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NOW ONLINE! PA Reports on Mining Activities Genealogy Club of the Greater Harrisburg YMCA - West Shore Branch Directory of Pennsylvania Genealogical, Historical and Preservation Societies |
The regular monthly meeting of the Capital Area Genealogical Society was held January 11, 2004, at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church. President Esther Richwine called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. Twenty-nine members and guests were present. Secretary Freda Yocum read the minutes of the November meeting. A motion to accept the minutes was made and seconded. In treasurer Marion O’Neal’s absence, board member Molly Ulsh read the treasurer’s report, which is on file with these minutes. Audit committee chair Freda Yocum then read the audit committee report. President Richwine reported that the board released funds to pay for the fall and winter quarterlies. The publications committee will be comparing the costs of these two quarterlies they prepared with the ones Bob Viguers did in the past. President Richwine also reported that we have no new meeting place as yet. She and Molly Ulsh will talk with Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church about continuing to meet there. Member Karen Schmidt suggested the Faith Presbyterian Church, where her husband is pastor, on Colonial Road. In program committee news, we hope to have the year’s programs finalized in time to print in the winter quarterly. At our February meeting, Molly Ulsh will speak on the early churches in the Harrisburg area. President Richwine announced our May 16 field trip to Tulpehocken. We want to get an idea of who’s going to go (since we must make reservations for lunch) and who’s going to drive. We’ll leave about 10:00 from the Christ Lutheran Church lower parking lot. President Richwine also announced that the March and April meetings, as well as the May field trip, will be on the third Sunday of the month. Karl Fox reviewed the index he compiled of our library materials. President Richwine thanked him for all his work in organizing our library materials and compiling the index. President Richwine opened the floor for questions on genealogical research. Molly Ulsh reported that she has been looking for decades for the father of Washington Sheets, born 1825, who lived in the Mifflin/Juniata County area. Freda Yocum asked if anyone knew what or where Gnadenhutten was; she was told it was in the area of present-day Jim Thorpe. New member Jerry Radke said he is looking for someone researching the Carson family in Pa.; he was referred to our surname file. President Richwine reported that we have acquired a Harrisburg and Steelton city directory for 1900 and information on the Crawford family on disc. Sheldon Munn spoke on the 1863 Confederate invasion of Cumberland County. Respectfully submitted, Freda J. Yocum Secretary
The regular monthly meeting of the Capital Area Genealogical Society was held February 8, 2004, at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church. President Esther Richwine called the meeting to order at 2:35 p.m. Twenty-four members and guests were present. Secretary Freda Yocum read the minutes of the January meeting. A motion to accept the minutes was made and seconded. Treasurer Marion O’Neal read the treasurer’s report, which is on file with these minutes. Board member Molly Ulsh reported that she received a letter from Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church stating that they would require $25 rent per meeting for 2004. Member Karen Schmidt reported that Faith Presbyterian Church wants to be welcoming and is reviewing the utility use that would be involved in our meeting there. Colonial Park United Methodist Church was mentioned; we could meet there, but there, like at Christ Evangelical Lutheran, we would have no storage. President Richwine announced the Pa. Historical & Museum Commission’s Family History Afternoon March 14. Our meeting will be moved to March 21. Molly Ulsh and Marion O’Neal will again staff our booth at Family History Afternoon. Molly Ulsh reported that she is looking into a more professional-looking banner for our table. Molly will investigate the possibility of getting one done through Office Max. (They don’t make the banners; they send them out.) Marion O’Neal will check with the Paxton Historical Society to see where they got their banner. President Richwine reminded the group of our field trip May 16. We’ll meet wherever our meetings are being held at that point. We’ll discuss later who’s going to drive and how many they can take. Lunch will be at 11:15 at Stouch’s Tavern. President Richwine reported that our March speaker will be from the Catholic Diocese. Their archivist retired; our speaker will be a senior staff member who’s done genealogy research herself. President Richwine thanked Vice-president Rae Neubaum for pulling together the fall quarterly. President Richwine announced that we’ve received information on several upcoming genealogical events: The Engle family 250th anniversary and reunion in Mt. Joy June 25 through 27; a Hershey Museum-sponsored trip to Salt Lake City May 9 