TWIG TALK. Newsletter. Founded 1972 Vol. 18 No. 3 March Steve Salter. Muskegon County Building 990 Terrace St. Direct phone #

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1 TWIG TALK Newsletter Founded 1972 Vol. 18 No. 3 March 2018 TWIG TALK A monthly publication of: Muskegon County Genealogical Society c/o Hackley Public Library Torrent House 315 W. Webster Avenue Muskegon, MI mcgs@gmail.com Find & Like Us On President s Report By Dawn Westcomb Kelley - Be on the look-out for announcements regarding Saturday afternoon workshops. We intend to cover subjects such as Basic Scanning, Uploading Pictures to Family Search and Ancestry, How to Get Better Organized, and etc. The workshops will be at the Torrent House, on the 3 rd floor. We welcome suggestions for topics from the membership. What is interesting to you? We ll begin with sign-up sheets at our March meeting. This is the time of the year to make sure your contact information is up-to-date. Every year we have problems communicating with members and sending Twig Talk due to obsolete contact information. Please send your updated information to: 1972mcgs@gmail.com Membership Meeting Thursday, March 8, 2018 Starts at 6:30 p.m. VFW Post 3196, 5209 Grand Haven Rd Killer Blues Headstone Project Steve Salter is the President and Founder of the Killer Blues Non Profit Company, a 501(c) (3) organization. Their mission statement is: The Killer Blues Headstone Project exists to provide headstones for blues artists lying in unmarked graves. Salter has been doing research for over twenty years. He, along with Steve Salter the help of his organization, have been able to locate and mark the grave sites of 92 blues artists, including drummer, Calep Emphery, who had a 31 year career with B. B. King. The Killer Blues Project has also made contributions to seven markers placed by other organizations. The most often asked question of Salter is, how do you find these people? His answer any way you can possibly imagine. C O U N T Y C L E R K R E S E A R C H Muskegon County Building 990 Terrace St. MCGS volunteers are there every Wednesday from 1:00-4:00 p. m. Direct phone # GENEALOGY TIP You may be too close to a research brick wall to view it objectively. Trade problems with a friend, and try to find her missing information while she tries to find yours. This can bring a fresh look to a frustrating situation, and it s fun to help someone else. Page 1 Twig Talk March 2018

2 (Continued from page 1) HOSPITALITY HAPPENINGS By Jane Weber - Our February meeting presented three topics in 20 minute sessions. The subjects given were: 1. Pioneer Certificates by Barb Martin 2. Data Entry or Indexing by Bill Hansen 3. Scanning by Ingrid Porritt & Dawn Kelley Marie Payne will enjoy her Valentine Day with LED heart lights as part her door prize that included a variety of genealogical prizes for her ancestor work. The free draw gave two real-life story books. "Geisha, A Life," will give lucky winner, Gail Taggart, an "eye-opening" view into the ancient, cultural training and living conditions of these girls. Pam Harrison should be captivated by the unfolding mystery of what caused the mental condition of the main character in the book, "Brain on Fire." This became a TV documentary several years ago. The ticket draw gave fortunate Jeanne Strevey the book, " Creating Family Newsletters." She will get 123 ideas for sharing memorable moments. While participating in the program's three features, members and guests were treated with a fully laden table of goodies. The Slaters' furnished water that we appreciate each month. Kari Gordon brought Valentine Snickers to set the month's mood. Her kitchen must have been a busy, aromatic place for it produced yummy brownies and pickle wraps (dills in cream cheese and ham.) Diana Wojton complimented this fare with a selection of veggies plus dip. Sweet tooth lovers got their fix with an assortment of cookies along with much loved banana bread. John Slater loved having this bread with the nuts! Cheese and crackers completed the full array of choices. The society appreciates your effort in providing the snacks!! Bill Hansen gave an update on the cemetery project that presently includes 15 countywide. Diana Wojton's husband had a World War ace great uncle. She shared a framed display honoring John Wojton Items shown were a 1972 newspaper article, medals, his photo and even a flight cards signed by Orville Wright! He had served many places as in French Morocco and Afghanistan. Pam Harrison received some photos from Bonnie Vokits who has visited Mayflower ancestor sites in England. They have some of these early settlers in common. Bonnie, a Mayflower Society member, has been a good resource for our members. Judy Tierney gave a Valentine's story of her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Archibald Mackay. The 1901 Syracuse Herald told the story of their marriage and chivalry that didn't happen! Following the ceremony, they were to take a train for their honeymoon. As was the custom in those days pranksters prepared a send-off. In an attempt to avoid this, the bride sprained her ankle. Thus, the newlyweds had to delay the train ride which left the unknowing, confused pranksters waiting at the station to no avail!! Have you had a recent find, suggestion, item or ancestor story? Be sure to share with us in March! MCGS Magnifying glass selling at monthly meetings / $3.00 for 2 pack, 1 large 90mm & 1 small 60mm. (Continued on page 3) Page 2 Twig Talk March 2018

