RootsWeb: NGS-L [UpFront: NGS] Vol.1, No. 9, 10 October 2002

NGS-L Archives

Archiver > NGS > 2002-10 > 1034284473

From: "" <>
Subject: [UpFront: NGS] Vol.1, No. 9, 10 October 2002
Date: Thu, 10 Oct 2002 14:14:33 -0700

UpFront with NGS The Online Newsletter of the National Genealogical Society Volume 1, Number 9 -- 10 October 2002 :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: Co-editors: Dennis and Carla Ridenour -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Quote of the Day -- 10 October 2002 "We do ourselves a terrible disservice to close our minds to any possibilities." --Diane Black, March 2002 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Today In UpFront :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: New Executive Director Arrives at NGS --From the President --From the Executive Director NGS Second Century Endowment Fund --The Establishment of the NGS Second Century Endowment Fund and Second Century Society Research Tools and Techniques: Using Your Digital Camera, Part 3: --Photographing Documents Without Flash News Items, Announcements, and Press Releases --October is Family History Month --October Events --Temporary Closing Date Announcement: Genealogy Department of the Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne, Indiana --TPCGS Annual Fall Seminar, October 26, 2002 --Pennington Research Association Annual Reunion/Meeting Previous Issues of UpFront with NGS Family Reunion Calendar How to Submit Items for Publication in UpFront with NGS How to Subscribe or Unsubscribe NGS Contact Information :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: "UpFront with NGS" is a publication of the National Genealogical Society, a nonprofit service organization that leads and educates the national genealogical community. To learn more about the goals, publications, conferences, services and members benefits of the National Genealogical Society, visit the NGS Web site: http://www.NGSgenealogy.org © 2002 National Genealogical Society -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= New Executive Director Arrives at NGS -:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: A Message from the NGS President The Executive Director Search Committee and the Board of Directors join me in welcoming Wendy Herr as the new NGS Executive Director. Ms. Herr joined us on October 1st--and ushered in a new era of leadership here at the National Genealogical Society. Wendy Herr is an extremely experienced and articulate association executive. She has more than twenty years of progressively responsible association management experience. For the last three years, Ms. Herr has headed her own association management consulting firm, specializing in assisting smaller associations with every aspect of their management activities, from strategic initiatives and member recruitment to fund raising and financial turn-arounds. In her previous association experiences, Ms. Herr has been involved with property management, strategic planning, partnership development, fundraising and grant writing, as well as program and product development and delivery. She has written extensively and edited a number of publications, both publicity pieces as well as informational items for societies' memberships. She has also testified on Capitol Hill and is familiar with the details involved in general advocacy as well as legislative advocacy. Ms. Herr possesses a tremendous amount of financial ability and savvy including more than seven years of experience as the chief financial officer and chief operations officer of a private, non-profit, community behavioral health provider based in Pennsylvania. She is very familiar with budgeting processes, writing grants, and building non-dues revenue sources. Her work with Price Waterhouse Coopers in Washington, D.C. from 1997 to 1999 provides her with a strong accounting background. Ms. Herr has demonstrated abilities in working with many of the types of programs the National Genealogical Society offers. From online retailing to human resource management, from seminar and workshop planning to annual conference staging and execution, she brings much experience and fresh ideas to our important programs. I know you will find Ms. Herr as interesting, competent, and pleasant to work with as I have. She is a people-oriented person and finds instilling that energy and enthusiasm for the customer service a keystone piece of her management style. In addition, she enjoys doing genealogical research and has a deep appreciation for the work it involves as well as the delight it brings! Please join me in welcoming her to the National Genealogical Society. It is great to have her on board! Curt B. Witcher President, National Genealogical Society Manager, Historical Genealogy Department Allen County Public Library P. O. Box 2270, 900 Webster Street Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270 260-421-1226 Fax: 260-422-9688 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- A Message from the Executive Director -:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: On October 1, 2002, I had the great honor of taking over the Executive Director position at the NGS. I look forward to meeting the membership and welcome the opportunity to hear your views on issues facing genealogists today. One of my plans is to sponsor events at Glebe House, a beautiful historic building where NGS is housed, where I can meet as many volunteers as possible. As a diehard tea drinker, I was thinking of sponsoring "High Teas" on occasion, and also using the lovely silver punch bowl that was so generously donated several years ago. By way of background, I wanted you to know that I have been a professional association executive for nearly twenty years, and