through 16, hosted by Jim Beidler; a Mid-Atlantic Germanic Society seminar April 24 in Bowie, Md., with topics including taxes, finding female ancestors, and finding German ancestors; and the Lancaster Family History Conference March 26 & 27 at the Lancaster Mennonite School. President Richwine said that we didn’t sell or give away a thing at the table she and Bob Viguers staffed at the Lancaster Family History Conference last year. However, several members have found the seminars there to be excellent. Board member Karl Fox pointed out the new indexes he compiled of the quarterlies and the cemetery records, and a map showing Dauphin County cemeteries available from the Pa. Department of Transportation and updated from Karl’s cemetery books. Karl reported that Rudolph Dininni and his mother donated four books that she authored. He also reported that he and Harry Focht hope to have all Perry County cemeteries recorded soon. Karl introduced Mr. Charles Fies, who has a website featuring Middletown and Londonderry and Swatara townships. President Richwine opened the floor for questions on genealogical research. A guest asked Karl Fox if his cemetery books give the GPS coordinates for the cemeteries; Karl answered that they do. Molly Ulsh spoke on the early churches in the Harrisburg area and where to find church records. Respectfully submitted, Freda J. Yocum Secretary
The regular monthly meeting of the Capital Area Genealogical Society was held March 21, 2004, at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church. President Esther Richwine called the meeting to order at 2:33 p.m. Sixteen members and guests were present. Secretary Freda Yocum read the minutes of the February meeting. A motion to accept the minutes was made and seconded. In Treasurer Marion O’Neal’s absence, board member Molly Ulsh read the Treasurer’s report, which is on file with these minutes. President Richwine reported that we’ll continue to meet at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church. She thanked Molly Ulsh for her efforts to facilitate that. The church will house our bookcase somewhere. The rent at Christ Evangelical Lutheran is $25 per month. (At Faith Presbyterian, where we had considered meeting, it’s $40 per month.) President Richwine announced that we’re accepting donations to purchase additional books for our library. She asked that no food or drinks be taken into the library area. She also asked the group to check to make sure they hadn’t accidentally removed anything from the library. President Richwine reminded the group of our field trip May 16. We’ll meet at 10 a.m. at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church. Molly Ulsh will verify that it’s okay for us to park in the lower lot that day. After lunch at Stouch Tavern, we’ll tour the Tulpehocken Historical Society, the Conrad Weiser Homestead and a church. Molly Ulsh reported on the State Museum’s Family History Afternoon March 14. There were more tables than in previous years but fewer people in attendance. We sold some of our Genealogy for Beginners. Molly suggested that we request a more visible location in future years. A member of the Polish Society volunteered to speak at one of our meetings and gave us a list of sources for Polish research, which we can publish in a quarterly. Molly also reported that she took a Genealogy for Beginners booklet to the Dauphin County Historical Society, which should generate additional sales, and that she designed new postcards to remind members to renew. President Richwine asked if there were any announcements. Dottie Faris related that she had attended the German Heritage Festival at the HACC Lebanon Campus the previous day and found it very enjoyable. It was also announced that the Hershey Museum’s trip to Salt Lake City, hosted by Jim Beidler, has been postponed until November. President Richwine reported that getting birth and death certificates from the state is now more expensive but can be done on the web. It was also reported that our winter quarterly is ready to go. President Richwine opened the floor for questions on genealogical research. Elizabeth Dettrey related that she is searching for the parents of an ancestor who was a state employee. Neither his death certificate nor his obituary lists his parents, and she wondered if the state would have any records. Marriage records, divorce records, church records, the census, his tombstone, and the funeral director were suggested. Joanne Weber, staff researcher at the Harrisburg Catholic Diocese, spoke on researching Catholic church records and urged researchers to visit the Diocese archives. Respectfully submitted, Freda J. Yocum Secretary
