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C lorado Genealogical Society Newsletter

P.O. Box 9218, Denver, Colorado 80209-0918 http://www.rootsweb.com/~cocgs

Volume 29, Number 1

“I only do genealogy on days of the week that end in Y” Donna Porter

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February 18, 2005 7:00 PM

“The Irish Community in Leadville”

presented by James Walsh, Ph.D.

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March 18, 2005 7:00 PM

“Swedish Hospital and the Tubucular Movement

In Colorado” presented by

Rebecca Hunt, Ph.D.

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April 15, 2005

7:00 PM Thomas Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL

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What’s Inside

Programs............................1

From the Editor.................2

Allen Co. Public Library...3

Iris Agard Hawkins............3

CGS Program Schedule......4

NGS Call for Papers...........5

CGS Seminar....................6

Pat Allen.............................7

FGS Conference..................8

CGS Newsletter Vol. 29, No. 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From The Editor Help Wanted After a couple or so years of editing and writing this newsletter, I’ve decided that I need to give up the job to another competent CGS member. There are lots of competent members at CGS. Gathering the information and placing it into this newsletter takes me approximately eight hours, so don’t be intimidated by the idea of spending too many hours at the job. I place the newsletter into Adobe, in other words, pdf. format and I email it to Nancy Ratay, who is the editor of the CGS quarterly. She takes the electronic file along with her quarterly file to the printer, and the newsletter is placed into the quarterly. At this time, the newsletter editor has no mailing tasks, no print jobs to take care of, and the newsletter is written 4 times a year instead of the former 6 times a year. So…would you take over this job? and soon? CGS Annual Seminar In April, the same weekend you complete your taxes, you have the opportunity to forget the bad news and learn the good news. On Saturday April 16th, CGS presents a day-long seminar at DPL. Dr. Tom Jones will come to Denver and give us a fulfilling and exciting day of genealogical discovery. This quiet, modest man knows his stuff. He is deceptively quiet, but when he speaks, you learn. Dr. Jones was awarded the 2004 Grahame T. Smallwood Jr. Award of Merit by the Association of Professional Genealogists. President J. Mark Lowe, CG, remarked: “Tom Jones leads by example. He has worked in a leadership role to increase genealogical standards through his commitment to volunteer activities, lecturing, writing, and teaching genealogical research methodology.”

Dr. Jones is famous for using interesting case studies to demonstrate genealogical problem-solving skills while using the Genealogical Proof Standard, a method to evaluate the credibility of research conclusions.

Dr. Jones is co-editor of the National Genealogical Society Quarterly. He has more than forty years of research and teaching experience in genealogy and education. A Certified Genealogist (CG) and Certified Genealogical Lecturer (CGL), Dr. Jones earned a doctorate degree in early childhood special education at the University of Pittsburgh. Since 1981, he has been a faculty member at Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C., where he instructs students specializing in multiple disabilities and early education.

See you there!

Bobbi King

CGS Newsletter Vol. 29, No. 1 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana, will accept your genealogical manuscript. The Allen County Public Library’s long-standing service to genealogists includes this: sent an unbound "master copy" to the Historical Genealogy Department. In exchange for the privilege of allowing them to make one photocopy for their collection, they will provide to the contributor of the work one complimentary, bound photocopy for his or her own collection. Additionally, they will return the original master copy. It is a great way to make sure your work is preserved and available for future generations. Having a copy of your work at their library ensures that your work is secure from disaster. If you are interested in taking advantage of this service, mail your unbound master copy to: Steve Myers, Assistant Manager Historical Genealogical Department PO Box 2270, Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270. Include a note that simply reads, "Photocopy Exchange Program.."

(This information was obtained from the Saginaw Genealogical Society Newsletter, November 2004 issue), submitted by Marge Stephens. The Allen County Library is at its temporary location: 200 East Berry St., Fort Wayne, IN 46801 (phone 260-421-1200). The library is undergoing remodeling, and has space available for retaining your manuscript. One of the largest and best-known genealogical libraries in the United States, Allen County Library is a destination for American genealogists. For a complete listing of their collections, visit their web site at: http://www.acpl.lib.in.us. When you see their vast assortment of genealogical resources, you might begin planning a trip there very soon. Even though undergoing remodeling, the library remains open and all resources are available to the public.

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Iris Agard Hawkins, Colorado genealogist, DPL volunteer, CGS active volunteer, was featured in the magazine Active Living, in the October 15th, 2004 issue, on page 6. She talked about her early years in New York, her retirement and volunteerism here in Colorado, and her family. Iris is CGS liaison to DPL. which means she coordinates the book acquisitions made under the auspices of CGS and reposited onto DPL library shelves. She is a frequent visitor to the library, where she performs research and her volunteer duties under the guidance of Janice Prater and James Jeffrey. CGS volunteers are active in other parts of their lives (there’s a life apart from genealogy?). We salute those who donate their time and talents in helping others.


Colorado Genealogical Society Program Schedule DATE EVENT LOCATION

Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2005 10 am - noon

Aches & Pains Walking Tour -- Denver County Clerk and Recorder’s Office

Webb Bldg., 201 W. Colfax Ave., Dept. 101, First Floor

Saturday, Jan. 8, 10:30 am – 2:30 pm

Beginning Genealogy Class – Lou-Jean Rehn Downtown DPL, Gates Rm. 5th Floor

Saturday, Jan. 15, 10:30 am – 3:00 pm

CGS Special Interest Class Oral History Interview Techniques – Andrea Gross Heritage Scrapbook Albums – Marie Hulquest Putting Your Genealogy into Writing – C. Darrow

Downtown DPL, Gates Rm. 5th Floor

Friday, Jan. 21, 7 – 9:30 pm

CGS Program Meeting. Topic: “Using Oral Histories to Reconstruct a Colorado Community.” Speaker: Virginia Sanchez

Glendale Community Center, 999 S. Clermont, Glendale (near Colorado Blvd. and Mississippi)

Saturday, Jan. 29, 10:30 am – 4 pm

5th Saturday Class – Massachusetts Mayflower – Gladys Gallegher Salem Witches – Bill Sheets New England Tombstones – Trina Purcell Town Records – Lou-Jean Rehn Research Resources – James Jeffrey


Wednesday, Feb. 2, 10-12 noon

Aches & Pains Walking Tour, Colorado Rail Museum, Golden, 10 am – noon

Meet at the Rail Museum, Golden

Saturday, Feb. 12, 10:30 am – 2:30 pm


Friday, Feb. 18, 7 – 9:30 pm

CGS Program Meeting. Topic: “The Irish Community in Leadville.” Speaker: James Walsh, Ph.D.


