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Date:         Fri, 2 Oct 1992 08:56:42 EDT
Reply-To:     Bob Oliphant <oliphant@BBN.COM>
From:         Bob Oliphant <oliphant@BBN.COM>
Subject:      Re: Genealogical Societies: helpful?
Comments: To: gilsonm@ICCGCC.DECNET.AB.COM
Comments: cc: ROOTS-L@VM1.NoDak.EDU

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>From:         gilsonm@ICCGCC.DECNET.AB.COM
>Subject:      Genealogical Societies: helpful?
>To:           Multiple recipients of list ROOTS-L <ROOTS-L@VM1.NoDak.EDU>
>
>Let me preface this by saying that since I have no ancestors from
>Ohio, I have not joined either the local or state genealogical
>societies, therefore the questions:
>
>	How useful to join here?  I haven't joined so far because
>	I expect the focus to be on this geographical area.
>
>	How useful to join a gen. society from the localities where
>	kazillions of my ancestors lived?  Would they provide things
>	like a bibligraphy of local histories/records?  Do they
>	do research?
>
>Mike Gilson
>gilsonm@iccgcc.decnet.ab.com	! new address

As an active member of the Middlesex Chapter, Massachusetts Society of
Genealogists (Vice President of Programs), where I live, and a member of
the Ohio Genealogical Society, where I was born and raised, I would like
to say that I believe they are quite useful for a number of different
reasons.

Most societies hold monthly meetings of local chapters and annual
meetings of state societies that feature speakers discussing various
aspects of genealogical research.  While many such talks I have heard
have not been in a direct area of my interest, I don't believe I have
ever attended a talk and not learned something that would help me in my
research (I have been doing genealogical research for 30 years).  In
addition monthly meetings provide an opportunity to chat with other
genealogists on an informal bases to exchange information and ideas for
research.  Monthly meetings often serve as a stimulus for us to get on
with our own research.

Nearly all genealogical societies have monthly and/or quarterly
publications that serve as vehicles for publishing newly found or hard
to find genealogical records, articles on doing research, genealogies,
tips on using the computer for genealogy, information on upcoming
genealogical meetings, queries, etc.  I have found information on my
ancestors in several such publications and have also gotten good ideas
for new research from reading them.

Local and state genealogical societies often have research projects of
their own that you can get involved with.  These typically involve
making additional genealogical resources available somehow.  For
example, the Middlesex Chapter of MSoG is now compiling a census of all
cemeteries in Middlesex County, MA, that will tell the researcher
everything he or she needs to know to find a cemetery, or records for
any cemetery, in this county.

I have found the Ohio Genealogical Society to be especially helpful.  I
am a member of the state society only, but have a friend who is a member
of the Mahoning County chapter which is also quite useful.  The state
society publishes a monthly newsletter and two quarterly publications
(one of which is not included in your dues), all excellent publications.
They also provide a 3X5 card index of the ancestors of all members, and
when you send in your cards, they will match them with those of existing
OGS members who have the same ancestors so you can exchange information.
I got a great deal of information on a line I had been stumped on for
many years this way.

Some genealogical societies can provide a bibliography or list of local
histories/records available, but I don't think such lists are typically
available.  Some societies will do specific types of research and you
can also write them for suggestions on local researchers to contact if
you want to have someone do research for you in their area.

Some societies have a state library/museum that will have many local
genealogical records.  The OGS, for example, has an excellent library in
Mansfield, OH, which I visited this summer and found very useful.  Many
of the OGS county chapters also have a local library/museum.

In summary, I would recommend you join both a local genealogical society
where you live and one in a county/state where your ancestors lived.
Membership fees are usually not too high so it is the sort of thing you
can try for a year and see how you like it without losing much.

And let me know if you need an application to either MSoG or the OGS;
I've got some for both.  Good luck in your research.

Bob Oliphant
oliphant@bbn.com

**Researching OLIPHANT, DAVIDSON, STRANAGHAN, HORTON, MAY, MILLER**
****GEIST, ROHRBACH, ALLEN, PORTER, BEARDSLEY, CANTLEY, CROSLEY****