The regular monthly meeting of the Capital Area Genealogical Society was held April 18, 2004, at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church. President Esther Richwine called the meeting to order at 2:33 p.m. Twenty-seven members and guests were present. Secretary Freda Yocum read the minutes of the March meeting. A motion to accept the minutes was made and seconded. Treasurer Marion O’Neal read the treasurer’s report, which is on file with these minutes. Marion O’Neal reported on the Levan Street cemetery. The cemetery committee met with the township commissioners and the neighbor who’s been caring for the cemetery. The township will pay for the clean-up of debris, a sidewalk and a plaque. We’ll be responsible for keeping it clean. The neighbor will be a big help, but we may have to clean up the cemetery each spring. We had talked about putting a bench there; no decision has been made on that. Karl Fox reported on a cemetery he recently found in Swatara Township, which he’s calling the Beucher/Nisley Farm Cemetery. Karl asked the owner if could clean it up, but hasn’t gotten an answer yet. He’ll go back and read the stones, which are in pretty good shape, and some of which are in German. President Richwine thanked Karl for organizing our library and Vice-President Rae Neubaum for getting the quarterly together. Rae said she’s always looking for articles and queries. We’ll be doing sketches of local towns in future issues. Winnie Gould provided an update on the field trip, and President Richwine reminded the group of the July picnic at Coleman’s Park in Lebanon. She’ll have directions in June. Members of the Palmyra Genealogical Society announced some of their upcoming meetings: June 8 – Pa. Dutch & Hessian Soldiers of the Revolutionary War, Community Bible Church, 7:00 p.m.; Aug. 10 – State Library tour, 5 – 8 p.m.; Sept. 14 – beginners workshop. Rae Neubaum announced our June 13 speaker: Mike Weaver will be speaking about T. Morris Chester, a black journalist from Harrisburg during the Civil War. Dottie Faris asked if anyone is researching Quakers; she bought a good book that would be helpful in that pursuit. Rae Neubaum and Winnie Gould reported that our table at the Lancaster Family History Conference was a success. Ruthann Hubbert-Kemper, Executive Director of the Pa. Capitol Preservation Committee, spoke and showed slides on the Capitol preservation effort. Respectfully submitted, Freda J. Yocum Secretary
Field Trip to Stouch Tavern, the Tulpehocken Historical Society, the Conrad Weiser homestead, and nearby Christ Lutheran Church.
The regular monthly meeting of the Capital Area Genealogical Society was held June 13, 2004, at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church. Twenty-seven members and guests were present. Winnie Gould reported on our May field trip. Twenty-two members and guests had lunch at Stouch Tavern, then visited the Tulpehocken Historical Society, the Conrad Weiser homestead, and nearby Christ Lutheran Church. Next year’s field trip, also on the 3rd Sunday in May, will be to the Gratz Historical Society. Treasurer Marion O’Neal read the treasurer’s report, which is on file with these minutes. Marion also reported on the Levan Street cemetery. We will maintain it and put in a bench. The township will pay for a sidewalk, which is in place, and a plaque, which is on order. Secretary Freda Yocum read the minutes of the March meeting. Karl Fox corrected the location of the Beucher/Nisley Cemetery to read Lower Swatara Township. A motion to accept the minutes as amended was made and seconded. President Richwine reminded everyone of our picnic July 11 at Coleman Park in Lebanon, Pavilion 3. Food will be served at 12:30. Afterwards, attendees may stay or go take a ride on the Union Canal. Charlotte Lotz reported that SeniorNet, a national group, is giving a genealogy course at Rutherford House. It starts in September, meets once a week for 4 weeks (although that didn’t jive with the dates President Richwine has), and there is homework. The cost is $40, plus $40 to join SeniorNet, plus $35 for Family Tree Maker software and book. President Richwine reminded the group that our August meeting is a work day, with no speaker scheduled. She encouraged both members and guests to attend. Karl Fox will talk that day about the books and publications in our library. We’ll be gathering ideas for speakers and updating our surname file. Discussion of our surname file followed; most surnames are on our website. President Richwine reported that she attended a meeting of the Lower Paxton Township Historical Society. They’ve cleaned up Newside Cemetery, are planning an "affair" in September, with the public invited, and planning a historical marker at Crum’s Mill. President Richwine also announced the Boyer Reunion and 100th Anniversary July 24 & 25 in Summerdale. Karl Fox reported that Charlotte Lotz donated a Lower Paxton Centennial book to our library. After today, the books will be in the cabinet, not on the tables. No eating or drinking is permitted in the library. The library is still free; donations are accepted. Karl reported that he, with help from Helen Foreman, located the Engle Farm Cemetery in Lower Swatara Township. He also reported that he located 5 more cemeteries in Perry County; the information on those is at the Perry Historians. President Richwine opened the floor for questions on genealogical research. There were none. Mike Weaver spoke on T. Morris Chester, an African-American journalist, and later attorney, from Harrisburg, who reported on the Civil War. Respectfully submitted, Freda J. Yocum Secretary
Picnic at Coleman Park in Lebanon. hosted by the Palmyra Area Genealogical Society.