Saturday, Feb. 19, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm

CGS Special Interest Class Topic: European Research from Home German Research – Nancy Ratay Italian Research – Barbara Larsen Researching at Home and Abroad – Joe Cahn


Wednesday, March 2 Aches & Pains Walking Tour – Colorado State Archives, 10-11 am

Colorado State Archives, 1313 Sherman St., Downtown Denver

Saturday, March 12, 10:30 am – 2:30 pm


Friday, March 18, 7 – 9:30 pm

CGS Program Meeting. Topic: “Swedish Hospital and the Tubercular Movement in Colorado.” Speaker: Rebecca Hunt, Ph.D.


Saturday, March 19, 10:30 am – 3 pm

CGS Special Interest Class Topic: Medical Genealogy DNA Studies and Their Genealogical Impact – Earl Beaty Records that Reveal Ancestors’ Medical History – Pat Roberts


Wednesday, April 6, 10 am – noon

Aches & Pains Walking Tour**

Saturday, April 9, 10:30 am – 2:30 pm


Friday, April 15 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

CGS Program Meeting Speaker: Thomas Jones, co-editor of NGS Quarterly


Saturday, April 16 10:30 am – 4 pm

Annual CGS Seminar Speaker: Thomas Jones, co-editor of NGS Quarterly (Cost $25 plus lunch)

Downtown DPL, Conference Center

**Contact Karen Shuman for registration and details on walking tours at (303) 759-0331. All programs listed are free EXCEPT Annual Seminar on April 16. Contact Carol Darrow for all other program information at (303) 287-6063 or www.unravelingyourpast.net


National Genealogical Society

Call for Papers for their Conference in the States

Chicago, Illinois

June 7-10 2006

Proposal Deadline – 1 April 2005

The National Genealogical Society is pleased to accept lecture proposals for the NGS Conference in the States which will held in Chicago, Illinois, 7–10 June 2006.

The program committee invites you to submit lecture proposals for potential presentations at this conference. Possible presentation topics include ethnic oriented subjects, immigration, migration, and regional records. NGS also encourages proposals on methodology and skill building, use of technology, and Internet resources. The committee will consider proposals on records generated by all groups, both civil and religious, as well as information on regional libraries and repositories. Sponsored lecture proposals are welcome.

Sessions are generally limited to one hour. Camera-ready handout material, due in 2006, is required for each lecture or workshop presentation and will be included in the syllabus distributed to all conference registrants.

Title of the presentation and a brief but comprehensive outline

Short summary of the lecture for the program brochure. The word count of title plus description should not exceed forty words

Identification of the audience level: beginner, intermediate, or advanced

Overhead or slide projectors will be provided by NGS; speakers requiring digital projectors must provide their own

Speaker's full name, address, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail address

Brief speaker biography (two or three sentences)

Resume of recent lectures the speaker has given. Those who have not spoken previously at a regional or national conference are encouraged to submit an audio tape or videocassette of a recent lecture

Each speaker may submit any number of proposals. NGS members will be given first consideration as speakers. Lecturers will receive compensation, travel expenses, per diem, and hotel accommodations based on the number of lectures given. Complimentary conference registration and publications are also included.

CGS Newsletter Vol. 29., No. 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Pat Allen is retiring as Chair of the Research Committee. She has been a mainstay of the CGS community for many years, serving on the board of directors as Research Committee representative. Together with her late sister Marilyn Close, she helped gather and distribute the CGS mail, among the several services to the genealogical community. Her committee has been a significant income-producer for the society, with few expenses. CGS charges a small fee for research services. There have been many varied requests over the years for Denver-area research, and Pat and her colleagues have spent many hours poring through the archives of DPL and local repositories in order to help others satisfy their genealogical goals. I asked her to write account of her years doing research on behalf of the society, and these are her remarks: “I started helping Barbara Pitcher with research in 1989, I think. There was a whole box of letters that needed to be answered. Barbara started the “Researcher’s Library”. When she became ill, I took over. Joanne Classen helped me so much. She was still working for the library and I would ask her what to do about some of the letters. Joanne also took over the research when I was not able to do it. There were several letters of the “Send me everything you have on my grandfather/ grandmother/uncle and hurry” type. Many times with no name. When the search is successful and someone writes and thanks you, that is the feel-good time. One letter was looking for information on a family that had lived in Denver many years; it was not a common name, and when I saw the name in the phone book, I called, and asked if there was any connection to the query, the daughter or granddaughter, I don’t remember,

said the woman was still alive. The woman was thrilled to hear about this relative and they made a connection. I do not try to contact living persons any more; there is too much chance of fraud. We do get letters from prisons, but all I send them is a list of ways to start research. Several people have helped me over the years: Joanne Classen Isabelle Hopkins Mary Crakel Zoe Lappin Cindy Donnelly Lyle Haugen E.J. Warren Lou-Jean Rehn Keith Fessenden Letters that needed special help for Black, Mexican or Italian ancestry, were sent to the appropriate society. A letter would state: “my grandfather lived for 60 years in (Colorado Springs), please send me any thing you have on (John Jones)”. It was much easier after the Colorado Council was formed to direct people to the right genealogical society. The staff at the Denver Public Library were always helpful. They could find things I never knew the library had in the collection. When we were getting eight or nine letters a week, I went to the library two or three times a week. I also checked with the historical society library and the federal archives. The Colorado State Archives had government records, land records and county records that were helpful. Researching has been an interesting and educational volunteer committee to work with.” We thank Pat Allen and her co-workers who have given valuable service to CGS and to others, and we wish her the best in her own research.