prior to that was a chief financial officer in a healthcare organization. My undergraduate degree was from Davis & Elkins College in West Virginia, and my Master in Public Administration is from the Pennsylvania State University. In recent years I have headed my own firm specializing in association management consulting and non-profit financial management. I've always been interested in genealogy. My early appreciation for the field came from a very determined mother that shared her love of the search, as well as an appreciation for the historical heritage of her family with me. I look forward to combining my fondness for genealogy with my professional expertise in fostering and managing a value-driven, thriving society with a growing number of members. I welcome your support as NGS enters the Second Century of service with new and exciting projects and programs! Wendy W. Herr, Executive Director NGS -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= NGS Regional Conference - 19 October 2002 :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: 19 October 2002 NGS Regional Conference in Columbia, Maryland Local Host: Mid-Atlantic Germanic Society An NGS Regional Conference will be held at the Hilton Hotel, Columbia, Maryland on Saturday, 19 October 2002. Registration on Saturday will begin at 8:00 A.M. Sessions will begin at 9:00 A.M. Conference speakers are Sheila Benedict, CGRS and Cyndi Howells. For more information, see http://www.NGSgenealogy.org/confcolumbia.htm -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= NGS Second Century Endowment Fund :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: The Establishment of the NGS Second Century Endowment Fund and Second Century Society The Second Century Endowment Fund: 2003 will mark the National Genealogical Society's one-hundredth year of service to the genealogical community. This is truly a cause for celebration and a unique opportunity for all to take an active role in helping ensure a second century of service for the society! In establishing a new endowment fund-The Second Century Endowment Fund-the NGS board wanted to ensure support for core programs of the society. Those programs fall into three general areas. 1. Education Activities: funding the creation of new online courses and home-study courses; initiating and sustaining expert-in-residence programs; supporting regional conferences, special seminars, and institutes; and supplementing Learning Center staff with contract employees for special projects. 2. Publishing Activities: funding the widest range of unique publishing projects dealing with family and local history. Publishing would be in any appropriate medium from paper to virtual/online. 3. Implementing Current Technologies: funding the technological infrastructure to increase online access and services for members; supporting initiatives for sustaining an increasingly dynamic web presence for the society; and funding projects that advance the society's core mission-education. As the board is interested in The Second Century Endowment Fund being a true endowment fund, none of the principle of Second Century contributions will be spent. Only interest money from the investment of the endowment will be used to support core programs. So when you give to the Second Century Endowment Fund, you will truly be giving a gift that keeps giving! The Second Century Society: Both as encouragement for individuals to consider a special donation to the National Genealogical Society in its centennial year and as a way to recognize those who take a leadership role in such giving activity, the National Genealogical Society's board of directors has voted to establish the NGS Second Century Society. This organization will be an honorary society and will be composed of individuals and organizations that provide support to the National Genealogical Society in honor of the society's one hundred years of service to the genealogical community. Second Century Society individuals and organizations recognize that to ensure a second century of service to the genealogical community, the National Genealogical Society will need a significant influx of additional resources. And they have made the commitment to see that these resources are available to the society. There are a number of membership levels that have been established for the Second Century Society. **Second Century Society Members** Individuals and organizations that contribute to the new NGS Endowment Fund. **Second Century Society Pioneer Members** Individuals and organizations that contribute to the new NGS Endowment Fund in total amounts between $500 and $4999.99. **Silver Level Second Century Society Members** Individuals and organizations that contribute to the new NGS Endowment Fund in total amounts between $5000 and $9999.99. **Gold Level Second Century Society Members** Individuals and organizations that contribute to the new NGS Endowment Fund in total amounts between $10,000 and $24,999.99. **Platinum Level Second Century Society Members** Individuals and organizations that contribute to the new NGS Endowment Fund in total amounts of $25,000 or above. **Second Century Society Partners** Organizations and institutions that provide the National Genealogical Society with significant in-kind products and services in honor of the society's one hundred years of service to the genealogical community. The Board of Directors of the National Genealogical Society invites you to become a Second Century Society member. Consider giving one dollar for each year NGS has been a society. It will ensure a brilliant future! