferring such collections to other suitable institutions, . . .

(c) Suspending or eliminating participation as a participating lending library in MeLCat,

(d) Eliminating or transferring to other suitable institutions the Federal Documents Depository and the non-Michigan genealogy collection.”

The Executive Order directs the Superintendent of Public Instruction to continue to look for ways to reduce library costs.

Also in the Executive Order is the formation of a committee to look at how to further reduce costs for the next fiscal year. The Executive Order can be reviewed at http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168-21975---,00.html.

In response to the Executive Order, ten (10) Michigan senators have introduced bills (SB 503 – SB 527) transferring all functions of the Department of History, Arts & Libraries to the Department of State. This would include a separate pot of money from the general fund, held by the Department of Treasury, for any donations. The donations that are not spent at the end of the fiscal year remain in the account and are not transferred to the general fund. These bills are currently in a Senate subcommittee, as described online at:

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2009-2010/billanalysis/Senate/pdf/2009-SFA-0503-S.pdf.

While the Michigan Genealogical Council understands the crises the state is in financially, we feel that breaking up the collection at the Library, which has items dating back to the 1800s, is not the answer. Once this collection is gone, there is no going back. This would be a great loss to the citizens of this state as well as those that come to our state to use this collection. This would also be a blow to all public libraries, as they receive part of their funding from the library and have access to MeLCat, which is the system used for interlibrary loan.

The Council would like to encourage everyone to contact their legislators (in person, by phone, or by mail – snail mail is more effective) to help save one of our most valuable resources. For a listing of Michigan legislators, you can visit the following website:

House (http://house.michigan.gov/find_a_rep.asp)

and Senate (http://senate.michigan.gov/SenatorInfo/find-your-senator.htm).

Please contact your family, friends, coworkers, societies, listserves, and anyone else you can think and encourage them to show their support for the Library and its fabulous collection. Let us band together and save our state’s history.

Thank you for your support,
Cynthia Grostick, President
Michigan Genealogical Council

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

-- Ancestral Atlas: The Social Networking Site for Dead People

Editor's Note: The following press release was issued 15 July 2009 by Ancestral Atlas.

Ancestral Atlas is a unique web-based service that allows anyone interested in family history worldwide to display, share, and find their family history in an exciting and dynamic environment.

Ancestral Atlas uses web-based mapping as the main mechanism to allow users to add and visualize on a map the day-to-day events that happened to their ancestors. By sharing this information with other users throughout the world, users can make contact with like-minded people looking at the same locations and ancestors.

Nick Francis, co-director of Ancestral Atlas, says, “Until now, genealogical research has been predominantly based on researching ancestors' names, and the location of where things happened has been a secondary issue. However, if you know where something happened, you can immediately rule out the majority of name search matches that didn’t happen at, or near, that location. This allows you to focus only on relevant leads. Ancestral Atlas is the first service to concentrate on location.”

The web site allows you to share selected information with other users. Anyone who happens to be looking in the same regions where your shared data is placed can see what you’ve added and can contact you (via a secure, private messaging system – your email address is never divulged). Francis explains, “If someone else adds data regarding an event to the same area as where your ancestors lived, and that also took place around the same time your ancestor was alive, wouldn’t you want to contact that person to see if they knew more? They may not be related to you, but you may have ancestors who knew each other or even worked together.”

To help add data to the site, Ancestral Atlas enables users to upload their GEDCOM files which are then automatically scanned for location information and, where matches with their place name data are found, adds map pins to the map.

Value-added features available to subscribers include access to historical maps of Ireland, historical map layers for England and Wales, "Life Maps", and the unique ability to earn an income from the data you add to the site. Further map layers covering the US and Europe are also in the pipeline. “We want this to become the first place to look for historical information,” adds Francis. “Understanding this alongside the geographical context of how our ancestors lived will help us to really understand what made us who we are.”

For further information about the services offered, please visit our website at www.ancestralatlas.com.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

-- Services Available at the Sutro Library in California

The Sutro Library is the San Francisco Branch of the California State Library. Services available there are as follows:

Research assistance and instruction in the use of the library’s resources.
Limited photocopies of up to 20 pages. Sent via fax and mail with no charge.
Reference service by phone or email.
Interlibrary loan services (printed materials, copying, fiche & film).
Group visits and orientation sessions. (Advance reservation is required.)
Internet access to California State Library’s online resources, Ancestry.com & Heritage Quest online.
Presentations at conferences and community groups on Sutro Library resources.

