The September 9, 2010, meeting of the Madison County Genealogical Society was held at the Edwardsville Public Library.

President, Robert Ridenour, called the meeting to order.

Reports:

In the absence of LaVerne Bloemker, MCGS Treasurer, Barbara Hitch presented the financial report for the month of August 2010, as follows:

• Total Assets as of August 1, 2010 - $16,886.91
• General Fund - Beg. Balance $5,533.67 - Income $24.06 - Expense $935.00 - End Balance $4,622.73
• Publications Fund - Beg. Balance $11,353.24 - No Change - End Balance $11,353.24
• Total Assets as of August 31, 2010 - $15,975.97

Elsie Wasser, MCGS Librarian, reported that all of the books that have been bought or given to the genealogy library in the past six months are now on the shelves.

Some new books on the shelf are The Monnig Family ... A Story of Germany and America by Pete Morrow and A Little Tale of This & That, a biography written by Bernice Deming, one of the library personnel, in 1981.

Taylor County, Iowa History, 1990, Vol 2. and two large volumes on the Eaker Family donated by Terry Harmon.

New Folders Added to the Family Vertical Files or New Information Added to Existing Family Files

Rogers (Madison/St. Clair Co.); Rabb family (was able to use Google to find the location of their grist mill built in the1800's); Gehrig-Leutwiller (includes Dauderman and Wetzel lines); Family Group Sheet/Gracey/Lohr/Schroeder/Hill family of Ft. Russell Twp.-Edwardsville and St. Louis, Missouri; Schoeck-Shoeck; Stamper; Intention to Become a Citizen papers (copies) for Car and Adolph Ofner; Julien Deffontaine and F. Steinmeyer; Castle-Elbring family; Wm. Gordon McAdams; Schaefer-Lange; J. Godfried Arends; James Wrigley; Good, Fridolin, and Jacob; Moeller; Squire-Worley; Kneedler-Cole; Borcher; Elbring; Emmert; Hahnenkamp; Zippel.

Do you have a family member that is interested in (or even obsessed with) genealogy? A membership in the Madison County Genealogical Society would be a very thoughtful gift. A gift card will be sent to the recipient of any gift membership.

The following memberships are available:
Individual/Family Annual Membership $20.00
Patron Annual Membership $30.00
Life Membership $250.00

Contact our Secretary, Barbara Hitch, at [email protected], about a gift membership.

Patricia Walls Stamm, CG, CGL, presented a program titled Elements of a Research Plan: Or Which Way Do I Go?

Everyone makes plans for events like weddings, reunions, parties, and vacations. However, many genealogists never put this type of preparation into their family research. This presentation showed how planning can help maximize research and avoid wasting time, effort, and money.

A research plan is basically a map of where you want to go in your genealogical pursuits. A clear plan keeps you aware of three important elements: the problem involved, the necessary research, and the results of that research, which may lead to further research. A plan could cover a single library visit or a long term search.

An effective plan has several elements:

1. Setting Goals - Researchers need a clear idea of what they are trying to accomplish. Formulating an effective goal is a difficult task. An effective goal is relevant, focused, and specific - not too broad or too vague.
   
2. Establish Objectives - These are the steps to accomplish the goal. Start with what you already know - what you have previously collected.
   
3. Decide on the Documents and Location - What information are you missing from the individual's life and where would this information be found.
   
4. Research - The first three steps lead up to this one. Keep track of all material you search - record negative results as well as positive ones.
   
5. Analyzing and Incorporating Information - Is the new data consistent with information you already have?
   
6. Re-evaluate the Plan - If you solve your problem, you can move to another goal. If there are more questions, you need to reconsider your plan. Either way, you are closer to solving your problem.

This presentation was well received by the audience and generated several questions and discussion.