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Research Tools and Techniques :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: Using Your Digital Camera, Part 3 -- Photographing Documents Without Flash In the 26 September issue of UpFront we talked about using flash when recording documents indoors. In this issue, we'll discuss photographing documents indoors without flash. Setting up to record research documents with a digital camera should be as simple and hassle free as setting up to use a scanner, and the actual recording process should be as simple as using a copy machine. In this article, we'll explore the ways that it can be. You will face many obstacles when you shoot indoors. Our goal is to find ways to overcome these obstacles. **Lighting and Location** In any type of photography, the first problem you will always face is lighting. And, like the real estate salesman says, the three most important things to look for are "location, location, and location." The same is true in most repositories; the ideal location for photographing documents is near a window so that you can take advantage of natural light. If a window is not available, choose the best lit area with a good working table. The lighting in libraries, courthouses, and other repositories, was not designed with a digital camera in mind. Many of these facilities are old and have inadequate lighting. Many of them have small or no windows for natural sunlight. Therefore, the large majority of your documents will be photographed using artificial lighting of one sort or another. **Identify Your Lighting and Adjust Your Settings** Learning how to identify and adjust for whatever type of light is available will help improve your document photography. Sunlight is known as "white" light and gives what we recognize as true or natural colors. Any other type of light source has light of a different color temperature and gives off different color tones, however, the human eye, a magnificent design of nature, automatically adjusts in cooperation with the brain to make things look the correct color, even though the eye is receiving light that is not "white." Digital cameras try to automatically adjust for different kinds of lighting but sometimes need additional help. The camera's "white balance" setting provides this help. This setting "reads" the light coming into the camera lens and by assuming the brightest area in the image is white will then attempt to balance the entire image so that the bright area looks white. All the other colors should then appear natural. If the brightest areas are not actually white then the color balance will be incorrect. We'll talk about the solution to this problem a little later on. The different types of white balance settings available, the terms used to define them, and the way the settings are implemented will vary from camera to camera. Some cameras use a menu selection screen and some use a button to cycle through the different white balance settings. Some cameras offer a limited number of selections and others may offer as many as ten or more. To see an example of a typical digital camera white balance selection screen, go to http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/upfront/101002 The white balance settings genealogists will deal with most are Auto, Incandescent (or Tungsten), Fluorescent, and Preset (user adjustable). See examples of these four settings at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/upfront/101002 Please note that camera manufactures use different terms to describe this user adjustable white balance setting. For example Nikon refers to the setting as Preset; Canon calls it Custom; Sony refers to it as One-Push; and Olympus uses the term Quick Reference. We will refer to this setting as Preset for the remainder of this article. Regular screw-in household light bulbs, known as incandescent lights, appear to be white but they actually give off a warm, reddish orange light. Hence, there is usually a white balance adjustment on your camera specifically for incandescent lights, most often an icon that looks like a light bulb. For an example see http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/upfront/101002 When you select this setting, the camera thinks that the light coming in will be heavy red/orange and it makes adjustment for the red/orange light. On the other hand, fluorescent lights give off a tone that is heavy in blue/green light. Cameras that include a fluorescent white balance setting will adjust for the blue/green. See an example at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/upfront/101002. The normal lighting in a room is known as ambient lighting, and the eye adjusts to this ambient lighting. We want the camera adjusted to the ambient lighting also. You might want to set the camera's white balance for Fluorescent from the start, if all the lights in the building are fluorescent. If the lights are all incandescent, you may want to set the white balance for Incandescent. But if the lighting is mixed or if you don't know for sure what the lighting is, you should probably start out with the white balance set to Auto. Another trick is to turn on your camera and step through the settings while watching the LCD screen to see which setting adjusts the camera best for the ambient lighting in the area you will be shooting your documents. The other option, and the one I use, is to preset the camera's white balance. See http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/upfront/101002. Not all cameras have a Preset white balance setting but if yours does, place a white piece of paper in the area where you are going to be shooting. With the camera, pointing at the paper do a "pre-set measurement" using the preset procedure for your camera. The camera measures the ambient light reflected off the white paper, and sets the camera to color correct for an all white