The April 2007 meeting of the Lafayette Genealogical Society was held in the Meeting Room of the Main Branch of the Lafayette Public Library on April 19, 2007 at 6:30 P.M.  The meeting was called to order by President Charles Patterson.  A moment of silence was observed, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.  Mr. Calais, a visitor, was introduced.

The membership was informed that the annual budget had not been approved.  James Bourque moved that the 2007 budget for the Lafayette Genealogical Society be accepted; Lona Bourque seconded the motion.  It was approved by the general membership.

The March 2007 Minutes have been posted online.  There were no corrections or additions.

Julaine Deare Schexnayder gave an update on the progress of the Friends of the Historic St. Nicholas Cemetery in Patoutville.  Her report of communication with the Louisiana Cemetery Board and resultant  communication from the Louisiana Department of Justice demonstrated what research and  citizen action can accomplish with positive significance.  A round of applause was given to her for spearheading this campaign and its results.

President Charles Patterson then gave a Powerpoint presentation on Family Tree Maker, the most popular soft-ware program for entering genealogy information on a computer.  Handouts were available for a printing donation.  It was pointed out that the manual for Family Tree Maker is available for checking out at the library.

Genealogy 101 continues on the first Saturday of May, May 5, 2007 and will be held in the Meeting Room of the Main Branch of the Lafayette Public Library at 9:30 A.M.  The topic for May will be �How to Search and Find Your Ancestors Online� using Google, Cyndi�s List, and other websites.  Following the presentation assistance will be offered in the upstairs Genealogy Section of the library by the Lafayette Genealogy Society members.  Earl Gates will also have available the 15 and 23 generation genealogy charts that the society has for sale.

Because it has been difficult to publicize Society events, it was suggested that a poster be placed on the bulletin board of Genealogy Section of the library announcing meetings and events.

The treasurer, Warren LeBlanc, announced that dues may be paid.

It was announced that an inventory of the cemetery of St. John the Evangelist in Jeanerette will begin again on Tuesday, April 24, 2007.  Any help would be appreciated.

Member and librarian of the Louisiana Room at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Jean Kiesel  announced that to wind down the information she is collecting for the edition of a history of Lafayette Parish, she needs some volunteers to go and collect some old pictures from some individuals and sites around Lafayette.

There being no further business, James Bourque made a motion to close the meeting and Lona Bourque seconded that motion.  The meeting was closed and refreshments supplied by Lona Bourque and Christine Blackwell were served.

Respectfully submitted,

Brenda Fuselier

May Meeting

Thursday, May 17, 2007

6:30 P.M.

Grace Presbyterian Church

518 Roselawn Blvd

( Please note change of location from regularly scheduled meetings)

Presentation: Citing Your Sources by Dottie Burleigh