 |
GENTREK Mondays 8-10pm ET Keyword: ROOTS > Chats (only on AOL) |
|
Unk Hiram's Chat Cabins Hosted Chats Monday thru Thursday 8 - 10 pm Central Time |
The Benefits of Joining a Genealogy Society
by Sibyl Creasy of the Van Zandt County Genealogy Society
Unk Hiram's Chat Cabins
April 8, 2003
Sib24: Well, how much time do you have, I can talk about the benefits of joining a society until the cows come home!
Mike: Cows aren't due home for an hour yet...
Sib24: Mike, I love your sense of humor! One of the many reasons for being a part of a society is that you network, meet on a regular basis with other of like minds.
Sib24: Also, it does seem that when you talk about your ancestors to everyone you meet, you meet many third cousins who have just the family information that you have been looking for for years.
Sib24: One of my favorite reasons for joining a society is that you make lifetime friends, or at least I have. You work together, talk together, research together and share frustrations together. What else are friends for?
Sib24: Also, most societies have regular meetings with guest speakers who always have things to share, advice to give and helpful hints about breaking through those brick walls.
Sib24: You know, our ancestors sometimes traveled together, whole communities sometimes, and remained close all their lives. They were, in a sense, a society, a community. If you have trouble finding your ancestor, maybe you will meet some of those descendants.
Sib24: And share information. You would be surprised at how much I have gained by finding someone whose ancestors traveled on the same wagon train from Georgia as my great great grandparents!
Sib24: Am I talking too much?
Bits: When we joined the Delaware Genealogical Society the membership chairperson asked what DE names we were researching.
Bits: Hubby told her McCormick and she said "the John McCormick thats buried at London Tract?" Turns out she is also related to him.
GenHostSharon: Bits :cool
Sib24: Yes, Bits, my society, the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society has a vast surname list.
Sib24: Bits, your experience with the John McCormick just proves my point. And researchers should talk! I have made many contacts through evesdropping!
Bits: Sib.... so true... when we have new folks show up at the meetings we always as what names they're researching... have been many connections made that way
GenHostSharon: Bits, Have I ever told you that my great Grandmother was Sarah Jane McCormick?
Bits: Sharon.... noooooooooooo from where?
GenHostSharon: Bits, AR, her father Marion was born GA
Sib24: I have additional thoughts on societies. The far distant ones are good because they publish many things in their quarterlies that you might not find on your own. Now the local societies give you an opportunity for some very rewarding work.
Sib24: Plus, you never run out of projects, that is for sure, especially transcribing county records. And when you do, you always run across one of your own!
Bits: Sharon.. Hubby's family is almost ALL Delaware McCormick's came from England
GenHostSharon: Bits, Have not got any further back than GA
Sib24: See, by sharing that McCormick story, you might be related! Would that be great?
Bits: OH!!!!!! hmmmmmmm do I want to be related to Sharon?????/ hehehehe
GenHostSharon: Bits, It could be worse :-))
Sib24: About 13 years ago I volunteered to answer all the requests for information that came into our society. Was I being generous? No, I was being foxy! My ancestors were in this county so who would write for info, maybe some of mine who left! And they did!!!
Bits: Sharon... right..... it could be BRAT <very evil grin>
GenHostSharon: Sib, Wow, great opportunity
Sib24: I really have to leave now but if you don't already belong to a local society, I highly recommend it, you will reap many rewards, I can assure you!
Bits: http://www.delgensoc.org
Bits: That's the Delaware Genealogical Society website
Sib24: Thanks for letting me spout off!
GenHostSharon: Sib, Thank you so much!
Mike: Thanks Sib.... come back again....
Sib24: I will talk to you again soon, I really have enjoyed meeting you
all!