3 Family History Conference May 2 5 Regular Registration (registration price after March 20, 2018) The National Genealogy Society (NGS) can Help You Travel through Time. Early Bird Regular Registration Meet them in Grand Rapids, MI, for the NGS 2018 Family History Conference, May 2 5. Learn how to trace your ancestors steps through time at sessions designed to advance your family research. You will learn about techniques and resources to get to your roots so you can build your family tree. Join experts and genealogists from all over the U.S. and beyond, for four exciting days! Register at conference.ngsgenealogy.org/register (See the table in the next column for costs). SOCIETY NIGHT As many as 2,000 family historians and professional genealogists will attend the 2018 Family History Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, May 2 5. State and local genealogical and historical societies will be showcasing their organizations at Society Night and in exhibitions on Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m., in the Center Concourse of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. NGS Member / Full Registration (Four Days, 2 5 May) Non-Member / Full Registration (Four Days, 2 5 May) $215 $250 $250 $285 Single Day Registration $115 $125 Social Meal Events Registration closes 20 April 2018 State and local society staff will answer questions about their society s activities, sell their publications, network with other conference guests, and help promote genealogical and historical research. This is a rare chance to reach conference attendees and tell them who you are, what you have done, and what services and resources you have available. The Muskegon Genealogical Society booth is number 408 see location below. Finding Buried Treasure, Using Cemetery GIS Partial Exhibition Hall Layout MCGS Booth #408 Page 3 Twig Talk March 2018

4 MCGS Meetings 2nd Thurs at 6:30 p.m. VFW Post Grand Haven Road March 8 April 12 May 10 June 14 August 90 September 13 October 11 November 8 Meeting & Celebration Starts at 6 p.m. NO meetings in Jul & Dec 2018 Dates to REMEMBER Genealogy Family History Workshops Torrent House Local History & Genealogy Dept., 315 W. Webster 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.. Please pre-register by calling (Limited to six people) March 10 April 14 May 5 September 8 October 13 November 3 NO workshops in Jun, Jul, Aug & December WHAT TO BRING! Any genealogy items you would like to donate for the FREE table. Money to buy 15 Generation Charts $3 ea. Ticket Money Muskegon Genealogical Society Officers President: Dawn Westcomb Kelley Past President: Jane Appleton Schapka Vice President: Ingrid Porritt Secretary: Pat Straley Treasurer: Nancy Clark Spoon Committees County Clerk... Jane Gates Facebook... Norman Dagen Historian... Board Members History Book Project... Kathy DeCormier Hospitality... Jane Weber John & Phyllis Slater Library... Barb Martin Membership... Paula Halloran Newsletter Editor... Tom Porritt Pioneer Cert. Program.. Barb Martin Programs & Publicity... Board Members Special Projects... Dawn Kelley Cemetery Projects... William Hansen Website... Shelly Nelson Board Member... Tom Shepherd Mich. Gen. Council Karen Frazier, Delegate March Ticket Book This Month s Ticket Book Editor s Corner It took me awhile to understand that the reference to a ticket book above was not a book of tickets. I wondered, a book of tickets for what? Well someone finally told me it was a raffle. So, is there anyone else who may not understand that you can buy a ticket to be included in a drawing for the Ticket Book at the monthly meeting? Please note that the early bird registration for the NGS conference must be completed prior to March 20. Page 4 Twig Talk March 2018

5 MUSKEGON COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION NAME PHONE ( ) ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP ADDRESS MEMBERSHIP: 2018 * A membership is from January 1 through December 31 each year * Single $25.00 in the USA $30.00 USD$ Outside the USA New membership Renewal *Renewal membership cards are available on request with SASE Send newsletter by Send newsletter by mail Please make check or money orders payable to MCGS MAIL TO MCGS Attn: MEMBERSHIP C/O HPL - Torrent House 315 W. Webster Ave. Muskegon, MI MCGS USE ONLY Date Rec d: Check # Cash: Amt: MCGS APP MEM Page 5 Twig Talk March 2018