Join the

Federation of Genealogical Societies

and the

Utah Genealogical Association

in Salt Lake City, Utah

September 7 – 10, 2005

for their 2005 national conference:

Reminders of the Past, Visions for the Future

September 7-10, 2005

Salt Lake Palace Convention Center Salt Lake City, Utah

Important reminder:

The Family History Library, which is located 3 blocks from the Convention Center,

will be open extended hours during conference days.

For more information, visit:

www.fgs.org

There are millions of ancestors in Salt Lake City;

Come find yours!

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C lorado Genealogical Society Newsletter

P.O. Box 9218, Denver, Colorado 80209-0918 http://www.rootsweb.com/~cocgs

Volume 29, Number 2

“I only do genealogy on days of the week that end in Y” Donna Porter

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May 20, 2005 7:00 PM

“Researching the Salem Witch Trials”

presented by Robert Sheets

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June 17, 2005 7:00 PM

Annual Meeting Pot Luck Supper and discussions

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No July nor August meetings

See you on September 15, 2005 --------------------------------------- ----------- ------------------

What’s Inside

Programs.................................1

From the President.................2

Proposed Budget....................3

Nominations..........................3

CGS Program Schedule.........4

CGS Newsletter Page 2 April, May, June 2005 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Presidents’s Letter Wanted: Local genealogical organization is seeking energetic, creative, enthusiastic, self-directed, friendly individuals to work with a team of committed members. Job sharing is possible; consider doing this with a friend who would also like to become involved. This is a great opportunity to lend your talents and some of your time toward assisting others in their pursuit of genealogy. Work hours are flexible and determined by the individual. Benefits: Friendships, growth of the organization, networking, personal satisfaction. If interested, please apply. Yes, it is true. The Colorado Genealogical Society is in need of your personal attention. At the current time we have two positions open and we welcome any and all who will consider. Those positions are: Newsletter – recently relinquished by Bobbi King

Note – desk top publishing skills are not a requirement for this job. Publicity – recently held by Karin Wilson Bobbi and Karin, thank you both for jobs well done. To Bobbi, in particular, a huge debt of gratitude is expressed by both the Colorado Genealogical Society and the Computer Interest Group for taking on both newsletters at the same time, a daunting task. I will always remember the day she announced that commitment and she has done an amazing job in her creation of the two separate publications. She was the first in the organizations to avail members of the opportunity to read their newsletters online. In addition to creating the publications, she never failed to take on a variety of other jobs, all willingly and with enthusiasm. She is a wonderful role model for involvement in an organization to which she belongs. To those who consider volunteering for these jobs, please let me assure you that you will not just be dropped in place. You will have guidance and help until you feel comfortable with the task. For the editing position, you will be working alongside Nancy Ratay as she edits the Quarterly. With Bobbi’s guidance, and Nancy’s help, you can’t be in better hands. For the person considering the position of publicity, you will be working with a program committee, always filled with ideas and suggestions for publicizing CGS events. Clearly, both of these positions involve communication and the opportunity to educate others about the Colorado Genealogical Society. Please consider coming on board with the rest of us and making that happen. We need you. Janice Prater

CGS Newsletter Page 3 April, May, June 2005 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is the proposed CGS budget for the next fiscal year. This budget will be voted upon by the membership at the Annual Meeting in June.

BUDGET 2005-2006

Income: Membership Dues $ 7,100 Publication Sales 600 Research 50 Interest 100 Program 2,500 Total Income $10,350 Expense: Membership Membership $ 150 Mailing Processing 1,200 Quarterly 4,725 Programs 2,500 Meeting Room Rent 600 Total Membership $ 9,175 Administration: Archives 10 Bank Fees 60 Dues and Publications 300 License & Fees 70 Publications 120 Publicity 300 Research 75 Volunteer 50 Miscellaneous 100 Total Administration $ 1,085 Officers: President $ 40 Vice-President 10 Recording Secretary 10 Corresponding Secretary 20 Treasurer 10 Total Officers $ 90 Total Expenses $ 10,350 TOTAL PROFIT OR (LOSS) 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Nominating Committee presents these candidates for election at the Annual Meeting: Vice-President: Bobbi King Recording Secretary: Pam Smith Treasurer: Vacant Nominating Committee: Julie Miller, Birdie Holsclaw, Carole Schetter

CGS Newsletter Page 4 April, May, June 2005 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

May – July 2005 Program Schedule

Date Event Location

Saturday, April 30 10:30 am – 4 pm

5th Saturday – Georgia & South Carolina Cherokee Removal (1825-1840) – Lou-Jean Rehn, CGRS Georgia Land Lottery Records – Ann Lisa Pearson Mapping South Carolina – Bill Nix South Carolina Research Resources – Bill Nix


Wednesday, May 11 10:00 am -- noon

Aches & Pains Tour – Riverside Cemetery. Bring a picnic lunch

Note this is the 2nd Wednesday in May – Meet at Cemetery. Contact Karen Shuman at (303) 759-0331 for details.

Saturday, May 14 10:30 am – 3 pm

Beginning Genealogy Class – Lou-Jean Rehn


Friday, May 20 7-9 pm

CGS Program Meeting – Robert Sheets, “Researching the Salem Witch Trials”


Saturday, May 21 10:30 am – 3 pm

CGS Special Interest Class – Computer Searches On-Line Census Search Techniques – Larry Dodge Searching for Family Heirlooms on eBay – Kate Johnson Searching State Archives On-Line – Carol Darrow


Wednesday, June 1 10 am – noon

Aches & Pains Walking Tour Contact Karen Shuman at (303) 759-0331 for details.

