What do you think about in person meetings?

 Here's a thread from the NGS delegates forum.  Do you agree that we need to to focus on getting people back together, or are there other ways to accomplish our goals?  You can reply on this blog by clicking read more......

Over the past three years many genealogy societies have survived by holding virtual meetings.  Virtual meetings have provided a way to continue the educational presentations and the society business, but we have lost much of the social interaction that we had with in-person meetings.

In 2022, some societies have held hybrid meetings with in-person and virtual attendees.  But the in-person attendance has been disappointing in many societies. People are choosing to stay home and attend virtually instead of coming to the in-person meetings. 

How do we encourage in-person meeting attendance?

Are any societies having success with in-person attendance?

For societies holding hybrid meetings what percentage of attendees are in-person?

What techniques have helped get more people to attend in-person

R. Glenn York, Delegate
Colorado Council of Genealogical Societies

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We started virtual only meetings shortly after the pandemic was declared. It has been only until the past three months that we've gone hybrid. We normally had 35-40 members attend in person prior to that. When we went all virtual, the numbers were about the same. With the past three months being hybrid, we've seen a drop in the number of in-person attendees, but an overall total about the same as before. Being in Nebraska with winter weather and all, we've decided to do virtual for Jan/Feb/Mar, then try hybrid again in the Spring. As for getting folks to come in-person to meetings, it will always be a challenge because some just do not want to leave home and go anywhere. If only in-person meetings were offered, some may get out and come. I guess we could encourage in-person attendance by offering door prizes of some sort, or coffee/tea/cookies/etc. Don't know how many might 'bite' on that but could be worth a try. Having an in-person speaker might also encourage folks to come.

-Dean Hayes

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My reply:

This may be the wrong time to focus on trying to get people to attend in-person events, given the resurgence of COVID, plus the other seasonal virus hitting us.  
I would reframe the question to be "How do we maintain our connections while we are meeting remotely?"

Let's think about ways that people could meet socially outdoors, or in small groups.  Or even by phone to share interest or discoveries.  Our Zoom meeting have provided an excellent way for members to interact:  they can chat, work in breakout rooms, screen share, turn up the volume if they have trouble hearing, and in many ways participate more fully than if they were sitting in an auditorium.
If you miss the coffee and cookies, how about separating that out and arrange for small in-person events?  Some groups even hold small breakfast or lunch meetings with a few people.  
We can't turn back the clock, but there are ways to go forward and still accomplish our goals.

Margaret Melaney
San Mateo County Genealogical Society
[California]

Honestly - It's going to take more than a door prize to get me into a large event!

Maggie

Layng & Tinney Mortuary Files

Did you know.....

that the San Mateo County Genealogical Society holds many vital records on its website, as well as land, court records, and schools? You can search on our index. If we hold the records, we can look up the information for you. If we don't, we can suggest where to find it.

But here's why I'm telling you NOW. ...

We are getting rid of our original Layng & Tinney Mortuary Files. We will retain the scans. If you would like the original file folder, please notify us by January, 2023.  

You may search the index and request a document clicking on the link below.

https://www.smcgs.org/Databases/ 

Swedish Death Cleaning

 Think how much easier it will be to do your genealogy when you've cleared out the "genealogical clutter"!

-  Maggie

"Swedish Death Cleaning is the brainchild of author Margareta Magnussen, who coined the term in her 2017 book The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter."-  https://www.thespruce.com/swedish-death-cleaning-4801461

"[This] can actually provide some real benefits in the here-and-now, helping you decide what items are truly important and what you’d be willing to part with. ... think of it as a Scandinavian twist on the Konmari Method."

With that in mind, you’ll need a framework for evaluating which of your items are worth keeping. First consider how much space you can comfortably allot for genealogy research and items. Then comes the hard part—determining what items are worth keeping and what aren’t.

For family historians, your sorting criteria should include assessments of an item’s value and its ability to be passed on. Here are five important questions you might use to evaluate each item in your collection:

• Is this item irreplaceable (i.e., one-of-a-kind)?
• Is a digital version available? Would it be just as useful?
• Who will inherit the information or item when I die? Will it be easy to store, and have others shown any interest in it?
• What practical value is associated with the item? Is it worth a lot of money, or does it provide some intangible research benefit to you or descendants (for example, proving an ancestral line)?
• What sentimental value is associated with the item? Does it represent a meaningful memory or person?

- From an article by Lisa A Alzo, Family Tree Magazine, August, 2022

Do you use Sanborn Maps?

A recent article in Family Tree Magazine started me thinking about all the ways Sanborn maps can help us in our genealogy.

"Sanborn fire insurance maps were published for insurance companies to assess a structure’s risk of catching fire. They were published in different years for different places, and usually after 1920, a set of maps for a particular town might be updated by pasting over a new building.