picture. Then it locks the white balance. From then on, it uses this color correction for each picture, until your camera is either turned off, or the white balance is changed. (Some cameras remember the preset value even when turned off and back on). With Preset, you can get correct colors even in odd lighting situations. As I mentioned earlier, different cameras implement this feature in different ways so if you have a problem adjusting the setting be sure to check your camera manual for specific instructions. To see white balance settings comparisons go to http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/upfront/101002. **Shutter Speed** Now, let's take a look at your shutter speed. With low light conditions that exist in most buildings, your shutter speed will almost always be slow. Anything below 1/60th of a second (sometimes designated as 60 on your LCD) is virtually impossible to hand hold and get good consistent pictures. And I will guarantee that your shutter will most often be below 1/60th. Most of the time you will be shooting down around 1/15th (15) or 1/8th (8) of a second. So, you will need some type of device to hold your camera steady. Remember the kitchen/refrigerator trick of last issue? This trick works just as well at the library, but it's a lot harder to find a refrigerator. Guess we'll just have to make do with the side of a metal file cabinet, or the side of a metal bookshelf, or anything a magnet will stick to. You did bring your magnets didn't you? I keep a set in my vehicle's glove compartment so that they're always handy. It's also a good idea not to store magnets close to your camera or memory cards. This kitchen/refrigerator method works fine for single documents, but books keep falling off the side of the file cabinet. Maybe we should move on to something a little more substantial, albeit more complicated. A copy stand, of one type or another, should become a regular tool in your research bag. I have designed several, and plans for some of them are at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/upfront/101002. Most of these stands can be built with the simplest tools and very little time and expense. However, even a tripod can be converted into a copy stand. See example: http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/upfront/101002. Whatever method you use, your camera has to be mounted solidly, so that there is no camera shake when the shutter is tripped. Now, let's talk about taking our first picture of a document without flash. My personal favorite copy stand is the "Atlas." This stand holds the camera still. It also has the attachable book arm and the swing arm that allows me to change the position of my camera. So, we'll talk about most pictures from here on out using the Atlas stand. The Atlas, clamps onto the edge of the table, and can hold your camera from approximately 6" to 18" above the shooting surface. Somewhere in that range should be far enough above the table, to allow you to shoot straight down, and easily frame an 8.5" by 11" document. Let's give it a try; here's our first picture project. ** Hypothetical Project ** We want to take a picture of great-grandfather's will. We're in the county courthouse and the clerk has given us permission to use our digital camera but has asked that we not use flash. There are no windows in the room and most of the lights are fluorescent. Great-Grandfather's will consists of six, unbound pages measuring 8.5" by 11". The pages are slightly yellow and have been folded for nearly 85 years, but other than that the will is in good shape. The first thing is to set up the copy stand. We are going to be using the Atlas stand so we will begin by clamping it to the edge of the table. (TIP: It's best to use a piece of metal on the bottom of the table, and a rubber cushion between the table and the stand. This is a good habit to get into no matter where you're working, as it will keep the stand from scratching the table and the librarian or table owner from scratching your eyes out.) If you have been following the articles, you should know how high to mount your camera in order to focus and frame an 8.5" by 11" document. See UpFront, Volume 1, Number 8. Next, mount the camera in the shooting position and place the cookie sheet document holder (see last issue, vol. 1, no. 8) in position to hold the document. Next, place a blank sheet of white paper on the cookie sheet and frame it in the camera's LCD screen You may not be able to focus, because there are no lines, or contrasting areas in the white paper. Don't worry about focusing right now; just make sure the paper is framed. We are going to select the Preset white balance setting and go through the procedure to preset the white balance and lock it. Again, see your camera manual to learn about white balance preset, and how to set it. Some cameras have a Preset button, that when pressed sets the white balance and locks it. See an example at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/upfront/101002. TIP: Wouldn't it be nice if we had thought to paint our metal sheet, or the bottom of our cookie sheet a nice white so that we could do a white balance measurement from it and not have to worry about finding a plain white piece of paper? Hmmmm.... we could even draw a grid on the painted cookie sheet to make it easier to line our documents up. Now we are going to place Great Grandfather's will on the shooting surface. It doesn't want to lay flat so we are going to gently smooth out the creases and use a couple of magnets to hold it down. Then, with the camera on and in the auto exposure mode, view the LCD screen. Position the document, and adjust the zoom and focus until the document is fully framed and in focus. Since the LCD screen is