MINUTES

La Crosse Area Genealogical Society

Wesley United Methodist Church

September 26, 2006

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm on Sept. 26, 2006, by President Terry Micks.

Vice-President Anita Doering read the minutes of the April 25, 2006 meeting. A motion was made to accept the Secretary's report as corrected. The motion was approved.

Treasurer Allen Nelson read the Treasurer's Report. The beginning balance on hand as of April 25, 2006 was $1,360.63 with receipts of $691.82 and disbursements of $754.29, leaving a balance on hand as of Sept. 26, 2006 of $1,298.16.

A research request sent by Saul Arkwright of Ohio that requires some research at the La Crosse County Courthouse was read. No one volunteered to take it on.

Jarrod Roll of the Monroe County Local History Room has started a side business called Save Your Stones which does gravestone beautification and photography of gravestones in La Crosse and Monroe Counties for a fee. He can be contacted at [email protected] or call 608-317-7562.

The Wisconsin State Genealogical Society 2006 fall seminar will be held Oct. 14, 2006, at the UW-Fond du Lac campus from 8 am-4 pm. Paula Stuart Warren will be the guest speaker. A pre-conference workshop for beginning genealogists will also be offered Oct. 13 led by Jack Brissee. Oct. 4 is the registration deadline. After Oct. 4 only walk-in registrations for the Oct. 14 seminar will be accepted.

Local writer David J. Marcou is compiling a book about families. He is looking for photos (current and historical) along with text of 500-700 words about families. Contact him at [email protected] or by phone 608-784-2796.

The library is having construction work done on the first floor. Tonight the bottom of the main staircase is being removed and the library director has closed the library early tonight (Sept. 26) and tomorrow night (Sept. 27) at 7 pm. Thanks, everyone, for showing up to the meeting at our emergency meeting place! And thanks to Wesley United Methodist Church for allowing us to have our meeting here tonight. We plan on returning to the library for our next meeting Oct. 24.

The Photo ID Party went well. About 48% of the photos were in some way identified. Some interesting photos were donated and others were scanned.

Anita Doering would like members to think about changing the format of the cemetery meeting we have had in May in the past. It is difficult to pick a cemetery that is not too big to get done in an evening (or close to it), and not too far away, plus have a potluck, and get work done before nightfall. After the May gathering, Anita and Bill Doering completed the re-transcription of the cemetery stones. Roxanne reported that not all the stones were photographed that evening and that no follow up work has been done.

Earl Newton has passed along his duties with the newsletter. He would make sure that anyone who joined during the year received the previous quarterly, and printed labels and saw that the newsletter was printed and mailed.

As many have heard, Greg Filbeck has resigned his position as our secretary as he and his family have moved out east. Greg and Earl worked closely together.

Jonna Peterson printed the quarterlies and sent them out without labels by printing the address info directly onto the paper. We need people to contribute articles to the Quarterly.

Sept. 26, 2006: Lori Bessler from the Wisconsin Historical Society giving a talk presented by Rick Pifer on organizing genealogical material.

Oct. 24, 2006: What kind of genealogical work did you do over the summer? Bring your problems.

Nov. 28, 2006: Ethnic Holiday Treat Night; Fred Besler, a Civil War re-enactor from Co. B will be here.

Roxanne Munns has added more La Crosse County gravestone photos. Roxanne reported that not all the stones at Lewis Valley Cemetery were photographed and that perhaps the Holmen Area Historical Society would like to help finish that up. The last two years of the Quarterly have also been added.

• Pay your dues if you haven't for 2006.
• Still selling Dig & Delve, the booklet of helpful genealogical material for $5.
• Need to offer a beginner's workshop to keep attracting new and younger members to our Society.
• Terry will help type the How to Get Started in genealogy booklet created by Jane Radloff once updates are completed. Jane is looking for a volunteer to replace Greg to help her out. She specifically asked for someone who has experience with computer genealogy to help address those issues.

Terry asked for volunteers to form a nominating committee to help find a replacement for Greg (1 ½ year term) and to confirm nominations for vice-president and treasurer. Connie Erickson and Joyce Krueger volunteered to be on the committee. Terry will look for a third member.

Our secretary Greg Filbeck maintained an email list of LAGS members and Terry Micks is trying to recreate this list. Let her know if you did not receive the email about the location of tonight's meeting. Make sure to watch the LAGS website for any updates.

Terry Micks reported on a genealogy leaders workshop she and Sue Douglas attended on Sept. 23, 2006. Different aspects were addressed, such as technology, leadership skills, chapter projects, newsletters/publications, and programs. Terry reported that as a Society we are very productive and viable compared to some groups. Terry plans to have a survey in the next Quarterly that will be a tear-out asking members for feedback on meeting times, dates, programs, projects, publications, etc. She also thinks we need to have a hospitality committee that would meet and greet people but not be responsible for treats, but make sure the coffee/hot water get started.

It was moved, seconded and approved to have the Treasurer write a check for $40 to Terry Micks for reimbursement to attend the meeting.

Treats for October's meeting: Cindy H. volunteered to bring treats for the next meeting.

The business portion of the meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm and Anita Doering provided treats and coffee.

Lori Bessler from the Wisconsin Historical Society spoke about keeping track of your family while you pursue genealogical research.

Respectfully submitted,

Anita Taylor Doering, Vice-President