The maps show subdivision names, streets, buildings, and building details such as address, purpose, composition, windows and doors. You can locate your ancestor’s address before renumbering and renaming that might’ve happened, and you get a good look at your ancestor’s neighborhood at the time."

The San Francisco Public Library has a full collection of maps for SF, but you can also find them online for most towns and cities in the US. 

I started with my gx2 Irish grandparents' tenement on Telegraph Hill in San Francisco. It's Prescott Court, and they lived in the back of number 26, next to the Garibaldi Livery Stable.  Where do you think the children went to school?

Notice that industries and house materials are featured. These were fire insurance maps, designed to help the fire departments assess risks, as well as to let insurance companies know how much to charge you.

 

Look at the amount of detail you get on a close-up.  I wonder what 26 1/2 was.

Here's a full section on Telegraph Hill.  Note the number of tanneries, factories, and other industries in the area.  Can you imagine what it would have been like living there?

Make sure you look at the keys to labeling.  Those are usually found on the first page of the town book.  For example, they will tell you the material used in the structure

Where can I find these?  The maps are online at the Library of Congress Website.

Here's where you'll enter your information to start searching.

Of course, you want to know where my gg grandparents' tenement was.  It's still there!  Here's a photo of the alley.  It's on the left.

Maggie

Summer Events at MCGS

For those of you looking for something to do in August, here's the Marin County Genealogical Society roundup.  And if you're vacationing in the Wine Country this week, you can join them for Breakfast!

More information at https://www.maringensoc.org

Maggie

 

Union Cemetery Tour Saturday, August 6th

Kathy Klebe of the Historic Union Cemetery Association is planning a walking tour of the cemetery this Saturday.  Registration is not required, but I suggest you contact her at kkboxlady@gmail.com if you're bringing guests. 

You can find more information about the cemetery at https://historicunioncemetery.org 

Field Trip to the San Mateo County History Museum July 29th

We'll be visiting the San Mateo County Historical Society Museum and Archives with docent Elizabeth Silva July 29th.  We'll meet in front of the courthouse at 10AM.

Registration is limit to 12
in the museum, and 8 in the archives, so sign up early.

This event may be cancelled if the museum is closed for the pandemic.

Entrance fee to the museum is $6/$4  Adult/Senior

Masks will be required.

For more information and to register, go to https://www.smcgs.org/event-4893292

Historical Happenings at the SMCHA

And see the last paragraph.  If you ever worked at CSM, Cañada, or Skyline, they want your artifacts for a display!  