not the same height/width ratio as an 8.5" by 11" sheet of paper, there will be some space at the top and/or bottom of the document. This is OK. Check to make sure the built-in flash is set to off. Check the focus once more, then set the self-timer and press the shutter. Move your hands away from the camera, and let the timer trip the shutter. To see an example of setup, go to http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/upfront/101002. Now we need to switch to view or play mode, then zoom in and move around the image and check for color, focus, and readability. If the photo of the first page looks ok, all we need to do is replace page 1 with page 2, use the magnets to hold the page flat, switch back to record mode, check our adjustments, set the timer, and click. We will follow the same procedure for pages 3, 4 and so on. No more adjustments, or fooling around, just replace the pages and shoot. After we finish shooting the all the pages, we will return to view mode and take a quick look at each page to make sure that none of the shots have been messed up. If there is a problem, simply delete the shot and re-shoot that page. TIP: I always bring two extra strip magnets, just to form a corner into which I always place the same corner of each document. That way, I know that the document will be framed, without checking it each time. See: http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/upfront/101002. That was great, you did a good job, and now you have Great Granddad's will saved forever digitally. With its yellowing pages and all. Next time, we're really going to shoot some pictures-'til then, think digitally. --Denny Contributed by Dennis Ridenour, or Note: To download previous issues of "UpFront with NGS" go to http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/upfront/archives. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= News Item :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: October is Family History Month Press release from the office of Sen. Orrin G. Hatch: September 20, 2002 Contact: Peter Carr, 202.224-5251 SENATE PASSES HATCH BILL TO COMMEMORATE OCTOBER 2002 AS FAMILY HISTORY MONTH Washington - For the second consecutive year, the Senate has approved legislation introduced by Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) to designate October 2002 as "Family History Month." "Family history sites continue to be some of the most popular on the internet," Hatch said. "More than 80 million Americans are actively searching for more information about their ancestors; next to gardening, it's our nation's second most popular hobby." Hatch's bill, S. Res. 330, commemorates October 2002 as Family History Month and encourages President Bush to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe the month of October with appropriate ceremonies and activities. ---------------------------------------------------------- More Family History Month references online: Ancestry Daily News: Planning for Family History Month (October) by Juliana Smith http://www.ancestry.com/library/view/news/articles/4067.asp "Along Those Lines" Five Projects for Family History Month by George G. Morgan http://www.ancestry.com/library/view/columns/george/2552.asp Contributed by Cyndi Howells -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= News Item :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: October Events October 10-15, Salt Lake City, Utah: The American Network of Italian Genealogy and POINT (Pursuing Our Italian Names Together) are hosting their Third Biennial National Conference. Lectures, workshops, guided research, luncheons and banquets are being offered during this six-day conference. For more information, contact Jacqui Suker, e-mail and Mike Madco at or see the POINT Web site at http://members.aol.com/pointhompg/home.htm. October 11-12, Little Rock, Arkansas: The Arkansas Genealogical Society will be holding their annual Fall Seminar and celebrating their 40th anniversary. Tony Burroughs will be the guest speaker on Saturday with other speakers leading workshops on Friday. For more information, see the Web site at http://www.rootsweb.com/~args/ or contact Jan Davenport at . October 12, Lompoc, California: Lompoc Valley Genealogical Society sponsors Bill Doty, NARA Archivist: lecture topic: "Immigration, Naturalization & Ships' Passenger Arrival Sources." Question and Answer Period: "1930 Federal Census." For information, email: Janice Ramsey Lear, October 12, Monterey, California: "Genealogy is a Voyage of Discovery" is the theme of the Central Coast Genealogy Conference sponsored by the Monterey County Genealogy Society, Inc. Karen Clifford will be the speaker for this event. Contact Jeannie Pederson at (831) 484-9350 or Gary Carlsen at (831) 373-3515 or for further information. October 12, San Diego, California: German Research Association sponsors a lecture program by John H Wray, Ph.D, CG; "Genealogical Research in Germany and Eastern Europe." For additional information email: . October 12, Temecula, California: The Temecula Valley Genealogical Society announces an all-day seminar, featuring Arlene H. Eakle. For more information contact Grayce Kelly at (909) 699-7231 or by e-mail: . October 12, Wausau, Wisconsin: Wisconsin State Genealogical Society Fall Conference. Visit their Web site for more information: http://www.wsgs.org. October 13-18, Atlanta, Georgia: The Regional In-depth Genealogical Studies Alliance (RIGS Alliance), in cooperation with NARA's Southeast Region is hosting a workshop for genealogists, historians, and librarians with a general genealogical or historical grounding who want to learn skills and techniques for researching original records at a regional archives. It is NOT a beginning genealogy