SOCCGS meetings are scheduled for the third Saturday of each month and begin at 10:00 a.m. and end at noon. They are held at:

Norman P. Murray Community Center

24932 Oso Viejo Drive

Mission Viejo, CA.

8 April 1995 is not our regular meeting date and is being held on that date to accommodate other previously planned activities at the community center. This meeting will feature SOCCGS member Eugenia Gannon who will tell us "How I found My Smiths" and sundry other tales of a veteran researcher. Be prepared to share how you also have cleared your hurdles.

20 May 1995. The guest speakers for this meeting will be Donald and Mary Decker who will address the problems of how to write a personal history.

17 June 1995 To be announced.

FAMILY FAIR

The Mission Viejo Family History Center is planning a Family Fair for Friday, 21 July 1995 from 7pm to 9:30pm. They are asking for family sagas and stories of your ancestors to be used in vignettes to be presented that evening. Contact Linda Dibble if you wish to participate.

OTHER EVENTS

8-9 April 1995 The Annual Genealogical Jamboree of the So. CA. Gen Soc., held at the Pasadena Center, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena.

Cost is $7 for one day, $12 for both days. For more information call (818)843-2747

3-6- May 1995 The National Genealogical Society will hold its' annual conference at the Town & Country Hotel and Convention Center in San Diego. Brochures are available at the back desk.

7 May 1995 the Orange Co. CA. Gen Society will host an Irish/Scottish Family History Day on Sunday, May 7, 1995 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The guest speaker is Dr. Brian Trainor, Director of Ulster Historical Foundation of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Green Valley Adult Clubhouse, 17250 Los Jardines West, Fountain Valley, CA. For information call (714)962-4592.

19-21 May 1995 11th Annual Buscando Nuestras Raices Conference of the Society of Hispanic Historical & Ancestral Research presents "Using Hispanic Genealogical Data to Enhance US History", to be held 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Golden West College, 15744 Golden West Street, Huntington Beach (just south of Freeway 405. Dr. J. Leon Helguera, Vanderbuilt University, Nashville, TN. and Dr. Eric Van Young, University of San Diego at La Jolla are two of many distinguished speakers featured that day. For more information call (714)773-1510.

MEMBERSHIP

We welcome the following new members:

Pat DeCou #0143

6128 Medford Drive

Huntington Beach CA, 92647-2457

Margaret O. Washburn #0144

631-O Avenida Sevilla

Laguna Hills, CA., 92653

The following members have renewed their membership for the year: Vernie Gallagher, Eugenia Gannon, Clifford Gunderson, Edythe Gwinn, Kathleen Mauzey, Laura Lee Mitchell, Paula Roberts, Arlene Schrader, Sylvia Sligar, Alice H. White, Harrison Wiltse and Mary C. Wood.

National Archives Honored

The National Archives-Pacific Southwest Region has received a certificate from the White House recognizing the Regional Archives as a 1994 Hammer Award nominee. The staff was nominated for providing CD-ROM-based indexes to census records. The indexes considerably reduce search time and increase search capacity. In addition, Dianne Nixon, Director, and Suzanne Dewberry, Asst. Director, were recognized for their assistance in the January 17th earthquake records mobilization efforts. (Prologue, Vol 27 #1, Spring 1995)

INTERNET

Several National Archives catalogs of microfilm publications are now available on the Internet. To access the NARA gopher via the Internet, point your gopher client at gopher://gopher.nara.gov/. Researchers can also access the NARA gopher with an HTTP client, such as Mosaic or Cello. Most documents are available only as text files, not HTML documents, but are available via this route as a convenience to users. The URL to use is http://www.nara.gov/.

Catalogs of National Archives microfilm publications currently available on the Internet are: Microfilm Resources for Research: A Comprehensive Catalog; The 1790-1890 Federal Population Censuses; 1900 Federal Population Census; The 1910 Fed. Pop. Census; The 1920 Fed. Pop. Census; American Indians; Federal Court Records; Immigrant & Passenger Arrivals; Genealogical and Biographical Research; Military Service Records; Black Studies; and Diplomatic Records. (Prologue, Spring 1995, Vol 27 #1)

METHODIST RECORDS

The UM Archives and History Center at Drew University in Madison NJ does not respond to requests about ancestors who may have belonged to the church. Instead, their service is limited to a search for obits and memoirs of ordained clergy. The Center does not provide baptismal, marriage, funeral or membership records, even of those called "local preachers" in spite of the fact that they performed pastoral duties in the 19th century. They suggest that for baptismal, marriage, funeral, membership, church records of a lay preacher or local church member in TN, for example, to write The Commission on Archives & History, United Methodist Church, c/o Norman Weber, 4710 Charlotte Ave., Nashville TN, 37209

(CSGA Newsletter, Vol 13 )

SOME LEGAL TERMS

Legal points to bear in mind when reading the minutes of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions: An orphan over the age of fourteen could select his own guardian; the Court appointed a guardian for children under the age of fourteen. "Of lawful age" meant that the orphan was of the age to make his own selection. Orphan is a minor whose father is dead, the mother may well be living. The widow had legal right to administer the estate of her deceased intestate husband; she had to relinquish that right in order for the Court to appoint someone else as administrator. The amount of the administrator's bond was set at roughly twice the estimated value of the decedent's estate. Qualified meant that the administrator or executor took an oath to discharge his duties faithfully according to law under bond with securities. A caveat (pronounced with a long a) is a notice used to prevent the probate of a will or the issuance of vacant land, etc., until the person with the objection can be heard.