Saturday, June 11 10:30 am – 3 pm



Friday, June 17 7:00 – 9:30 pm

CGS Program Meeting – Pot Luck Supper


Saturday, July 9 10:30 am – 3 pm



Saturday, July 30 10:30 am – 4 pm

5th Saturday – Colorado Genealogical Records

Downtown DPL, Gates Rm., 5th Floor Gates Rm. 5th Floor

Saturday, August 13 10:30 am – 3 pm

Beginning Genealogy Class – Lou-Jean Rehn, CGRS


COLORADO GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER
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What’s Inside CGS members certified ................. 2 FGS Conference Sept. 7-10........... 3 New Officers elected ..................... 3 NGS Nashville news...................... 4 Aches & Pains tours ...................... 5 Volunteers welcome ...................... 6 IGHR at Samford........................... 6 NGS Home Study Course.............. 6

Upcoming CGS Programs ay, Sept. 10, 2005: CGS Beginner Genealogy Class Gates Room, Downtown Denver Public Library, 5th

Floor, 10:30 am – 3:00 pm Learn how to get started ingenealogical research and identify records.

esday, Sept. 14, 2005: CGS Aches & Pains Tour 10 am – noon. Tour Mount Olivet Cemetery, 12801 W44th Ave, Wheat Ridge, and learn some of the history ofthis local burying ground. , Sept. 16, 2005: CGS Program Meeting: Christ the King Lutheran Church, 2300 S. Patton Ct.,7-9 pm. “Calvary Cemetery, Denver’s Historic CatholicBurial Ground” presented by George Malesich. ay, Sept. 17, 2005: CGS Special Interest Class Downtown Denver Public Library, 5th Floor, GatesRoom, 10:30 am – 3:00 pm. Topics: Digging intoCemeteries: “Gravestone Art”; “Tools in the CemeteryBag”; plus “Ten Ways to Find a Cemetery.”

esday, Oct. 5, 2005: CGS Aches & Pains Tour 10 am – noon. Littleton Living History Farm. Meet at6028 S. Gallop. (Cost: $1.00/person) ay, Oct. 8, 2005: CGS Beginner Genealogy Class Downtown Denver Public Library, 5th Floor, GatesRoom, 10:30 am – 3:00 pm Learn how to get started ingenealogical research and identify records. ay, Oct. 15, 2005: CGS Special Interest Class Downtown Denver Public Library, 5th Floor, GatesRoom, 10:30 am – 3:00 pm Topic: Creating a ResearchPlan – Planning for Success , Oct. 21, 2005: CGS Program Meeting Christ the King Lutheran Church, 2300 S. Patton Ct.,7-9 pm. “Newspapers: Reading the Fine Print” presentedby Zoe Lappin ay, Oct. 29, 2005: 5th Saturday Class: Missouri -- Downtown Denver Public Library, 5th Floor, GatesRoom, 10:30 am – 3:00 pm Topic: Missouri Research.Pam Smith

esday, Nov. 2: CGS Aches & Pains Tour Denver Clerk & Recorder’s Office, 201 W. Colfax,

am.

August 2005 Serving Genealogists Since 1924 Volume 29, No. 3

New Meeting Location Christ the King Lutheran Church,

2300 S. Patton Court, Denver

The Colorado Genealogical Society has selected a new meeting location to hold its monthly meetings on the third Friday evening of each month (except December, July and August). The group will meet at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 2300 S. Patton Ct., in Denver. See the full-sized map on page 8.

CGS Newsletter Page 2 August 2005 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Two CGS Members Earn Certified Status

Carol Darrow, CGSM

Carol Darrow, Education Coordinator for CGS, was notified in May 2005 that she had gained recognition as a Certified Genealogist, No. 459. The notification capped a three-year effort of study and preparation required to assemble a portfolio of genealogical research materials for submission. “For me it was a learning experience to address each part of the portfolio requirements. It’s like working toward a master’s degree – you have a course of study and a final thesis,” Carol said. Carol prepared herself by attending the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research held each summer at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, for three different courses including Advanced Methodology. She attended a week-long seminar in Salt Lake City on Southern States Genealogy and has used her preparation for various speaking engagements to expand her knowledge of both historical and genealogical topics. “Each part of the portfolio requires you to demonstrate a different set of skills and all of it is based on sound research and clear explanations of your research.” Breaking down each requirement and working on that specific skill was a great learning experience for me, Carol says. “Three judges review your portfolio. I wanted the peer review of my work because my goal is to do excellent genealogical research.” Waiting for the results – it took a full six months – was nerve-wracking, according to Carol, but the results were well worth the wait. “I received comments from all three judges that I found insightful and helpful,” she said.

Julie Miller, CGSM

Julie Miller, immediate past president of CGS, was notified in June, 2005, that she had earned the Certified Genealogist designation, No. 460. Julie explained that she pursued the CG for two reasons. “Personally, I wanted to be the best genealogist I could be. Professionally, the CG designation adds credibility to my work.” The CG portfolio requires that you transcribe two handwritten documents, abstract both documents, explain their meaning, and develop a research plan for each document. Then you must write two book reviews, a paper using indirect proof to reach a conclusion, and finally write a four-generation compiled genealogy of a family. Julie prepared herself for the CG process by starting with the NGS American Genealogy home study course in 1999. She took advantage of other genealogical educational opportunities including the IGHR at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama; NGS and FGS national conferences; and the National Institute on Genealogical Research (NIGR) at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Julie also gives a lot of credit to her work with a certification study group (COB -Certification or Bust) that was quite helpful to her. Julie also works as a volunteer at the Denver Branch of the National Archives and at the Downtown Denver Public Library. Julie explains, “The part that was difficult for me was getting to the point where you realize that it is not going to be perfect – genealogy is never over or finished – and that you have to do the best you can, set a deadline, and then mail it!”