We accept donations of family and local histories from all states and countries, travel literature, exploration, etc. (Tax deductible as allowed by law.)
Sutro Library is open M-F & the second Saturday of each month from 10-5, excluding holidays.

Collections & Resources

Genealogy, Family & Local History, City Directories, US Census & Soundex from 1790-1930, Passenger lists and indexes prior to 1900, Parish records (Baptism, Marriage, Death) from England, mostly before 1800, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) publications, Guides, bibliographies and periodicals published by historical and genealogical societies, and by family associations, Genealogy CD-ROMs, Vital, Tax, Voting & Property Records.

Please check the California State Library Home Page at www.library.ca.gov and the Online Catalog at www.lib.state.ca.us for special collections available at the library.

For inquiries please contact Sutro staff: Email or call 415-731-4477.
You can find the library at 480 Winston Drive, San Francisco CA 94132.

-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:

Events Around the United States

-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:

August 2009

1 August 2009
Oklahoma City, OK - The Oklahoma Genealogical Society (OGS) will present its FREE Third Annual Ancestor Fair on Saturday, August 1 in Oklahoma City. Everyone’s invited, so dig out your ethnic and antique outfits and dress up the kids - or come as you are -- there will be activities for all ages. Bring photos for the photo contest. We will have costumed re-enactors, kids activities, a costume parade, lineage & genealogy booths, artists and musicians, displays and contests and even a genealogy expert to answer all your questions. The event begins at 10:00 am and goes until 3:00 pm in the beautiful Oklahoma History Center, 2401 N. Laird Ave - across from the Governor's mansion. Show off your family history by entering the genealogy contest in any of the six categories or in the eleven categories of the photo contest. Wear your ethnic pride on your sleeve or all over in the costume parade and visit one of the booths to learn about the different lineage societies available. Bring your family for a free event and the most fun day out of the sun. For more info about the Ancestor Fair, refer to www.okgensoc.org or call 405-637-1907.

1 August 2009
Newark, DE - "Around the World in a Day: Let Your Fingers Do the Searching," A Family History Event from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Wilmington Delaware Stake Center (meetinghouse), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 500 West Chestnut Hill Road in Newark. Keynote speakers include representatives from FamilySearch.org and the author of "Google Your Family Tree." Sponsored by the Wilmington Delaware Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. the day includes interactive exhibits, displays, and class sessions. Admission is free, but registration is required. Focus on online resources. For additional information and to register, please visit www.afamilyhistoryevent.org.

3 August 2009
Oklahoma City, OK - The Oklahoma Genealogical Society (OGS) will hold its monthly meeting on Monday August 3 at 6 pm in the Chesapeake Event Center of the Oklahoma History Center at 2401 North Laird Avenue in Oklahoma City. Pat Jurey, Honorary Regent of the Ardmore Daughters of American Revolution (DAR) and on the state DAR speaker staff, will present the program “A Titanic Family Connection.”

The OGS meets on the first Monday of each month, with speakers on subjects of interest to genealogists; membership is open to anyone interested in historical or genealogical research. The events are free to OGS members and a $3 donation is susggested from nonmembers. For more info on OGS, refer to www.okgensoc.org. Help is available before the meeting for those with genealogical questions or wishing to join OGS. The Research Library in the history center will remain open until 7:45 p.m. that evening.

7-8 August 2009
Jefferson City, MO - Missouri State Genealogical Association's annual conference in Jefferson City, MO.Featured speaker is NGS board member Julie Miller, CG. For conference brochure and details, see http://www.mosga.org/

9 August 2009
Ottawa, Ontario - Everyone welcome to a Sunday afternoon of Irish heritage and genealogy starting at 1:30 pm. Two lectures by John Grenham, M.A., well known author and professional genealogist from Dublin, Ireland (www.Johngrenham.com). Topics: "Chasing Shadows: Irish Genealogy Online" and "Whatever you're having yourself: Irish Census Substitutes." Admission: $10/person at door. Free parking on site: Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Dr., Ottawa, Ontario (Canada's capital). Sponsor: British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa. Co-sponsors: Ottawa Branch/Ontario Genealogical Society; The Irish Society of the National Capital Region; Monterey Inn Resort & Conference Centre.
For more info, see www.bifhsgo.ca.