"In room of" means instead of or in place of. A tales juror is one who has been added to the jury when all those sworn and impaneled have been exhausted, usually a bystander in a court room. N.B. is Latin nota bene meaning "note well". P Cur is the abbreviation of pur curia meaning "by order of the Court". Scire facias is a procedure by which one party must show cause why the other party should not have the advantage to which he is entitled by the record. Ex ux is the Latin abbreviation for "and wife". (Introduction to article "Rowan Co. Minutes of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions, by Jo White Linn, Rowan Co. Register, Vol 10 #1, Feb 1995, submitted to us by Beverly Long.

"Genealogy is a blood-sport" (Rowan Co Register, Feb 1995)

FREE QUERIES

The following newspapers will print free queries:

Georgia: Queries about the South or Southwest GA area are printed in the Moultrie Observer, PO Box 889, Moultrie GA., 31776.

Louisiana: Queries regarding Louisiana may be submitted to two newspapers in that state,

The Bienville Democrat and The Ringold Progress. Send your articles to Donna Sutton, Rt 1, Box 15-A, Gibsland, LA., 71028.

Tennessee: Queries about ancestors in the Volunteer state will be printed free in The Nashville Banner. Send your information to David R. Logsdon, Nashville Banner, 1100 Broadway, Nashville, TN, 37203

Texas: Queries regarding Freestone and Limestone Counties can be sent to Betty Morrow, Rt. 2, Box 96, Butler Rd. Teague, TX, 75860-9637. Send a SASE and a copy of your query will be sent to you when it is printed. (St. Louis Gen Soc News & Notes, Vol 27 #2, Feb 1995)

CALLING ALL CALLAWAYS

Bobbie L. Callaway, 600 Fristoe Ave., Monett MO, 65708, is collecting obituaries that contain the name "Callaway" for the Callaway Family Association. If you have any Callaways please send her these death notices with the name and date of the newspaper in which they appeared. (Callaway Family Association Journal, 1994 Vol VIX)

INSURANCE FOR THE GENEALOGIST

At the Family History Center in Mission Viejo last week sat an envelope marked "For Pat". So I opened it. It contained adoption information dated 1941 and had been left by a patron. Let us hope this Pat remembers where she may have lost this item and retrace her steps to regain it.

Also in the Lost & Found box was an original 1905 bill of sale for a four year old bay horse named "Joe Chinn", complete with a description of the brand he wore. Joe sold for $25.00 in Uinta Co., WY to a Thomas J. Casto.

Now, if I had been the one to misplace that bill of sale (think of it, an original document, 90 years old!!) I would be reduced to tears. No doubt the former owner is now in tears also.

If there is one bit of experience we "old timers" (meaning seasoned researchers) can pass along to the beginner it is to never carry around any original document, photo, license, deed, obit, important letter, any archival material of any form that you would regret loosing. For a modest fee you can xerox those documents and leave the originals at home. It is even wise to make a reproduction of your research notes that you may have spent hours and hours in compiling and would hate to loose. Shop around and ask, for there are places you can make xerox copies for 3cents a sheet.

QUOTE

A Genealogist is a full time DETECTIVE, a thorough HISTORIAN, an inveterate SNOOP,

a keen OBSERVER, a hardened SKEPTIC, an apt BIOGRAPHER, a qualified LINGUIST, and above all, an ACCURATE REPORTER.

(Gen. Soc. North Orange Co CA., Vol 10 #1, Jan 1995)

HELP IN ILLINOIS

The IL State Historical Library located beneath the Old State Capitol in Springfield holds newspapers from all 102 counties, 5000 manuscripts, a Lincoln collection, etc. They answer mail requests when $5.00 is enclosed. The newspaper microfilms and second copies of books may be borrowed on inter-library loan. Write Illinois State Historical Library, Old State Capitol, Springfield IL 62701. (St. Clair Co. Gen Soc., Vol 18 3 2, March 1995, via StLGS News & Notes, March 1995.)

SOCCGS QUERIES FINALLY, our very own query column! I thought you'd never get around to running a query in our newsletter - free of charge!

