TROY IRISH GENEALOGY SOCIETY
Troy, New York
The regular monthly meeting of the Troy Irish
Genealogy Society was held on Thursday, November
20, 2005 in the meeting room of the Troy Public
Library. The following individuals were in
attendance:
Kris Ayotte
Doris Reilly Moak
Mary Grace Barlow
Helen Rowley
Kay Brearton
Carol Schrom
Ed Dyer
Eileen Shea
Jeanne Keefe
Rick Shea
Jim Madden
Lizette Strait
Joan Madden
Janice Sullivan
Bill McGrath
Donna K. Vaughn
Cathy McGrath
Carol Waldron
Geri Mooney Zotto
The meeting was called to order
at 6:50 p.m. by Donna Vaughn, President, following
a very informative workshop conducted by Ruth
Sweet, Librarian and Head of Reference for
the Troy Public Library. Ms. Sweet distributed
copies of “Finding Your Ancestors”,
containing information regarding the genealogical
source information available in the Library.
She highlighted and explained several of the
sources and invited the attendees to visit
the Troy Room where she answered questions.
Heritage Quest (in the Library) and Ancestry
(on line with a Troy Public Library card) are
now available for use.
Donna Vaughn expressed her thanks
to those who attended the workshop and those
who remained for the business meeting. The
individuals who were present introduced themselves
for the benefit of new attendees. The members
were pleased to welcome TIGS member, Bill Delaney
from California, who attended the Troy Library
workshop.
A motion was made by Jeanne Keefe
and seconded by Kris Ayotte to approve the
minutes of the October 20, 2005 meeting. The
motion passed. The minutes have been published
on the TIGS website.
REPORTS
The President, Donna Vaughn, handed
out a survey to obtain input on members’
attitudes about meeting venues based on comments
received from members that indicated a desire
to possibly change the setting of our meetings..
The surveys will be turned over to Kris Ayotte
who will report on the results at the next
meeting.
There were no reports from the Vice
President or Secretary.
Rick Shea, Treasurer, reported that
there is currently $170 in the TIGS treasury
with a total of 34 paid members.
Jeanne Keefe, Webmaster, reported
that she will be updating the website in the
near future with any information which has
been sent to her.
Lizette Strait, List Administrator,
reported that there are currently 143 list
members; 10 are subscribed in digest form.
She reminded members to change the subject
line when selecting “reply” on
the list to make the subject of the new message
clear. Donna explained to the new attendees
what had transpired in the past regarding archiving
and that Lizette is attempting to contact someone
at Rootsweb to find out how TIGS can begin
archiving messages.
OLD BUSINESS
Bill McGrath reported that work
is continuing on Volume 1 of the marriage index
project. The scanning of that volume is almost
complete. Approximately 23 volunteers are assisting
with transcribing the information to EXCEL
spreadsheets; some as far away as California.
Two of the most productive transcribers are
from Iowa and Massachusetts. Bill explained
what a valuable resource these records are
since they refer back to documents that contain
valuable information about the couple being
married. As each volume is completed the records
will be put up on the TIGS website and the
brides’ and grooms’ names will
be cross indexed in a searchable database.
He will post a sample marriage record so that
everyone can learn what information is contained
on the marriage records. All the volunteers
were thanked for their efforts.
Bill also reported that the 1902
Troy City directory project is now on line
on the website. In the future, additional years
may be added, but now volunteers are concentrating
on the marriage index project.
Lizette Strait handed out copies
of the TIGS brochure she has developed. Several
members took copies to distribute in the community.
The members were pleased with the brochure
and extended their thanks to Lizette.
Kris Ayotte is working on a spreadsheet
containing the names from the Aldermen/Assistants
1816-1891 and it will be completed soon.
Donna thanked Bill McGrath for the
tour he arranged of the Watervliet Arsenal
on November 6.. Over twenty individuals attended
the tour and found it very informative. Bill
has turned over a document that was dated 1880
to the Arsenal Library; it was information
regarding a shipment from the Arsenal to Fort
Meade.
Joan Howe has volunteered to do
lookups from “The History of Watervliet”.
It as suggested that the Webmaster set up a
category on the TIGS website which would list
sources and the names of the volunteers who
have offered to do lookups on those sources.
Discussion of a possible tour of
the NYS Museum on a Saturday has been tabled
until January.
NEW BUSINESS
It has been suggested by Joan Howe
that a page be added to the website outlining
projects that are being worked on or coming
soon. The members agreed it was a good idea
to keep visitors to the website aware of the
projects that are in progress. Jeanne Keefe
will take action on this addition.
Lizette suggested that meetings
be moved up to 6:00 p.m. when a speaker is
scheduled. The business meeting could be conducted
from 6 to 6:30 p.m. and following the meeting
the guest speaker could address the group.
A later date for the speaker would allow more
time for people who work to attend to the workshop,
especially if they are coming from work. It
was suggested that other groups be contacted,
such as the Celtic Association, for names of
possible speakers for future meetings. Anyone
who has an idea for a speaker was asked to
contact Lizette.
Donna suggested that the office
of Membership Chairman be added to the list
of officers for the next election cycle. The
individual in this position would have the
responsibility of increasing membership by
publicity and other means and to follow up
with guests who attend the meetings.
Members were reminded that they
are invited to bring any items of interest
they would like to share with the other members
during the Open Genealogy forum at the end
of each meeting.
Lizette has graciously offered to
have the December 15th meeting at her home.
There will be a brief business meeting and
then a potluck social gathering. Information
will be posted on the website.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Cathy McGrath
and seconded by Jeanne Keefe to adjourn the
meeting. The motion was approved and the meeting
adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Brearton, Secretary
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