workshop. Enrollment is limited. For information, visit the Web site at http://www.RIGSAlliance.org e-mail: ; or write to RIGS Alliance Workshop, P.O. Box 1273, Jasper, GA 30143. October 18-19, Columbia, Maryland: The Mid-Atlantic Germanic Society will celebrate its 20th Anniversary with a banquet in conjunction with the National Genealogical Society's regional all-day seminar. The banquet will be October 18, with Dr. George K. Schweitzer as speaker. The all-day seminar on Saturday will feature Sheila Benedict and Cyndi Howells. For more information contact the MAGS Web site for dinner details http://www.rootsweb.com/~usmags/ or contact Diane M. Kuster, Registrar, 251 Serpentine Dr., Bayville, NJ 08721. See the NGS Web site http://www.ngsgenealogy.org for details of the all-day seminar. October 19, Carlsbad, California The North San Diego County Genealogical Society seminar 8:30 - 3:30, featuring Barbara Renick, Dove Library, 1175 Dove Lane. $30.00 includes lunch. Mail registration to NSDCGA Fall Seminar, PO Box 581, Carlsbad, CA 92018-0581. October 19, Columbia, Maryland National Genealogical Society Regional Conference: Local Host: Mid-Atlantic Germanic Society celebrating their 20th Anniversary. The Banquet is Friday, 18 October 2002. For Information : Call NGS (703) 525-0050 <http://www.ngsgenealogy.org>; October 19, Elkhorn, Wisconsin: The Walworth County (WI) Genealogical Society hosts a Family History Month Genealogical Fair. Please contact Peggy Gleich at for more information, or write to Walworth County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 159, Delavan, WI 53115-0159. October 19, Oakland, California California Genealogical Society 2nd Annual Blockbuster Fall Seminar features three lectures by Gordon L. Remington, FUGA, FASG, along with book signing and wine tasting at James Irving Foundation Conference Center at the East Bay Center for Philanthropy, in the Frank H. Ogawa Plaza (one block from the CGS Library). Seating is limited. For specifics and a registration form: http://www.calgensoc.org October 19, Plano, Texas: Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries announces an all-day seminar "Ancestors Hiding in Plain Sight", featuring Patricia Law Hatcher. Further details can be found at the Web site <http://www.rootsweb.com/~txgfpl/>; or e-mail . October 19, Richmond, Virginia: Friends of the Virginia State Archives announce its 3rd Slatten Seminar with Christine Rose as the featured speaker. For more details, contact Edgar McDonald at . October 22, Sacramento, California Sacramento German Genealogical Society "Marriages in Germany" with Roger P Minert. St. Mark's United Methodist Church. For information email: . October 26, Ann Arbor, Michigan: The Genealogical Society of Washtenaw County, MI, presents Sandra H. Luebking at an all-day conference at Washtenaw Community College between Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor, Michigan. Contact Carolyn Lucado Griffin, 1200 South Harris, Ypsilanti, MI 48198-6513; call (734) 482-8029; e-mail or check their Web site for details http://www.hvcn.org/info/gswc/workshop02.htm. October 26, Glendale, California: The Immigrant Genealogical Society will present an all day seminar, "I Got Stuck, What Clue Did I Miss?" Guest speaker will be Shirley Reimer and two problem solving sessions will be offered. For more information contact Marilyn at (818) 348-6444 or e-mail Emma Price at . October 26, Manhattan, Kansas: Riley County (Kansas) Genealogical Society will sponsor an all day fall seminar. Featured speaker will be Arlene H. Eakle. The seminar will be held at Pottorf Hall, Cico Park in Manhattan. For a registration form and more information, send a SASE to RCGS, c/o Seminar Chairman, 2005 Claflin Rd, Manhattan, KS 66502-3415, or visit the Web site at: http://www.rileycgs.com October 26, San Mateo, California: San Mateo County Genealogical Society Seminar with Jana Black, "Publishing on the Web (choosing an ISP, designing the site, graphics, digital cameras..." First Presbyterian Church, Geneva Hall, West 25th & Hacienda. For information: email Helen Chrisman, October 26, Santa Rosa, California: The Sonoma County Genealogical Society and the local Family History Center will co-sponsor an all day Family History Fair. For more information see the Web site at http://www.rootsweb.com/~cascgs/prelim.htm Contributed by Jonelle Ellis Russell -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= News Item :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: Temporary Closing Date Announcement: Genealogy Department of the Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne, Indiana The Historical Genealogy Department of the Allen County Public Library will close for relocation on Saturday, December 14, 2002 at 6pm. The department will remain closed through the month of January 2003. This is to allow time to move all our materials to our interim location. The current building will be going through renovation and expansion. * Will materials be available? All our research materials will be available up until Saturday, December 14 at 6pm. At that time the department will be closed so we can move all our materials to our interim location. When the library opens at that location, we will have all our books, microforms and periodicals ready for research. * Why will we be closed? Closing the department will allow us to move the whole collection at once instead of doing it piecemeal. This will ensure that the materials you are coming to Fort Wayne to use for your research will be available when you arrive, offering the full collection for our researchers. If we moved pockets of materials, what you needed for your research might not be available. By moving the whole collection at once it will ensure that the