13 August 2009
Nashville, TN - "Researching Your Confederate Ancestors Workshop" is offered by the Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society from 11:00am to 1:00pm (Brown Bag Lunch). The speaker is genealogist, Shirley Roach Thompson. Location is FiftyForward Knowles Senior Citizen Center, 174 Rains Ave., Nashville, TN (near the Fairgrounds). Please register by calling 615-743-3400. There is a $3.00 visitor fee for non-members of FiftyForward Centers.

September 2009

10–11 September 2009
New York, NY - The Education Committee of the NYG&B in partnership with the Holland Society of New York and the New York Public Library, is very pleased to announce a two-day Dutch Research program to be held Thursday and Friday, 10–11 September 2009. Thursday will be a full day of lectures presented by Harry Macy Jr., Dr. Firth Haring Fabend, Christopher Brooks, and Dr. Janny Venema. Friday offers a day of assisted research at the NYPL’s Milstein Division of Genealogy and Local History and/or at the Holland Society library.

The two-day program is available to members of the NYG&B and members of the Holland Society for $150. Non-members $200. Registration for the Thursday lecture program only is $90 members/ $125 non-members. To register, please contact Lauren Maehrlein, , telephone 212-755-8532, ext. 36, or you may register online at www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org.

11–13 September 2009
Spokane, WA - The Washington State Genealogical Society 2009 Annual Conference, hosted by the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society, will be held in Spokane at the world renowned Davenport Hotel. The featured speaker is Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak with 16 additional mini-sessions and events over 2 and a half days. For more details and online registration see: www.ancestry.rootsweb.com/~waewgs. Questions: contact

12 September 2009
St. Louis, MO - The 3rd Annual, Discover Your Roots - African American Family History Conference will be held Saturday, 12 September 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri. This wonderful all-day conference is geared to help anyone interested in learning about their family history, whether you are just starting or an experienced researcher.

The classes will focus on African American history and research, the best types of records to search, research methodologies, and southern states research. There is no charge to attend and a minimal charge for the syllabus and lunch. For more information or to register, email us at or visit the website at www.discoveryourrootsmo.com.

14 September 2009
Murfreesboro, TN - "2009 Adventures in Learning Genealogy Classes" is offered by the Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society on Mondays starting September 14, 21, 28, and Oct. 5, 2009 from 10:45am to 11:45am. The Instructor, Virginia Gooch Watson, past president of MTGS. Location is First Methodist Church, Murfreesboro, TN. Please register by calling, Judy Stacey at 615-893-1322

18-20 September 2009
Ottawa, Ontario - “Celebrate Your Anglo-Celtic Roots” at the 15th Annual Family History Conference of the British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa, in Canada's capital, Ottawa, Ontario. Something for everyone – Special focus on Scotland. Over a dozen international, national, and local experts, including: Charlotte Gray, LL.D., biographical historian and Member of the Order of Canada; Duncan Macniven, Registrar General for Scotland; Colleen Fitzpatrick, PhD., author and forensic genealogist (USA). Pre-conference educational events. Free access to experienced genealogy researchers and databases. A marketplace of genealogy related products and services. Members and non-members welcome. Program and registration details at: www.bifhsgo.ca.

19 September 2009
Williamstown, MA - Life in the Past Lane VI - The Friends of the National Archives and Records Administration, Northeast Region, Pittsfield, MA, will hold its annual full-day genealogy conference on Saturday, September 19, 2009. The event will be held at the Williams Inn in Williamstown, Massachusetts (http://www.williamsinn.com). As they become available, details and registration forms will be posted at http://www.narafriends-pittsfield.org under Calendar of Events. For additional information call 413-236-3600.

19 September 2009
Nashville, TN - "Genealogy Comes Alive-The Story of Bonny Kate Sherrill Sevier" is offered by the Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society at 1:00pm. The speaker is novelist, Mark Strength. Location is the Brentwood Public Library, 1/2 mile east of I-65, Exit 71. At intersection of Concord Rd. and Knox Valley Drive. Enter library's parking lot off Knox Valley Drive, turn right. Refreshments served.

25–26 September 2009
Helena, MT - The 20th Montana State Genealogical Society Conference will be held in Helena, Montana, at the Red Lion Colonial Hotel. Jana Sloan Broglin, cg, will be the featured speaker offering four topics over the two days. This year's theme is Growing Genealogy. For further information contact V. Valentine, .

