Troy
Irish Genealogy Society
Meeting
Notes
October
21, 2004
The
Troy Irish Genealogy Society
met
on
Thursday,
10/21/04,
at the Capital District Celtic
Cultural Center at 251River Street
in downtown Troy. Attending the
meeting were Kay Brearton, Lynn
Grice, Marialice Mangan, Eileen
and Rick Shea, Jeanne Keefe,
Bill McGrath, Kristin Ayotte,
Rebecca
Rector, Mike McAlonie, Donna
Vaughn and first time attendees
Ed Dyer and Carol Schrom.
The meeting was called to order by co-chairs
Rick Shea and Mike McAlonie. The minutes
from the last meeting were approved
previously and posted to the TIGS website.
OLD BUSINESS
Members
projects - Jeanne
Keefe and Lynn Grice noted
that this was a carryover
from old agendas and will
be eliminated from future
agendas.
Photos to be posted to website -
Rich Shea brought photos from the flood
of 1936. They were given to Jeanne
to post to the website.
Burden Records -
Lynn told the group that the payroll
records are done. The project
entailed 158 pages and the second
volume is ready to be posted to
the TIGS website. A thank you
was extended to the project participants;
Bill McGrath, Lynn Grice, Kay
Brearton, Bill Nealon and Marialice
Mangan. There is more information
contained in the original volumes
that was not extracted, including
money earned and hours worked.
Remarks per Bill could include "child dead, paling beer,
drunk, etc.". Members
are encouraged to go to the
RCHS and view the original
documents to see the entire
record. The conversation
then turned to the American
Canadian Genealogy Society
and Rebecca noted that St.
Peter's in Troy has not been
transcribed by this group.
There was some discussion
about this group and the
transcription projects they
have completed.
Bill McGrath noted 27 volunteers working
on the death and marriage records from
the RCHS, of which 16 are in the Capital
District and the others located around
the country. There are according to
Bill approximately 6000 death and 1000
marriage records being transcribed.
To date 50 pages of marriages are done
and 22 pages of deaths completed. Bill
notes that volunteers for proof reading
are needed. Kris Ayotte suggested that
the group donate $1.00 each to Bill
to assist with postage, the group passed
on the suggestion.
Website Update - Jeanne
Keefe reports there is a link to the
Capital Celtic Network on the site
now.
Tours - Bill Mc Grath
notes there appears to be little interest
in the Watervliet Arsenal Tour so it
will be postponed. Lynn Grice notes
it is difficult to schedule the tour
of the RCHS so suggested that individuals
can request an individual tour or join
the RCHS to benefit from their resources.
Family Tree Class -
Currently Bill McGrath is extremely
busy and asks that any plans be postponed
until Spring.
Group Resources -
Donna Vaughn noted that only 3
members had contacted her. Jeanne
Keefe suggested an "Ask Me Person" be
posted to the website. That person
could route questions to members.
It was also suggested the perhaps
a paper list of member resources
be distributed to members only.
Attendees voiced a concern that
if a list of resources were posted
we could be overburdened with
e-mail inquiries.
List Administrator Report -
Donna Vaughn notes that we currently
have 60 members on the list of which
4 are digest only.
Genealogy Table - Moved
to end of meeting for Donna Vaughns
presentation on Green Island. Unfortunately
due to time constraints later postponed
till next month. Kristin Ayotte had
brought copies of the handouts from
a seminar attended by seveal members
the previous evening at the CDCCC.
The handouts were from the Ulster Historical
Foundation and concerned research resources
here in the US and in Ireland.
NEW BUSINESS
Links
to Other Websites -
Kristin Ayotte informed the group
that she and probably other members
may not be aware that the TIGS
Burden Payroll project was posted
to other websites. She stated
that she felt that if they were
posted to other sites that those
sites should be asked to place
a link to the TIGS site to increase
awareness of our site and traffic
to it. Kristin mentioned that
on the site she went to TIGS is
not listed as a favorite link,
a society or in any other form
except as a click on to view the
records. The group at the September
meeting had discussed contacting
other sites of relevant nature
and arranging for mutual links
to be established, our to theirs
and theirs to ours. Kristin was
told that if this is an issue
that concerns her she should contact
the other sites with the records
and discuss a link.
Meeting Room Discussion -
The group was joined by Mr. Kevin Roe
of the CDCCC who spoke to the group
about the availability of the room
for meetings and parking. The group
will meet at the CDCCC on Wednesdays
in the future as Thursdays are not
available.
It was mentioned that this room would
be ideal for a Christmas party at which
time Jeanne informed the group that
she had discussed with Lizzette Strait
that she would like to host a Christmas
party at her home.
Mission Statement and Charter
Selection discussion -
Kristin Ayotte distributed copies
she had made of Charter #2 with
minor suggested changes. This
is the Charter that the group
has previously agreed seems to
fit TIGS best out of the ones
that were presented. The discussion
was ended with the arrival of
Mr. David Bonitatibus from the
American Canadian Genealogy Society.
Mr. Bonitatibus brought with him copies
of books produced by his group containing
transcribed records from several local
churches. They have to date transcribed
over 100 Catholic Churchs in NY with
50 being in the Albany area. In Troy
they have completed St. Marys, St.
Jeans, St. Patricks and they have just
received permission to work on St.
Josephs and St. Lawrences. They have
completed St. Josephs in Cohoes and
St. Annes in Waterford.
Mr. Bonitatibus is looking for volunteers
to work on transcription projects,
information can be found by contacting
NYCHURCHRECORDS@aol.com
The meeting ended abruptly due to time
concerns.
The next meeting will be held at the
CDCCC on Wednesday the 17th of November.