materials you are interested in will be available until we close on December 14th, and when we reopen in late January 2003. * Where will the interim location be? The interim location of the Allen County Public Library will be at 200 East Berry St., Fort Wayne, Indiana. Locally, it is called Renaissance Square. It is 5 blocks to the east from the current library. There will be limited free parking available; there is also a pay parking garage across the street and more than 150 metered spaces in close proximity. * What will the interim location be like? One of the most exciting things about our interim location is that the genealogy collection will be a browsing collection. All the materials will be out and available for the researcher to retrieve them. Materials will not have to be paged; the shelves will be open. * How long will we be in the interim location? The projected time frame is 2-3 years. * How can I find out more information? Visiting the library web site http://www.acpl.lib.in.us or phoning the department at 260-421-1225 is the best way to get current relocation information. This is a very exciting time for all of us, librarians and researchers alike. Our goal is to keep our patrons informed and continue to offer the highest level of customer service possible now, in our interim location, and in our newly renovated library. For further contact, please phone the department or email Curt Witcher, Manager, Historical Genealogy Department-ACPL at or Susan Kaufman Tavenner, Librarian, Historical Genealogy Department-ACPL at Please publish and/or pass this information on to all others that might be interested. Thank you! Sincerely, Curt Witcher, Manager, Historical Genealogy Department Susan Kaufman Tavenner, Librarian, Historical Genealogy Department -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= News Item :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: TPCGS Annual Fall Seminar, October 26, 2002 http://www.rootsweb.com/~watpcgs/activity.htm The Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society, in Washington State, is proud to announce its upcoming Fall Seminar, featuring a nationally recognized and popular speaker: Hank Jones, FASG http://www.hankjones.com/ Lecture topics will be: --Tracing the Origins of Early 18th Century Palatine Emigrants --When The Sources Are Wrong --Family Tradition: How to Separate Fact from Fiction in Genealogical Research --Genealogy in the New Millennium: Where We've Been and Where We're Going The seminar will be held at: Tacoma Elks Lodge 1965 Union Avenue South Tacoma, Washington Schedule: Registration: 8:00 - 8:45am Lectures Begin: 9:00am Lunch Break: 11:40am - 1pm Lectures Continue: 1pm - 4pm Registration - By October 15, 2002, $25.00 After October 15th, $30.00 Luncheon by Elks, $12.00 Special Drawing for Handheld Organizer, $1.00 per ticket Make checks payable to TPCGS and mail* to: Marie Hayden, Registrar 4010 No. 36th St. Tacoma, WA 98407 *You must enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope or you will not receive your confirmation or drawing tickets! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= News Item :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: Pennington Research Association Annual Reunion/Meeting The Pennington Research Association http://www.penningtonresearch.org is holding its' 2003 Annual Reunion/Meeting in San Rafael, California (a suburb of San Francisco) July 24 through 27, 2003. Pennington researchers are invited to attend this exciting event. We will have a full day of genealogical presentations, a tour of San Francisco and on Saturday, July 26, 2003, Cyndi Howell will be our guest speaker. Saturday evening is our annual banquet. Even if you do not wish to attend the full conference, you are invited to hear Cyndi Howells' presentation on Saturday. Cyndi Howells is one of the most well known and respected speaker about genealogy and the Internet. Cyndi Howells is the owner and webmaster of Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet, http://www.CyndisList.com, a categorized index to over 128,400 online resources. It has three times been voted the best genealogy site on the Web and receives more than 3 million visits each month. Cyndi, a genealogist for more than 20 years, is a member of the board of directors for the National Genealogical Society. She writes for magazines and is the author of two books for genealogical research on the Internet titled, Netting Your Ancestors and Cyndi's List. Seating for Cyndi's presentation will be limited to about 400 people so sign ups will be on a first come first seated basis. The cost for Cyndi's presentation will be around $30 per person (lunch is included). The event will start at 10:00 am and end at 3:00 pm. The Pennington Research Association will start accepting reservations for this exciting event in February, 2003 so check our web site for registration information often. For more information, go to: http://www.penningtonresearch.org/news_events/Meetings/2003mtg.htm . The Pennington Research Association is a not-for-profit charitable corporation as defined in section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donors may deduct contributions to the Pennington Research Association as provided in section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code. Bequests, legacies, devises, transfers, or gifts to the Pennington Research Association are deductible for Federal estate and gift tax purposes if they meet the applicable provisions of sections 2005, 2106, and 2522 of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributed by Gene Pennington E-mail: Research Director Pennington Research Association http://www.penningtonresearch.org -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Previous