FGS Conference set for Salt Lake City September 7-10 The Federation of Genealogical Societies and the Utah Genealogical Association will host a national conference Sept. 7-10, in Salt Lake City. Titled “Reminders of the Past / Visions of the Future,” the conference will feature a variety of nationally-recognized genealogical speakers as well as several special study tracks. Speakers include Thomas Jones, Claire Bettag, Sandra Luebking, and Elizabeth Shown Mills as well as our own Birdie Holsclaw, Bobbi King, and James Jeffrey. Special study tracks include the Society Support and Management Sessions; the all-day Association of Professional Genealogists Management Conference for professionals who want to operate a successful genealogical business; the Family

History Library track; the Family History Center Management track; the Center for Genealogy at Brigham Young University track; and the BCG Certification track for those who are contemplating applying for genealogical certification. A variety of luncheon speakers are also scheduled The Conference starts at 8 am on Wednesday, Sept. 7 and ends Saturday, Sept. 10 at 6 pm. Conference registration after July 26 is $189.

New Officers Electedat Annual Meeting President Jan Prater welcomed CGS members to their annual meeting on June 17, which was held at the new CGS meeting location at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 2300 S. Patton Court. (See map on page 8.) New officers were elected to fill expiring terms. Elected by unanimous vote were Bobbi King, vice-president; Robin Franks, treasurer; and Pam Smith, recording secretary. Evelyn Nix, volunteer coordinator, announced the 2005 Volunteer Award, which went to the 61-member committee that worked on the Colorado Marriages project. The project, which began in 1992, was completed in 2003. Evelyn also described the important contributions made by volunteers in all phases of genealogical work. The group enjoyed a potluck supper and shared recent genealogical success stories.

Charlotte Weiler retires as Treasurer Charlotte Weiler was elected recording secretary back in 1999 but stepped into the treasurer’s job when the treasurer-elect couldn’t fulfill his term. Since then, she has devoted the past six years to maintaining the bank accounts, planning and staying within the budget, filing and paying taxes, depositing money and writing checks to cover expenses.

CGS Newsletter Page 4 August 2005 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Charlotte and her husband David have faithfully attended board meetings and Charlotte has provided the board with a complete accounting of CGS funds. Charlotte is employed full-time as an accountant at Communication Resource and does individual tax returns during tax season in addition to her work for CGS.

Nashville News: NGS Conference Annual conferences hosted by the National Genealogical Society are an excellent way to sharpen your research skills, meet old and new friends, learn about new books and helpful products available for genealogists, and perhaps squeeze in some on-site research. It’s bound to be an adventure for any genealogist. This year, the conference was held in Nashville, Tennessee. Several CGS members attended the conference including Sherril Erfurth, Bobbi King, Julie Miller, Pat Roberts, Lou-Jean Rehn, Ann Lisa Pearson, and Pam Smith. “Quality lecturers speak on a wide variety of topics,” explains Pam Smith. “Vendors provide a chance to look over publications, software, maps, and other helpful tools. My favorite this year was a small glass magnifier.” Pam attended the lectures in the Board for Certification of Genealogists track. “I wanted to determine where I needed to increase my knowledge to enhance my application. Speakers clearly defined what they looked for in an application (‘follow the directions’; ‘use at least 10 point or larger font’; ‘cite everything’; ‘proofread carefully.’) Julie Miller says the lectures are very important. “But almost more important are the many discussions with fellow genealogists around lunch and banquet tables that can enhance your genealogical knowledge.” The secret to a successful trip, according to Julie, is to pace yourself. “It’s easy to get overloaded with information and become exhausted. Planning for some quiet time is essential to your sanity!”

The Southern Track, featuring lectures on the history and records in the Southern states including Tennessee were the highlight of the trip for Lou-Jean Rehn. So was the chance to do research in the Tennessee State Archives located in Nashville. “After the day of lectures, I used every spare minute working on my family research. The Tennessee Archives is a wonderful facility and I was able to get a great amount of information.” Bobbi King enjoys the travel associated with attending a national conference. “I like to get to know some of the local people, to hear their accents, to hear about their local history, to get a ‘feel’ for what it’s like to live in their part of the country, and what the local genealogy societies are doing,” Bobbi said. “I also like to wander through the exhibit hall, seeing the new products, visiting the book stores and purchasing more books, and seeing what other societies are doing.” Sherril Erfurth has attended all NGS and FGS Conferences in the past several years. This year’s conference in Nashville was interesting to Sherril on a variety of levels. “The regional-oriented topics were inviting, as was the track offered by the Board for Certification of Genealogists. This new track featured high-level genealogical topics presented by the foremost nationally-recognized professional genealogists.” Pat Roberts, CGS member and president of the Boulder Genealogical Society, was making her first trip to a national conference. “I never dreamed I could learn so much about genealogy in a week, from people I never imagined I would ever have the opportunity to hear lecture. It was wonderful!” The 2006 NGS Conference of the States is scheduled for Chicago and the 2007 NGS Conference will be in Richmond, Virginia. It’s not too early to plan for a trip to one of these important events.

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National Archives - Denver National Archives, Rocky Mt. Region Research Room (303) 407-5752 Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 7:30 a.m.-3:45 pm Thursday, 7:30 am – 7:00 pm 1st and 3rd Saturdays – 8:30 am – 4:45 pm


See the Sights With Aches & Pains Tour In September 2004, the Colorado Genealogical Society introduced the Aches & Pains Tour – a walking tour of a local Denver-area historical or genealogical site. It’s a mid-week walking tour – hence the name -- usually held on the first Wednesday morning of the month. (Note: the September 2005 tour will be on the second Wednesday morning, Sept. 14). Most tours start at 10 am and end at noon. Lunch as a group after the tour is optional.

Aches & Pains participants enter the Ivy Chapel at Fairmount Cemetery.