The regular monthly meeting of the Capital Area Genealogical Society was held August 8, 2004, at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church. President Esther Richwine called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. Fourteen members and guests were present. Secretary Freda Yocum read the minutes of the June meeting. Charlotte Lotz amended her report on SeniorNet’s genealogy course to indicate that it’s an 8-week course. A motion to accept the minutes as amended was made and seconded. President Richwine inquired about the July picnic at Coleman Park in Lebanon. Members reported that the location was nice, the weather was nice, and 25 to 30 people attended. President Richwine thanked the Palmyra Area Genealogical Society for arranging the picnic. Treasurer Marion O’Neal read the treasurer’s report, which is on file with these minutes. It was reported that the Lower Paxton Township Historical Society is planning "A Moment in History" Sept. 12, an all-day event to be held at a park in Lower Paxton Township. President Richwine opened the floor for questions on genealogical research. Freda Yocum asked whether anyone had heard of the Huguenot Society. Several people had and suggested she check the internet. Marion O’Neal reported on the Levan Street cemetery. The neighbor cleaned up the cemetery, and the township cut down trees and put in a sidewalk. CAGS purchased a bench, which is there, but not put in place yet. The plaque has been delivered, and the granite stone is due in mid-August. We hope to have a dedication when the plaque is in place; Marion will contact the Susquehanna Township commissioners to arrange that. Karl Fox reported on the library. There are now two indexes – one for cemetery records and one miscellaneous. Karl is redoing some cemeteries – Union Deposit, Hanoverdale, and Willow Grove – and making indexes. Dottie Fox brought the website www.findagrave.com to the group’s attention. Winnie Gould reported on upcoming speakers: 2004
2005
Suggestions for future picnic sites included Memorial Lake at Indiantown Gap, Fort Hunter, the Ned Smith Center, City Island, and Levitz Park off Route 443. The underground railroad was suggested as a topic for a future speaker. Vice-president Rae Neubaum reported that she has been handling preparing and mailing the quarterly as well as updating the website, and no longer has time to do all that. It was questioned why we do a quarterly rather than a newsletter; other genealogical societies’ publications are considerably shorter than ours. President Richwine indicated it would take a two-thirds vote of the board to amend our by-laws to read newsletter rather than quarterly. Vice-president Neubaum reported that the combined spring/summer quarterly is almost ready. Molly Ulsh volunteered to proofread the one remaining item that needs to be proofread and to try to print labels. Kinkos was also suggested for printing labels. There was discussion about whether switching from a quarterly to a newsletter might mean the loss of out-of-town members. It was felt that it might, but with dues at only $15, we wouldn’t be losing that much income, and our focus seems to be changing to the library anyway. Winnie Gould reported that she will write an article on our surname file for the next quarterly. It was suggested that we put a form in the last quarterly of the year inviting people to submit family group sheets or similar information for the surname file with their dues. Respectfully submitted, Freda J. Yocum Secretary
The regular monthly meeting of the Capital Area Genealogical Society was held September 12, 2004, at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church. President Esther Richwine called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. Twenty-one members and guests were present. Secretary Freda Yocum read the minutes of the August meeting. A motion to accept the minutes was made and seconded. President Richwine reported that the board met September 7 and changed the bylaws to read that we will publish a newsletter rather than a journal. In the absence of Treasurer Marion O’Neal, board member Molly Ulsh read the treasurer’s report, which is on file with these minutes. In accordance with the bylaws, President Richwine requested nominations for a nominating committee. Jim Gould, Rae Neubaum and Freda Yocum were nominated and agreed to serve. The election will be held in November, with the new officers beginning their terms in December. President Richwine opened the floor for questions on