TROY IRISH GENEALOGY
SOCIETY
Troy, New York
Monthly
Meeting Notes
May, 2006
The regular monthly meeting of the Troy Irish Genealogy Society
was held on Thursday, May 18, 2006 at the Holmes & Watson Restaurant
in Troy, New York. The following individuals were in attendance:
Kris Ayotte
Cathy McGrath
Kay Brearton
Bill McGrath
Beverly Culver
Doris Reilly Moak
Richard L Culver
Francis X. Ryan
Pat Gilmaier
Eileen Shea
Jeanne Keefe
Rick Shea
Patricia Keefe
Lizette Strait
Mike McAlonie
Jan Sullivan
Donna Vaughn
The meeting was called to order at 6:40 p.m. by Donna Vaughn, President.
Donna welcomed the guests to the meeting and they were asked to
share the surnames they are researching. Frank Ryan was welcomed
back.
A motion was made by Rick Shea and seconded by Jeanne Keefe to
approve the minutes of the April meeting. The motion passed; the
minutes have been posted to the TIGS website.
REPORTS
Kris Ayotte, Vice President and Membership Chairperson, reported
that she has been contacting individuals who have attended meetings
in the past but failed to return. There was no report from the Secretary.
The treasurer, Rick Shea, reported that there are 43 paid members.
The process for changing the account to the new Treasurer, Cathy
McGrath, and adding Donna Vaughn as an alternate signatory, was
discussed. The three parties will get together at a branch of the
bank to facilitate the changeover. The matter of collecting dues
for the upcoming year was also discussed.
Jeanne Keefe, Webmaster, reported that a new photo has been placed
on the website and several others have been submitted for future
publication. The first volume of names from the marriage index for
Rensselaer County will be up on the website soon. Everything else
is up to date.
Lizette Strait, List Administrator, reported that there are 151
list members. She has not heard back from Rootsweb about archiving
TIGS messages.
OLD BUSINESS
Bill McGrath updated the members on the marriage index project.
He shared a draft of the introduction that will be used when the
data is posted to the website. Jeanne Keefe suggested that publicity
for the project would be in order and should include the County
Clerk, Frank Merola, and members of TIGS who were involved in the
project. Once the information is posted to the site, Jeanne will
create a letter which can be clicked on to request information from
the Clerk’s Office for a particular marriage entry. Bill will
discuss with the County Clerk how he wants to handle requests; i.e.,
utilizing his office staff or volunteers from TIGS.
The NYS Library tour discussion was tabled.
NEW BUSINESS
Mike McAlonie reported on the election of officers. He recited
the list of nominees who ran unopposed. The secretary cast one ballot
for the candidates and the vote was approved unanimously by the
members.
The members were reminded of the Ballykilcline brunch at which
Jeanne Keefe will be speaking on Monday, June 26 at 9:00 a.m. at
the Holiday Inn Turf in Colonie.
Kris Ayotte continues to work out the logistics for the “brick
wall” project.
The members discussed the proposed logo for the organization. Lizette
will send a sample of the suggested logo to Mike McAlonie who will
share it with a graphic artist.
Jeanne Keefe reported that three Oakwood Cemetery databases have
been sent to her; she will work to adapt them to the site. The Hudson
Mohawk Gateway tour schedule has been posted to the website.
Kay Brearton reminded the members that Pat Connors is currently
transcribing the 1875 New York State census for Troy. She could
always use more volunteers to facilitate the project. Donna reported
that RCHS has given their permission to post information regarding
their activities on the website.
OPEN GENEALOGY FORUM
Donna shared a book she purchased on E-Bay regarding the Troy Police
Department. It contains many photos and biographical information
on members of the department going back to the 19th century. Dick
Culver shared a genealogy record prepared by his grandmother years
ago. Kris Ayotte brought a copy of a 1980 supplement to the Troy
Record that was published on the occasion of the opening of the
Collar City Bridge. It contained photos and write ups about many
of the businesses that were located on the lower part of Hoosick
Street before the bridge was constructed. One of the places of business
was Kris’s father’s establishment – the Elite
on Sixth Avenue and Hoosick Street – where Kris and her family
lived upstairs. Jeanne Keefe will discuss the “Secret Garden”
tour at a future meeting.
Donna has been in contact with members of the Historic Albany Foundation
of 472 Madison Avenue in Albany and they have expressed a desire
to collaborate with TIGS.
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 15, 2006 at Holmes
& Watson.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Cathy McGrath and seconded by Frank Ryan to
adjourn the meeting. The motion was approved and the meeting adjourned
at 7:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Brearton, Secretary