25–26 September 2009
Springfield, MO - The Ozarks Genealogical Society will hold its 29th Annual Conference September 25-26 at University Plaza Hotel in Springfield, Mo. Thomas W. Jones, noted genealogical researcher, author, editor, and educator is the featured speaker. His lectures will focus on Internet research, deducing ancestors' identities, tracing common surnames, and solving problems with original sources. Jones' research has encompassed records of every state east of the Mississippi, as well as Iowa, Missouri, Texas, France, Germany, Italy, and Ireland. His lectures are known to benefit genealogists of all levels of experience.

The conference begins Friday evening, September 25 and continues throughout the day on Saturday, September 26. The following mini-sessions will be presented on Saturday morning: "Start with What You Know," "Family Search Online," "Dressed for the Photographer," and "Searching with GenSmarts." A vendor showcase will also be available.

The Ozarks Genealogical Society, Inc. (OGS) was formally organized in September 1969 by a group of individuals brought together by their common interest in researching family history. It was chartered in 1979 as a not-for-profit organization in the State of Missouri. The goals of the society are to encourage the research and preservation of family history, foster solid genealogical research practices, and preserve records of historical and genealogical interest.

The conference is open to the public. Registration information and additional conference details are available online at http://ozarksgs.org/. Those needing a registration form may call (417)
885-9009.

26 September 2009
Tampa, FL - Elizabeth Shown Mills will present an all-day seminar for the Florida
Genealogical Society. Topics include:

- The Elusive Ancestor: There's No Such Thing as "Too Poor to Trace"
- Sources & Citations Simplified: From Memorabilia to Digital Data to DNA
- The Identity Crisis: Right Name, Wrong Man? Wrong Name, Right Man?
- OK, I Got the Neighbors--Now What Do I DO with Them?!

For registration information, see fgstampa.org

30 September 2009
Nashville, TN - "Using Family Tree Maker -New Version 9" is offered by the Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society from 10:30am to 2:00pm ( Brown Bag Lunch). The Speaker is Bob Dennison, former board member of MTGS and chairman of the MTGS Bible Project. Location is FiftyForward Knowles Senior Citizen Center, 174 Rains Ave., Nashville, TN (near the Fairgrounds). Please register by calling 615-743-3400. There is a $3.00 visitor fee for non-members of FiftyForward Centers.


October 2009

2–3 October 2009
Neenah, WI - The Wisconsin State Genealogical Society's 2009 Fall Seminar, "Research: Do More and Do It Better," will be held on Saturday, 3 October 2009, at the Best Western Bridgewood Resort Hotel and Conference Center in Neenah. Our host society is the Winnebagoland Genealogical Society. The featured speaker will be Michael John Neill, and the event will be preceded by a special pre-conference workshop on Friday, 2 October, with lectures given by Lori B. Bessler of the Wisconsin Historical Society and David McDonald, cg.

See http://www.wsgs.org for more information and registration forms or e-mail .

10 October 2009
Winchester, VA - The Virginia Genealogical Society and Shenandoah Valley Genealogical Society present: "Oh Shenandoah! Migration and Settlements Across the Valley" on 10 October 2009 at the Conference Center, Winchester Medical Center, 1840 Amherst Street, Winchester, VA. Speakers are Dorothy Boyd-Bragg, PhD, Victor S. Dunn, CG, Rick Sayre, CG, and Pamela K. Sayre, CG, CGL.

There will be vendors of books, software, forms and other items of interest to researchers.

A limited number of rooms have been reserved at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites at the rate of $70 per night. To reserve a room, call (540) 667-7050 and mention VGS Conference, prior to 25 September 2009.

The conference and boxed lunch for VGS & SVGS Members is $30; for non members $40. After 21 Sept 2009, please add $10.00. Mail your check payable to: Virginia Genealogical Society, Fall Conference 2009, 1900 Byrd Ave., Suite 104, Richmond, VA 23230-3033.

For details, visit http://www.vgs.org

12-17 October 2009
Columbus, OH - German Heritage Week is the week of October 12-17 with programs daily at the Columbus Metropolitan Library (no pre-registration or fees), and culminates with the Annual Fall Seminar of the Ohio Chapter Palatines to America at the Ramada Plaza Hotel & Conference Center on Saturday, 17 October 2009. Featured speakers John T. Humphrey, CG, and Ann Miller Scott, MSLS with the following topics:

- Published Sources for German Ancestors
- Moravians in the 18th Century
- Update on the PalAm Library Collection
- German-American Newspapers

More information on these events and registration online for the Annual Fall Seminar: http://www.oh-palam.org/

16-17 October 2009
Lake Charles, LA - The second Branching Out in Genealogy seminar will be held Friday and Saturday, October 16 – 17, 2009. The seminar is cosponsored by the Southwest Louisiana Genealogical and Historical Library, (a branch of the Calcasieu Parish Public Library), Libraries Southwest, the Southwest Louisiana Genealogical Society, Inc, and Friends of the Calcasieu Parish Public Library.

