TROY IRISH GENEALOGY SOCIETY
Troy, New York

Meeting Minutes January 17, 2008

The regular monthly meeting of the Troy Irish Genealogy Society was held on Thursday, January 17, 2008 at the Red Front Restaurant in Troy, New York.   The following individuals were in attendance:

Kris Ayotte                              Bill McGrath
Kay Brearton                          Cathy McGrath
Eileen Reilly Burton               Doris Reilly Moak
Anna Denney                          Joyce Musco   
Beverly Iler                             Lizette Strait
Jeanne Keefe                          Jan Sullivan
Pat McAvey                             Donna K. Vaughn
 
The meeting was called to order at 6:40 p.m. by Donna Vaughn, President.   She welcomed Anna Denney and Bev Iler to the meeting. 

A motion was made by Jeanne Keefe and seconded by Jan Sullivan to approve the minutes of the November 15, 2007 meeting.   The motion passed.  The minutes have been published on the TIGS website.

REPORTS

There were no reports from the President, Vice President or Secretary.  Cathy McGrath, Treasurer, reported that the beginning balance was $1087.73; $415 in dues was deposited, $810 was paid to Jeanne Keefe for the purchase of the laptop computer, $137.18 was paid for shirts and totes.  The current balance is $555.55.   Forty-eight members have paid 2008 dues; six members paid dues tonight and four dues payments were recently received at home.   Cathy read some of the notes that accompanied the membership/dues forms.   There were many complimentary comments made about the TIGS website and how it has assisted in genealogy searches. 

Jeanne Keefe, Webmaster, reported that Volumes 4 and 5 of the Rensselaer County Marriage Index are now up on the site.   Lizette Strait, Listowner, reported that there are 194 list members.

Bill McGrath, Project Chairperson, reported that 8,000 names are contained in Volumes 4 & 5 of the Rensselaer County marriage records.  A total of 32,000 names for the indices are now available in the database.  There are 8,000 names in volumes 6 and 7 and Bill asked for volunteers to scan those volumes.   

OLD BUSINESS

Kris Ayotte provided an update on the April trip to Ireland.   There are still openings available for the trip and anyone interested should contact Kris.

Tote bags, T-shirts and sweatshirts with the TIGS logo are still available.   Lizette Strait agreed to coordinate the next issue of the TIGS newsletter and will request articles.   Donna asked the members to brainstorm for fundraising ideas.   Bill McGrath discussed random acts of kindness and suggested that the availability of St. Mary Troy baptism, death and marriage records be disseminated to other lists.   Kay Brearton is in possession of these books and will do lookups.  The St. Mary’s books are also available in the Troy Room of the Troy Public Library.    Mimi Nicotina was unable to attend the meeting, therefore, the item regarding a speaker was tabled.

Bev Iler, who with her husband, purchased the old Stanton Brewery business office building, described the interior of the building.   They are renovating the building and converting it into student apartments.  

Donna Vaughn will contact the Albany AOH to inform them that TIGS will be participating in the 2008 St. Patrick’s Day parade in Albany.  

NEW BUSINESS

Donna shared information she received regarding an Irish genealogy cruise.  Bill McGrath has learned that NYS vital records on microfiche are temporarily available at a library in Saratoga Springs.   The members discussed the issue of these records not being available on line for New York State unlike many other states.   Donna Vaughn offered to look into this further.

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 21, 2008 at the Red Front Restaurant at 6:30 PM.   Jeanne Keefe offered to demonstrate the operation of the new laptop computer purchased by TIGS.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Kris Ayotte and seconded by Joyce Musco to adjourn the meeting.   The motion was approved and the meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

 Respectfully submitted,

Kathleen Brearton, Secretary