San Mateo County Historical Association  View this email in your browser Facebook Twitter Instagram Website July 2022 Historical Happenings Courthouse Docket Some of the members of the Fort Point Garrison Brass Band.    On Saturday, July 30 at 1 p.m., the Courthouse Docket continues with the Fort Point Garrison Brass Band. Playing on period brass horns, all of which are over 100 years old, the Band will perform a collection of 19th century national airs, ballads and quicksteps.     The Fort Point Garrison Brass Band was formed in 2005. Part of the Band's mission is to portray an authentic 19th century American brass band and educate audiences on the history of bands, instruments, musicians, and their daily lives during this era. To this end the Band has performed for school programs, Civil War dances and balls, and at Civil War reenactments.      Music provided by bands during the Civil War did much to help the cause. The bands performed concerts, played for troops on the march, provided music for balls and dances, and had an important role in military ceremonies. During battles, the bandsmen often assisted the surgeons in the field hospitals and as stretcher bearers on the battlefield.    The performance is free with the price of admission to the museum: $6 for adults, $4 for students and seniors, and free for children 5 and under.      The Courthouse Docket is a monthly series of presentations held in the History Museum’s historic Courtroom A. The 2022 Courthouse Docket series is sponsored by Cypress Lawn Heritage Foundation.  More information at www.cypresslawnheritagefoundation.org. Outgoing Board Chairwoman Chonita Cleary. From the President     July 1 represents the beginning of our fiscal year, and with it changes to our Board of Directors. After two years at the helm, Chonita Cleary has stepped down from the chairmanship. Everyone who has had the pleasure of working with Chonita over this time has been impressed with her energy and dedication to the San Mateo County Historical Association. For example, she began every Board meeting by reading our mission statement. Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, nearly every meeting during her tenure was conducted online. Nevertheless, her time was marked with great progress, especially highlighted by our capital improvement program.     Our new chairman will be John LaTorra. As Vice Chairman, John co-chaired our capital campaign, and before that he was a key leader of our annual campaign. As John was previously a building inspector, his experience is of particular importance as we initiate our construction projects.     We have lost two board members. Past Chairman Mark Jamison has moved to Colorado, and Alpio Barbara has served his maximum three, three-year terms. Both these men were incredibly valuable to our leadership team.     We are now welcoming onto the Board three new members. Joe Carcione is an accomplished attorney from Menlo Park. Ray Iverson is the new Redwood City Fire Chief. Therese Smith is the proprietor of Highway 92 Succulents, the greenhouse establishment that provides the inventive centerpieces each year at our History Makers dinner. Mitch Postel President Historic Union Cemetery in Redwood City. Victorian Days Walking Tours: Part 1    Get a taste of local history through free walking tours that give an introduction to some of the historic places and themes throughout San Mateo County. Many of the tours require RSVPS and some have COVID-related restrictions. For everyone’s safety, please stay home if you are ill.  Redwood City: Historic Union Cemetery – Saturday, July 16 from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Historic Union Cemetery Association Board members will lead a tour starting at the kiosk near the entrance at 316 Woodside Road, Redwood City. The Historic Union Cemetery first opened in 1859 on a six-acre triangle of land just outside of downtown Redwood City.  With a little over 2,400 graves, many contain San Mateo County founding families and pioneers. Closed in 1918, the cemetery was named a California Historic landmark in 1967 and was placed on the National Register of Historic places in 1983.   RSVP: 650.299.0104, ext. 220 or education@historysmc.org Difficulty Level: Easy. Flat, gravel paths. Woodside: Folger Stable – Sunday, July 17 from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Starting at the picnic tables near the parking lot, tour the Folger Estate Stable Historic District at Wunderlich Park (4040 Woodside Road, Woodside). Learn about the history of the main stable, Carriage House, Chinese built stone walls, the blacksmith barn and dairy house. Take a trip back in time to learn about the agricultural uses of the property, the development of the Folger Coffee Company, the architectural legacy of the estate, the influence of horses to the American West and Woodside history. This year the tour will feature the planned restoration of the Dairy House built in 1874 that is currently in disrepair. Parking is extremely limited on this site.  Difficulty Level: Moderate. Most surfaces are paved and even, some bricks/pavers, one steep segment. For questions, contact fhwp2961@gmail.com. South San Francisco – Saturday, July 23 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. The South San Francisco Public Library History Room will share architectural details about historic buildings along Grand Avenue.  We will see the hotel that housed the earliest workers in the booming industrial town, the house that served as the City’s first hospital, and a dozen other historical sites. Come hear about the people who lived and worked in the city 100 years ago. The tour will start at the library (306 Walnut Avenue, South San Francisco) with a video about the city’s history. Free parking behind the library, enter on Miller Avenue.  RSVP and more information: 650.877.8533 or martinezev@plsinfo.org  Difficulty Level: Moderate. Most is on a slight decline, 2 blocks are steeper. Colma: Italian Cemetery – Saturday, July 30 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Join the Colma Historical Association for a one-hour walk through the Italian Cemetery starting at the cemetery office (540 F Street at Clark Avenue, Colma). You’ll learn about its founding, the stories of some of its famous underground residents, the unique architectural style of the cemetery, and its award-winning above ground mausoleums. This will be followed by a picnic buffet at the Colma Historical Museum “next door” to the cemetery (1500 Hillside Boulevard, Colma).  