A Reception and After Hours Research will be held for registered participants on Friday, October 16, 2009 from 5:30 pm until 8:00 pm at the Southwest Louisiana Genealogical and Historical Library, 411 Pujo Street in Lake Charles. During this time participants may research in the library’s collection or visit and become acquainted with other participants.

On Saturday, October 17, activities will begin in the Contraband Room of the Lake Charles Civic Center at 8:30 am with coffee, a get-acquainted session, and registration at the door for those who did not pre-register. Featured speaker will be Carolyn Earle Billingsley, Ph. D. Her topics for the seminar are Communities of Kinship: A New Theory for Genealogy; The Reality of Researching Your Indian Ancestors; Melungeons and Other Mixed Race Groups; and History Lost – History Found. John Sellers will serve as emcee.

A registration fee of $25 per person includes the Reception and After Hours Research, seminar talks, access to vendors’ displays, a box lunch, coffee and light refreshments on Saturday. For more information or a brochure, contact the Southwest Louisiana Genealogical and Historical Library at 411 Pujo Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601-4254, phone 337-721-7110, or email .

17 October 2009
Monterey, CA - Monterey County Genealogy Society's annual Heritage Harvest family history workshop will be held 17 October 2009, Monterey, California. Karen Clifford, AG, a nationally known speaker and college instructor, will present "Electronic Resources for Solving Difficult Research Problems," "Understanding Migration," "Land Records from Colonial Times to the Present" and "British Basics." Lunch and syllabus included in registration fee. Free parking adjacent to Monterey Peninsula College Library/Technology Center. Register early for this full day event as space is limited.

Contact Junel Davidsen at for more details. Additional details will be posted on our website at www.mocogenso.org.

17 October 2009
Louisville, Kentucky - 8:30 - 4:00. The Louisville Genealogical Society's annual Family History Seminar and Book Fair will feature George G. Morgan as presenter of four lectures: Bring 'em Back to Life: Developing an Ancestral Profile; State-Land States & Federal-Land States: Researching U.S. Land Records; The U.S. Naturalization Process and Documents: 1790-1954; and Using the HeritageQuest Databases. One-on-One Free Consultations with an expert genealogist will be offered. The Vendor Hall will include exhibits and information from local libraries, archives and other organizations. Eight (8) One-Hour Free Classes will be held throughout the day. For location, a printable registration form, and more information visit the society's website: www.rootsweb.com/~kylgs

17 October 2009
Montgomery, AL - The Alabama Genealogical Society's Fall Seminar "CSI: Collecting, Selecting, Identifying Your Ancestors" will be held on Saturday, 17 October 2009, at the Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery, Alabama. J.Mark Lowe, professional genealogist, author, and lecturer, will be the speaker. Mr. Lowe will cover Researching on the Internet, Land Barons or Dirt Farmers, and Finding Your Landless Ancestors. See http://www.algensoc.org/main/seminars.html for registration form and more information or e-mail .

24 October 2009
Bowie, MD - The Mid-Atlantic Germanic Society's (MAGS) annual Spring Seminar will be held on Saturday, October 24th, at the Comfort Inn and Conference Center in Bowie, Maryland. The seminar begins with registration and vendors at 8:30 a.m. The seminar will be from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The guest speakers will be Thomas Jones, Ph.D. and Gary Ruppert, MD.

Dr. Jones is co-editor of National Genealogical Society Quarterly, board member of Association of Professional Genealogists, and a former trustee and pas-president of Board for Certification of Genealogists. With over forty years of research and teaching experience, he frequently lectures, teaches, and writes about genealogical research methodology, His interests include “blocked” lineages and genealogical problem solving.

Registration is $45 or MAGS members and $50 for non-members. Lunch is included. Registration forms may be obtained by emailing or by calling Diane Kuster at 252-373-1684.