Issues of UpFront with NGS :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: Did you miss an issue of UpFront with NGS? Previous issues are located at http://www.NGSgenealogy.org/upfront/archives/ Searchable issues of UpFront with NGS are on RootsWeb: http://listsearches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl?list=NGS -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Family Reunion Calendar :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: To add your family reunion to this calendar, please send an announcement to To view a complete list of other coming events visit http://www.NGSgenealogy.org/newscoming.htm October 11-13 Pierre CHASTAIN Family Association holds its 27th annual reunion at Quality Inn, Thomasville Georgia. Contact: Tim Chastain, (229) 226-4263; e-mail: ; Web site: http://kopower.com/~jimchstn/ October 11-13 The 2002 ALFORD American Family Association Reunion and Annual Meeting will be held at the Westcoast Salt Lake Hotel, 161 West 600 South, Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 11 through October 13. There will be a genealogy workshop on Friday, a reception Friday night followed by a Saturday morning business meeting and an afternoon Alford Family Forum. The annual Saturday night buffet will be followed by the presentation of awards to the members who have provided outstanding services to the Association during the past year. For additional information, please contact one of the following: Max Alford, President, ; Doris Vetri, Secretary/Treasurer, ; Ramona Darden, Meetings Chairperson, ; Morris Myers, Vice-president, ; or Gil Alford, . October 11-14 O MAHONY Society Reunion as follows: When: Columbus Day Weekend October 11-14, 2002 Location: Baltimore, MD Contact Person: Diane Mahoney Nanci Mahoney For more information about the weekend: http://members.aol.com/daililli/O_MahonyHome.html October 15-17 ALFORD AMERICAN FAMILY ASSOCIATION, INC. 15th annual convention. National family reunion for Alford, Alvord, Halford, etc. All persons of those and similar surnames welcome. Registration is required. West Coast Salt Lake Hotel, Salt Lake City, UT. http://www.alfordassociation.org ; AAFA, POB 1586, Florissant, MO 63031; 314-831-8648 October 18-19 The 2002 SUFFRIDGE/SULFRIDGE Family Reunion will be Friday and Saturday, October 18 & 19, 2002 at the Southside Baptist Church, 24th St. and Doncaster Ave., Middlesboro, KY. Lynda Suffridge will be speaking on "The Suffridge/Sulfridge Men in the Civil War." For further information contact Peggy Jane Stevens at Please put "Sufridge/Sulfridge Reunion" in the subject line. This information was submitted by Lynda Suffridge. June 21, 2003 (new) The PINEGAR Family will be holding the annual PINEGAR family reunion in the Des Moines, IA area on 21 June 2003. We are seeking names and addresses of all relatives so we can contact each and every one possible. We are planning a fun filled day for all and hoping to exchange family pictures along with family history. For further info contact : June 28, 2003 (new) Armand Allard DUPLANTIER: A Family Reunion and Celebration of Armand Duplantier's 250th birthday will be held Saturday, June 28, 2003, at Magnolia Mound Plantation in Baton Rouge, LA. All descendants of Armand Duplantier are invited to attend. If you are a descendant of Armand Duplantier, please mail or e-mail your name, address, phone number and e-mail address to Margo Duplantier Rhinehart, 712 Carondelet St, Mandeville, LA 70448, e-mail: We would also like to have the names and addresses of any other descendants you might know. If possible, please let us know how you are descended. Some of the other family names descended from Armand are Favrot, Peniston, Reynaud, Toca, Hatkinson, Fortin, Laquier, Aucoin, Meffre-Rouzan, Kleinpeter, Burke, Randolf, D'Armond, Hathorn, Noland, Lamon, and others. If you think you might be a descendant but aren't sure, let us know and we will try to help find out. We will put you on our mailing list for this exciting event, and further information will be sent out soon. In the meantime, please visit our website at http://www.duplantier.org. July 4, 2003 The GIACOLETTI family of BISBEE, ARIZONA will be having their family reunion on 04 July 2003 at the GIACOLETTI Ranch in Bisbee, Arizona. If more information is needed please contact July 18, 19, 20, 2003 "Mother Cumberland-A Harvest of Memories: Reunion 2003" will be hosted by the Brady Family Heritage Association on July 18, 19, 20, 2003 at the Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. For more information contact Donna Cuillard at or visit the Brady Family Heritage Association Web site at http://bradyheritage.org/reunion2003.htm -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= How to Submit Items for Publication in UpFront :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: To submit an article, a helpful tip or news for publication, please send e-mail to: Co-Editors: Carla and Dennis Ridenour, or or -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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 Cyndi Howells, -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= NGS Contact Information :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: National Genealogical Society 4527 17th Street North Arlington, Virginia 22207-2399 Phone: (703) 525-0050 or (800) 473-0060 Fax: (703) 525-0052 E-mail: http://www.NGSgenealogy.org Membership http://www.NGSgenealogy.org/member.htm Conferences http://www.NGSgenealogy.org/conf.htm Learning Center http://www.NGSgenealogy.org/edu.htm Member Resource Center http://www.NGSgenealogy.org/libwelcome1.htm Volunteers -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

This thread:

[UpFront: NGS] Vol.1, No. 9, 10 October 2002 by "" <>