Tour group on a walking tour of the historic Highlands neighborhood in Denver. Plans for the 2005-06 season include visits to Mt. Olivet Cemetery (Sept. 14); the Littleton Living History Farm (Oct. 5); the Denver Clerk & Recorder’s Office (Nov. 2); and the Governor’s Mansion (Nov. 30). Karen Shuman arranges the tours and notes that each tour is “a chance for people to get better acquainted with each other as well as with local historical sites.” Contact Karen to reserve your spot for each tour by calling (303) 759-0331. Most tours are free of charge. Last year the group toured Riverside Cemetery, the Colorado State Archives, the Golden Railroad Museum, Fairmount Cemetery, the Highlands neighborhood, Trinity Methodist Church and the Iliff Theological Seminary.

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TIPS, TRICKS, & TECHNIQUES Gary Minder, a genealogical researcher for more than 30 years, has created spreadsheets in Excel 97 for recording almost every type of genealogical information including both federal and state censuses, cemetery research, family group sheets, ship lists and much more. These spreadsheets are free and can be downloaded to your desktop. Gary asks a modest $10 donation. You can preview the individual spreadsheets before you download. All this is available at www.censustools.com.


Volunteers Are Always Welcome The 2005 Volunteer of the Year award was presented at the June Annual Meeting to the 61 people who worked so diligently to create the Colorado Marriages Index CD (available for $10 from CGS). The project started in 1992 and was completed in 2003. Evelyn Nix, Volunteer Coordinator, gave the recognition and reminded members that there are many ways to volunteer at CGS. • Bring a friend to a CGS meeting or other

program; • Share your research with family and

genealogical cousins; • Volunteer to teach at a genealogical class; • Join the Program Committee, the Hospitality

Committee, the Welcoming Committee, the Aches & Pains Committee;

• Volunteer at the National Archives or the Denver Public Library;

• Work on an extraction project which may include photocopying, typing, and proofreading.

The majority of record indexing and extraction in the U.S. genealogical community is done by volunteer groups who have produced indexes of marriages, cemeteries, and naturalizations.

IGHR at Samford Offers Summer Course in Genealogy “Spending a week talking to people who don’t think you’re nuts for cemetery crawling or trying to read illegible old records is great,” according to Susan Winchester, CGS member who attended the Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research held each June at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. The week-long institute

features eight to ten courses of study all focusing on research skills in genealogy. Susan attended IGHR for the fourth time this year and said, “I’ve learned so much about so many different areas of research. The intermediate class was a broad historical survey while the other classes have helped me to improve my ability to analyze problems and apply advanced research techniques.” In addition to the Intermediate Course, Susan has taken courses in Writing in Genealogy, Advanced Methodology and Government Documents and the Law Library. Birdie Holsclaw, CG, was an instructor in the Land Records track this year and also audited the Gov Docs course. In 2004, Birdie was a co-instructor in the Advanced Land Analysis and Platting course. “IGHR at Samford is not well-known here in Colorado but it offers a great educational experience,” Birdie said. “The cost for IGHR is really reasonable,” according to Susan. “Registration is $350 and room and board is about $190 if you stay in the dormitory. There are five days of instruction and events in the evenings so it’s a full week of genealogy.”

NGS Study Course: 16 Steps to Improve Research Skills Several CGS members are proud graduates of the National Genealogical Society’s Home Study Course in American Genealogy. It’s a 16-lesson course now available as a CD-Rom set. The course was redesigned last year and now includes both a graded option, where assignments are graded and students receive written feedback on their work along with suggestions for improvement and a self-correcting program with no grading or feedback. The 16-lesson course starts with census work and requires you to search for your chosen family back through every census. Other lessons call for you to visit a courthouse, write a book review, and seek out naturalization records.

CGS Newsletter Page 7 August 2005 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (NGS STUDY COURSE, continued from page 6) Tammy Kilgore, CGS Periodicals Chairman, completed the course in 2004. “I wanted a way to get a general education in genealogy, rather than getting hung up in just one area of study. The course made me look at records I had never studied before.” “There are a lot more records in the world than you would ever have imagined,” Tammy said. Deadlines kept her going, and “I didn’t want to waste the money that I had invested.” NGS members pay $490 for the graded option and $335 for the non-graded option. Non-NGS members pay $585 for the graded option and $385 for the non-graded option. Membership in NGS is currently $55 per year and includes a subscription to the NGS Quarterly. Students have two years to complete the entire course. Nancy Ratay, editor of the CGS Quarterly, completed the home study course in February 2005. “I took the course because I wanted to learn everything I could to become more professional in my approach to genealogy,” Nancy said. “There is a lot of writing – we had to write a report about a repository, what they had and what they didn’t have. I kept going because I wanted to challenge myself. It was important for me to reach my goal.” Asked whether she would choose the graded or non-graded option now available, Nancy said, “The feedback was good. I got a grade plus comments about what I had written and I believe that helped me correct some things and do better work on later assignments. I would definitely choose the graded option.” The most challenging research experience for Nancy was a search of land records in Denver County. “The indexes are in one building and each file covers only three months. When you’ve found the reference in the index, you have to go across the street to the Wellington Webb building to retrieve the microfilm.” Shorter on-line learning opportunities offered by NGS include “Introduction to Genealogy,” “Using Census Records in Genealogical Research,” and “Special Federal Census Schedules,” which are available to NGS members for $35 and to non-members for $50. Check out new offerings and sign up on-line at www.ngsgenealogy.org/eduhsc.htm.

Colorado Marriages CD available by mail Denver Public Library volunteers compiled a complete cross-referenced index to Colorado Marriages 1858-1939, based on the Works Progress Administration (WPA) index cards. The original index was a grooms-only index in rough alphabetical order. Library volunteers added a brides index and search availability by wedding date, location of the marriage, and license number. Every Colorado county is represented and there are more than 912,000 separate entries. The CD was published by the Colorado Genealogical Society and is available by mail for $10 plus $1 shipping and handling charge. Address orders to CGS-Colorado Marriages CD, P.O. Box 9218, Denver, CO 80209-0218.