24 October 2009
Pittsburgh, PA - Come to "Discover Your Roots, Discover Yourself: The Search for Lost Treasures," the North Hills Genealogists Fall Conference.

In honor of Family History Month, the North Hills Genealogists [of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania] are hosting this conference from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, 24 October 2009 at Christ Episcopal Church, 5910 Babcock Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15237. A great program features speakers Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, of Minnesota, and Sandra MacLean Clunies, CG, of Maryland. Lecture topics include church records, NUCMC and manuscript collections, tracing poor ancestors and immigrant families, writing the family history, and research in Washington, DC, from home. The conference will give attendees a unique opportunity to interact with these knowledgeable and personable speakers and provide a forum for attendees to get their questions answered. A continental breakfast, hot lunch, and door prizes are included in the registration fee of $50. An early bird discount of $45 is available until September 15. North Hills Genealogists members receive a $10 discount below these fees; become a 2009-2010 member for $15. Parking is free at the conference.

More information and a registration form may be found at http://www.northhillsgenealogists.org.
Credit card payment is accepted through the web site or mail to North Hills Genealogists, P.O. Box 304, Ingomar, PA 15127.

29-31 October 2009
Ft. Wayne, IN - The International Black Genealogy Summit takes place at Allen County Public Library, Ft. Wayne, Indiana. See details at http://www.blackgenealogysummit.com/


November 2009

4–6 November 2009
Albany, NY - The New York Genealogical & Biographical Society is sponsoring a three-day research trip to the New York State Archives and Library in Albany. Registrants will be provided with three days of assisted research at the Library and Archives, plus social events. The program fee, including the banquet, reception, and all other arrangements, is $110 for members, $150 for non-members. A special room rate has been arranged at the Crowne Plaza of $99 per night, single or double. Please call the hotel directly at 518-462-6611 and mention that you are attending the NYG&B program to get this rate. To register, please contact Lauren Maehrlein, , telephone 212-755-8532, ext. 36, or register online at www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org.


April 2010

22–24 April 2010
Toledo, OH - The annual Ohio Genealogical Society conference, "Guiding Your Way Through the Past," will be held 22–24 April 2010 at the SeaGate Convention Centre in Toledo, Ohio. The event will feature national, state, and local speakers, workshops, and exhibits. Registration will begin fall 2009. For additional details and registration, visit the OGS web site at www.ogs.org or e-mail or phone (419)756-7294.

24 April 2010
Santa Rosa, CA - The Sonoma County Genealogical Society will hold a day-long seminar, 24 April 2010 in Santa Rosa, California, featuring Hank Jones, and Anthony Hoskins. For details see: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cascgs/Jones.htm

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

To add your event to this calendar, please send an announcement to .

-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:

Family Reunions

-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:

29–30 August 2009
HARLOW - The Sgt. William HARLOW Family Association Annual Reunion will be held 29–30 August 2009 in Kingston and Plymouth, Massachusetts. On Saturday, 29 August from 2:00pm–4:00pm we will hold our annual business meeting at the Beal House 222 Main St. Kingston, Massachusetts. At 6:00pm the HARLOW cousins will gather for an evening meal at the Beal House followed by a lively fund-raising auction. On Sunday, 30 August we meet at our ancestral home, "Harlow Old Fort House" at 119 Sandwich St. Plymouth, MA for a church service at 10am followed by a group picture at 11:30am and a picnic lunch (hamburgers and hot dogs) at noon. We then have an afternoon program which includes a short business meeting, results of our silent auction, and ending with this year's guest speaker, Patrick Browne, Executive Director Duxbury Rural Historical Society. In case of inclement weather, we will move all of the Sunday's festivities to the Beal House in Kingston, Massachusetts.

For more information please visit http://www.harlowfamily.com/current_events.htm or e-mail Winfield Harlow at .

19-20 September
PHILLIPS-KNAPP - Summer is here, which means it is time to start thinking reunion. This year the Phillips-Knapp reunion falls the weekend of September 19-20. On Saturday the 19th we will have our traditional picnic at the park in Haverstraw, NY. For Sunday we have exciting new plans.

Research over the winter has revealed that Daniel, Eli and Gilbert Phillips were indeed born at Phillips Manor as some of us were told by our grandmothers. Eli gives this information in an affidavit he filed with his Revolutionary pension application. There is no evidence that they were part of the Phillips Family of the Manor, but could be shirt-tail relatives. They most likely lived northeast of the Manor, in a town now called Phillipsburg. We will continue to research this matter.