genealogical research. A guest asked how to get started researching genealogy on the internet. RootsWeb.com, our "Getting started" kit, Cyndi’s list, and FamilySearch.org were suggested. President Richwine reported on the dedication of the memorial plaque at the Levan Street cemetery September 10, and cited the project as a fine example of cooperation between government (in this case, Susquehanna Township) and private citizens. The neighbor is taking care of the cemetery, but we will have to help with the leaves in the fall. Karl Fox thanked Jeannette Bender for the book she donated to our library. He reported on several new books in the library, including binders for the Willow Grove Cemetery index and for the Perry Historians, and a Willow Grove Cemetery book in row order. Karl is looking for a German Baptist cemetery, supposedly on Union Deposit Road in Lower Paxton Township. Warren Wirebach, librarian for the Dauphin County Historical Society, indicated that he could furnish the cemetery location if given the inscriptions. Karl also recommended the Dauphin County map, which now shows all 247 cemeteries he has located in the county. William Minsker spoke on the Linglestown improvement project. He indicated that he has an excellent contact in Poland for anyone doing research on Polish genealogy. Respectfully submitted, Freda J. Yocum Secretary
The regular monthly meeting of the Capital Area Genealogical Society was held October 10, 2004, at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church. President Esther Richwine called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. Twenty-one members and guests were present. Peter Siebert, who appeared courtesy of the Pa. Humanities Council, spoke and showed slides on the Scots-Irish. Secretary Freda Yocum read the minutes of the September meeting. A motion to accept the minutes was made and seconded. In the absence of Treasurer Marion O’Neal, Freda Yocum read the treasurer’s report, which is on file with these minutes. President Richwine opened the floor for questions on genealogical research. Program committee chair Winnie Gould reported on encountering a genealogical file at the Latter Day Saints library that was "encased", i.e. accessible only to Mormons, and asked if anyone knew why that would be the case. It was suggested that perhaps it was donated by a Mormon who specified that only another Mormon should be able to see it. President Richwine announced our next meeting Nov. 14, when the nominating committee will report, and when William Doyle will speak on Lower Paxton Township historical sites. Members Dottie Faris and Dave Kipp announced the next meeting of the Palmyra Area Genealogical Society, and Vice-President Rae Neubaum announced that the West Shore YMCA Genealogical Society will present a program Nov. 7 at the Silver Spring Presbyterian Church on Tobias Hendricks, one of the first settlers on the West Shore. Member Betty Hummel reported that Harrisburg State Hospital, the first mental hospital in the state, has its first admission book (1851-1881), as well as a record of over 280 burials at the Hospital. She will be compiling this information and will see that CAGS gets a copy. Respectfully submitted, Freda J. Yocum Secretary
The regular monthly meeting of the Capital Area Genealogical Society was held November 14, 2004, at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church. President Esther Richwine called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. Twenty-three members and guests were present. William Doyle of the Lower Paxton Township Historical Society spoke and showed slides on Lower Paxton Township historical sites. He invited everyone to the Historical Society meetings, which are held at 7 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at the Township Building. Secretary Freda Yocum read the minutes of the October meeting. A motion to accept the minutes was made and seconded. Treasurer Marion O’Neal read the treasurer’s report, which is on file with these minutes. Treasurer O’Neal announced that she is accepting dues for 2005. President Richwine circulated a sign up sheet for refreshments for 2005. President Richwine appointed an audit committee of Freda Yocum and board member Karl Fox, in addition to Treasurer O’Neal, to perform an audit and prepare a report by the December meeting. Vice-president Rae Neubaum presented a report of the nominating committee of herself, Freda Yocum, and Jim Gould. The committee nominated Esther Richwine for president, Freda Yocum for