Colorado Marriages, 1858-1939 Number of CD’s in order @ $10 each ________ Shipping @ $1.00 each ________ Check to “CGS-Colorado Marriage CD” _______ Ship to: _________________________________________ (Name) _________________________________________ (Address) _________________________________________ (City, State, ZIP)


New Colorado Genealogical Society Meeting Location: Christ the King Lutheran Church, 2300 S. Patton Court,

Denver, CO 80219

You are cordially invited to the first meeting of the 2005-06 program year of the Colorado Genealogical Society on Friday, September 16, at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 2300 S. Patton Court, Denver, Colorado 80219. The meeting will start at 7 pm and will feature a presentation on “Calvary Cemetery, Denver’s Historic Catholic Burial Ground” by George Malesich. Program meetings for CGS are scheduled for Sept. 16; Oct. 21; Nov. 18, 2005; Jan. 20; Feb. 17; March 17; April 21; May 19; and June 16, 2006.

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What’s Inside Marilyn Close Honored ................ 2 Volunteers Needed for Extraction . 2 Mark Lowe to Speak in Denver..... 3 Beginning Genealogy .................... 3 Tips & Tricks........................... 3 – 4 FGS Conference in Boston............ 4

Upcoming CGS Programs esday, Nov. 30: CGS Aches & Pains Tour vernor’s Mansion at Christmas, 11 am – noon. Meet innt of 400 E. 8th St., in Denver. ay, Dec. 10, 2005: CGS Beginner Genealogy Classwntown Denver Public Library, 5th Floor, Gates Room,30 am – 3:00 pm Learn how to get started in genealogy. , Dec. 16, 2005: No CGS Program Meeting

esday, Jan. 4: CGS Aches & Pains Tour, Colorado Statechives. ay, Jan. 14, 2006: CGS Beginner Genealogy Classwntown Denver Public Library, 5th Floor, Gates Room,30 am – 3:00 pm Learn how to get started in genealogy. , Jan. 20, 2006: CGS Program Meeting, 7 pm – 9 pm.rist the King Lutheran Church, 2300 S. Patton Ct.hool Records, Children ages 5-18” presented by Sharon

atright. ay, Jan. 21, 2006: CGS Special Interest Class, 10:30 am:00 pm. “Identifying Women and Children in Your Familye”

esday, Feb. 1, 2006: CGS Aches & Pains Tour Tour ofant-Humphries Mansion. ay, Feb. 11, 2006: CGS Beginner Genealogy Classwntown Denver Public Library, 5th Floor, Gates Room,30 am – 3:00 pm. Learn how to get started in genealogy. , Feb. 17, 2006: CGS Program Meeting, 7 pm – 9 pm.rist the King Lutheran Church, 2300 S. Patton Ct.ivil War Resources” presented by Brian Kenny. ay, Feb. 18, 2006: CGS Special Interest Class, 10:30 am:00 pm. “Civil War Records.” esday, March 1, 2006: CGS Aches & Pains Touredish Hospital, 100-year anniversary ay, March 11, 2006: CGS Beginner Genealogy Class wntown Denver Public Library, 5th Floor, Gates Room,30 am – 3:00 pm Learn how to get started in genealogy. , March 17, 2006: CGS Program Meeting, 7 pm – 9 pm.0 S. Patton Ct. Mark Lowe, past president of the

sociation of Professional Genealogists. ay, March 18, 2006: CGS Annual Seminar, 10:30 am –0 pm, Downtown Denver Public Library Conferencenter, $25 fee. Speaker: Mark Lowe.

November 2005 Serving Genealogists Since 1924 Volume 29, No. 4

Meeting Location hrist the King Lutheran Church, 2300 S. Patton Court, Denver

Colorado Genealogical Society

ds its monthly meetings on the d Friday evening of each month cept December, July and August) hrist the King Lutheran Church, 0 S. Patton Ct., in Denver. ton Court is between W. Jewell, Yale, South Sheridan and South eral near Harvey Park.

CGS Newsletter Page 2 November 2005 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Marilyn Close Inducted Into Posthumous Volunteer Hall of Honor Marilyn Close was inducted into the Ruth C. Bishop Family History Posthumous Volunteer Hall of Honor at the Federation of Genealogical Societies annual conference banquet, held in Salt Lake City on September 9, 2005. The Colorado Genealogical Society nominated Marilyn in recognition of her many years and activities devoted to the society. Nominees for this award are accepted based solely on the amount and type of volunteer service rendered to a society, not on personal genealogical accomplishments or research expertise. A panel of seven judges from across North America reviewed the applications and selected the inductees. In nominating Marilyn for this honor, CGS noted Marilyn’s many contributions to the organization: Marilyn Close was a volunteer who worked behind the scenes, seeking neither praise nor recognition. She served on many committees recording and indexing materials benefiting other researchers. In the days B.C. (before computer), using information on small scraps of paper, Marilyn and the committee compiled the "Index to Colorado Families.” She volunteered for proofing and inputting "The Bride's Index to Colorado Marriages,” hosting meetings in her home, always providing snacks for volunteers. Marilyn's projects were many; the "Index to Voters in the 1861 Territorial Election"; the "1885 Arapahoe County Colorado Census” and the annual index for several years of "The Colorado Genealogist." Marilyn identified the need for and chaired the Mailing Committee. Frequently surprised with changes in postal rates and regulations, she adapted easily. Both postal clerks at the local window and our advisor at the main office remember her fondly. Everything she did, she did well. Of course, we chose her Volunteer of the Year. Cancer returned and she faced it with courage, continuing her work to the end. From the hospice, she relayed instructions by phone, ensuring that we placed

the rubber bands binding our quarterlies in compliance with current postal regulations. We miss her presence in many ways, her volunteer spirit, her example, her organization, and her smile. Challenged, we ponder solutions, "What would Marilyn do?” She still works behind the scenes. CGS will receive a certificate recognizing Marilyn, as will Marilyn's family. The names of the award recipients will be placed on the FGS web site.