Our plans for reunion Sunday are to visit both the Phillips Manor Hall and the Phillips Farm, both of which are just across the river in Westchester County. We will eat lunch in a nearby restaurant, and get private tours of both locations. In addition, we will try to find a speaker who can tell us more about the Manor family and other Phillips families in the area. It should be both fun and educational. Try to arrange to join us!

For more info, visit the Phillips-Knapp website at http://phillipsknapp.tribalpages.com/ or contact Barbara de Mare at .

25-27 September 2009
TOWNE - The TOWNE Family Association, Inc. (TFA) is a not-for-profit educational genealogical organization founded in 1980. Members are the descendants of William and Joanna (Blessing) Towne who came to America from Great Yarmouth, England and settled in Salem, MA about 1635. The couple had eight children, and TFA includes descendants of both the male and female lines. The annual Towne Family Association Meeting will be held September 25-27, 2009 at the Best Western Wynwood Hotel and Suites, 580 US Hwy 1 Bypass, Portsmouth, NH 03801. (Tel) 603-436-7600. Hotel reservations must be made directly with the hotel.

For more information on the meeting, contact: Rev. Dr. Barry Cass, 20 Springfield Rd., Somers, CT 06071 or go to the Towne Family Association Website http://www.townefolk.com.

To register for the meeting, contact: Wilber Purvis, 2214 SW Spence St., Troutdale, OR 97060-3119 .

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

To add your family reunion to this calendar, please send an announcement to

Planning your own family reunion? Read the popular book in the NGS Guide Series by Sandra McLean Clunies, CG: "A Family Affair." Visit the NGS Bookstore online at www.ngsgenealogy.org.

Family reunion planners can find lots of reunion planning info and can request a free copy of Reunions magazine at www.reunionsmag.com.

-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:

About UpFront

-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:

- Previous Issues of UpFront with NGS

Did you miss an issue of UpFront with NGS? Previous issues are archived online.

Browse: http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/index/NGS
Search: http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/search?aop?list=NGS

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

- How to Submit Items for Publication in UpFront

We welcome articles and suggestions from our readers! To submit an article, a helpful tip, or news for publication, please send e-mail to us at:

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

- Format Conventions

UpFront articles and events are formatted according to certain standards. The editor will assist in applying these standards to items submitted for publication. In order to accommodate the current text format, book titles that would otherwise be either underlined or italicized will appear with an underscore before and after the title, per the suggestion of the MLA Handbook.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

- How to Subscribe or Unsubscribe

Send a NEW e-mail message to:

Type only one word in the body: subscribe
---or---
Type only one word in the body: unsubscribe

For technical help regarding the list, including how to subscribe or unsubscribe, contact:
UpFront with NGS, List Administrator
Gayathri Kher

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

- Disclaimers and Copyright

The opinions, articles, and statements expressed herein are solely for the use of our readers. Neither the reviews nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any commercial purpose. NGS and the authors disclaim any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise that is or may be incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and applications of any of the products, techniques, and technologies mentioned herein. NGS does not imply endorsement of any outside advertiser or other vendors appearing in this electronic newsletter.

Each issue of UpFront is under copyright of the National Genealogical Society. Permission is granted to share the news and events portions of UpFront provided you include the following statement:
"Originally published in UpFront with NGS, The Online Newsletter of the National Genealogical Society. http://www.NGSgenealogy.org/cs/upfront_with_ngs";

Permission for sharing other articles contained in UpFront requires approval. Contact and include the issue date and title of the article you wish to share or reprint elsewhere.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

- NGS Contact Information

National Genealogical Society
3108 Columbia Pike, Suite 300
Arlington, Virginia 22204-4370
Phone: (703) 525-0050 or (800) 473-0060
Fax: (703) 525-0052
E-mail:
http://www.NGSgenealogy.org

Membership:

Conferences:

Education and Publications:

Course Administration:

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

- About NGS

The National Genealogical Society is the indispensable resource for genealogists seeking excellence in publications, education offerings, research materials, and peer interaction with others that share the common bond of interest in the field of genealogy.

To learn more about the goals, publications, conferences, services, and member benefits of the National Genealogical Society, visit the NGS Web site: http://www.NGSgenealogy.org

c 2009 National Genealogical Society

This thread:

• [NGS] UpFront with NGS - Volume 9, Number 8-1 August 2009 by "Upfront with NGS" <>