secretary, Marion O’Neal for treasurer, and Karl Fox, Winnie Gould and Molly Ulsh for board members. Vice-president Neubaum asked if anyone present would be willing to join the board as vice-president. Molly Ulsh agreed to be nominated for vice-president, but stated that she will not be president in the future. Vice-president Neubaum then agreed to be nominated for the remaining position on the board. This slate of officers was then elected by acclimation. President Richwine recognized Charlotte Lotz, who is retiring from the board, for her long years of service to the Society. President Richwine then asked if there were any announcements. Karl Fox announced that he has Manada United Christian Cemetery recorded and in a book in our library. He asked for help reading Blue Ridge Cemetery, probably beginning in January. President Richwine stated that she would like to include in her press releases a description of what Karl is doing in reading cemeteries. Karl stated that he has 1000 cemeteries recorded, but can’t afford to make copies. President Richwine suggested the possibility that CAGS might pay to make copies. A guest asked if a transcription was done of Churchville Cemetery, to which Karl answered no. Another guest asked if the Society had thought of creating e-books to make money. Rae Neubaum said she’d discuss the idea with the guest after the meeting. President Richwine announced our next meeting December 12, which will be our Christmas party. Our program will be "treasures from the attic", a sort of genealogical show-and-tell, an idea we got from the Palmyra Area Genealogical Society. In response to a question, it was decided that the library will be open as usual that day. Annabelle Hoffman announced that she got a phone call on the Hoovers of upper Dauphin County, which enabled her to add two generations to her information. A guest asked if anyone was researching Millers in Dauphin County and was referred to our surname file. Respectfully submitted, Freda J. Yocum Secretary
The regular monthly meeting of the Capital Area Genealogical Society was held December 12, 2004, at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church. President Esther Richwine called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. Fifteen members and guests were present. Molly Ulsh announced that Evelyn Miller is looking for help with the Bupp family, and that Keith Nonemaker, who will be presenting our February program, requests that people send surnames for him to analyze for that program to his e-mail address, knonemaker@aol.com, by January 15. Winnie Gould related that Ancestry.com is offering a 14-day free trial. This includes One World Tree, which is other people’s contributions of their pedigree charts, etc.; and birth, death, and census records from England, compiled by Ancestry.com. Dottie Fox commented that Rootsweb is free, and that people who formerly used Ancestry.com are rather annoyed because they freely gave their information, and now Ancesty.com is charging people to see it. Both Dottie and Winnie clarified that one must cancel at the end of 14 days to avoid being charged, and Dottie expressed doubts about being able to reach them to cancel. Karl Fox reported that recording Blue Ridge cemetery is almost done, except the part that Jeanette Bender is going to do, and that his new projects will include Prospect Hill, probably in the spring. President Richwine announced that, rather than Family Heritage Afternoon, the State Museum will have Family Heritage Day, Saturday, March 12 from 10 to 4. She asked if we should participate; the consensus was that we should. She also announced that she will be naming committees for next year at the January meeting. President Richwine asked if there were any genealogical questions. Freda Yocum asked if anyone knew the meaning of the name Hoover. She was told that this would be a good question for Keith Nonemaker. President Richwine reminded everyone that it’s time to pay dues for 2005. There was discussion of our newsletter exchanges with other Societies. It was decided that we should stop sending to the Tulpehocken Historical Society, as we’ve never gotten anything from them. There was also discussion about a site for our July picnic. Koons Park, Levitz Park, and City Island were suggested. Rae Neubaum reported that all programs for next year are now listed on the website. Everyone shared their "treasures from the attic". Respectfully submitted, Freda J. Yocum Secretary
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