Extraction Projects Need Volunteers If you are new to the Colorado Genealogical Society, you may not know about the numerous extraction projects currently underway in cooperation with the Denver Public Library. An extraction project is an effort to index documents to provide researchers with easier access to information stored at DPL. There are several phases to an extraction project. There may be photocopying of the documents so that they can be distributed to volunteers. Then other volunteers enter the information on computers at home. The printed files are returned and proofreaders review the typed text and mark corrections. After corrections have been made to the computer text, proofreaders again review the final copy. The information created is then transferred to either printed indexes or is made available on-line and/or through CDs. The Marriage Index CD 1859-1939 was a project of DPL volunteers that has now been made available on CD-ROM by the Colorado Genealogical Society. Other projects currently in the works including indexing of the Rogers Mortuary records 1885-1950 and obituaries and death notices from Denver newspapers. Right now there is a great need for proofreaders. You can do this project in your spare time at home and it does not require a computer. For more information and to volunteer, you can contact Gwen Mayer at (303) 989-5885 or email her at [email protected].


Annual Seminar to Feature Mark Lowe The CGS Annual Seminar is scheduled for March 18, 2006 featuring Mark Lowe, past president of the Association of Professional Genealogists. The event will be held in the Conference Center of the Downtown Denver Public Library from 10:30 am – 4:00 pm. The fee for the all-day event is $25 plus an additional charge for an optional boxed lunch.

Beginning Genealogy Not Just for Beginners The Colorado Genealogical Society has offered a class once a month in Beginning Genealogy for more than five years, and it has proven to be helpful for both true beginners as well as a great brush-up for old timers. But the majority of class participants are those researchers who have worked on their own for a year or two. They may have had some early success but find themselves stuck for new paths of research or new techniques to uncover their elusive ancestors. Lou-Jean Rehn, CGRS, has been teaching the class for the past three years. “I am constantly updating the course as students bring me new problems and new questions. I also want to keep it fresh for the people who re-take the class because no one can learn all of the information in just one class.” The five-hour class is held on the second Saturday of each month at the Downtown Denver Public Library, 5th Floor, Gates Conference Room. The size of the class ranges from 15 to 25 people. Each class covers basics of getting started, organization of materials, W5 (who, what, where, when, why), and six major record groups. There is also a tour of the Western History and Genealogy Department of DPL. “It has been a great learning experience for me as well,” says Lou-Jean. “Students raise interesting questions that often set the class off in a new direction. And I want to keep the experience fresh for all of us.”

TIPS, TRICKS, & TECHNIQUES Certified Designations The Board for Certification of Genealogists currently certifies genealogists in three categories: CG: Certified Genealogist CGRS: Certified Genealogical Record Specialist CGL: Certified Genealogical Lineage Specialist The BCG board has decided to move to a single research category of certification, but what the requirements for that certification are has yet to be determined. The BCG board currently recommends that if you are ready to submit your portfolio for any of the three present categories, you should do so now. But if you are considering certification for the future, you should watch for announcements of changes to the certification program. Before Ellis Island There Was Castle Garden From 1855 until the opening of Ellis Island in 1892, immigrants into the United States passed through Castle Garden in New York City. Over 73 million Americans can trace their ancestors to this early immigration period. Now, to celebrate the sesquicentennial of the opening of this immigrant depot in New York City, a new website has been launched at www.castlegarden.org. It includes a searchable database of 10 million names. The website has also included immigrants from 1830 to 1855 and hopes to add names from 1820 to 1830. Castle Garden, today known as Castle Clinton National Monument, is the major landmark within The Battery, the 23-acre waterfront park at the tip of Manhattan. From 1855 to 1890, the Castle was America's first official immigration center, a pioneering collaboration of New York State and New York City. Researchers might also find helpful the Castle Garden ships passenger lists, 1855-1890, available at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ote/ships/ castle-garden.htm


SSDI Updated RootsWeb.org offers access to the Social Security Death Index (SSDI), which includes records through June 2005. This database contains several important bits of information on the more than 75,532,189 persons whose deaths are on file with the U.S.'s Social Security Administration (SSA), including: social security number, date of issuance, state of issuance, date of birth, date of death, and last address of record. The Social Security Death Index (SSDI) is created from the SSA's Death Master File. It is a database of people whose deaths were reported to the SSA beginning about 1962. However, only a few deaths are listed before 1962 and the SSDI does not include everyone who died from 1962 to the present, but it does list many deaths in that time frame, especially in more recent years (1980s to the present). It is close to being a national death index for the United States. Jefferson County, Colorado, Obituaries Kay Berzsenyi of the Mountain Genealogists Society in Evergreen, Colorado as entered 2,260 records of obituaries and death notices from the Canyon Courier newspaper, mid-1950s to mid-1990s. Check out the website at http://userdb.rootsweb.com/obituaries/

FGS Conference Set for Boston in 2006 It’s not too early to start planning and saving for the Federation of Genealogical Societies’ 2006 national conference scheduled for August 30 to September 2, 2006 in historic Boston, Massachusetts. The host society is the New England Historic Genealogical Society. The conference will feature an expanded program with professional, certification, and organizational tracks as well as speakers on general genealogical topics, an extensive vendor hall, the city and area around Boston, and the plethora of research facilities in the area.

Colorado Marriages CD available by mail Denver Public Library volunteers compiled a complete cross-referenced index to Colorado Marriages 1858-1939, based on the Works Progress Administration (WPA) index cards. The original index was a grooms-only index in rough alphabetical order. Library volunteers added a brides index and search availability for wedding date, location of the marriage, and license number. Every Colorado county is represented and there are more than 912,000 separate entries. The CD was published by the Colorado Genealogical Society and is available by mail for $10 plus $1 shipping and handling charge. Address orders to CGS-Colorado Marriages CD, P.O. Box 9218, Denver, CO 80209-0218.

Colorado Marriages, 1858-1939 Number of CD’s in order @ $10 each ________ Shipping @ $1.00 each ________ Total ________ Make Check to “CGS-Colorado Marriage CD” Ship to: _________________________________________ (Name) _________________________________________ (Address) _________________________________________ (City, State, ZIP)