COVID Restriction: Masks recommended RSVP: 650.757.1676 or cha@colmahistory.com Difficulty Level: Easy. The tour is on level ground, but the paved paths have some trip-hazards. Menlo Park – Saturday, August 6 at 10 a.m. Menlo Park Historical Association (MPHA) Historian, Bo Crane, along with other members of the MPHA Board, will lead participants to historical sites in one of Menlo Park’s oldest sections starting at the 1867 train station (1120 Merrill Street, Menlo Park). The tour will follow Ravenswood Avenue and Oak Grove Avenue. Sights will include the 1869 Bright Eagle mansion, the 1927 Corpus Christi monastery, the Vallombrosa Center with an 1880 mansion, the 1872 Church of the Nativity, the 1914 Montgomery House, the 1964 Hopkins estate Gate House, and the newly built Menlo Park gate, replicating the original 1854 Menlo Park Ranch gateway. Please bring your own water and sun protection. Difficulty Level: Easy. The 1.5-mile tour is on level sidewalks. Burlingame – Sunday, August 7 from 1-2 p.m. The Burlingame Historical Society tour will describe the planting of the eucalyptus and elm trees that gave Burlingame its distinctive look, as well as the building in 1892 of a planned development of five homes that sought to jump-start a community of San Francisco summer dwellers. They will discuss original owners of the cottages, as well as the country club they formed. Bring a hat or sun protection. Starting at the Hillsborough Town parking lot (1600 Floribunda Avenue, Hillsborough), the ¾ mile tour concludes at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. RSVP requested, not required: 650.299.0104, ext. 220 or education@historysmc.org Difficulty Level: Easy. Flat walk, but no sidewalks and limited shade. CSM campus in 1967. Photo by Norton Pearl. CSM Memorabilia Needed    In honor of the College of San Mateo’s centennial, the History Museum will open a changing exhibit on the history of the San Mateo County College District in October 2022. We are looking for artifacts, photographs or stories that might enhance the exhibit, especially items related to the colleges’ early years, clubs, arts, sports, vocational programs and student voices and activism. Please contact exhibits@historysmc.org or 650.299.0104, ext. 233.  Fourth of July pinwheels and flags. An Old-Fashioned Fourth    Join us on Thursday, July 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for An Old-Fashioned Fourth! After the big Redwood City parade, come inside the History Museum to celebrate Independence Day as they did in the 1880s. Visitors can create a pinwheel, make an 1880s flag, play a game and other activities from an activity book of the era. Museum admission will be half-price that day: $3.00 for adults, $2.00 for seniors and students and, as always, free for kids five and under. The Kohl mausoleum at Cypress Lawn. Victorian Days Walking Tours: Part 2 Colma: Cypress Lawn – Saturday, August 13 from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. A docent-led trolley excursion around a beautiful arboretum and outdoor museum of mausoleums and memorials to the famous pioneers of San Francisco and California. Meet at 1363 El Camino Real by the archway. Refreshments to follow the tour.  As the trolley is limited to 24, RSVPs are required. RSVP: 650.299.0104, ext. 220 or education@historysmc.org Difficulty Level: Easy. Trolley not wheelchair accessible. San Bruno – Sunday, August 14 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Join San Mateo County Historical Association President Mitch Postel in an exploration of San Bruno’s historic business district. Starting at the intersection of San Mateo Avenue and El Camino, the walk down San Mateo Avenue includes the original EIMAC building where vacuum tubes were produced for broadcast and radar transmitters during World War II. The tour will feature a stop at the Welch Family’s private slot machine collection, a rare treat in itself. RSVP: 650.299.0104, ext. 220 or education@historysmc.org Difficulty Level: Easy. Note the private slot machine collection is not ADA accessible. San Mateo – Sunday, August 20 from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Join San Mateo preservationists Maxine Turner and Keith Weber for a downtown San Mateo tour. Details at www.historysmc.org/victorian-days-walking-tours. RSVP: 650.299.0104, ext. 220 or education@historysmc.org San Carlos - Saturday, August 27 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.   Tour historic locations in downtown San Carlos with the San Carlos Heritage Association. Meet at the SW corner of San Carlos Avenue and Elm Street. The tour will end at the San Carlos History Museum, which will be open for tours.  RSVP and more information: 650.283.0512 Difficulty Level: Easy. Sidewalks, mainly flat ground. Redwood City - Saturday, August 27 from 2 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.   Visit several of the Path of History Walking Tour sites in historic downtown Redwood City with San Mateo County Historical Association Board Member Dee Eva. Meet at the historic Lathrop House, 701 Hamilton Street, corner of Marshall Street. While supplies last, you will receive a copy of the tour map and guide. RSVP: 650.299.0104, ext. 220 or education@historysmc.org Difficulty Level: Easy Half Moon Bay: Burleigh Murray Ranch State Park - Sunday, August 28 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.   Join a docent on a leisurely two-hour walk and take a journey back in time along Mills Creek at Burleigh H. Murray Ranch State Park. This walk will be a 2.5 miles round trip hike with only a small gain in elevation. Along the way you will learn about the lives of early pioneers and farming families who first settled here in the 19th century.  Enjoy one of our area’s hidden treasures. Meet in the parking lot. There is no water on site. More information: 650.726.8814 or HMBParksVolunteer@parks.ca.gov Difficulty Level: Moderate. Trail is mostly packed dirt and gravel, with only minor increases in elevation. Pescadero - Sunday, August 28 from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.   Pescadero historian Gregory Timm will lead this year's walking tour focusing on the buildings and landscape that you can still see. Starting outside the 1863 Knapp House (80 Stage Road, Pescadero), view and learn about the early homes and building. To enjoy the tour more, please watch Timm’s 16-minute video (https://bit.ly/3b053P7) at home to see images of buildings no longer standing. COVID Restriction: Full vaccination record or proof of a negative COVID test RSVP: 650.299.0104, ext. 220 or education@historysmc.org Difficulty Level: Easy. Flat, paved ground.

The Mystery of the Melungeons

From Family Tree newsletter.  

Typically, the term Melungeon refers to people from eastern Kentucky, southwestern Virginia, eastern Tennessee and southern West Virginia.

The Melungeons’ origins are still being debated. Some researchers believe they descend from the lost colony of Roanoke, and ended up marrying into American Indian families. Others say the Melungeons descend from the legendary Welsh explorer Madoc, who supposedly explored the southern Appalachian region in the 1100s. Still others theorize that the Melungeons are merely a tri-racial mix of Caucasian Europeans, escaped African-American slaves and American Indians.

Watch the video here. Caveat - this may not work in Safari.  And a more historical view here.