Is Clement Winders your ancestor? Need info on Clement Winders, born abt 1790 in VA. He later moved to Ohio around 1826 with family. Last known whereabouts was 1840 Franklin Co Ohio. Pls contact Darlene Dary,13 St. Maxime, Laguna Niguel CA, 92677, (714)499-1471

Wm Mitchell (m. Mary Reed) moved from Westmoreland Co PA in 1823 to Franklin Co Ohio. One son, David, my ggfa came to Illinois. How did William get to PA? from where? Mildred Malmquist, 23442 El Toro Rd, E321, El Toro CA, 92636, (714)951-6082.

Need children of Patrick Rush, whose wife may have been a Reasus. Lived Newcastle Co DE 1790, in Bourbon Co KY by 1800, also lived Franklin & Fayette Cos.KY. Died after 1831. Believe my James W. Rush is one son.

Pat Weeks, 33412 Sea Bright Drive, Dana Point CA,

DELAYED BIRTH CERTIFICATES

Check the County Clerks 1940 birth indexes for those lost US births that you've been unable to find. People born as early as 1858 had to get delayed birth records registered in 1940 in order to obtain a Social Security card.

To get the delayed registration, relatives or doctors who were present at birth sometimes swore out affidavits attesting to the event. Proof of births from baptismal certificates or family Bible records could also be used. (LA Westside Gen. Society, Feb 1994)

MOVIE INDUSTRY SOURCE

Do you have an ancestor in the movies? Try the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Margaret Herick Library) 333 La Cienega, Beverly Hills CA, 90211, or phone (310)247-3020 (John Rea, NNY-BBS, via CCCGS Newsletter May 1994, via CSGA Newsletter Vol 13 #3)

COUSIN WHO?

The above resource recalls to mind one of the more dramatic episodes in my genie research career.

When my mother first met my future husband-to-be, Bud Weeks, she remarked that he reminded her of Clark Gable. A few years after our marriage I discovered that Clark was indeed a cousin. So after I had a lull in my own research I decided to tackle this story to see if it was really true, and just how close a cousin he actually was.

I found another researcher and distant cousin who had also heard the Clark Gable cousin connection. So the two of us began our collaboration to prove or disprove this claim.

What fun it was! The postage we spent sending back and forth our daily finds! And the commotion I caused that day at the National Archives when I announced, "Well, here he is, Clark Gable" Every woman in the room came running to read nine year old Clark on the 1910 census!

Cousin Charlene and I found that Clark was the son of Bill Gable whose wife died shortly after Clark was born. Bill set out to find a wife and a mother for young Clark. He found Jennie Dunlap, who agreed to accept this challenge. In Clark Gable's memoirs, he wrote that he idolized this step-mother of his.

Jennie Dunlap Gable was the daughter of Henry Dunlap and Frances Richard of Harrison Co. Ohio. Her mother Frances was the sister to my husband's great-grandmother Bothia Richard Caves.

So much for blood ties! Tis a shame, for Clark missed out on inheriting the genes of the Richard family, and who knows what he could have become. He could have looked like Bud Weeks, and I think Bud is much handsomer than Clark Gable was. PW

REVOLUTIONARY WAR PENSIONS

The dates of the three major pension laws which applied to the Revolutionary War veterans are:

1. 1776-temporary pensions for disabled.

2. 1818-pensions for those in need of financial assistance even if not disabled.

3. 1832-pensions for all veterans who had served more than six months.

There were three types of pensions:

1. Disability pension - personal disability incurred in the line of duty.

2. Service pension - for serving specified periods of time.

3. Widow's pension - husband had been killed or had served specified periods of time.

Military grave markers were not provided unless requested and the request form might lead you to new genealogical clues. Send all known information of your veteran (and SASE) and ask for a copy of the "Request for a Marker" to:

Central Office - Marker Services

Veteran's Administration Affairs

810 Vermont Ave. NW

Washington DC

(Griva News & Notes, Oct 1994 via StLGS News N Notes, Jan 1995)

NAME TAGS

Mary Ellen Lytle has taken on the task of making name tags for our members to wear at our meetings. On these tags will be your name, our SOCCGS, and six family surnames you are searching. Please provide her with this information either at our meeting in April or you can mail the information to her at 3336-2A Punta Alta, Laguna Hills CA, 92653-2858.

Remember to clearly print all information, and

provide your name as you wish to be called by other members.

INTRODUCING:

In a burst of enthusiasm I agreed to submit my family chart for the March newsletter. The blanks are many. I paid my first visit to the Archives in 1993 and realized I would never have to worry about what to do in retirement besides play golf.

When I was growing up there were many family stories. We are supposed to have a Cherokee Indian ancestor. I embellished this and decided to make her a princess. My classmates dubbed her "Princess Sitting in the Mud". This story and other family tales decided me to get busy and start sorting fact from fiction.

Added incentive was the visit of Swedish relatives in 1989. My sister was living in Chicago in the family home at that time. She had resumed her maiden name, and that is another story. The relatives sent a postcard and family ties were re-established. I have names and dates going way back for my paternal grandmother. As a beginner, I was delighted when SOCCGS was founded. I was at the right place at the right time.

Diane Miller

Soccgs Home Page

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