Sussex County Genealogical Society

                             General Meeting, September 20, 2008

 

The September general membership meeting of the Sussex County Genealogical Society (SCGS) occurred at the Rehoboth Beach Public Library at 10:30 a.m.  President Jeanne Davis called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone.  She displayed a book on genealogy by Estelle Rogers Vaughn that has been donated by Mrs. Vaughn’s daughter Louise Lavelle Vaughn Handy to the society.  Jeanne then briefly described the introductory genealogy course which SCGS is presenting at Wilmington University’s Rehobeth location.  It will begin Saturday, September 27 and will consist of four sessions.  Jeanne also related her experience having a tintype restored by First State Photo. 

 

Secretary Diann Sherwin read the minutes of the May 17, 2008 general meeting.  They were approved with one correction. 

 

Carolyn Miller presented the Treasurer’s Report in Jim Blakeslee’s absence. 

Jim reported that the society had $1,776.81 in the bank in May.  Since then $384 in receipts and $59.98 in disbursements leave a balance of $2,100.83. 

He noted that the society has 90 paid memberships—60 individual and 30 family.  The report was accepted subject to audit. 

 

In her role as membership chair, Carolyn also welcomed members and guests.  She announced that three new programs have been added to the Speakers Bureau, two of which will be presented at the meeting.  She also described a new genealogy special interest group “Sussex County Cousins” which will meet for the first time at the Laurel Library on Wednesday, September 24. 

 

Marilyn McMahon discussed Service Committee activities.  She reported briefly on the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) conference in Philadelphia and the Family History Center Conference in Essex, Maryland, both of which were attended by SCGS members.  She also related the activities of the Genealogy Bytes special interest group and said it will continue to meet on the first Thursday of the month at the Milton Library,

2-4 p.m.  The October topic is “Storing Information on Line,” led by web master Dick Cleaveland.  Marilyn stated that the fall discussion group will meet for eight Tuesdays, 2-4 p.m. beginning on September 30.  She briefly described the programs.  Marilyn also announced another field trip to Washington, D.C. on October 8, noting that cars may be going to several locations.

 

Vice President Ralph Nelson presented program information, beginning with the Roadhouse Steakhouse fund raiser.  He noted the availability of information he and Sally collected at the FGS conference.  He announced that the calendar of programs will be in the October SCGS newsletter, and Sally noted that the calendar is already on the web site.  He described the program for the October general meeting. 

 

Nancy Purchase moved to adjourn the meeting.  It was seconded and carried, and the business meeting closed at 11:12 a.m. 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Diann Sherwin, Secretary 

 

 

Program:

Barbara Flexer, a charter member of SCGS presented a program entitled “I’m a What?”, which included reasons to tell your story and ways to preserve it.  She provided handouts, including a very attractive family tree form. 

 

Nancy Purchase presented a program on Names and Naming Patterns, and she also provided an informative handout. 

 

 

Ralph Nelson also noted that on behalf of the SCGS he will be assisting with the transfer of the Wave newspaper’s archives to the Nabb Center at Salisbury University.