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Bucks County
Genealogical Society
December 2016 Newsletter
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President's Message
To all BCGS members and friends:
As we come to the end of yet another year, it is only natural to look back on the year that was. Our BCGS family did well this year, despite bumps in the road and challenges both organizational and personal. We grew from 248 members to 337 as of mid December. We actually made money on the Ancestry Fair by $578. We learned a lot from last year's fair and it shows. Despite difficult years personally for members of the Board, the organization went along smoothly with several members doing more than one job. In addition, BCGS has learned from so many stellar genealogy lecturers in the past year. We have rubbed shoulders with the Best of the Best.
As we begin 2017, I have a fervent wish that someone will volunteer their time to THEIR organization as secretary so each of us will be back to doing the one job for which we were elected.
We look at family in genealogy, not only close blood relatives and those more distantly related but we include friends who are like family. Looking forward let's remember, when we get together with our extended families over the holiday season, to truly enjoy each other. I have learned so well this year that photos, videos and recordings are so very precious as we go through life. So, bring that camera, video recorder and voice recorder to those family gatherings. Ask those questions. At the advice of Amy Johnson Crow, take photos of the ordinary things at the holidays: a photo of carving the turkey, opening presents, hugging loved ones. They will bring back special memories not always captured by posed pictures.
Finally, I thank all those who worked for BCGS this year: volunteers and Board members. You gave of your heart so we could grow. Regardless of which holiday traditions you hold dear, I wish all the members of BCGS, joy and happiness in the New Year.
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Join us at our meeting on
Saturday, January 7, 2017
10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
at the David Library of the American Revolution
1201 River Rd., Washington Crossing, PA
(Park behind the building and use the Conference Center entrance.)
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LINEAGE SOCIETY WORKSHOP
presented by
MARGUERITE ANN BOCK MOGILA
Lineage societies are organizations that require members to be direct descendants of a specific person or of one of a particular group of persons, depending on the society. The Daughters of the American Revolution and the Mayflower Society are among the more prominent lineage societies.
During our research we have gathered many documents with various information regarding our ancestors and we feel confident that we have proven our kinship. But have we?
This workshop will help you identify whether your document is an original source or derivative, primary or secondary, direct or indirect, and how it relates to an application for membership in a lineage society.
Marguerite Ann Bock Mogila is a Charter Member of the Bucks County Genealogical Society. She is also a member of the Lineage Research Committee of the Washington Crossing Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, having completed their three Genealogy Education Programs. Marguerite, of Scotch, Irish and English heritage, has been researching her family for thirty years. Influenced by the 1944 movie, The Canterville Ghost, she has been romanticizing about her ancestors, but hasn't found a family ghost yet! She is currently working on membership to the Mayflower Society and the Daughters of the War of 1812.
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The meeting is open to the public. Reservations are not needed.
Cost is $5 for members and $10 for non-members.
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COFFEE AND REFRESHMENTS ARE NEEDED!
If you are willing to get coffee at the Dunkin' Donuts in Washington Crossing, you will be reimbursed at the meeting. Please contact Marilyn Cook (so that we don't have too many folks bringing coffee) and to get directions.
If you would like to bring cookies, munchkins, etc., your meeting fee will be discounted.
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Learn about the
David Library of the American Revolution
on February 4, 2017
Librarian Katherine Ludwig will tell us about the history of the David Library and talk about the library's collections and services.
We've been holding our meetings at the David Library for five (5) years. It will be great to find out what happens outside our meeting room at this wonderful facility.
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DearMYRTLE is coming
to BCGS on March 7, 2017!
Through the wonderful world of technology, Ol' Myrt will appear "virtually" from her office, direct via the internet, on Saturday, March 4, 2017.
The presentation will begin at 10:00 am in the David Library of the American Revolution, 1201 River Rd., Washington Crossing, PA. Ol' Myrt will tell us about the 7 HABITS of Highly Effective Genealogy.
The BCGS VP-Programs, Jeff Sipler, has been working with the David Library to set up the technology for this session. It is a great way for us to have a presentation by nationally-known Ol' Myrt.
Mark your calendars and plan to join us!
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COMPREHENSIVE CALENDAR OF EVENTS
The calendar is frequently updated and includes events from all over the country. Be sure to check it every month to see what is happening.
Here is the link:
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BEGINNERS CORNER
Are you totally new to genealogy? Don't know where to start or what to do?
If you're not comfortable with the online information, come early to one of the BCGS meetings. Connie Ace staffs our Beginners Corner and can give you some suggestions to help get you started.
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OOPS!!
Last month our newsletter included information from GenealogyInTime Magazine. The magazine article stated that "many immigrants who landed at Ellis Island ended up living in nearby New Jersey" and might be found on the New Jersey state census of 1865.
One of our newsletter recipients (thank you, Diane!) suggested that someone needs to check the dates! We did...Ellis Island was the nation's busiest immigrant inspection station from 1892 to 1954. It doesn't seem to connect to that 1865 census, does it?!
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DEARMYRTLE's BLOG
DearMYRTLE's blog of 12/6/16 highlights information received it from Fold3.com. That organization commemorates Pearl Harbor 75th anniversary with free access to WWII records and stories honoring living survivors Here is the link to DearMYRTLE's blog:
If you would like direct access to
Fold3's World War II Collection (i
t is
free
during December), here is the link:
https://go.fold3.com/wwii/
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OPENING ON THE BCGS BOARD
The BCGS does not have an elected secretary for the board for 2017.
Can you help? The BCGS secretary takes minutes at ten monthly board meetings. (The board does not meet in June and December.)
For more information about the secretary position,
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REQUEST FOR HELP FROM ACROSS THE OCEAN!
I am researching our family (Watson/ Pearson/Fell) who left England in 1702 and went to live in Buckingham Bucks County. I have their history back to 1540 and some history from online Bucks County websites. I am at present writing a book on their journey to America and their life.
I am looking to see if a bible that Elener Pearson took with her is still in the hands of the Fell family as I would like to get a photo of it. It states in the History of Bucks County that it was still in the hands of the Fell family in 1891. I have sent over twenty e-mails in the last few years to America but have only ever received one answer.
The bible was printed in England in 1688 and was inscribed as follows:
Elener Watson, her book, anno domine 1690.
If you have any information, please contact me. Thank you.
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NEW MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY!
At the request of members, the BCGS Board has established a LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP at $250. We welcome any who would like to join or renew for the new category.
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Membership Fees for One Year Membership
Individual $20 Dual/Household $35
Organization $75
Lifetime $250
Our membership fees help to pay for speakers, facility rental, website costs, insurance and more. Membership in BCGS is on a rolling basis and lasts one year from the month you join.
You don't have to have Bucks County ancestors to enjoy the benefits of membership! Won't you join and help us continue to grow?
See a list of BCGS Member Benefits on our website:
Join or renew by mail using our membership application/renewal form , on line on the Society's website via PayPal or by paying with cash or check at our next meeting. And, we now have the ability to accept credit card payments at our monthly meetings!
If you have questions and to get access to the above discounts, contact Pat Gessner, VP-Membership at
[email protected]
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Bucks County Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 826, Washington Crossing, PA 18977
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